Chapter 32 – Judgement Day
“For the powerful, crimes are those that others commit.“–Noam Chomsky
Third Person POV
Water is to oil as confidence is to anxiety.
And Kiya has been feeling nothing but anxiety.
She sits at her vanity mirror, gazing at her reflection while psyching herself up about this fateful day- Tristan’s last day on earth. And the first day of healing from her childhood assaults.
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“I can do this.” Kiya mentally chants. Despite her attempts to fill herself with confidence, her anxiety proved to be a festering disease consuming her body.
Unwillingly, tears fell from her cocoa–colored orbs as her shaky hand tried to wipe them away in vain. Executions are made publicly, meaning this will be the first time all of Zircon Moon will surround Kiya. Children won’t witness the event. That was the only saving grace that warmed her heart.
The last time the pack gathered in crowds was her first escape attempt at fourteen. Dragged back and beaten by Jonathan Prince, he made Kiya a slave. Today, she felt she unknowingly brought attention to herself again. She became the talk of the town because of her arrival, but that she brushed off.
This is a different circumstance she felt ill–prepared for.
Everyone will know the truth about how far and dark her abuse went. But many questions buzzed in her mind. as she thought about their reactions.
Would they care?
Would they be ashamed of their ignorance?
Would they beg for forgiveness?
“Goddess, I can’t do this.” She murmured tearfully, burying her head in her hands. There’s more to today than facing her rapist. Giving Neron’s proposal some thought, Kiya was the one to kill Tristan. By her hand, she’ll send him to Moon Goddess Selene for final judgment.
The finality of her decision didn’t sit right with her.
“You can always back out, Kiya,” Artemis spoke. “You don’t have to go through with this.”
“If I do, I can finally stop hiding and start living. Once Tristan dies, my future will open up to infinite possibilities.”
“That’s true. However, can you cope with the fact you took a life? Tristan is going to die today, either by your hand or someone else. His fate is sealed. However, I sense a lot of your doubt. You don’t have to put yourself through more hardship to prove your strength.”
A killer is a horrific title to carry. She knew the weighty consequences of her decision. And Tristan doesn’t deserve mercy. However, can she carry that burden? Will there be a burden to carry?
She’s conflicted.
Chapter 32 -Judgement Day
Soft knocks rapped against her door and her friends entered, equipped with warm smiles and warmer presences. Jacqueline wasted no time drawing Kiya into a tight embrace, allowing her to inhale her sweet scent of orange blossoms.
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“It’s going to be okay, Little Bit.” She whispers soothingly.
“I know,” Kiya muttered as she buried her head in her shoulder. Last night, all five of them slept in her bed again. Waking up surrounded by the people she loves deeply is a feeling unmatched by any other. She knew this couldn’t go on indefinitely, but it’s a moment she’ll treasure for the rest of her life.
“The prick deserves everything coming to him,” Sapphire remarked bitterly, crossing her arms. “At least a rapist will finally get his just desserts. The number of times these monsters get let off for their crimes is disgusting.”
“Well, in the werewolf world, things work differently.” Galen chuckled. “Have you thought about how you’ll kill him?”
Kiya nods. “With a silver blade dipped in wolfsbane. A painful and slow death is suitable, don’t you think?”
“Are you sure you’re okay with killing him, Kiki?” Abigail sat on my bed, smoothening out her black skirt. “You’re a naturally good person. To take a life weighs on your conscience. Even if it is the life of a monster.”
“Any of us can kill him for you. Mostly me, though.” Jacqueline winked playfully. “Think of it as cleaning up a mess that’s long overdue. I, for one, can think of more than a dozen ways to torture the dirty dog.”
“I appreciate it, guys. But I’m okay. I can handle it.” Kiya insisted, wiping the last of my tears. “Thank you for thinking of me, but I have to do it. I need to move on from this. Tristan dying is the only way I can have peace of mind.”
Muddled commotion picked up from outside Kiya’s bedroom window, signaling that the time of the execution is close. Patting her thighs once, Kiya rose to her feet after leaving the Beta’s embrace but is found in another when her four friends immediately drew her into a tight group hug.
Overflowing love sunk deep into Kiya’s skin, invoking good and fuzzy feelings. Her sensitive hearing picked up four separate but racing heartbeats. Their own emotions are running as high as hers. Selene blessed her with amazing, lifelong friends. Without them, Kiya was certain she wouldn’t be able to go through this on her own.
After a minute, the group separated and departed from the bedroom. Protectively, Jacqueline wrapped an arm around Kiya’s shoulders as they traversed down the stairs. As pack members passed by, Kiya felt many eyes lingering on her. Many of them unpleasant. Reciting her mantra of confidence, she tried hard to calm her palpitating heart.
Turning back is not an option.
Kiya
The tension in the atmosphere was so thick, I could cut it with a butter knife. As my crew and I walked to the center of the lawn where the enormous crowd was steadily growing, my breath caught in my throat. Bitter coriander wafted up to my nose and caused my stomach to toil and tumble like a wash cycle.
He’s here, hidden beyond the crowd.
Chapter 12 Jungement Day
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His face continues to elicit the dark and brutal emotions from those times in the dungeons. It’s something I want to forget–something I wish I could carve out from my mind and toss in the trash. While I’m terrified02:22 facing my rapist again, it had to be done.
The crowd parted for us and the five of us had front row seats. I look around to see many familiar faces within the crowd, including some pup trainees who advanced under Kwame’s care. Distastefully, I see my sperm and egg donors along with Darien and Odessa. Well, the execution called for all pack members minus young children and prepubescent wolves who haven’t shifted.
Silver chains binds Tristan to the bark of a large tree by his wrists and ankles. His disgusting mouth is gagged also with silver chains, and his face looks even more messed up than when I last left him. It got me thinking of who else beat the shit out of him after I did.
