Chapter 4 The judgment
ADRIANA
I sat on the cold floor, head bent and body trembling in guilt and anger. It had been three days since I was locked up in a dark, damp cell.
After realizing that I had slashed the blade on Valerie and not Arlene, my brothers had me arrested and thrown into a cell. The look on their faces and the hatred in their eyes always caused a shiver to break across my broken body whenever I thought of that dreadful moment.
Every day, I prayed and hoped that Valerie would be alive and healthy. I didn't care if she detested me more now. I just wanted her to be safe, for poor little Jaden's sake.
I threw my head and closed my eyes, sighing loudly.
As I sat there, Miles's promises every time we took a walk under the moonlight echoed in my mind, and anger burned in me.
He had promised that he would stay with me, for me, but he never meant it. He said we would be together forever, but here I was alone, waiting for the judgment of my brothers in a cold cell.
Why did I believe him in the first place? Why did I look over the disgusting bully of our high school and embrace a predator who stretched out a helping hand of deceit?
I was the only one who could stand up to him when we were in high school. I guessed he did this to get his revenge.
He made me fall shamelessly and helplessly for him. He kept me by his side and made me submit to him for four years. He stole my heart against my will and broke it for his revenge.
He should have chosen someone else aside from Arlene, but could I blame him alone? She definitely did this to keep me as the villain and steal my happiness.
I desperately wanted to be happy that I was free from a delusion I thought was real, but it wasn't working.
I was feeling miserable, foolishly wishing that I had never found out, and things didn't have to come this far.
Perhaps, if my mother were still alive… no, she was no different from the rest of them. She would definitely do what my brothers had done. She would call me the black sheep of the family and sneer at me, heaping words upon words of regret for my unwanted existence.
“Princess Adriana!" A voice snapped through my thoughts, and my eyes snapped open.
I jerked my head forward, and my brows shot up when I saw the beta standing in front of the cell.
I didn't have a hope or excitement bubbling in me concerning my release. I was ready to accept whatever judgment they passed… even if it was death.
“You're needed," he said and began to unlock the bars.
He tossed the door open and marched in, then gently pulled me up.
I expected him to treat me harshly like a criminal, but I was surprised that they treated me gently.
I swiped my hand over the dirt on my dress and shuffled after him.
I had eaten nothing for those three days I was locked up in there, and this made my head feel light.
“How is she doing?" I finally asked when we trudged out of the prison area and headed towards my brothers' quarters.
“She is fine now," he muttered, and my brows raised.
“You should be thankful," Beta Neil muttered, and I nodded my head.
“I am."
We continued our walk in silence until we got to the door to their study and stopped.
My eyes dimmed in surprise, and I jerked my head in his direction, but he said nothing.
I was supposed to be given a judgment in the council hall, not in their study.
The beta pushed the door open and waved his hand towards the inside of the study.
I hesitated for a moment, my heart racing.
I gulped hard and took a deep breath before dragging my feet into the room.
The heavy cigarette smoke and choking smell of alcohol hit my nose.
Killian was standing by the window with a glass of vodka swinging in his hand while Lucian picked out books from the bookshelves. A burning cigarette lay in the ashtray on the desk.
“My lords," the beta called their attention.
Killian swung around, and Lucian paused what he was doing and tilted his head to the side.
“What would you have done if she had died?" Lucian asked as he resumed the picking of books that I was sure he would never read.
“I would accept whatever punishment you give," I muttered.
“Even if it's death?" Killian asked, and my throat knotted.
“I wasn't expecting anything less," I blurted out, and the beta shot a glare at me.
“Look up, Adriana!" Killian snapped.
I slowly raised my head and tried to stare into his eyes, but couldn't. The piercing stare caused my gaze to drop to the desk.
“This is not the first time you're embarrassing the Pack and our family!" Killian snapped, and my heart clenched.
I kept silent and allowed them to keep stabbing me with their words.
“I will make sure no one says a word about your embarrassing behavior at your sister's formal event," he said. I couldn't tell how I was able to keep the scoff in.
Lucian trudged away from the bookshelf and dropped the books on the desk, then raised my head with his thumb under my chin.
Shivers washed over my body, and goosebumps spread over my skin as I stared at his grey eyes.
“Mother will be disappointed in you," he whispered, and I felt a heavy blow in my heart.
A tear dropped from my eye, and I staggered back, bleeding profusely inside of me.
“You will be sent out of the country for the time being. You can only return when you are psychologically and mentally alright,” he announced, and my throat knotted. I barely had a choice to make or a protest to break out.
This was the end of me. I was nothing but a walking corpse, waiting for the day I would be officially pronounced dead and dropped six feet deep.
"You will leave tonight… after your sister's mating ceremony," Killian added, and my head shot up.
My fist clenched, and my breath slowed at his statement.
She was going to become his mate and probably his Luna tonight.
“Do you have any objection to this decision?" Lucian asked.
I took in a deep breath and looked up at him, staring into his eyes, then shifted my gaze to Killian, staring into his blue eyes.
My trembling lips parted, and I blurted out a response that would either seal my fate or give me a second chance to fight.
“No."