Chapter 11: A Lineage Revealed Anna POV

I was startled awake by a loud, persistent hammering on the door. As the mist of sleep cleared and was replaced by fear, my heart pounded. Maia's eyes fluttered open as she stirred in the corner, her gentle snores breaking. This time the pounding was louder.  

"Open up, Anna!" A deep voice let out a bark.  

With my bare feet touching the cold floor, I clambered off the thin mattress. Maia gave me a worried look but remained silent.  

Two guards with stony faces loomed as I pulled the door open.  

“It’s time,” one said gruffly.  

My stomach twisted, bile rising in my throat. “Time for what?” Even though I knew the answer, I muttered.  

The other guard answered, "The Alpha has given you one last chance with the traitor."  

"Leo," I uttered, my voice wavering.  

They moved aside and gestured for me to come along. Maia took hold of my wrist.  

Despite the fear in her eyes, she said firmly, "I'll follow you."  

The guards looked at her doubtfully but remained silent.  

The cold morning air pricked my skin as we went outside. Dawn was just beginning to peek over the horizon, but the sky was still completely dark. The world was holding its breath for what was about to happen, and the village was quiet.  

Every crunch of gravel underfoot echoed in my ears as I walked the eerily silent path to the dungeons. I looked at the tall people on either side of me, their faces unreadable. Maia grounded me by maintaining a firm hold on my hand.  

The heavy iron door creaked open as we got there. The dungeon's musty, damp stench hit me like a wall, but I forced myself to move forward.  

Maia and the guards were left outside as the dungeon door slammed behind me. My feet dragged on the cold, uneven stone as I staggered forward. Slumping in the far corner, Leo's wrists were shackled in chains that glowed dimly in the low light. His face was calm but pale as he looked up at the sound of my footsteps.  

He said, "Anna," in a quiet voice that was both relieved and sad.  

"Leo," I muttered as I dropped to my knees next to him. My hands trembled as I took them in my own, reaching for his. The silver's coldness pricked my hands, but I didn't mind.  

I choked out, tears streaming down my face, "I'm so sorry."  

A sad smile curved his lips. "There's nothing to feel sorry for."  

I shook my head and said, "I'm to blame for this." 

"Stop," he interrupted in a firm tone. Despite the weight of what was ahead, his eyes remained steady as they met mine. "Anna, you are my daughter. Perhaps not by blood, but in all the important ways. Taking you in was the best decision I ever made.”  

I tightened my hold on his hands as a sob ripped from my throat. "Leo, they're going to murder you. And there is nothing I can do about it."

His forehead rested against mine as he leaned forward. He said in a whisper, "Listen to me. Anna, you must make it through this. You have a destiny, a purpose. You underestimate who you are."

“What are you talking about?” I asked, my grief mingled with confusion.  

His voice was full of emotion as he remarked, "I knew you were special when I found you. You’re the last bloodline of a powerful lineage. You have something extraordinary inside of you. And the world will need you one day.  

"Leo..." I looked into his eyes, trying to find answers, and my voice broke. "All I am is an omega. I am nothing."

"You are everything," he declared in a determined tone. "You underestimate your strength. Don't allow anyone to persuade you otherwise, not even yourself."

My vision was blurred by tears, and I shook my head. "Without you, I don't know how to be strong."  

He brushed a tear from my cheek with his thumb and said, "You'll find a way. Anna, make me a promise. Make me a promise that you will defend yourself. For the sake of justice."

I muttered, "I swear," even though it felt like a betrayal.  

The moment was cut short by a guard's piercing voice. "Time is up." 

The guards intervened and dragged me back as Leo's hands left mine. His voice reverberated in my head as I was pulled toward the door, my heart breaking.  

"Have courage, Anna. You were born to survive this.”.  

With a firm but gentle grip, the guards dragged me away. As I stumbled, Maia grabbed me and put her arms around me.  

As we were led to the clearing where the gallows had been set up, the sun began to rise. A group of people had assembled, and I could hear their muffled roar. Maia and I were shoved forward, and my legs felt like lead.  

After Leo's chains were taken off, rough rope was used to bind his hands behind his back as they were led to the platform. Despite his haggard appearance, he stood tall and looked around the crowd before focusing on me.  

He mouthed, "I love you," and my heart broke.  

Oliver moved forward with a commanding presence. "Let everyone learn from this!" he exclaimed. "This pack will not tolerate traitors!"  

As the noose was placed around Leo's neck, the audience went quiet. My knees were on the verge of giving out as I breathed in sharp gasps.  

Maia's face went white as her arm grew tighter around me.  

Even as the executioner moved forward, Leo's eyes remained fixed. Every second seemed to drag into eternity as time seemed to slow down.  

The lever was then pulled.  

As Leo's body fell, I let out a choked scream, and the sound of the rope snapping reverberated throughout the clearing.  

The world whirled, and I was briefly out of breath. As my body ached from sobs, Maia held me while she quietly shed her own tears.  

Leo’s body hung motionless, his final act of defiance etched into his face.  

Something broke inside of me at that very moment. Hot and consuming, my grief transformed into rage. My nails dug into my palms as I clenched my fists.  

I muttered, trembling but determined, "I'll make them pay. I’ll make them all pay.”