Chapter 79
Chapter 79
Two days had passed since the night of the rejection , I had spent it sitting next to Damon , refusing to
leave him , because even if he was smiling , I knew he was hurting .
We put a movie on , although I knew neither of us were watching it as we had soon fallen asleep on the
sofa .
I knew that it would take him time because he had held out hope .
Somewhere along the line , I had given up , knowing that it wouldn’t work , but he had held on .
I hope somewhere in the future we can look back and smile at this entire situation .
Someday , one day .
Today was the day of Liam’s trial .
It terrified me to know that tonight he’ll be punished .
This was the future Alpha of the pack , and although right now it felt like there was no hope , I was
confident he would get there one day .
As for the curse , it was clear Liam himself had to do something to end it , but what ? Even I didn’t
know , all we knew was the answer lies within .
Moreover , the killer was still out there .
The pack was still working on it , but since , Liam had been the one leading it , they were now set back
.
With him gone , they had to check over things he had already done , although from what Damon told
me they were in contact with him to help where he could .
He was even reviewing files in his cell .
He had told me that Liam had ordered them to do a thorough check on the tracker and stealth wolves
who had the ability to hide their heartbeats .
As for no scent , sprays to hide them could easily be made or retrieved from the pack supplies , which
were also checked , but none seemed to be unaccounted for .
So either someone was making their own or getting them from somewhere else .
Since I hadn’t felt anyone creep up behind me the night my mom was killed , we felt that a tracker wolf
would be higher up on the list of suspects with a chance of being the killer .
I was in the hall now , seated at the front once again .
Today I wore a high – neck top , not wanting all eyes on my mark .
Everyone was seated just as they had that day but this time the room was far more uneasy , and there
were more pack members here than there had been on Dad’s trial .
The doors opened and Liam was brought in .
His scent wafted into my nose and I closed my eyes , trying to control my emotions .
I watched him walk through the centre , unlike Dad who had two guards holding him , Liam led the way
.
Despite him being stripped of rank , he was clearly still an Alpha .
His eyes were trained ahead and he took the seat that was awaiting him .
The guards cuffed him t o the chair just as Dad had been , before stepping away .
Uncle El stood up , his face emotionless , a frown furrowing his brow .
I felt dreadful that indirectly because of mine and Liam’s situation , they were going through this .
No , because of this stupid curse too .
” As you all know , we are here today to hold Liam Westwood accountable for the crimes he has
committed … One that deserves capital punishment , for marking Raven Jacobs against her will and
almost killing her in the process .
” Uncle El’s eyes Liam .
flashed dark cobalt and my gaze shifted to ” The room remained quiet , I knew everyone was unsure of
what to make of it .
My heart was squeezing as I looked at him .
He simply nodded slowly , his face emotionless despite his eyes clouded with emotions .
What were we ?
” Liam , do you have anything to say ? ” Uncle El asked .
Aunty Red was frowning , the sadness in her eyes clear .
Liam raised his eyes , staring ahead with those cerulean orbs of his , full of emotion .
” I allowed my anger to get the better of m e , and in the process … committed a terrible crime .
I don’t deserve any leniency and I don’t think any punishment can make up for what I did .
” He said clearly .
Uncle El nodded .
” I’ve thought long and hard … Considering you are an Alpha … you are meant to be an example to
this pack .
An Alpha is meant to be what he wants his people to be ; a role model for the youth of his pack .
If the Alpha commits a crime , it is far worse , With this title comes great responsibility , one we must
always uphold .
As your Alpha , I sentence you to five hundred lashes with silver in public .
” My eyes flew open in shock . NôvelDrama.Org owns all © content.
Five hundred ?! That was worse than Dad’s ! And in public ? Why humiliate him ? I looked at Uncle El ,
not missing the way his fist trembled by his side , or the way Aunty Red gripped his arm .
This was hurting them too … Yet they were doing the right thing for the pack … A whisper of shock
went through the room , and from the snippets I could hear , I knew people were shocked that the
Alpha was subjecting his own son to something like this .
But Alpha Elijah was always known for his fairness and equality .
” You will remain under house arrest at our home for the next six months .
As for becoming Alpha … If the title is meant to b e yours , then it shall be , if and when the pack
deems you are worthy of it .
Raven … D o you want to add anything ? ” ” Yes .
” I said , standing up .
For my happiness and what I felt was right ” I don’t like the punishment .
” I said .
” It’s befitting , ” Liam said , now glancing a t me .
My heart skipped a beat and I shook my head .
No , it wasn’t .
It wasn’t just an external factor .
Yes , marking someone against their will was bad , but was everyone forgetting the curse too ?
Yes , he got angry , but the darkness was still there .
” Let him at least walk around the pack and carry on as usual .
The killer is still out there and Liam is needed on that case .
Yes , he doesn’t need to have his Alpha title , but the pack needs him , rather than keeping him inside
where he can’t be of any use .
” I said , looking at Uncle El .
He frowned , pondering over my words .
” Very well , he will be allowed to take his place amongst the pack .
However … due to his … temper , he will be on wolfsbane until 1 it’s under control .
He will , however , reside in the Alpha home .
” Uncle El continued , I knew he meant the curse .
That was better , Liam needed support and I knew they said the Alpha’s home , so he wouldn’t be
completely alone .
This was still better , but he needed more than just two people there for him .
” If that- ” ” The lashes , I want the punishment lessened .
” I said quietly , my heart thumping .
I wasn’t stupid , I wasn’t going to let my emotions take over completely , but I didn’t like this .
” I can’t do that .
” Uncle El said quietly .
