Scent Of A Stranger

3: The End Of An Era

Rhea Everwood

“The council members are waiting for you, Luna Rhea,” Kai said, and I walked out of my room and headed to the council hall.

As I stepped inside, every murmur ceased and I sat down on my throne, The elders shifted uncomfortably before Elder Karl spoke.

"Luna Rhea," he began, "while your... decisiveness is admirable, imprisoning the Alpha, even temporarily, is an unprecedented act. What if he is proven innocent? This is a stain upon his name, upon our pack's honor."

“Yes Luna, we were shocked when we heard that you have imprisoned him, this is a matter we should have talked about within us and then if he truly guilty we will know how to dispose him, what if alpha of other packs hears of this, this will bring a shame to us and a shame upon his name.” Another Elder stated and I snarled.

"A stain upon his name?" I practically spat the words. I walked towards them, and their eyes fell to the ground, avoiding seeing me directly.

"What if it's all true?" I demanded, my gaze sweeping across their faces but no one dared look at me, "What if his ambition, his betrayal, isn't just a rumor? What will you do then, Elders? Will you stand by and watch our pack crumble to dust over his 'silly ambition,' as you so lightly put it?"

There was silence, no one said a thing, They had nothing in sight, no reassurance, no hint of a plan, no shared burden. It was as if they were already resigned to whatever fate Mason's actions would bring.

Clenching my jaw, I turned and walked out of the council hall, “Luna Rhea, where are you going?” They called after me and I stopped, turning to look at them.

“I am leaving, the meeting has ended,” I said through gritted teeth and walked away.

The thought of Mason filled my head, I wanted to hear what he would say, I needed to see him, to face the man who had held my heart and now held my pack's future in his hands.

Just when I stepped out of the pack house, I saw Rowan standing, he quickly moved over to meet me, "Rhea," he said, "Where are you going?"

I stopped turning my head to look at him, "I am going to the dungeon to see Mason."

Rowan took a step closer, "I will come with you."

"No," I said, "It's... It's not necessary. I will confront him alone.”

"Rhea," he insisted, his gaze unwavering, "I don't know what you have heard, but Mason is the Alpha. And you are... You are his mate. I don't want him to try anything, to hurt you. You need someone there with you incase if anything happens.”

I wanted to tell him that Mason will never hurt me but I couldn’t say that, I wasn’t even sure who Mason is anymore, my heart clenched at the thought and I let out a deep breath.

"Alright," I conceded, the word feeling like a surrender. "But stay behind me, and stay silent."

Rowan nodded, we started walking and we went inside the dungeon, one of the guards let us to where Mason was kept immediately, we stopped in front of one of the cells, Mason sat on the cold floor, his back against the bars. He looked up as we approached, and he stood up immediately.

"Rhea," he said, his voice surprisingly calm, almost detached, and then his gaze turned to see Rowan standing behind me. "You came here with Rowan, Rhea you should have..." He trailed off.

"It's none of your business, Mason," I said, my voice tight. "I'm here to ask you, directly. What was your intention? Why did you go against the pack? What was this... this plan of yours?"

He met my gaze, and for a moment, there were no emotions in his eyes, he remained silent, his expression unreadable.

"Mason," I pressed, my voice rising, "answer me!"

He let out a soft chuckle as his gaze darted between me and Rowan. "What does it matter now, Rhea? You have already made your judgment. You have locked me away like a common criminal. Do what you must." He leaned back against the wall, crossing his arms over his chest. "Do your worst."

My mouth hung slightly open, I had expected him to plead, to lie, to do anything just to prove he is innocent but he didn’t care, he didn’t even show me any emotions. My heart broke more, if that was at anyway possible, I swallowed the lump in my throat.

"Very well," I said, I turned to Rowan. "Go to the guards. Tell them to bring Mason to the pack center. Gather the Elders and summon all the pack members. Now."

Rowan didn't question me, he only nodded turned, and left, I glanced at Mason for the last time but he didn’t look at me, he doesn’t even care about my feelings, With heavy legs I forced myself out of the dungeon remembering to use my head instead of my heart.

Mason was dragged to the pack center, he was chained down, he said nothing, he didn’t blink or try to defend himself, the pack members gathered and soon the elders arrived, they were shocked at the scene before them but I looked away, trying so hard not to break down before anyone, I have always been known as a strong Luna and I will remain that.

"My pack members," I began, my voice resonating through the stillness. "You see the man who stands before you. You see Mason, once your Alpha, now your prisoner. I have discovered his betrayal. He has plotted against this pack, he was involved in all the killings happening in the pack. He has endangered us all."

I paused, letting the truth sink in. I scanned the faces of the crowd, looking for Mason. He stood tall, his gaze fixed on me. I was expecting to see fear, perhaps shame, or even a plea for mercy in his eyes. I wanted something, anything, that would make me question this path. But his gaze didn't waver. It was a gaze that spoke of conviction, or perhaps, a deeper, more terrifying apathy. And that, more than any accusation, hurt me more than I could bear.

My throat constricted, a lump forming that I couldn't swallow down. My hands trembled slightly as I reached for the knife I had requested from the guards. It was a ceremonial dagger, usually reserved for blessings and initiations but now it will serve a different purpose.

"And because of this betrayal," I declared, my voice gaining strength, fueled by a desperate need to protect what remained, "he will sacrifice his life for the good of the pack."

My eyes met Mason's one last time. There was no apology in his gaze, no remorse. Only a quiet resignation that gnawed at my soul. The lump in my throat was unbearable. “Do you have anything to say?” I asked him and he smirked

“Do your worst Rhea, whatever makes you sleep at night.” He muttered and I still couldn’t believe him. I roared and then stabbed him.

The first stab was deep, tearing through his shirt and flesh. A gasp rippled through the crowd. Mason's body stiffened, but he didn't cry out. He simply looked at me, his eyes wide with a pain that finally mirrored my own.

Then the second thrust. Another choked gasp from him, a ragged exhale. I squeezed my eyes shut and the third. My vision blurred as I drove the blade home.

Mason's body convulsed, and then, with a shudder, he collapsed. His breathing hitched, grew shallow, and then ceased. He fell to the ground, lifeless.

The silence that followed was deafening, broken only by the sound of the wind. I stood there, the bloodied knife still in my hand, my body trembling uncontrollably. I couldn't let them see the tears that were now streaming down my face, blurring my vision, blurring the man I had loved and been forced to destroy.

"Carry him out," I choked out, my voice barely a whisper. "Bury him... bury him outside the pack borders. He is no longer one of us."

Without another glance, I turned and walked away, knowing a part of my soul was gone and I would never be complete again.