เข้าสู่ระบบFIVE YEARS LATERALINA“Mama! Erik won’t share the training sword!”I looked up from the territory reports to see Luna stomping into my office, her dark hair, just like her father’s, flying around her face in righteous indignation.“Erik!” I called. “Get in here.”My son appeared moments later, the disputed wooden sword clutched in his hand, looking rebellious. “But I had it first!”“You’ve had it all morning,” Luna countered. “It’s my turn!”I held up a hand, stopping the argument before
ALINAThe werewolf assembly accepted the terms after Elder Marta advocated for them.“This is actually more fitting,” she told them. “The Wolf Slayer doesn’t just lose power, he submits to a woman. To a werewolf he once would have killed. That’s poetic justice.”Within a week, the transition was formalized. In a ceremony before both councils, Alexander knelt before me and pledged his loyalty.“I, Alexander, relinquish my claim as Alpha. I submit to Luna Alina’s authority and judgment. For five years, I served at her pleasure.”I placed my hand on his bowed head, feeling the weight of what this meant. “I accept your service. Rise, Consort.”He stood, and for the first time in centuries, he wasn’t Alpha.He was mine.*****SIX MONTHS LATERWe’d found our rhythm.I handled pack business, disputes, alliances, and security. Alexander managed the household, took primary care of the twins during the day, and advised me privately on complex decisions.To the pack, I was Alpha. To our family,
ALINA“We’ve reached a decision,” the Riverside woman announced. “Alpha Alexander, your crimes warrant death under our law. However, the assembly has voted, and the majority believes that executing you now would undermine the peace we’re trying to build.”Relief flooded through me, so intense I felt dizzy.“Instead,” she continued, “you’ll serve a sentence of service. For the next five years, you will work to rebuild the packs you destroyed. You’ll provide resources, labor, protection, whatever is needed. You’ll live among us, subject to our rules and oversight. And if you violate this sentence, if you fail in your duties, the death penalty will be reinstated immediately.”Alexander stood very still. “Five years?”“Five years of service, working directly with the survivors of your attacks.” She met his eyes. “This is mercy, Alpha. Don’t waste it.”“I won’t. I swear it.”“Your mate and children will remain with your pack. You may visit them monthly, but your primary residence will be w
ALINAWe had three days to prepare before the werewolf packs expected Alexander to surrender himself and to ensure Erik and Luna were fully recovered. We still had to make arrangements for what would happen to the pack if Alexander didn’t return.With all of that, we had to pretend we weren’t both absolutely terrified by what this might mean for us. We didn’t even have time to address all those worries. So many things were going on all at once.“You don’t have to do this,” I told him, lying in bed with both babies between us. They were sleeping peacefully, completely oblivious to the chaos their parents were navigating. “Your promise was made under duress. No one would blame you for backing out.”“I would blame myself.” His finger traced Erik’s tiny hand. “Alina, I’ve spent years running from real accountability. Using politics and power to avoid facing what I did. This is my chance to actually take responsibility.”“Or it’s your chance to be executed by people who have every right to
ALEXANDERAyda's confidence dipped slightly. "You wouldn’t. You're trying to be better, remember? Trying to prove you've changed.""I'm trying to save my Alpha's children," Ryker corrected. "And I'll do whatever it takes. Alexander might have issues with that; I don't.""Alexander," Alina said quietly, drawing my attention. "What are we doing? Are we really considering this?"I looked at my children, struggling for each breath. I glanced at Ayda, who had betrayed us completely. I turned to Ryker, who was ready to do the dark work if I gave the word.What was I willing to do to save Erik and Luna? What lines was I prepared to cross?“Give us a minute,” I said to Ryker. “Take Ayda to a holding cell. Secure her completely. No visitors, no communication. Dr. Sarah, keep an eye on the babies. Let me know immediately if anything changes.”After they left, I looked at Alina. “I need to know what you really think about what Ryker suggested.”She stayed silent for a long time, staring at our b
ALEXANDER“I need to speak with Ayda,” I said, my voice deadly calm despite the rage building inside me. “Now.”Ryker was already moving. “I’ll bring her in.”“Carefully,” I added. “If she suspects we know, she might trigger something worse.”He nodded and left. I turned to Dr. Sarah. “If Ayda is the caster, can you break the curse once we have her?”“Maybe. If she cooperates, if she gives us the counter-spell willingly then yes. If not…” Dr. Sarah’s expression was grim. “I can try to reverse-engineer it, but that takes time. Time the babies might not have.”I looked at Erik and Luna, both struggling for breath in their incubators. My children. Dying because someone I’d trusted, someone I’d brought into the pack, had betrayed us.The same pattern as Claude. History repeating itself.Alina was standing perfectly still, staring at nothing. I could feel her emotions. Shock, disbelief, rage, and underneath it all, a terrible guilt.“This isn’t your fault,” I said, moving to her side.“I b







