Chapter 52 The Judgement
Fernando stood in the great hall of the northern keep, the air still heavy with the scent of blood and smoke from the recent battle. The walls bore scars from the fighting, deep gashes in the stone where swords had clashed and claws had raked. He had called for a gathering of all elders from both the northern and southern packs to address the betrayal of the council members who had sided with Vargus. The punishment had to be swift and absolute to restore order and send a message that disloyalty would not be tolerated.
Darius had arranged the meeting with meticulous care. He had sent riders to every corner of the territories, summoning the elders with urgent missives sealed with Fernando's mark. The northern elders arrived first, their faces etched with concern and curiosity, while the southern ones followed soon after, their expressions more guarded after the recent upheaval. The hall filled with over fifty elders, seated in rows facing the high dais where Fernando stood flanked by Darius and a small contingent of loyal guards.
Fernando raised his hand for silence as the last elder took his seat. “Elders of the north and south, I have called you here to discuss the fate of the council members who betrayed our pack. They opened the gates to Vargus and his rogues, leading to the attack that nearly destroyed us. Their punishment must fit their crime, and we must appoint new council members to restore balance.”
Elder Bramwell, one of the northern elders who had remained loyal, stood first. “Alpha Fernando, the council’s betrayal is a wound to the pack’s heart. They conspired with Vargus, opened the eastern gate, and allowed the rogues to pour in like floodwaters. Many wolves died because of their actions. What do you propose as punishment?”
Fernando’s voice was steady. “They will be beheaded in public view. Their families will be banished from the pack lands, stripped of all rights. Their wealth and possessions will be transferred to the pack’s welfare fund to aid in our recovery from the attack.”
Elder Hawthorne, a southern elder, nodded. “Beheading is fitting for traitors. It sends a clear message. But banishing the families? Some may be innocent.”
Fernando met his gaze. “Innocent or not, the council’s blood taints them. The pack cannot risk divided loyalties. The wealth will rebuild what was lost, homes for the widows, supplies for the patrols.”
Elder Whitcombe, another northern elder, spoke up. “And the executions? When?”
“Tomorrow at dawn,” Fernando said. “In the central square. All pack members will witness it.”
Elder Fairchild, from the south, raised her hand. “As for new council members, we elders will decide among ourselves. We know the pack’s needs best.”
Fernando nodded. “You have my trust. Choose wisely. The new council must be loyal above all.”
One of the southern elders, Elder Ashford, cleared his throat. “Alpha Fernando, we have heard rumors that Princess Liana has returned to the pack. Is this true?”
Fernando’s expression remained neutral. “Yes. Liana has returned.”
Elder Ashford leaned forward. “Then we should commence her marriage to secure the western alliances. The packs there have been uneasy since her disappearance. A union will strengthen our borders.”
Darius glanced at Fernando, then interjected. “That matter can be discussed another day. The Alpha is still recovering, and the pack’s stability comes first.”
Elder Ashford’s eyes narrowed. “Why delay? Unless you are hiding something from us. Explain.”
Fernando held up a hand. “Liana is mentally unstable after what she endured. She needs time to recover. Marrying her off now would not be right. It could harm her further.”
Elder Ashford sat back, considering. “Very well. We will revisit it when she is ready.”
The meeting wrapped up with final agreements on the executions and the selection of new council members. The elders filed out, leaving Fernando and Darius alone in the hall.
Fernando turned to Darius. “Where is Samael? He should have been here.”
Darius hesitated briefly. “He left the pack to strengthen the western border. There was an emergency call from our men there. He could not report in time.”
Fernando nodded. “Keep me informed of his progress.”
As the sun set, the pack prepared for the executions, but Fernando retreated to his chamber to think.
Fernando walked the corridors of the keep with a heavy step, his thigh wound from Vargus's claws still throbbing despite the bandages Mira had applied. Liana's return had been a light in the darkness, but her condition gnawed at him. She needed time to heal, and he needed to find a way to keep her safe from the fate she feared.
