Chapter 56 What Justice Costs
I ran.
Lycian’s wolf stood between me and Diana’s pack and me. Golden fur bristling. Snarling. Protecting me while I escaped.
But I couldn’t leave him. Couldn’t run while he fought alone.
Twenty wolves against one. Even an Alpha couldn’t win those odds.
Through the bond, I felt his desperation. His absolute command. Run. Please. Just run.
Then our security team crashed through the trees. Cade. Damien. Ten Valor wolves. All shifting. All are joining the fight.
The clearing exploded into chaos. Snarling. Snapping. Bodies colliding. Blood is spraying across leaves and dirt.
I pressed against a tree. Watching. Useless. Human in a wolf fight.
Diana stood apart. Watching too. She hadn’t shifted. Just observed that this was entertainment.
Our eyes met across the clearing. She smiled. Started walking toward me.
Calm. Confident. Knowing none of the fighting wolves could stop her without breaking formation.
I looked around desperately. Found a branch. Heavy. Solid. Not much of a weapon but something.
Diana laughed. “You’re going to fight me with a stick? How human.”
“Better than nothing.” I gripped it tight. Ignored how my hands shook.
She shifted mid-step. Her wolf was sleek. Dark gray. Built for speed and killing.
She lunged.
I swung the branch. Hard. It connected with her shoulder. Did nothing. Just made her angrier.
She hit me. Claws raked across my arm. Pain exploded hot and sharp.
I fell back. Tasted dirt. Blood. Fear.
Diana’s wolf stood over me. Jaws open. Going for my throat.
Then Lycian was there. Hit her from the side. They rolled. Fighting. Vicious.
I scrambled up. Pressed my hand against my bleeding arm. The wounds were deep. Already soaking through my dress.
Lycian had Diana pinned. But she was fast. Twisted free. Bit his leg. He yelped.
Through the bond, I felt his pain. Sharp. Burning.
I couldn’t watch anymore. Couldn’t stand by while he got hurt protecting me.
I grabbed the branch again. Moved closer. Waited for an opening.
Diana went for Lycian’s throat. He dodged. Left his side exposed.
I swung. Hit Diana hard across her ribs. Heard something crack.
She howled. Spun toward me. Pure rage in her eyes.
Lycian used the distraction. Went for her back leg. His jaws closed. Bone snapped. Diana went down.
She shifted back to human. Bleeding. Broken. Furious.
“You should have died with your parents,” she snarled. “Should have been in that car.”
“But I wasn’t. And now you’re finished.” I stood over her. The branch raised. “You’re going to pay for what you did. For every life you destroyed.”
“Kill me then. Prove you’re as ruthless as your father was righteous.” She laughed. Bitter. “But my operation doesn’t die with me. I have people everywhere. They’ll keep coming. You’ll never be safe.”
“Then we’ll fight them too. As many times as it takes.” I lowered the branch. “But I’m not a killer. I’m better than you.”
Cade appeared. Shifted to human. “Diana Cross. You’re under arrest for multiple murders. Human and wolf. You’ll face the Council and human authorities.”
“I want a lawyer.”
“You’ll get one. After you rot in a cell for a while.” Cade hauled her up. Zip-tied her wrists. “Take her to the holding cells. Maximum security.”
Two wolves dragged her away. She fought. Screamed threats. Promises of revenge.
I didn’t care. Let her scream. She was caught. Finally caught.
The fighting had stopped. Diana’s wolves were either dead or surrendered. Our side had won. Barely.
Lycian shifted back. Naked and bleeding. His leg was bad. Deep bite. But already healing.
He pulled me into his arms. Checked my injury. “We need to get you to Dr. Rivera.”
“I’m okay. It’s not deep.”
“You’re bleeding. That’s not okay.” He picked me up. Ignored my protests. “You’re getting medical attention whether you like it or not.”
Back at the estate, Dr. Rivera cleaned and stitched my arm. Ten stitches. Not terrible but painful.
“You’re lucky. A few inches deeper and you’d have hit an artery.” She wrapped it carefully. “No heavy lifting. Keep it clean. Come back in a week.”
Lycian hadn’t left my side. Sat in the chair. Holding my good hand. The bond hummed with his relief. His lingering fear.
“It’s over,” I said softly. “Diana’s caught. Her operation is falling apart. We won.”
“You almost died. Again.” His voice was raw. “I felt you get hurt through the bond. Felt your fear. I thought I was too late.”
