You killed us.

Clara's POV

"You heard me," I spat, the fear fueling my anger now, making my words sharper. "If you hadn't marked me, hadn't dragged me into this hell as your 'mate,' none of this would have happened. Garrick wouldn't have dared if I wasn't seen as your broken toy—weak, isolated, left alone in this godforsaken room like bait. You humiliate me in front of the pack every day, call me worthless, threaten me with chains and marks. You make me a target! This is on you. I hate you, Taehyung. I hate you for what you've become, for what you've done to me. The boy from the garden? He's dead, and you killed him. You killed us."

For a moment, silence hung heavy between us, his face a storm of emotions—rage, possession, and something darker, perhaps a flicker of guilt buried deep. Then he grabbed my arms, pulling me against his chest, his bloodied hands staining the blanket. "You hate me?" he growled, his voice vibrating through me. "Good. Hate me all you want, Clara. It changes nothing. You're mine, and I'll remind you of that every day if I have to. But don't ever blame me for that scum's actions. He dies for this—and you'll watch."

I struggled against him, but his hold was iron, unyielding. "Let me go! I don't want your protection—it's poison. Everything you touch turns to ash."

He released me with a shove, sending me stumbling back onto the bed. "Clean up," he repeated, colder now. "Dawn comes soon. And you'll be there for his end. Consider it a lesson in what happens to those who cross me—or you."

The hours until dawn dragged like chains around my ankles. I washed the blood and tears away in the adjoining bath, the water turning pink as it swirled down the drain. My neck throbbed where Garrick had bitten me, a shallow wound compared to Taehyung's mark, but it burned with violation. I dressed in a simple black gown Taehyung had left for me—severe, covering, a uniform for his prisoner. Sleep evaded me; instead, I paced the room, my mind a whirlwind of fear, anger, and dread. How had it come to this? From sunlight and laughter to blood and brutality.

As the first gray light of dawn filtered through the curtains, Taehyung returned, his expression granite-hard. "It's time," he said simply, grabbing my wrist and pulling me from the room. No words of comfort, no acknowledgment of my outburst. Just dominance.

The pack had gathered in the central courtyard, a stone arena ringed by ancient oaks, their branches twisting like accusing fingers. The air was crisp, laced with the scent of dew and impending violence. Guards flanked the perimeter, the elders seated on raised platforms, their faces impassive. In the center, Garrick was bound to a wooden post, his body already battered from the night before—face swollen, clothes torn, chains rattling with his weak struggles. He looked up as we approached, his eyes widening in terror. "Alpha... please... I beg you..."

Taehyung ignored him, pulling me to stand beside him at the front, his hand on my waist possessive, bruising. The pack murmured, eyes on us—Evelyn smirking from the sidelines, Minho's gaze cold and calculating, Seol averting her eyes in quiet horror.

"Pack!" Taehyung's voice boomed, silencing the whispers. "This traitor, Garrick, dared to assault your Luna. He violated my claim, my law. For that, he dies—but not quickly. Let this be a warning: touch what's mine, and suffer."

Garrick whimpered, "No, Alpha—mercy! It was a mistake—I was drunk—"

"Mistake?" Taehyung sneered, stepping forward and drawing a silver blade from his belt. The metal gleamed in the dawn light. "You don't get mistakes." With a swift motion, he grabbed Garrick's right hand, forcing it flat against the post. "Hands that touched her—gone." The blade descended, severing the hand at the wrist in one brutal stroke. Garrick's scream pierced the air, blood spurting in arcs as he writhed against his bonds.

I gasped, turning away, but Taehyung yanked me back, pulling me flush against his chest, his arm like a vice around my waist. "Watch," he whispered in my ear, his breath hot. "This is for you."

The pack watched in grim silence as Taehyung repeated the act on the left hand, another scream tearing from Garrick's throat, his stumps bleeding profusely. "Please... stop..." Garrick sobbed, his voice breaking.

Taehyung signaled to a guard, who brought forward a vial of clear liquid—acid, I realized with horror. "Lips that threatened hers—burned." He uncorked it, forcing Garrick's jaw open with one hand. "Open wide." The acid poured onto his lips and tongue, sizzling on contact, smoke rising as flesh dissolved. Garrick's screams turned to gargled howls, his body convulsing in agony, the smell of burning skin filling the air.

Tears streamed down my face anew, but Taehyung held me tight, his chest rumbling with a low growl of satisfaction. "Feel that, Clara? That's justice. My justice."

Finally, Taehyung produced a pistol—silver bullets, loaded for execution. But instead of firing himself, he pressed it into my trembling hands, wrapping his fingers over mine. "You finish it," he commanded, his voice low and insistent. "Shoot his eyes. Make him blind before he dies. Prove you're not weak."

I shook my head violently, sobbing. "No—I can't—please, Taehyung, don't make me—"

"Do it," he snarled, forcing my arms up, aiming at Garrick's face. The man begged incoherently through his ruined mouth, eyes wide with terror. "Or I'll make you regret it more than him."

My fingers shook on the trigger, but Taehyung's grip steadied them. "I hate you," I whispered again, but pulled the trigger twice—once for each eye. The shots rang out, blood and gore exploding from Garrick's sockets, his body jerking before slumping lifeless.

The pack cheered, a roar of approval, but I collapsed against Taehyung, numb and broken. He held me there, whispering, "Good girl. Now you understand—everything in this world is mine to control. Including you."

As the sun rose fully, casting golden light over the bloodied courtyard, I realized the true brutality wasn't just the punishment—it was Taehyung's hold on me, unbreakable, eternal. The drama etched deeper scars into my soul, and the garden's memory faded further into oblivion. Only the monster remained, and I was chained to him forever.