Chapter 172: The Reckoning

Chapter 172: The Reckoning
Sierra's POV

Adrian's phone wouldn't stop buzzing. Photo after photo. The last one made my blood freeze. It was Alexander in Lena's arms taken through our bedroom window. Tonight. 

"Get everyone inside," Adrian's voice was steel. "Now." He handed Alexander to me, moved to the window and pulled the curtain shut. Too late. They'd already seen everything they needed.

“Ben!" Adrian's Alpha command rang through the house. Footsteps thundered up the stairs. Ben burst through the door. His broken arm was in a sling now, his face was alert despite the exhaustion.

"Someone's watching the house," Adrian said. "Armed patrol, triple the guard. No one in or out without my direct order." Ben nodded. 

He ran back downstairs. Within seconds I heard orders being shouted. Wolves shifted. Paws hit the ground. 

They spread out around the property. Searching, hunting. But I knew they wouldn't find anything. Whoever sent those photos was already gone. They had gotten what they came for.

I sat on the bed and held Alexander close. My hands shook. Adrian paced back and forth like a caged wolf. 

His phone buzzed again. This time there were words. "Tomorrow. Noon. The old cemetery. Come alone or everyone dies. You know who I want." 

The phone hit the wall and scattered into pieces. Adrian's chest heaved. His eyes were wild and dangerous.

“This is about me," I whispered. My voice felt small and broken. "They want me." Adrian turned around. "No. Absolutely not. You're not going anywhere near that cemetery."

But I knew the truth. 

Morning came too fast. The pack gathered in what was left of the main hall. Twelve bodies lay in a row, covered in white cloth. We honored our dead before we buried them. 

I stood at the front as their Luna. The one who was supposed to protect them all but I'd failed. Twelve families were broken because of choices I'd made. 

Because Marcus hated me. The weight of it crushed my chest.

"We gather to honor those who fell," my voice cracked. I cleared my throat and tried again. "They died protecting this pack. Protecting our home. Our future. Their sacrifice won't be forgotten." 

I looked at each covered body and remembered their faces and their names. Thomas. He had three kids. Sarah. She was getting married next month. Jacob. He'd just turned twenty-one.

The list went on. Each name was a dagger to my heart. 

"They were warriors, friends, and family. They died so we could live. So our children could grow up safe. That's the highest honor any wolf can have." 

Tears streamed down my face. I didn't wipe them away. Let everyone see and let them know their Luna mourned with them. For them.

After the service we buried them. One by one. The pack took turns shoveling dirt. Saying goodbye. Some sang old pack songs, others stood silent. Everyone grieved differently but we grieved together. That's what made us strong. Not our claws or teeth but our bonds. Our love for each other.

The Council arrived that afternoon. Five Alphas from neighboring territories. They came to investigate. To find out how deep Marcus's betrayal went. Who else was involved. Richard led them to the war room. 

"We've identified seventeen collaborators," Richard said. His voice was tired. "Some were feeding Marcus information about our patrols. Our weak points. Others helped smuggle weapons into the territory." The Council Alphas exchanged looks. This wasn't just our problem anymore. If wolves could betray their own pack this easily, nowhere was safe.

"Where are these traitors now?" asked Alpha Raymond. "Eight fled," Richard answered. "They ran the moment Marcus died. The other nine surrendered. They're in holding cells waiting for trial." 

The trials started the next day in the center of what used to be our training ground. The whole pack gathered. They needed to see justice, to know their leaders wouldn't tolerate betrayal. 

The first traitor was brought forward. Daniel. He'd been with our pack for five years. But he'd been reporting our movements to Marcus for months.

"Do you deny the charges?" Alpha Raymond asked. He was presiding over the trials. Daniel's head hung low. "No, Alpha. I don't deny it." 

"Marcus promised me a higher rank. Said I'd be Beta when he took over. I was stupid and greedy. I'm sorry."

Sorry. The word meant nothing. Not to the twelve dead. Not to the families destroyed. "The sentence is exile," Alpha Raymond declared. "You have one hour to leave this territory. If you ever return, you'll be killed on sight." 

Guards dragged Daniel away. He didn't fight or argue. He accepted his fate.

Eight more traitors. Some cried, some stayed silent but they were all exiled. Sent away from the only home they'd known. I watched each one and felt nothing. 

They'd made their choices. Now they'd live with the consequences.

The trials ended. The pack was purged but the damage was done. Trust was shattered. Everyone looked at each other differently now wondering who else might betray them. It would take years to rebuild that trust. Maybe forever.

My phone buzzed. Unknown number. "Enjoyed the show? Tomorrow noon. Cemetery. Don't forget." The message deleted itself. Adrian was watching me. He knew. 

"You're not going," he said. "I won't let you." But we both knew I didn't have a choice. This person had been ten steps ahead. Tomorrow, they'll finally show themselves.