CHAPTER 3

The air around us grew thicker with every passing second, to the point where it felt suffocating. Yet I remained rooted to my spot, proving myself to be as much of a coward as I believed I was while others stood up for me.

Aries stood squarely beside Rex, his eyes dark as he stared them down. Eyes that once held respect for the Elders were now hard and unyielding. The whole room was silent, and every gaze was fixed on me, the accused one, according to them. But to me, I was the guilty one.

I felt the push of countless voices in my head trying to reach me through the link, but I shut them all out, harder than before.

The silence broke when Alpha Levon stepped forward again, his calmness now gone.

“I know you’re trying to protect one of yours,” he began, his eyes darting between Rex and Aries, “but someone has to be held accountable for these deaths. From what we know, your Beta was the last person to step into that dungeon and he went alone. So I suggest you let him plead his case or explain, rather than letting him hide behind you.”

His gaze found me.

“You’re Beta, so act like it.”

Those words stung more than I’d ever admit.

I took a step forward, unsure of what I’d even say or if I could face them at all but I knew I couldn’t keep standing still. I was almost in front of them when a hand pulled me back.

I turned and met Aries’s eyes.

“You don’t need to say anything, Julian,” he said, pulling me behind him. “I know you weren’t responsible for this, so there’s no need to speak.”

The others echoed his words, voices rising in agreement before turning back to the Elders and Levon.

My heart clenched, not from fear, but from the pain of knowing what I was about to do. The trust they placed in me… I was about to shatter it all. If I wasn’t scared before, I was terrified now. Would they ever see me the same again?

“Alpha,” one of the Elders snapped, “we didn’t come here to watch you dawdle about your pack’s trust. We came to take the one responsible. We have no time to waste. You clearly don’t know your people well enough.”

His tone turned venomous. “We came with guards , not enough, considering the Elegida is your mate but if we leave empty-handed, know this: your pack will never be the same again. You’ll face problems from angles you never imagined. And in case you’re wondering,” another Elder added, stepping forward, “this isn’t a threat. Someone must be punished. If you refuse to hand over the guilty one, then your whole pack will suffer. You’re an Alpha—I believe you’re smarter than that.”

“Reason doesn’t matter in this situation, Elders,” Aries replied, stepping forward. “You can make whatever threats you want, it won’t change my words. Throw whatever you think you can our way. We handled it once; doing it again won’t hurt.”

He stepped back, calm but firm. “We’re done here, aren’t we?”

“Foolish,” the Elder hissed, stepping closer to him. “Foolish to waste more lives rather than give up one for his crime. You’ve asked for war, Alpha, and trust us—you’ll get it. Don’t mistake us for the puny Elders you faced before. We keep our word, and we expected you to do the same. Seems we were wrong to trust your pack.”

He straightened, his tone cold. “We shall take our leave. Just know, the Awoke Pack, as you know it, might never be the same again.”

Aries stared him down.

“I hope he’s worth whatever trouble comes your way, Aries,” Alpha Levon said quietly, giving us one last look.

“Wait!” I yelled before I could stop myself. I’d hidden long enough. I couldn’t, wouldn’t—let this pack suffer again for something I did. It was time to face it.

“What are you doing?” Rex shouted as I stepped forward, confusion in her eyes.

I cracked the mental block between us just enough for her to hear me.

“It’s about time I own up to my actions, Rex,” I said softly, watching the expression on her face crumble.

“Take care of the pack for me,” I added with a smile she saw right through. “And take care of him too.”

Before she could respond, I shut the link.

“I’m confessing my crimes,” I said aloud, my voice echoing through the hall. “Yes, you’re right—I murdered the Elders with my own hands.”

“You don’t know what you’re saying, Julian!” Aries shouted, moving toward me, but I didn’t stop.

“Their blood still feels fresh on my hands, and their screams still haunt my sleep. But yes,” I swallowed hard, “I did it. I did it, Aries.”

His glossy eyes met mine, and I forced myself not to look away.

“I killed them,” I repeated, “and…” My gaze found Robin’s tear-streaked face. “And I don’t regret it.”

Tears streamed down his cheeks, and my voice broke.

“You can take me away now,” I said, forcing myself to look back at the Elders. “I’ve been preparing for this day for a long time.”

Three guards approached, but before they could reach me, they were shoved aside violently and Aries stood in front of me, his eyes nearly blood-red.

He grabbed my collar, his voice shaking with fury. “What is this, Julian? What do you mean you killed them?” He let me go, his tone softening, almost breaking. “You… you can’t have done that.”

“I did,” I whispered, tears falling freely now. “I killed them. I lied to you, all of you. It was my debt to pay, and I did what I had to.”

“Debt to pay?” Robin shouted, stepping forward, his voice raw. “This is about your promise with the Men of Shadows, isn’t it? Why didn’t you say anything, you fool?” He struck my chest, but Rex pulled him back gently.

“Is that what this is about?” she asked, her eyes glistening.

“It doesn’t matter, Rex,” I forced out, my voice cracking. “What’s done is done. It’s time I pay for my sins.” I smiled faintly, eyes finding each of them. “I’ll miss you,” I whispered, finally resting my gaze on Robin, who was still sobbing. “All of you.”

“Who said I’ll let them take you away?” Aries roared, stepping forward again, energy rippling through the room.

“Aries,” I pleaded softly, “please. Don’t endanger the pack because of me. Let me pay for what I’ve done.”

“I can’t let them take you,” he shouted, voice breaking. “Who knows what they’ll do to you?”

“Whatever they do, I deserve it!” I yelled back, and the hall went silent.

“I’ve lived in torture since that day, Aries. Every moment felt like a burden. I don’t deserve the happiness that’s grown around me. So please, end my torment let me go. Let me face my crime and keep the pack safe.”

I stepped forward and extended my hands toward the guards.

“You can bind me now.”

They moved quickly, ropes wrapping around my wrists.

I turned one last time toward my pack. Aries stood frozen, Rose was sobbing in Zane’s arms, and Rex just stood there, tears streaming silently down her face.

“I’m sorry, princess,” I whispered through the link. “Please—hold Aries back. He won’t let them take me, and you know I have to do this. Take care of Robin too. I can’t bring myself to say goodbye to him.”

I shut the link one final time.

“Let’s go,” I said to the guards.

“Move out,” Alpha Levon commanded, his tone steady.

“I guess you never really knew your people, Alpha,” one Elder sneered, locking eyes with Aries. His wolf was clawing to get out, but Rex stepped between them, her hand pressed against his chest.

“Where are you taking him?” she asked softly. “We deserve to know that much.”

He paused. “He’ll be placed where his victims once were. In the same dungeon where the Elders met their deaths.”

He turned to leave, and I followed as the guards dragged me along.

I stopped for one last glance at the mess I was leaving behind. The disappointment. The betrayal.

Then my eyes landed on Robin.

What was left of my heart shattered as a single tear fell from his eyes while Zane held him back.

I was pulled away before I could look again.

I didn’t deserve to fight. I didn’t deserve to be defended. I didn’t even deserve love, his love.

Did I even deserve to live, knowing all the pain I’d caused?