Novel & Cerita Between Wrath And Mercy

He stared at it, swallowing down the sob building in his chest. This wasn’t justice neither was it revenge, It was mercy. And the heaviest thing he had ever held.

Others still called his. Rowan saw it too. His eyes narrowed. “They can’t serve two masters.” “Good,” I said. “Then they’ll choose for themselves.” He moved faster than thought. One blink, and his hand was at my throat, pulling me close. The heat from his skin seared mine. “You never understood mercy.” I met his gaze, choking on the smell of iron and fire. “And you never understood love.” I slammed my palm into his chest, not with strength but with will — the mark flaring white-hot beneath my skin. Light exploded between us.

“We can weigh laws and treaties all day. But this…started with you. With what was done to you. You have more right than anyone to an opinion on his fate.” The others’ gazes followed. It was like being back in the temple circle for a heartbeat—every thread converging on me. “Do you want justice or mercy here?” Rowan asked, unusually careful with his tone. Justice. Mercy. The words tasted complicated. Once, I would have imagined justice as Damon broken at my feet, Bloodthorn in chains, every elder who’d ever signed a contract with my name on it begging for forgiveness I’d never grant. Once, I would have thought mercy meant letting them all walk free.

I stepped back. When I was first reborn, all I felt toward her was hatred and resentment. Now, there was disgust as well. What right did she have to think that after killing my mother and ruining my life, I would ever forgive her? I stared at her with open mockery. "No wonder your parents abandoned you after giving birth to you. Someone as rotten as you deserves to be forsaken by everyone—deserves never to be loved sincerely by anyone." Tricia hadn't expected me to rip open her deepest wound.

"You made an intern take the blame while you walked free. Do you think a human life is worth nothing?! I've brought them here today to demand justice!" The actors behind him repeated after Danny. "Justice!" The real family members glared at me with open hatred, ready to tear me apart. Danny then leaned in and lowered his voice. "I'll give you one chance. Delete the video and admit it's your fault. Then, switch Ruby out, or these people..."

She must see something in my expression because she reaches out to me, nearly touching the silver, "Listen to me, Vuko. Mercy is the gift of the strong. You are the stronger. Please remember that!" Frey's eyelids flutter and my heart sinks. How can I not want to avenge him? Or her? Or any of the others? It's impossible! What kind of werewolf would I be to have mercy on Abir after this? I love my mother. But ... "Please, Vuko," she says. "Only remember." There is a tentative shout behind me, so I close my eyes again and I let myself feel the power of my rage as I mindlink.

He’s like iron forged in fire—unbreakable, untouchable. But the voices keep going, spinning threads of doubt that dig under my skin. “It’s working,” the woman says bitterly. “You saw the way he tore into Leira for touching her. When has he ever shown that kind of mercy before?” A hollow silence follows before the man replies, “Never.” The truth of that single word rattles me more than the rest. I’ve seen Kael’s strength, his ruthlessness. The way he commands with a glance, a growl, a single deadly word. Mercy is not part of who he is.

His eyes were wet with tears. Raw hate, anguish, and unmistakenly rage reflected in his eyes. His statement hit me across the face like a brutal whip. Hot tears streamed down my cheeks. At this moment, I didn't know if I was feeling sorry for his sad situation or for myself. What would become of me?

“Then speak, Queen. Tell us why we should trust the one who spared the serpent.” The crowd murmured. Some nodded. Others looked away. “Because mercy isn’t weakness,” I said. “Because I’ve seen what vengeance turns us into. I fought for this kingdom to live, not to bleed endlessly.” A woman stepped forward. “And yet our sons bled for your crown!” she shouted. “Our homes burned while you sat in your palace forgiving demons!” Her words hit harder than any arrow. I met her gaze. “You think forgiveness cost me nothing?” I said quietly. “Then look closer. Every mercy I gave took something from me. A friend. A brother. A peace that never stayed.”

“What?” “He’s wrong, you know. Vorlag. All his whispers about you being soft, weak, not like your father.” I lean against a bookshelf, trying to look as non-threatening as possible. Not an easy feat when I’m me. “You’re not weak because you show mercy. You’re strong because you give yourself that option. My old Alphas... Brannagh, Varek, Holt... they were basically all the same animal. They all acted like they had no other choice. They only had rage. They mistook brutality for strength. They had to kill and conquer, because it’s the only language they knew. If they ever showed mercy, their own packs would tear them apart for it.”