The Choice

Lila's POV

I didn't sleep.

Whenever I shut my eyes, I would see the face of Darren as he commanded me to be locked up. I kept on rephrasing what he said, hoping to have a different version where this would have a different ending. There wasn't one.

Being a witch was a thing that no one survived. The fact that it was a lie did not matter. When the word was uttered the pack would take blood. They always did.

I drew my knees to my chest. I thought of my parents. I questioned whether they would be disgraced by my being so helpless, or be hostile to Darren because of what he was.

Time passed slowly. I was sore in my body, which felt cold, my throat parched, my head aching with hunger and fear.

As at last footsteps came near me, I stood up.

The guards paused in front of my cell. One of them unlocked the door.

Darren stepped inside.

He looked rested. Clean. Unbothered.

I forced myself to my feet, and would not sit with him standing over me. “Have you come to kill me already?”

He stared at me a little, eyes dashing to and fro over my dirt-streaked face and shaking hands. "You still have a choice."

"I already gave you my answer."

He threw a sigh, as though it were I who was in the wrong. “I thought that a night down here would change your mind. Or would you like to be executed as a witch?”

"Witchcraft! Darren you are crazy."

His jaw tightened. "Watch your tone."

“You threatened to have me hanged, as a witch,” I replied.

“You may evade that,” he said. "Become a breeder, or die today."

My chest tightened. “You know what becomes of breeders in their country.”

“They bring up sons,” he replied.

"They die," I said. “Majority of them do not make it through pregnancy.”

“Be stronger than the rest, then,” said he without a moment of delay.

I looked at him, and unbelief was transformed into something stinging. "I'm your sister."

He laughed softly. “You ceased to be my sister when you were born without a wolf. Mom and dad never even acknowledged you as one of us. You’re a cursed, wolfless omega.”

The cold was nothing as hard as the words. "That's not my fault."

"No," he said, "but it's my problem. And now you're finally useful."

I took a deep breath to fight back the tears. “I have seen you tear up this pack. I swept up behind you. I remained silent as you drank and gambled away all the things our parents had made. And this is how you repay me?"

He came nearer, looming over me. “You do not get to talk to me in that manner. I'm the Alpha."

"You're a thief," I said. "And a coward."

His hand was so quick I had just time to react. He caught my chin and pushed my head up until we were looking in each other.

"Say it again," he warned.

I swallowed. I could hear my heart beating in my ears. "You're afraid," I said quietly. "That's why you did this."

His grip tightened. "I did this to save the pack."

"You did this to save yourself."

He threw me at the wall, like I nauseated him. "Enough."

I was trembling yet rebellious. "Kill me if you want. I won't go."

Something sinister was flashing in his eyes, not anger, but calculation, the first time.

"Very well," he said. “We will declare you to be executed in two hours time. The pack will gather. You'll be burned as a witch. But first, I’ll ensure you’re skinned alive, with rusted blades by the unskilled ones.”

My breath caught.

I imagined the pyre. The crowd. The pain. The certainty of death.

I was filled with fear and it was gripping me with each word. My body failed me even before my mind could follow suit.

"Wait," I said hoarsely.

He paused.

My hands clenched at my sides. All my instincts were crying to continue to say no, to struggle to the last. But I wanted to live. I was not ready to die screaming in the presence of my brother.

"I'll go," I whispered.

Darren turned slowly. "Say it clearly."

"I'll become the breeder," I said. My voice broke. "I'll go to the kings."

A contented smile covered his face. "Good."

“But you will pay the loan back, I said hastily. "You swear it. I shall not always be their property.”

He laughed. "You don't get to negotiate."

There was a silence between us.

"Get her out of here," he ordered.

The guards came back unlocking the cell.

First they brought me to the baths.

Servants rubbed my flesh raw and removed all the dirt and blood, and the scent of the dungeon.

After that, they dressed me.

I could hardly see myself as I got a glimpse of my reflection. Clean. Presentable. Ready to be delivered.

One of the servants brushed my hair and twisted it behind my back.

You will be taken to the border, one of them said lowly. The men of the kings will carry you away there.

I nodded numbly.

They led me into the main hall. Darren was waiting with crossed arms.

“You will remember the reason why you are there,” he said. "You will not embarrass me."

I didn't answer.

Scarcely had the guards gone to take me out when I heard what I thought were the rapid paces of some one heading my way up the corridor. One of the messengers came in, gasping, and dropped on his knee in front of Darren.

"My Alpha," he said. “A message of the kings of the Blackmoor.”

Darren straightened. "Speak."

“They will not send escorts,” the messenger said. "They are coming themselves. They shall come see their breeder and take her to their lands by themselves.”

The words were ponderous in the atmosphere.

My stomach dropped.

My heart clutched at the standstill.

They weren't waiting.

They were coming.

They were coming to get me.