“This… this act cannot go unpunished,” Alpha Marcus announced. “This crime… this stain on our pack… it must be cleansed.” He paused, his gaze sweeping over the crowd. “Ariana will be held until after the coronation. On that day, under the light of the full moon, she will face her judgment. Her execution will serve as a cleansing for our land, a reminder of the consequences of such heinous acts.”
Jeers and insults rained on me as the crowd ran forward, throwing rocks and clumps of dirt. The guards tightened their grip on me, shielding me as best they could but some of the projectiles still hit their mark. I felt a sharp sting on my cheek as a small stone grazed my skin.
They finally dragged me away, back to the dark damp cell that would be my prison until my execution. The insults followed me even after the heavy door clanged shut behind me.
Despite the despair that threatened to consume me, a tiny hope remained. Owen had promised to release me once he became Alpha. Five days and I'll be free from this misery.