Jackie’s hold tightened around me, pressing me further into her warmth. I’m so grateful for this woman. Her wolf growled deep within her, wanting blood as much as Artemis did. And I knew Tristan wanted blood too, with the way his good eye glares daggers into my soul. Sensing my anxiety, Abigail rested a comforting hand on my shoulder and Sapphire grabbed my free hand. Galen stood directly behind to shield me from passing glares,
Whispers and commotion erupted around us, many wondering why someone as good as this stupid guard is looking the way he is and why he’s being executed. I scoffed. If only they knew just how their ignorance allowed this monster to get away with his crimes for years.
Neron walked in front of the crowd with Valerian and Kwame flanking at his sides. Behind them were their mates, Raina and Lorelai, whose pregnant belly became noticeable. The Alpha’s eyes were hard. Dominance and fury perfused through his pores like strong cologne, enveloping the crowd with fear. However, when his eyes landed on me, they instantly softened in both love and sadness.
There wasn’t much to be said. I can feel his regret. Even Raina’s, who stood next to her confused parents. My phone beeped, the clock striking 10:00 AM. It’s time to begin the execution.
Neron held his hand up, and the crowd instantly silenced. “You all must wonder why I’ve gathered you here today. Executions are rare, but this one is special. While it has been some time since this heinous crime was committed, it should not and cannot be pardoned. None of us are above the law–not me as your Alpha, your Beta, and Gamma, or even yourselves. When you commit a crime, consequences follow, and punishment is inevitable.”
“Unfortunately, many crimes committed through this pack’s existence have been forgotten, because of pride and ignorance. I’m not excluded from this notion. For those of you who recently joined Zircon Moon, this may come as a surprise to you. For those who lived here for most of your lives, you know exactly what I’m talking about. Ignorance was your excuse back then, but it won’t be now. Not under my watch.”
He turns to Tristan, glaring at him with volcanic rage. It scared even me. “I wasn’t made aware of this crime until a couple of days ago. You trifled with an Alpha’s most sacred and precious gift; their mate.”
Gasps and whispers erupted once more, and I looked at the ground, Many eyes are on me again and I wanted to hide from the attention. My friends gave me their words of encouragement through mind–link, but I’m still
scared.
“No man has rights over a woman’s body or to violate her. Tristan Dudley had confessed his crimes to me with Beta Female Raina as a witness. Today, he’ll be executed for harming my mate in the wickedest way possible.” Neron took a glance at me and beckoned me over with his hand.
Chapter 12 – Judgement Day |
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I didn’t want to go, but I needed to. Huffing out my anxiety, I emerged from my safety net into the scorching air of intensity. Neron drew me into a protective embrace, similar to what Jackie did. Despite his rage, the 02:19 of his dedication was there. This is where I tell the entire pack of Tristan’s crimes against me.
Selene, lend me some of your strength.
“Tristan Dudley raped me regularly, starting when I was fifteen,” I admitted. “It stopped when I escaped. If I’d remained, surely, he’d continue t
violate me. He stole my innocence and my bodily autonomy for years. No one came to help me. I doubt anyone cared enough to stop him if knowledge of his crimes came to pass.”
The crowd went silent in absolute shock while I heard sniffles from some. From the corner of my eye, I see Ashley with a hand over her mouth crying and Steven looking away in horror and shame. Tristan’s good eye glinted in fury. Furious that I’m taking back the power he stole from me.
It’s out in the open, never again a secret.
I don’t know how to feel about it..
Kwame walked next to me, holding the weapon of death in his hands. Gripping the golden hilt, he yanked off the leather scabbard to reveal the stainless, sharp silver blade reeking with potent wolfbane. With a gentle nudge, I took the hilt and inspected the weight of the knife.
Lightweight in material, but heavy in its soon–to–be connection with the guard’s death. I gripped the hilt tighter, imagining the areas where I can penetrate through the man for a slow and painful death.
“There will be no room for objections,” Neron warned the crowd. “Tristan Dudley, you are stripped of your title as a Protective Guard, your name is tarnished, and you will not live to see another day. Harming someone is one thing, but you signed your death certificate when you admitted to raping my mate. May our beloved Moon Goddess not have mercy on your soul.”
No one dared to say anything. Neron’s words are absolute, and anyone defying him might as well be pushing for Tristan’s freedom. Behind him, Valerian took out the chains that bound his mouth. Words came out as wheezes, no doubt feeling the searing pain of silver against his colorful skin.
It’s time.
Phasing out my surroundings, I focused directly on Tristan. I focused on the hell he put me through and used that to channel my anger. Today, he’ll suffer. He’s the prey and I’m the predator going for the kill.
Asphyxiation. Stab him in the lungs and watch as he struggles to breathe as blood fills his air sacks. Watch the life drain from his eye as his corpse slumps to the ground, never to move again.
That’s all I have to do, I tell myself as I raise the blade, aiming the sharp tip at his chest. Just thrust and watch the silver bury underneath the layers of his skin.
Kill him.
Kill him!
KILL HIM!
Chapter 12 – Judgeminin Day
A minute passed when I realized one thing.
I couldn’t do this.
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Tristan deserves death, but not by my hand. I think back to what Artemis said to me earlier and realized that she’s right. There’s no way I’ll be able to stomach taking a life.
I’m not a killer.
I won’t stoop as low as this pack did.
I’m better I’m better than this.
Taking a life, no matter who it belongs to, is a private code I live by. Yes, I’ve killed rogues who try to attack my pack, I’ve killed bugs and arachnids, but never did I take a life of a person. Life is a precious gift given to us by Selene, and while Tristan used his to wreak havoc upon me in secret, I cannot go on in my life knowing I
killed him.
It’s a personal risk I cannot take.
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