Chapter 10: Vows of Vengeance Anna’s POV

“Anna,” Lucas started, his voice low, but I didn’t stop walking. I was unable to. Every time I remembered his face and his hesitating remarks during that trial that found Leo guilty, my blood burned.  

With shaking hands, I pushed past him and yelled, "Get out of my way." After Oliver's announcement, the crowd had dispersed, but I could still hear the buzzing in my ears.  

"Hold on." Lucas’s hand brushed my arm, and I yanked it away. “You have to believe me. I didn’t...”  

"What did you not do? Put an innocent man in jail? Allow them to execute Leo for a crime he didn't commit." With heated tears running down my cheeks, I broke my voice. “You stood there and said he wasn’t guilty, and then you let it happen anyway. Just give me some space."

His gaze grew gloomy. “I’m sorry, I...”  

With anger in every word, I snarled, "Don't you dare apologize. If you cared, you wouldn’t have been here to destroy his life in the first place.”  

He looked at me as if he had more to say, but I wasn't interested in listening. My chest burned as I stalked away, weaving through the scattered pack members.  

Elder Amos came up, his face creased with concern, as I got closer to the edge of the crowd.  

"Anna." He spoke in a low, nearly whispery voice.  

I paused, but I avoided looking at him. "What?"  

“I’m sorry for what’s happening to Leo,” he said, hesitating. "It isn't right."  

I looked up sharply. "Why didn't you do something if it's wrong? Why didn't anyone?"

Amos let out a sigh and looked around to make sure no one was there. "The unanimous decision was not because everyone agreed with it." His tone became softer. “Oliver has a way of making people see things his way. Even the elders.”  

I spit out the word "cowards," which sliced through the air like a knife.  

Amos winced, but he didn't protest. “You may not understand now, but challenging Oliver isn’t as simple as it seems.”  

I stepped back, gripping my fists. “You’re right. I don't get it. And I won't."

He started to say something, but I had already started to go, my boots scuffing the gravel. My nails were digging into my palms as my fists were clenched so tightly.

Even though the cold nighttime air felt like a slap, it didn't do much to quench the fire that was burning within of me. I overheard bits and pieces of discussion as I pushed through the mob.

A woman said to her partner, "Leo always seemed so loyal."

The other shrugged and said, "He must have had us all fooled."

I resisted the impulse to yell at them by biting my tongue. They didn’t know Leo. They didn’t know what he’d sacrificed, how he’d taken me in when no one else would.

My breathing was labored by the time I got to the far side of the crowd. The first stars appeared, streaking the deep purple of twilight across the sky above.

I spun around, about to lash out, when a hand caught my arm.

Maia said, "Anna," in a quiet yet forceful voice. "Just me."

With a trembling breath, I slumped my shoulders. “I can’t... Maia, I can't do this."

She regarded me empathetically and led me out of the crowd. "Come on. Let's take you home."

The village felt strangely calm as we strolled through it. Even the cries of wolves in the distance sounded muffled. Maia didn’t say much, her presence more comforting than words.

I said, without raising my voice above a whisper, "I'm scared."

Maia came to a halt and looked at me. "Anna, you're not by yourself in this. I’m here for you.”

My raw feelings were somewhat soothed by her comments, but the night's weight was still very much on my shoulders.

When we reached the house, Maia stood by the door. Unease darkened her normally gentle eyes.  

“Anna,” she murmured, stepping forward to embrace me again.  

After a little moment of inaction, I leaned into her. Although it was the first warmth I had experienced all day, the storm that was roaring inside of me was not calmed.  

“We’ll get through this,” Maia said softly, guiding me inside.  

With a tight throat, I shook my head. "No, Maia. There is nothing I can do to prevent Leo's death."

She helped me in sitting beside the small table in the dimly lighted area without arguing. She grabbed a wet cloth and said, "Let's get you cleaned up."  

As she wiped my face, I was so distracted that I hardly noticed. My chest grew hotter as I saw pictures of Leo in chains, Oliver grinning smugly, and Lucas's torn face.  

Everything weighed down on me like a heavy blanket as the evening became darker. Maia sat calmly close by, allowing me room while still close enough to offer consolation if necessary.  

I startled Maia by standing up suddenly as the room became quiet save for the distant hum of the pack getting ready for the night.  

"Anna?"  

I exclaimed, my voice trembling with barely contained rage, "I can't just sit here. I have to do something. I can’t let them get away with this.”  

"What are you able to do?" With a soft yet forceful tone, Maia inquired. "You'll only endanger yourself."  

I paced the room and said, "I don't care. Leo wasn't worthy of this. They're executing him because of something he didn't do, even though he raised me and saved me."

Maia put a hand on my arm and stood up. "You need to be clever about this, even though I know it's unfair. You will only hurt yourself if you jump into anything too quickly."

My shoulders slumped as I stopped pacing. She was correct, but I couldn't put out the fire within me.  

Long after Maia had gone to her own room, I sat alone myself late at night and gazed at a candle's little flickering flame.  

“They’ll pay for this,” I whispered to myself. "Each and every one of them. Lucas, Oliver, and everyone else."

My resolve hardened inside of me, and my hands clenched. I would find a way to make them pay, even if I didn't know how.  

I’d find a way to get revenge.