Delilah's POV
"Move, bitch!"
Wyatt's spit splattered across the back of my neck as he dragged me forward. I closed my eyes for a second, praying to the Moon Goddess that I wouldn't commit another heinous crime.
A surge of electricity pulsed through my veins as the darkness within me threatened to surface, but I reminded myself—I was already guilty of one grave sin.
I imagined the crowd outside and nearly shuddered at the sneers I'd face. Some of them would have to be restrained by the pack soldiers just to keep them from tearing me apart.
These were the people I grew up with, and now, they looked at me like I was the embodiment of every evil that had ever plagued our pack.
A hiss escaped my lips as I glared at Matt, who yanked on the chains that shackled my wrists. His yellowing canines bared as he sneered, savouring my suffering.
The silver in the cuffs burned against my bleeding skin, but I held my head high, narrowing my eyes into murderous slits. I knew they'd purposely taken me the long way to the court—anything to prolong my torment.
They couldn't beat me outright, not with the restraining order in place, but that didn't stop them from enjoying their small cruelties. If I weren't in this condition, they wouldn't have dared lay a finger on me. I wasn't a warrior, but I could outfight both of them on my worst day.
"Now, you don't look so great and mighty," Matt sneered. "I think my favorite part will be watching your head roll on the floor. Maybe I'll make a sculpture out of your bones and call it Fragile Ego."
They both cackled at his pathetic joke.
My fists clenched, the promise of revenge burning in my veins. If I survived this, I'd make sure their laughter was the last thing they ever heard.
"Of course," I shot back, baring my bloody teeth, "that would be the only opportunity you'd ever get. Hold on to it like your two-inch dick."
Matt's face twisted in anger, and he delivered a swift kick to my stomach. I braced for it, having expected his reaction.
"Matt, be careful!" Wyatt warned. "The Alpha said no touching her. They still need her to answer questions, even if we all know she's guilty."
As the crowd's roars grew louder, I scanned the faces ahead. Their jeers and curses assaulted me from every side, a cacophony of hatred.
My heart twisted painfully as my eyes searched for one person—my mate. A small, foolish part of me still hoped he'd defend me, that he'd tell the truth and put an end to this misery.
But when I found him in the crowd, the cold fury in his blue eyes told me everything I needed to know. The warmth I once found in those eyes was gone, replaced by the frigid ocean of his hatred.
My hope shattered as I saw the woman beside him—my best friend. Her freshly marked neck, reddened by his claim, gleamed like a brand of betrayal.
My legs wobbled, my chest tightened, but I swallowed the bitter scene. While I rotted in the pack's jail, my rejected mate had been screwing my best friend. How thoughtful.
The High Court loomed before me—the place where justice was handed down, and executions were carried out. I'd witnessed it before but never imagined I'd one day stand on the receiving end, my fate tied to the gleaming silver dagger in the center of the room.
I was truly fucked. Not even the Moon Goddess could save me now.
"Good day, everyone. We are gathered here today to witness the execution of Delilah Cleopatra, charged with the murder of the future Beta of the Dark Falls Pack."
The Alpha's voice boomed across the chamber. No microphone needed; his authority alone silenced the crowd. Chaos rippled through the room as murmurs and curses filled the air.
I scoffed, my gaze landing on the man who had raised me. His son, Ryan, the reason for my predicament, stood beside him. There was no emotion in his eyes as he gripped my best friend's waist. It hurt more than I'd ever admit, but I swallowed the pain.
I regretted saving Ryan's life on that mountain. If I'd let Ashton push him to his death, I might be mourning my mate instead of waiting for my own execution. Maybe then I wouldn't be blamed for his death and accused of murder.
"I wish I could have the honor of beheading her myself," the Beta's father snarled, his eyes dark with rage. "She killed my son. You heartless, reckless monster."
I met his haunted gaze and shrugged. His son had tried to kill Ryan. I just did what I had to do.
"He was going to push Ryan down the mountain," I muttered, loud enough for the court to hear. "Even if he's the future Alpha, he wouldn't have survived."
The crowd hissed, unconvinced. I wasn't surprised. They knew me too well—Delilah, the troublemaker, the daredevil. Why believe me now?
"Don't accuse my son of something he didn't do!" Brian's mother spat, her fury palpable.
"Silence!" the Alpha commanded. "Delilah Cleopatra, do you admit to killing the future beta of the pack?"
I said nothing. My heart pounded in my chest, my lips quivered as my tear glands almost poured out some salty liquid, but I refused to give them the satisfaction of seeing me break.
"Step forward," the Alpha growled. "Your time is up."
I glanced at Ryan and my former best friend one last time, my lips curling into a wicked smile. They thought they'd won, but this wasn't over. I might die, but my revenge would live on.
Just as the executioner approached, a voice rang out. "Wait!"
Heads turned as Wisteria, the pack's seer, appeared. Her pale eyes glowed unnervingly as she walked toward the center of the court.
"Wisteria, what are you doing here?" the Alpha asked, his voice laced with confusion.
"The Moon Goddess does not permit this execution," Wisteria whispered, her voice carrying a strange power. "You may punish her, but you can not take her life."
The crowd erupted in protest, and my heart leaped in my chest. I wasn't going to die.
"As Beta of the Dark Falls Pack, I say no!" Brian's father roared. "She killed my son!"
Wisteria turned her eerie, pupilless gaze on him. "Are you challenging the Moon Goddess?"
Silence fell.
"Wisteria, what punishment do you recommend?" the Alpha asked, his tone wary.
"Exile," she said simply. "Exile her from the pack. Let her face the outside world. She won't survive it, but at least her blood won't be on your hands."
Exile. The word hit me like a punch to the gut. They thought I wouldn't survive, but they were wrong.
As the guards dragged me toward the gates, I locked eyes with Ryan. A slow, vengeful smile spread across my face.
Wordlessly, I passed on my message that I'd be back for one thing:
"Revenge."