Chapter 261: Rest In Peace, Clara. You're Free Now.

Chapter 261: Rest In Peace, Clara. You're Free Now.
Avery

And that's exactly why this had to happen. Some people could be redeemed; some had gone too far.

"Time's up," I said, ending the moment before everyone felt more pain.

Julian moved first, his claws approaching Orion from the left. I could see the struggle on his face—the desire for revenge warring with his natural reluctance to be a killer.

For Clara, I thought, hoping he could feel my support. Do it for Clara.

Julian's claws found their target, striking precisely between Orion's ribs. Not a killing blow, but enough to cause significant pain and damage. Orion's pained roar echoed off the stone walls, but he didn't beg for mercy.

Good. At least he could face this with some dignity.

"My turn," I said softly, standing before Orion.

I could have made it quick—a strike to the heart or throat, fatal within seconds. But I wanted him to suffer some pain.

I drove my claws deep into his chest, aiming for his heart. But instead of piercing immediately, I paused slightly, letting him feel the pressure, letting him know death was coming.

"This is for Clara," I said, my voice carrying both human sorrow and Lycan authority. "For every moment of pain you caused her. For every scream, every tear, every second of fear you brought her."

Orion's eyes widened, his breathing becoming rapid as blood seeped around my claws.

"And this," I continued, applying more pressure, "is to make sure you never hurt anyone again."

I felt the moment his heart stopped beating, the moment the spark of consciousness that had driven him to such terrible acts finally extinguished. His massive body went limp in the chains, and the dungeon fell silent except for our breathing.

It was over. Clara could rest now.

I stepped back, retracting my claws and returning to normal. I saw relief mixed with sadness on everyone's faces around me. Justice had been served, but it didn't bring Clara back. It didn't heal the wound her death had left in our pack.

"Someone needs to clean this up," I said, my tone almost businesslike. "We should probably burn the body—I don't want to leave anything that could be used for dark magic or other bullshit."

Ethan nodded, already starting to unlock the chains holding Orion's corpse.

"I'll handle it," he said calmly.

Julian stood motionless, staring at Orion's lifeless body with an expression I couldn't read.

"Julian?" I asked gently. "Are you okay?"

He looked at me, and I was surprised to find no tears in his eyes. The raw grief was still there, but now it was tempered by something that might have been peace.

"Yes," he said, his voice stronger than I'd expected. "Yes, I think I am. For the first time since Clara died, I feel like I can breathe again."

Good. That's what justice was supposed to do—bring peace, not more pain.

Dominic stepped forward, placing a hand on my shoulder, his crimson eyes full of admiration. "You handled that beautifully," he said softly, his tone warm and proud. "Clara would be proud of the justice you gave her."

I leaned into him, drawing strength from his presence. "She deserved better than this."

"She did," he agreed. "But she also deserved to have people who cared about her get revenge for her. And she got that."

As we prepared to leave the dungeon, I couldn't help but think about that final exchange between Orion and Damian. It seemed even monsters could find clarity in the face of death.

But Clara still deserved better. She deserved to live, to love, to see what kind of woman she would become.

The only comfort I could find in this terrible situation was that her killer was dead, and her pack would ensure she was remembered as the brave, kind soul she had been.

Rest in peace, Clara. You're free now.

As we walked out of the dungeon, I noticed Julian walking beside me, his posture straighter than it had been in days.

"Thank you," he said quietly. "Thank you for letting me be part of it. Thank you for giving her the justice she deserved."

I squeezed his arm gently. "She was family. Family protects family, and family gets justice for family."

Dominic walked on my other side, his hand holding mine. "How do you feel?" he asked with concern.

"Tired," I admitted. "But... satisfied. Clara can rest now. The monster that hurt her is gone."

"We'll make sure nothing like this happens again," Dominic promised, his voice filled with Alpha authority.

As we climbed the stairs back to the main house, I felt a sense of relief. Justice had been served. Our pack was safe. Clara's memory would be honored.

It had to be enough. It had to be.