I’m bending the rules- ” ” I know what he did was wrong .
I know that I could have died .
I also know of every factor that contributed to it ; mistakes were made , and although it will take me
time , I don’t hate him .
I’m angry at what happened , hurt too , but as the one who it happened to I have a right to- ” ” I also
have a right to this .
This punishment won’t take away what I did , but I’ll feel a little better .
” Liam said quietly .
‘ Liam , don’t do this .
‘ I said through the link .
‘ I fucked up big time , Raven , I can’t ever forgive myself .
’ ‘ You want to know how you can make up for this ? ” I asked , my heart pounding in rhythm with his as
we stared at each other from five metres apart .
” There’s nothing , that can change the past .
‘ ‘ I know , but if you want to do something for me , then do something that will actually make me happy
.
‘ I said .
I knew people could tell we were mind linking .
‘ Anything .
‘ He said quietly .
‘ Fight this curse , fix the bonds you have destroyed and let’s make things right Liam .
I love you , but by giving up and just accepting things , that’s not the way to go .
I want to see the true Liam shine through , I believe only then can we get rid of this darkness .
Let’s do this together .
‘ Our eyes were locked , I wish he’d understand .
His brows furrowed and I knew he was thinking about what I said .
‘ I nderstand and I will do all that , but … for me … let me have this punishment , bitesize .
‘ He said , his eyes full of pain as he looked back up at me .
Goddess … My heart clenched and I realised he needed this too .
The people need to see this too .
What I did was fucking messed up .
Not only did I mark you , I fucking ripped your throat out .
‘ I looked down before nodding and slowly sat down .
” If that’s decided … Tonight at seven pm , Liam Westwood will get his lashings .
” Uncle El said before dismissing the trial .
I sighed heavily as everyone began leaving .
Aunty Red came over to me , wrapping her arms around me tightly .
” He is a Westwood , he has the strength to take his punishment .
” She said softly .
I nodded , wrapping my arms around her tightly .
I know , but it didn’t mean I liked it .
It wasn’t only going to be hard for me , but for his family too .
I watched him being taken away , staring a this back , my heart clenching in pain .
Seven o clock couldn’t have come sooner , my nerves were a mess .
I was advised to not go see him receive his punishment but I wasn’t able to avoid it .
The bond wasn’t completed because , as I was a werewolf as well , his mark alone didn’t complete it .
I would need to mark him too to complete our bond .
Which meant I wouldn’t be able to feel the pain o f his lashings , only his emotions and a sense of
unease , but that was already happening .
I was a restless mess with each passing moment .
I entered the lower hall , which I hadn’t really been in before , I knew Dad’s lashing had occurred in the
cells …
” I looked around .
It was like one of those illegal underground arena’s , cold , gloomy and with that deep sense of
foreboding .
Damon was nodding at something Uncle E I was saying , his gloved hand around a silver chain .
Liam wasn’t here yet .
Uncle E 1 patted his shoulder before giving me a nod and walking away .
Aunty Red wasn’t here , but as Alpha , Uncle El had to be here .
I walked over to Damon , knowing that this wasn’t easy for him too .
” Hey … ” I said .
He looked up , surprised to see me before placing the whip down .
I hugged him tightly and he hugged me back .
” Hey , why did you come ? ” He asked quietly .
” Moral support ? I actually have no idea … I just … I need to be here .
” I whispered .
He frowned and nodded .
” And how are you feeling ? ” I looked around .
It was so dark and dreary in here … I noticed Robyn , Zack , Taylor and even Owen were here .
That bastard ..
” Ok , I guess .
” He replied quietly .
No , he wasn’t .
” You got this .
” I said , ” Just don’t think .
” He nodded just as Liam’s familiar scent hit my nose .
I turned to see him being taken to the centre , my stomach twisting a s they hooked his wrists to the
chains that dangled from the ceiling .
Chains that would keep him upright even when his body could no longer take it .
The sound of heels echoing on the stone floor made me turn and I saw Aunty Red enter .
She looked around , her heart thudding as she broke into a quick run , rushing over to Liam who was
already chained up .
” Mom ? ” He said , sounding surprised .
I could only see his chiselled back towards me as his shirt had now been removed .
” Liam .
” She said , cupping his face as she pressed her forehead to his .
” I’m fine .
This is nothing .
” He said quietly .
Everyone fell silent and I knew this was hard for Aunty Red … She had been through so much and
what happened had brought back her own traumatic experience.
They switched to mind link , Aunty Red nodded and placed a kiss on his forehead , although he had to
bend his head for her to reach .
She stepped back , taking a deep breath , and walked over to m e .
I smiled gently , as she came over and hugged me tightly . ” I’d stay … But I can’t see this , I’m sorry .
” She whispered .
I nodded , I understood .
She turned and walked away , casting a final glance at Liam and Uncle El before she did .
Damon walked forward , and any murmurs that occurred died down .
My heart was thumping with every step Damon took .
His hand twisted around the whip , Uncle El sat down next to me .
” Why are you here ? ” ” I … I wanted to be … ” ” People only come when they want the victim to be
punished .
You won’t be able t o do anything .
” He said quietly , making m y heart thud .
I dared not look at him .
” I … I wanted to … just … ” I mumbled .
I knew deep down I was scared of what was happening and I wanted to make sure things didn’t go too
far … but …
I looked at the man next to me , not Uncle El but the Alpha of this pack , an Alpha who needed t o
uphold the laws … He didn’t say anything .
Holding out his hand , I looked down at it .
Placing my own in his , he gave it a gentle squeeze as we looked ahead .