CHAPTER 32: THE CONSEQUENCES OF CRUELTY

CHAPTER 32: THE CONSEQUENCES OF CRUELTY
ZANE
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The soft knock on my study door broke my concentration. I set the report I'd been reviewing aside and called, "Enter."
Mrs. Marlowe stepped in, her usual calm demeanor replaced with a rare flicker of urgency.
"Alpha," she began, her voice firm but laced with concern. "There's something you need to know about Miss Leona."
I straightened, a knot of unease tightening in my chest. "What happened?"
She hesitated, which was unlike her. Mrs. Marlowe was not one to mince words. "She was found locked in the food storage room earlier this morning. It appears she was trapped there all night."
My jaw clenched. "Locked?"
"Yes, Alpha," she confirmed. "The door was deliberately bolted from the outside. She was discovered by Clara, one of the younger maids. Leona was starved and weakened when we found her. She fainted shortly after."
Rage burned through me like wildfire. "Who did this?"
Mrs. Marlowe's lips thinned. "Liora."
"Where is Leona now?" I demanded.
"In her quarters, recovering," Mrs. Marlowe replied. "She's still weak, but the healer says she'll recover fully with rest and proper care."
"And Liora?"
"She denies any involvement, of course," Mrs. Marlowe said, her disapproval clear. "But the evidence is undeniable. Clara saw her near the storage room just before it was locked. This was no accident, Alpha."
The room felt colder as my fury settled into something sharper, more focused. "Summon Liora to the council chambers immediately. And ensure she's under guard until I arrive."
"Yes, Alpha." Mrs. Marlowe bowed and left, her efficiency as unwavering as ever.
I rose from my chair. There were rules in this pack, and no one—no matter how entitled they believed themselves to be—was above them.

—
By the time I reached the council chambers, my fury was a controlled storm, waiting to strike. Liora stood at the center of the room, her hands trembling as two guards flanked her. She looked smaller than usual, her arrogance replaced with nervousness.
The council members sat in their designated places, their expressions a mix of curiosity and unease. They rarely saw me this angry, and it likely unsettled them as much as it did Liora.
I strode to the front of the room, my gaze never leaving Liora. "Liora," I said, my voice calm but edged with steel. "You stand accused of deliberately locking Leona in the storage room overnight, leaving her without food or warmth. Do you deny these charges?"
Her head snapped up, and she shook it frantically. "Alpha, I swear I didn't mean any harm! It was just a prank! I didn't think—"
"Exactly," I interrupted, my tone sharp. "You didn't think. Your actions could have cost her her life. Do you understand the gravity of what you've done?"
Tears welled in her eyes, but I felt no sympathy. This wasn't the first time Liora's jealousy had led her to act cruelly, but it would be the last.
"I'm sorry," she whispered, her voice breaking. "Please, Alpha, it won't happen again. I swear."
I stepped closer, my gaze cold and unyielding. "You're right—it won't. Because I will not tolerate behavior like this in my pack. Your actions were not only cruel but dangerous. You've broken the trust that binds this household together."
She dropped to her knees, sobbing now. "Please, Alpha! I'll do anything to make it right!"
"You'll do nothing but accept your punishment," I said, my voice final. I turned to the guards. "Liora is to be confined to the lower cells for two days with nothing but water. Let her experience the fear and discomfort she inflicted on Leona. Afterward, she will work under Mrs. Marlowe's strict supervision. If she fails to comply or commits another infraction, she will be permanently exiled from the pack."
Liora's sobs grew louder, but I didn't waver. "Take her away."
The guards seized her arms, dragging her from the chamber as she continued to plead for mercy. The room fell silent except for the faint echo of her cries fading down the corridor.
Once she was gone, I addressed the council. "Let this serve as a reminder to all. We are a pack, bound by loyalty and respect. Anyone who undermines those principles will face the consequences."
The council members murmured their agreement, their respect for my authority evident in their lowered gazes.
I dismissed them with a wave and left the chambers, heading toward Leona's quarters.

—
The walk to Leona's room was long, each step making me think more about her. I had punished Liora, but my mind kept returning to Leona. How could someone in this pack be so cruel?
When I reached her room, the guards signaled she was inside and safe. I knocked and entered. Leona sat on her bed, wrapped in blankets, looking pale but alert. When she saw me, a small smile tugged at the corner of her lips. "You're here," she said, her voice soft.
I walked in and pulled a chair closer to her bed. "How are you feeling?" I asked gently.
She looked at me for a moment before responding. "Tired. But I'll be okay."
I nodded, but my worry didn't subside. "You're lucky to be alive, Leona."
She winced at the reminder, looking away. "I didn't expect it to get this bad," she murmured.
I sighed. "You didn't deserve that. No one should treat another like that."
Leona's eyes met mine. "Why would Liora do this? I never did anything to her."
I shook my head. "Jealousy. It's always been a problem with her." I paused, my voice darkening. "She's been warned before, but this time... this time, I couldn't let it slide."
Leona's gaze flickered up to meet mine, her brow furrowed. "What do you mean?"
"I've punished her," I said, my tone turning colder. "She's confined to the lower cells for two days with nothing but water. After that, she'll be put under strict supervision with Mrs. Marlowe. If she fails again, she'll be exiled."
Her eyes widened slightly at the severity of it. "Two days with only water?" she whispered, almost to herself. "That's harsh."
I nodded. "It's necessary. She needs to learn."