Chapter 4: The Price of Defiance

Lena's POV

The eleventh bell rang, and Lucy's words returned to me.

The guard was going to die.

I barely remembered the man. I didn't know what had happened the previous night or why we had been found together. But I knew I hadn't asked anyone to hurt him, and I couldn't accept that he would die for something I couldn't even remember doing.

"Can nobody stop it?" I asked.

Lucy shook her head. "Alpha Colton ordered the execution. No one will dare challenge him."

I left my room before she could say anything else.

My father had already made his position clear in the great hall. He had no interest in hearing my side of the story, and he certainly wouldn't risk his reputation to save a guard accused of dishonoring his daughter. Still, I had to try.

I hurried down the stairs, with Lucy following close behind. At the entrance to the courtyard, I found my father standing with Henrietta and Chloe. Two guards waited nearby, ready to escort me to the carriage.

"Where do you think you're going?" my father demanded.

"To stop the execution."

His expression hardened. "You have done enough damage to this family."

"That man is going to die because of what happened to me. You haven't even asked me what happened, yet you've already decided he's guilty."

"Enough!" he snapped. "The evidence was clear. He was found unconscious beside you while you were half-dressed. What else am I supposed to believe?"

"That someone might have set us up?"

Chloe let out a quiet laugh. "You expect Father to believe that everyone is conspiring against you?"

I turned towards her. "I expect him to ask questions before condemning someone to death."

"Watch your mouth," my father warned.

I forced myself to meet his eyes. "Please. If you won't listen to me, at least spare the guard until the truth is known."

For a moment, he said nothing. Then he stepped closer and caught my arm, pressing his fingers into the bruises left by earlier mistreatment.

"You will not embarrass me again," he said through clenched teeth. "Your carriage is ready. You will leave for Bloodmoon, and you will not interfere with matters that no longer concern you."

"He's about to be executed!"

"And that is the consequence of breaking our laws."

I tried to pull free, but his grip tightened. Pain travelled up my arm, and I had to bite back a cry.

Henrietta watched without intervening. Chloe's satisfied expression told me that neither of them cared what happened to the guard.

My father released me and turned to the waiting men.

"Take her to the carriage."

One of the guards stepped forward, but I moved away from him.

"I can walk."

I didn't want them dragging me through the courtyard like a criminal. I had already lost my home, my freedom, and the little respect my family might once have shown me. I refused to give them the satisfaction of watching me beg.

Then a sound from outside made me turn.

The courtyard gates stood open. Several guards were escorting a man across the stones towards a wooden gallows. His hands were bound behind him, and his head hung low as he walked.

My stomach twisted.

He looked smaller than I remembered, though perhaps it was simply the fear of knowing what awaited him. I searched his face, hoping to find some sign that he knew what had happened the night before. He kept his eyes on the ground.

"Please," I whispered, turning back to my father. "You can still stop this."

He didn't answer.

I looked towards the courtyard again, and that was when I noticed Kael Wolven.

He stood near the stables, dressed in black, his golden eyes fixed on the scene. Even from a distance, he carried himself with the kind of authority that made everyone around him seem less important. The guards moved carefully in his presence, and nobody approached him without permission.

He was the Lycan King. A man whose word could determine the fate of entire packs.

Surely, if anyone could intervene, it was him.

I took a step towards the courtyard.

"Your Majesty!" I called.

Kael's gaze shifted to me.

For one brief moment, our eyes met. I couldn't read his expression, but he had heard me. He knew what I wanted.

"Please," I called again. "Tell them to stop."

He remained where he was.

The hangman led the guard beneath the wooden beam. My heart pounded as the rope was placed around the man's neck. I wanted to look away, but I couldn't.

The guard raised his head.

His eyes found mine across the courtyard. He didn't shout or struggle. He simply looked at me, his face pale and exhausted.

I couldn't tell whether he blamed me or understood that I had no power to help him.

Then he gave a small nod.

My throat tightened.

"No!" I cried, trying to move forward.

Two guards caught my arms before I could reach the doors. I struggled against them, but my body was still weak, and they were far stronger than I was.

"Let me go!"

My father turned away from me.

The lever dropped.

I heard the sudden movement of the crowd, followed by a terrible silence. I couldn't see the guard clearly anymore, but I understood what had happened.

My knees threatened to give way.

The guards held me upright as they led me towards the carriage. Lucy hurried after us, her eyes red and her face pale. She said nothing as we climbed inside, but when the door closed, she reached for my hand.

I stared at my fingers, unable to stop them from trembling.

The carriage began to move.

I had failed to save him. I hadn't even been able to make my father hesitate.

Across the courtyard, Kael remained near the stables. Through the window, I caught one last glimpse of him as we passed the gates.

He wasn't looking at the gallows anymore.

He was watching me.

I held his gaze until the carriage turned onto the road and the palace disappeared behind us.

Why had he watched me plead for a man's life without lifting a finger to help?

I didn't know. But I was beginning to understand that whatever awaited me in Bloodmoon, I couldn't expect mercy from the man who ruled it.