Chapter 2

ELENA'S POV

The crowd fell into sudden silence. 

Everyone turned to look at Dr. Adrian Kane, my former mentor and the pack's most 

respected physician. He stood at the edge of the crowd. 

"You're all making a terrible mistake," he said, his voice carrying authority. 

"Don't you know her character? How can someone who has spent her entire career saving 

children have the heart to kill them?" 

Marcus didn't seem pleased with Adrian's interference. He released a warning growl. 

"Your opinion isn't needed here. She committed murder, and she must pay with her life!" 

"Light the fire!" 

"Don't you dare!" Adrian snarled back. His eyes suddenly darkened, In all the years I'd 

known Adrian, I'd never seen him this angry. 

"Are you defying your Alpha?" Marcus's tone was dangerous. 

Adrian let out a bitter laugh. "Why would I? I am only trying to rescue an innocent person.” 

As if he'd just heard the funniest joke, Marcus released a cold, mocking laugh. "Say 

whatever makes you feel better. I, Marcus Rivers, am and will remain the Alpha of Silverpine 

Pack, and my commands are absolute!" 

"Listen to me," Adrian said, "Truth has a way of surfacing, and when it does, you'll regret 

every decision you've made today." 

"I don't care about your empty threats," Marcus replied dismissively, then turned back to the 

lighter wolf. "Do it now. I want to see her burn!" 

I felt a bit of hope when I saw Adrian step forward. He had always believed in me, always 

supported my medical career when others questioned whether a woman could handle the 

pressure of being a pack doctor. If anyone could save me, it would be him. 

But that hope began to crumble when the lighter man,raised his torch again, the flames 

dancing eagerly. Just as he was about to touch it to the kindling,  “Wait!" Adrian shouted 

again, pushing through the crowd. "You cannot do this without a proper trial!" 

Marcus's eyes blazed with anger. "She had her trial. The evidence was clear." 

"What evidence?" Adrian demanded. "Poison found in her kit? Anyone could have planted it 

there!" 

"Enough!" Marcus roared. "I won't let you delay justice any longer." 

Adrian stepped closer to me, ignoring the guards who tried to stop him. His eyes were filled 

with pain as he looked at me. 

"Elena, I believe you. I know you would never hurt those children." His voice broke. "I should 

have protected you better." 

Tears streamed down my face. At least someone still believed in me, even if it was too late. 

"Adrian..." I whispered. 

He moved even closer, his voice dropping so only I could hear. "I love you, Elena. I've loved 

you for years, but I never said anything because you were Marcus's mate." 

My heart shattered all over again. "You... you love me?" 

"I've watched you work, seen your dedication, your kindness. You're the most beautiful soul 

I've ever known." Tears ran down his weathered face. "I can't let them do this to you." 

Marcus heard Adrian's confession and his face twisted with rage. "So that's what this is 

about! You want my mate for yourself!" 

"She deserves someone who believes in her!" Adrian shot back. "Someone who would fight 

for her instead of condemning her!" 

"She's a murderer!" Marcus snarled. 

"She's the woman I love, and I know her heart!" Adrian's voice rang out across the crowd. 

"Elena Rivers is innocent!" 

Adrian suddenly moved closer to me, whispering. "Hold onto me. I can get you out of here." 

I looked into his desperate eyes and shook my head weakly. "No, Adrian. They'll kill you too." 

"I don't care!" His hands reached for the ropes binding me. "I won't let them do this!" 

"Stop," I whispered. "Please, just stop." 

He stared at me in disbelief. "You want to give up? Just like that?" 

My voice broke as I spoke. "What's the point of fighting anymore?" 

Adrian's eyes blazed with anger and pain. "The point is that Marcus and Sophia planned all 

of this! They're having an affair, Elena! They want you dead because it's an abomination in 

our laws to marry another wolf while your mate is still alive!" 

I stared at him, then looked across the crowd at Marcus holding Sophia. The way he touched 

her, protected her. 

"They've been together for months," Adrian continued, his voice fierce with rage. "This whole 

thing , the poisoned children, framing you, it was all to get rid of you so they could be 

together legally!" 

Marcus's jaw tightened as he realized what Adrian was saying. "Enough lies!" 

"I screamed one last time. "Marcus, please! In your heart, you know I'm innocent!" 

For just a moment, I saw something flash in his eyes. But then Sophia stepped forward and 

placed her hand on his arm. 

"She's just trying to manipulate you," Sophia said softly. "Don't let her lies confuse you. Think 

of those poor children." 

Marcus's expression hardened again. He looked at the man holding the torch. "Do it now." 

"No!" Adrian tried to rush forward, but two pack members grabbed his arms and held him 

back. 

The man with the torch stepped toward me. I could feel the heat even before the flames 

touched the wood beneath my feet. 

"Please," I begged, looking around at all the faces I once knew and loved. "Please don't do 

this." 

But there was no mercy in their eyes. Only hatred and disgust. 

The torch touched the kindling. 

The fire caught quickly, spreading across the dry wood. Smoke filled my lungs as the flames 

climbed higher. The heat was unbearable. 

I screamed as the fire reached my dress. The pain was beyond anything I had ever 

imagined. 

"Elena!" I heard Adrian crying out, but his voice seemed so far away. 

Through the flames and smoke, I saw Marcus watching me burn. Sophia was still clinging to 

his arm, but I couldn't see her expression through my tears and the fire. 

The flames climbed higher, consuming everything. My skin, my hair, my dreams, my life. All 

of it burning away. 

As the fire took me,i looked up at the sky with tears streaming down my cheeks. 

"Goddess please... don't let them do this...come to my rescue…”