Chapter 132 Ex commander of Vahl's army
Ruel's POV
The guards drag me out into the open courtyard, pulling on the much stronger silver chains that bite deep into my wrists with every step.
My arms are already sore from the fight, and the metal grinding into them makes my jaw clench harder.
The moment my knees hit the ground the second time today, a loud howl from the alpha king cuts through the air.
It's a summon for every member of the pack within range.
The execution block waits in the center. I haven't seen it in a long while. It doesn't look like it was recently used which I guess is good.
The last thing I want is to be forced to kiss the stinky blood of the last occupant.
“We are not dying!” Krist thunders in my head.
I'm almost surprised he gave back control to me when he saw Elric in danger.
“He's the only one we've got left. I couldn't let him get hurt. But that doesn't mean I intend for us to die. This would be such a disgusting way to die, Ruel.”
A hand grabs the back of my neck and slams my head down onto the dry wood.
Rage flares within me instantly. My muscles tense on instinct, ready to throw him off, but the chains wrench my arms back before I can move.
The wood presses against my neck with cruel reality.
Around me, the steps of approaching pack members rise while the guards tighten their grip, like they expect me to lunge at any second.
I force my breathing to remain steady, refusing to panic.
Someone steps forward, unrolling a scroll with dramatic flair.
“Ruel Xuaru, ex Commander of Vahl’s army, you stand accused of high treason against the Alpha King.” His voice carries across the assembled wolves, clear and accusatory.
Gasps and murmuring quickly fill the atmosphere.
“You have defied royal orders, unleashed your rogueness in the judgment hall, and threatened the life of our alpha king.” the man continues.
“Rogue? Did he just call us rogue?” Krist seethes.
“Now is not the time.” I whisper, trying to wrap my head around everything that just happened.
“No Ruel, now is the time. I'm not about to lose my damn head simply because you chose to remain stuck on the fact that we have an alpha roar.”
“Fuck that was not just an alpha roar Krist. And you don't seem surprised.”
“I've always known I was stronger but you hated whenever I went against command so I learned to bury it. Right now if we keep acting in humility, it will cost us our life.”
“For these sins you will lose your head here and now, so that the pack may learn the cost of disobedience.” the man finishes.
I clench my jaw and answer Krist silently, the words forming hot in my chest. “I would rather die than endanger Elric’s life any further. He has already suffered enough because of me.”
Krist growls inside my skull, sounding frustrated. “You stubborn fool. If we die here, Elric will still be killed the moment we are gone. Who else will stand between him and the king’s blade? Think, Ruel. He needs us alive.”
I feel the truth of his words settle heavy in my gut, but I push it down. My eyes find Elric across the courtyard. He's still struggling wildly against Omar’s grip, twisting and shoving with everything he has left.
Omar slams him back against the stone wall, tears shining in his own eyes, his lips trembling as sweat rolls down his face.
The urgency in Omar's gaze proves me right. There's more between them than rivals. There's no way Elric won't be safe with his mate.
“Let me go, Omar!” Elric’s voice cracks. “I cannot let them do this to him.”
Omar’s voice comes out harsh, yet broken. “I can’t watch you die too. Stay still, damn it! I’m trying to keep you alive.”
Underneath the continuing announcement of my supposed crimes, a single scream pierces the air.
“AHHHHH!” Another scream pierces through the air.
“Do it now, kill him!” Alpha King Andre commands.
Just then a third voice shouts, raw with terror, “Rogues! The borders are breached!”
My ears stand at attention, my instincts urging me to protect as panic erupts across the pack.
Wolves scatter in every direction, mothers snatch up their pups and run, warriors shove families behind pillars and walls.
Some guards abandon their posts, running towards the screams.
In that same second, my chains clatter to the ground. I glance wide-eyed at the last guard standing beside me.
“You've fought all your life for the pack, you don't deserve to die this way. Run, commander Ruel.” He whispers urgently.
I surge to my feet and immediately my eyes find Elric, running straight to him while ignoring the ruin around me.
Omar releases his grip on him the moment he sees me and shoves him forward into my arms. “Ensure his safety with your life!” He grits out, looking worried for the man in my arms.
Elric grabs my shoulders, his eyes wide with fear and caution.
“Ruel, we cannot stay,” he says breathlessly.
We start running, but the sight beyond the trees makes our steps falter.
Another cry breaks out as more rogues dash out from the surrounding trees. A large number runs behind them as they pour into the pack in their hundreds.
“Shit,” I curse. “Elric, we have to help them.”
My head snaps toward the Alpha King, only to find him already running for the pack house, his robes flapping as he shoves his own people out of the way.
It doesn't take long for the heavy doors to slam shut behind him.
Other pack members try to join him but apparently, the coward locked them out already.
When I turn back around, I realize I'm not the only one who witnessed it. Several pack members look towards the shut doors in disbelief and fear.
But unfaced fear has never gotten any pack saved before.
Suddenly feeling the weight of his decision falling on me, my muscles tighten but this time I don't fully shift.
My bones crack and lengthen, fur tears through my skin, my claws extend, my senses sharpen, but my mind stays clear.
I am still here, I'm still in control.
“I like it when we merge like this,” Krist murmurs inside me, low and eager as our eyes zero on the rogues.
A few wolves nearby freeze.
“That’s… a Lycan…”
“A pureblood alpha..”
“Isn’t that the commander?”
I roar, the sound ripping across, drowning out the panic.
“Royal guards, defensive line on the right!” I bellow. “Archers, target the rogues carrying the pups first! Do not let them reach the forest!”
“You heard the commander! Move!” Omar’s voice snaps behind me instantly.
Immediately guards surge forward, forming up at my back.
The rogues notice too late.
“Flank left, Omar!” I roar as I launch forward, crashing straight into their front line.
My claws rip through the first rogue’s throat. Another lunges and I tear him aside, blood spraying hot across my arms.
Omar moves with me, swaying with ease on light feet. Swiftly finding a rhythm, we cut through them together.
More guards and some brave pack members rally behind us, their wolves howling as we push forward.
“FUCK!” Elric’s furious shout slices through the chaos as he throws himself into the fight too.