He turned a corner toward his chamber when a young wolf, Mira's assistant named Elara, rushed forward. Her face was pale, eyes wide with panic, and she nearly collided with him in her haste.
"Alpha Fernando!" she screamed. "Princess Liana is in danger! Mira requests your audience immediately!"
Fernando's heart slammed against his ribs. "Where?"
"The healing ward!" Elara gasped. "She collapsed in pain! Please, hurry!"
Fernando broke into a run, his wound forgotten. The corridors blurred as he sprinted, boots pounding the stone. Guards snapped to attention as he passed, but he ignored them. Liana. His sister. The one person he had sworn to protect above all others. If she was in danger again, he would tear the keep apart to save her.
He burst into the healing ward, the door slamming open against the wall. The room was lit by candles and a low fire, shelves lined with jars of herbs and vials of potions. Liana lay on a cot in the center, her face contorted in agony, sweat beading on her brow. She clutched her stomach, gasping for breath, her body shaking with spasms.
Mira stood beside her, pressing a cloth to Liana's forehead. "Fernando, good. You are here."
"What happened?" Fernando demanded, rushing to Liana's side. He knelt and took her hand. "Liana, talk to me."
Liana's eyes fluttered open, filled with tears. "It hurts, brother. The pup... it is killing me."
Fernando's face hardened. "The pup? Mira, what is this?"
Mira set the cloth aside and met his gaze. "She needs her mate, Fernando. Or she is going to die."
Fernando's hand tightened on Liana's. "No. I will never allow Liana to be with Vargus. That bastard will not touch her again."
Mira's voice was steady but urgent. "Let go of your grudge for your stepbrother and see your sister in pain. The bond is the only thing that can stabilize her and the pup. Without it, her wolf weakens further, and they both perish."
Fernando exploded to his feet, fist slamming into the nearest table. Jars rattled and fell. "I will never let her return to that monster! He abducted her, forced himself on her, tied her to him with that cursed bond! Over my dead body will she go back!"
Liana reached out a trembling hand. "Brother, please..."
Fernando knelt again, taking her hand. "I will find another way. You are not going back to him."
Mira crossed her arms. "There is no other way. The pup draws from her strength. The mate bond provides what she lacks. Deny it, and you condemn her."
Fernando's voice rose to a scream. "Liana is also Vargus's stepsister! But because of his stupid hatred for me, he laid with her just to get back at me! He used her as a weapon against me! Subject her to such degradation! I will cut his head off myself before I let her return!"
Liana squeezed his hand weakly. "Fernando, listen. The pain is getting worse. I can feel the pup draining me. If I do not go to him, we both die."
Fernando shook his head, tears in his eyes. "I cannot lose you again. I just got you back."
Mira stepped closer. "The bond is already formed. Denying it now is like denying air. She needs him to survive."
Fernando released Liana's hand and paced the room, fists clenched. "There must be a ritual. A potion. Something. I will not send my sister back to that bastard."
Liana's voice was faint. "Brother, I do not want this either. But the pup is innocent. My fate is sealed. Let me go."
Fernando stopped, turning to her. "No. I will find a way. Mira, tell me there is another option."
Mira sighed. "I have tried everything. The attempts to abort weakened her wolf too much. The bond is the only anchor now."
Fernando slammed his fist into the wall, stone cracking. "I will kill him. I will cut off his head and bring it to you on a platter."
Liana sat up with effort. "Fernando, stop. The pain is unbearable. I need him to live."
Fernando knelt again, holding her face in his hands. "You are my sister. I swore to protect you. I cannot send you back to him."
Liana's tears flowed. "You cannot protect me from this. The bond is fate. Deny it, and I die."
Mira placed a hand on Fernando's shoulder. "See her pain. Let go of the grudge. Vargus is her mate now."
Fernando shook her off. "He made her his to hurt me. I will not let her return. I will find him and end him."
Liana clutched his arm. "If you kill him, you kill me. The bond ties us. His death is mine."
Fernando's face twisted in agony. "Then what do I do?"
Mira said quietly. "Let her go. It is the only way."