Chapter 6 Trial of a Broken Bond!

When I reopened my eyes, just barely through a slit allowed by the swelling, I realized I had been thrown into one of the cells.

It was damp and suffocating-small, with only a thin layer of hay separating me from the cold, unforgiving stone floor.

I was lost, uncertain of what would become of me now. But the answers to my fears came sooner than expected.

"Are you awake?"

The voice I least wanted to hear echoed from beyond the bars-the Alpha of the pack.

I lifted my face, glaring at him with hatred and resentment.

"If you'd shown that attitude earlier, maybe you wouldn't be such easy prey," he sneered. "Who would've thought the orphan girl had such a temper? This is the fire you should've shown in my bed, not that of a frigid, dying woman."

"You're a pig," I spat, gritting my teeth.

"Watch your mouth, stupid girl. Just because I showed you a little favoritism, don't get it twisted. I am your Alpha!"

His voice thundered, laced with dominance, and I felt my wolf, Nyra, whimper inside me, forced to bow her head in pain.

I hated him. Hated how weak and submissive I had become over and over again.

"I came to offer you a deal-something that might let you stay-but if that's your attitude, maybe I should just give in to what everyone else wants."

"What are you going to do with me?" My voice trembled more than I intended. I imagined the worst.

Exile. Or worse.

"Now you want to know? Just to show you I'm not completely heartless, I'll tell you. Someone has to be sent to the Selection, right?" His eyes gleamed with cruelty as he fed off the terror in mine.

"Weren't you so eager to replace your sister? Wasn't it revolting to sleep with me?"

"Well then, let's see how it feels to become the plaything of half the King's guard."

"You'll wish you had shut up and been my little secret. Even with your sister as my Luna, I was willing to keep you on the side. But after the stunt you pulled, accusing me? You dug your own grave."

Then he left-while I sat in silence, eyes blank, too numb to cry.

A life of slavery under the Alpha King... was worse than death.

I don't know how long passed, but a noise jolted me from my haze. I realized I hadn't moved in hours, frozen in the same position like a madwoman.

"Declan?"

I lifted my head, vision still blurry, and saw him standing outside the bars.

Hope fluttered weakly in my chest.

Declan and I had known each other like forever. He used to protect me from bullies, from the cruel whispers about me being took in and an outsider.

Over time, friendship had grown into something more-at least on my side.

Before his last mission to another pack, I promised to wait for him. Even though the Moon Goddess hadn't fated us as mates when I turned twenty, I still believed we could be together.

All I could think about during the worst moments-when I was being violated-was that I was breaking my promise to him, turning my back on the only love I had known.

"Open it. Get her out," he said coldly, not even looking at me.

Two guards entered, grabbing my arms and dragging me out. My legs were numb, unable to support me.

I looked at Declan's back-the same strong back that once gave me strength and comfort.

My supposed mate. My protector. Now leading me to ruin to preserve his reputation.

Why was I so foolish to believe he came to rescue me?

"We are here to hold the trial of Valeria Ruffin, accused of assaulting the pack's Luna and defaming our Alpha."

They had caged me like a beast while the entire pack gathered in the central square. The elders, warriors, the Beta, and the Alpha himself presided over this mockery of justice.

"I think there's not much to deliberate," the Alpha said smoothly. "Everyone saw what happened."

"The proposed punishment is exile-within an hour-when the King's guard comes for the tribute," suggested the Beta, my mate's father, coldly.

That man had never wanted me near his son. I didn't even know if he knew we were mates. But it was clear-he was desperate to be rid of me.

The crowd erupted in support of the punishment.

"Silence," the Alpha commanded, pretending to be magnanimous. "We are not animals. Everyone deserves a trial."

I smiled bitterly.

He, of all people, preaching justice-when he selected girls for the King's tribute based on nothing but his own whims.

It was always a warning: cross him, and you-or someone you love-could be next.

Why even bother with the charade? We all knew how it would end.

The black sheep would be sacrificed. And the charges? Just a smokescreen. I had two options-become his slave or be sent to the King.

"Let's vote," the Alpha announced.

The elders cast their votes quickly. I only cared about one.

Declan.

He was one of the last to vote.

We locked eyes.

A thousand memories flickered between us-our first meet in the forest, the secret smiles, the whispered promises.

Only two people had ever brought warmth into my life-my father, and Declan.

"Declan?" the Beta snapped, dragging him from hesitation. "We're all waiting."

"I agree to the sacrifice," he said, looking away.

My hands gripped the bars. I shut my eyes against the sting of betrayal.

I had hoped-stupidly-that maybe he hadn't broken our bond because he had a plan. That maybe he'd help me escape.

I never grew up. Not really. Despite all the pain life had handed me, I was still a foolish, pathetic girl.

"Wait!"

A voice I knew well shouted from the crowd.

The woman I had called 'mother' all my life.

"Alpha, I don't agree with such a light punishment. This wretch disfigured my daughter."

"She'll need months for her face to heal. You can't just let her go like that!"

She looked at me like I was filth.

"What punishment do you suggest?" the Alpha asked.

"I want her whipped. Like a traitor."

The crowd gasped.

The whip used on traitors... even the strongest warriors rarely survived it.

This woman-for whom I had endured humiliation, whose approval I had begged for-wanted me tortured to death.

I started laughing. A hollow, broken laugh.

Tears streamed down as I laughed like a madwoman.

They all stared-some with disgust, some with hatred, but not one with compassion.

"Well, explain to the Alpha King why his tribute arrived dead," I said flatly, as if I wasn't speaking about myself.

That made them pause.

"She's right," Declan spoke. "No one can survive that whipping. If she dies, we'll still be short a tribute."

The Alpha sighed. "I'm sorry, but I can't grant your request. She'll be sent as planned."

My 'mother' stormed up to my cage.

Before I could react, I felt something wet hit my face-she had spat on me.

"I hope you live a life worse than hell and beg for death every second," she hissed.

"I've already started," I whispered, hatred thick in my voice. "By your side, 'dear mother.'"

Any love I'd once had for her had withered into ash.

Before leaving, she gave me one last look-pure, burning resentment. The kind she had harbored since the day her husband brought a little orphan into their home.

Soon, the Alpha King's guards arrived.

They carried me off in the same cage.

As we crossed the border of the pack, I looked back one last time.

That place had never been home. Only a prison.

On a hill at the edge of the territory, a lone man stood watching.

Declan.

Even now, he hadn't rejected the bond. But I had had enough.

I whispered into the bond, knowing he could hear me-even if he wouldn't answer.

"I, Valeria Ruffin, reject you as my mate. I release you from the bond the Goddess placed upon us, so you may be free from this prison we shared."

He didn't respond. But I knew... he heard me.