“But you weren’t. You saved me. Like you always do.”
“You saved yourself. Hit Diana with that branch. Gave me the opening I needed.” He kissed my knuckles. “You’re amazing. Terrifying. But amazing.”
That night, the pack celebrated. Diana was in custody. Victor Kane had been arrested by human police. Thomas Reed was talking. Giving names. Locations. Everything.
The conspiracy was crumbling. Justice was finally happening.
But I felt empty. Hollow. My parents were still gone. Still dead. Catching their killers didn’t bring them back.
Lycian found me on our balcony. Staring at the city lights. Lost in thought.
“What are you thinking?” He wrapped his arms around me from behind.
“That I got justice. But it doesn’t feel like I thought it would.” My voice cracked. “They’re still gone. I still grew up without them. Nothing changes that.”
“No. Nothing does. But you honored their memory. Made sure their deaths mattered. That counts for something.”
“Does it?”
“Yes. Because now other people won’t die as they did. Diana’s operation is finished. Her wolves are scattered. You stopped her from hurting anyone else.” He turned me around. “Your father would be proud. Of who you became. What you accomplished.”
“I hope so.” Tears burned my eyes. “I really hope so.”
We stood there holding each other. The bond wrapped around us. Warm. Solid. Home.
Two weeks later, Diana’s trial began. Council and human authorities working together. Unprecedented. Historic.
She was sentenced to life. No parole. Multiple murders. Organized crime. Conspiracy.
Victor Kane got twenty-five years. Thomas Reed got fifteen for cooperation.
It was over. Really over.
The pack threw a celebration. For justice. For safety. For the future.
I danced with Lycian. Slow. Close. Not caring who watched.
“How does it feel?” he asked. “Knowing it’s finished?”
“Strange. Like I can finally breathe. But also like I don’t know what to do without fear.” I looked up at him. “We can actually plan our wedding now. Without worrying about threats.”
“Already planned. Elena’s been organizing while you were hunting murderers.” He grinned. “Three months. Spring ceremony. Everything you wanted.”
“You had Elena plan our wedding without me?”
“You said you wanted help. She volunteered. Enthusiastically.” He kissed me softly. “But if you hate it, we’ll change everything. Whatever you want.”
“I’m sure it’s perfect.” Because it was. Because I had him. Had this life. Had everything I’d fought for.
The song ended. Another started. We kept dancing.
Thaddeus cut in. “May I?”
Lycian stepped back. Let his father take his place.
Thaddeus danced stiffly. Formal. But his expression was warm. “You’ve done well. Better than I expected. You’ve proven every doubt wrong.”
“Thank you. That means a lot.”
“My mate would have liked you. Would have been proud to call you daughter.” His voice went soft. “I’m proud to call you daughter.”
Something in my chest cracked. Warm. Good. “Thank you. For everything. For giving me a chance when no one else would.”
“You earned it. Every bit.” He stepped back. “Now go dance with your mate. He’s been glaring at me for taking too long.”
I laughed. Found Lycian. Let him pull me close again.
“Three months until you’re officially mine. In every way possible,” he murmured against my ear.
“I’m already officially yours. Bond. Trials. Everything.”
“But not married. Not yet. I want that too. Want everyone to know you chose me. Forever.”
“I did choose you. And I’d choose you again. Every time.”
We danced until midnight. Until the celebration wound down. Until it was just us.
At home, exhausted and happy, we fell into bed.
“I love you,” I whispered. Already half asleep.
“I love you too. Always.” He pulled me close. “Sleep. Dream about our future. About everything we’re going to build together.”
I closed my eyes. Let exhaustion pull me under.
My phone buzzed on the nightstand. I ignored it. Probably Elena with wedding updates.
But it buzzed again. Insistent.
Lycian grabbed it. Checked. His whole body went rigid.
“What?” I asked. Forcing my eyes open.
He showed me the screen. Unknown number.
Congratulations on catching Diana. But you should know something. She wasn’t the only one who wanted your parents dead. There were others. Powerful others. And they’re still watching. Still waiting. This isn’t over. Not even close.
The message had an attachment. A photo.
Of my parents. Young. Happy. Standing with three people I didn’t recognize.
And in the background, barely visible, a symbol.
A wolf with silver eyes.
The same symbol from my mother’s journal. The one she’d drawn in the margins. The one I’d never understood.
My blood went cold.
“What does this mean?” I whispered.
Lycian’s expression was grim. “It means we have a bigger problem than we thought.”