Chapter 157 Elara's POV
"And you think you're better? You think carrying his child makes you special?"
"I think surviving everything you threw at me makes me stronger than you. I think choosing to forgive and move forward makes me better than you. I think loving Kaden enough to let him make his own choices makes me worthy of being his mate."
Selena lunged at the bars, her hands reaching through to try to grab Elara. "You're nothing! You hear me? Nothing!"
I pulled Elara back, putting myself between her and the cell.
"Enough. You've confessed to treason to conspiracy with the enemy to attempted murder of an Alpha and Luna. To attempt to kidnap the heir."
I looked at her coldly. "You will be branded as a traitor executed publicly. Your family's name will be forever disgraced. I don't care how influential your father is, I don't care what political pressure comes if you die for what you've done."
The blood drained from Selena's face. "You can't, you wouldn't. My father-"
"Your father can't save you, no one can save you."
I turned to leave. "Prepare for execution when it happens at dawn."
"Wait! Kaden, wait! Please! I'm sorry! I'll do anything! I'll tell you everything Xavier planned! I'll help you fight him! Just please don't kill me!"
I kept walking and didn't look back but I heard movement behind me. Fast. Desperate.
I turned just in time to see Selena's hand emerge from the cell bars. She had somehow palmed something during her capture, a silver dagger, etched with dark runes that glowed with malevolent energy.
She threw it with deadly accuracy straight at my heart. I started to move but I was too slow. Too caught off guard.
Then Ethan was there stepping between me and the blade. It struck him in the chest and sank deep right between his ribs.
"NO!" I caught him as he fell.
The dagger's runes flared brighter. Dark magic spreads from the wound like poison through Ethan's veins.
"Ethan! Stay with me!"
He coughed blood sprayed from his lips. "Sorry, Alpha wasn't... fast enough... to knock it away."
"Damian! Get over here now!"
Damian was already running, his medical bag in hand.
But I could see the dark magic spreading. Could see death creeping through my Beta's body.
Rage exploded through me. I stood turned to face Selena.
She was pressed against the back of her cell, suddenly realizing what she'd done. "I didn't mean I was aiming for you, not him-"
"You just killed my Beta."
"He's not dead yet-"
"He will be that blade enchanted with death magic, no cure , no antidote." I grabbed the cell bars. "And you just signed your own death warrant."
"Kaden, please-"
I ripped the cell door off its hinges and the metal screamed the magical wards shattered. I was inside the cell before anyone could stop me.
Selena tried to run and tried to dodge. I caught her by the throat and lifted her off the ground.
"You took everything from me and tried to kill me. I tried to kill my mate and tried to steal my son. And now you've killed my best friend." My claws extended. "Enjoy the afterlife."
I drove my clawed hand through her chest. Felt her ribs break, felt her heart beating against my fingers.
Then I crushed it.
She made a gurgling sound. Blood poured from her mouth. Her eyes went wide with shock and pain.
I pulled my hand out and let her body drop to the floor. She twitched once twice then went still.
Dead.
I stood over her corpse, breathing hard, covered in her blood.
Behind me, I heard Elara scream. "Ethan!"
I ran back to where my Beta lay.
He was convulsing on the ground. The dark magic had spread to his entire torso. His veins were black his skin was graying.
Damian was working frantically. "I can't stop it! The magic is too strong! It's killing him from the inside!"
"There has to be something! Some way to save him!"
"There isn't! This is death magic! Ancient and powerful! Once it enters the bloodstream, there's no cure!"
Ethan grabbed my hand. His grip was weak. Fading. "Kaden... brother... it's okay..."
"No! You don't get to die! You don't get to leave me!"
"Take... take care of the pack... Take care... of Elara... and Adrian..." He coughed more blood. "Been... an honor... serving you..."
"Ethan, please-"
His eyes closed, his hand went limp in mine, the convulsions stopped.
Damian checked for a pulse and checked for breathing.
Then he looked at me with devastated eyes. "He's gone. I'm sorry, Kaden, he is gone."
"No." I pulled Ethan's body close. "No, no, no. Not you, not my brother, not my best friend."
Elara was crying. Kira was crying, everyone in the hallway was crying.
My Beta. My friend since childhood. The man who'd stood beside me through everything.
Dead.
Because of Selena because of her jealousy and hatred and obsession.
I held Ethan's body and let out a howl of grief and rage that shook the entire pack house.