Chapter 59: CHAPTER 59

ALINA

The moment the judge passed the sentence, the entire courtroom erupted into chaos. Screams filled the air, the sound of people objecting to the harsh punishment echoing through the hall. But no matter how loud they yelled, it didn't change anything. Lily had been sentenced to death, and there was nothing anyone could do to stop it. She had been found guilty of treason, and now, she was going to die for it.I stood frozen in my seat, my heart pounding in my chest as they took Lily away. My legs felt weak, and I had to grip the edge of my chair just to keep myself steady. This couldn't be happening. It felt like a nightmare that I couldn't wake up from. How had it come to this? How had everything gone so horribly wrong?I watched helplessly as Lily was led out of the courtroom with her head held high. She was so brave, even in the face of death. But I knew that inside, she was terrified. I had seen it in her eyes when they announced the verdict. She didn't want to die. And yet, Jaime had made his decision. He had told his beta, Ronan, that he wanted the execution to happen today. He wasn't even willing to give her a day, a chance to say goodbye. He wanted it done now.The cruelty of it all made me sick to my stomach. When we returned to the palace, I couldn't hold back any longer. I could not just sit back and watch this happen. I marched straight to Jaime's room, my mind racing with anger. I needed to talk to him. I needed to make him understand that this was too much, too fast. He couldn't do this. I knew he was probably not going to listen to me, but it was worth the shot.I pushed open the door to his chambers, not bothering to knock. Jaime was sitting at his desk, going through some papers, his expression cold and detached. He barely looked up when I entered."We need to talk," I said. I tried to stand brave, but it was merely a facade I was putting on because he had really started to terrify me.He glanced at me, his eyes narrowing slightly. "What is it, Alina? I'm busy." I hated how his eyes slid down my face to the rest of my body.I took a deep breath, trying to steady myself. "The execution," I said, my voice trembling slightly. "It's too harsh. Lily doesn't deserve to die like this. You have to reconsider."Jaime's expression darkened, and he stood from his desk, walking toward me with slow, deliberate steps. His presence was intimidating, but I refused to back down. I had to try."It's none of your business," he said coldly, his voice low and threatening. "And you would be wise to stay out of it."My heart pounded in my chest, but I pressed on. "It is my business," I insisted. "I'm your wife, and I'm the Luna of this pack. Lily is part of this pack too, and what you're doing to her is-"Before I could finish, Jaime cut me off, his voice rising with fury. "You need to leave," he growled, stepping closer, his eyes flashing with anger. "Or else I'm going to hurt you."The threat sent a chill down my spine, and for a moment, I was paralyzed by fear. His words hung in the air, heavy and full of malice. I could see the truth in his eyes. He would hurt me if I pushed him any further. I had no doubt about that. It would not be the first time he attempted to do it. I knew the kind of mine he was but still, I could not get myself to leave. I felt like I was responsible for this because if I had died instead of Kai, then Jaime would not have the guts to execute his best friend because of a small argument.I swallowed hard, my throat tight as I took a step back. "Jaime, please," I whispered, my voice trembling. "You don't have to do this.""Leave, Alina. Now." His eyes turned darker, dilating.The words hit me like a slap, and for a moment, I felt like I couldn't breathe. I had known Jaime was cruel, but this was something else. This was a man who didn't care about anything but his power. And I was just another pawn in his game. We are all just pawns in his game. I thought back to our wedding night, to the way he had almost forced himself on me, and I realized then that it hadn't been the alcohol that had made him do it.This was who Jaime really was, a man who would use and abuse anyone who got in his way. A man who would stop at nothing to get what he wanted. Tears burned at the corners of my eyes, but I blinked them back. I couldn't cry in front of him. I wouldn't give him the satisfaction of seeing me break. Without another word, I turned and left the room, my heart pounding in my chest, knowing that there was no hope for me to get a solution through him. But I still could not give up on Lily. If I gave up on her, then I gave up on Kai.As soon as I was out of his sight, I quickened my pace, making my way toward the cells where Lily was being held. I didn't know what I was going to do, but I had to see her. I had to try to find a way to get her out of this mess. When I reached the cells, two guards stood at the entrance, their faces stern as they blocked my path."You need to let me in," I said, my voice steady despite the panic I felt inside."We're under strict orders not to let anyone in," one of the guards replied, his tone firm.I clenched my fists, frustration building inside me. "I'm the queen," I said, my voice laced with authority. "And I'm ordering you to move aside. If you don't, I will have you both executed for defying a direct order."The guards exchanged a nervous glance, clearly unsure of what to do. After a moment, they stepped aside, bowing their heads slightly in apology. "We're sorry, Luna. Please, go ahead."I nodded, though my heart was pounding in my chest. I didn't feel like a Luna. I felt like a desperate woman clinging to whatever power I had left, even if I was using it for a good use. I would never have done this if it was not out of desperation for me to make sure Lily was not executed. But I couldn't think about that now, about the whole thing about using my power to my advantage. I had to focus on Lily. On how to get her out of death row before it was time for her to be executed later.As I entered the cell, I saw her pacing back and forth, her hands clenched at her sides. When she saw me, her eyes widened with surprise, and then, they filled with tears."Alina," she whispered, her voice breaking as she rushed toward me. "How did you come in?"I wrapped my arms around her, pulling her into a tight embrace through the metal bards that separate us. She trembled in my arms, her body shaking with fear and exhaustion. My heart broke for her, and I hated that I couldn't do more. But I had to try."I got the guards to open the door for me. You're not going to die, Lily," I said, even though I wasn't sure if I believed it myself." I'm going to find a way to get you out of this."Lily pulled back, shaking her head. "I do not know about that, but in case you're not able to save me, there is something you need to know," she said, her voice low and urgent. "Kai is alive." She whispered.My heart stopped. "What?""He's alive," she repeated. "He's not in the pack, but he wanted me to make sure everyone thought he was dead. It was part of his plan to take back the Seven Isles from Jamie."My mind spun with the weight of her words. Kai was alive? He had faked his death? The relief that washed over me was overwhelming, but it was quickly followed by a new wave of fear."I need to go find him," I said, my voice trembling. "I need to bring him back."But Lily shook her head. "He's not going to be able to come back before the execution happens," she said, her voice thick with emotion. "I just wanted you to know. He did not want me to tell anyone but since I won't be here, I figured that I should tell someone about it."Tears welled up in my eyes as I looked at her, feeling helpless. Lily reached into her pocket and pulled out a small piece of paper, folding it into my hands."Give this to Kai when he comes back," she said softly. "Please."I nodded, my throat too tight to speak. I tucked the paper into my dress and hugged her one last time."I'm not giving up on you," I whispered fiercely. "I'll find a way."But as I left the cell, a heavy sense of responsibility settled in my chest. Now that Kai was alive, I knew that this was not going to be bad after all. But first things first. I needed to find a way to help Lily out of this. Time was running out, and unfortunately, I didn't know if I would be able to save her in time.