THE SILENT REBELLION

Chapter 5

"I know you are horrified at the display of rebellion and ingratitude shown by my granddaughter, but I believe she is able to learn our ways. It is not her fault that she was stolen from Stone Mountain, her rightful place. We cannot expect her to know all our ways. So the second part of the punishment shall be silence."

I looked up at him, confusion clouding my mind. Before I could open my mouth to question what he meant, he continued, "Greta, you are not permitted to speak for one month. You can spend this time observing the pack. Your opinions do not matter; ours do. You will learn them by witnessing pack life."

He turned to face the pack, his expression stern. "Stone Mountain, nobody is permitted to speak to Greta. Do not initiate conversation, verbally instruct her, or tell her off. Do not answer any questions she might ask. Anybody who breaks these rules will receive one strike of the cane for each time."

His gaze settled back on me, cold and unyielding. "That includes you, Greta. I do not know how you broke the command, but know this: if you choose to speak, you will receive this punishment again."

Turning back to the pack, he added, "If anyone sees Greta breaking any of the rules or punishments, inform me. If you see a fellow pack member break these rules, inform me. If I discover anyone has lied, they will receive the punishment in double. This is in effect from now."

To be honest, the whole silence thing sounded almost welcome. Maybe it would give me the space I needed to recuperate and grieve without having to justify my pain to anyone.

"Greta, you will be expected to continue contributing to pack life. You will observe to know what is expected of you. Luna and I will be able to give you commands if absolutely necessary, but you must not respond verbally."

I nodded once, exhaustion settling heavily on me. My limbs felt weighed down, my heart aching from everything I had just endured.

"I will expect a report of what you have learned at the end of the month. You will come to my office at 10 a.m. in exactly 31 days and tell me of your progress. If I feel you have not learned enough, I will extend the punishment. Understood?"

I nodded again, keeping my eyes lowered.

"Good. Stone Mountain Pack, you are dismissed."

One by one, the pack members filed out, moving in orderly lines. First the Alpha, then the men. Luna and the women followed. Nobody so much as glanced in my direction, and no one unchained me.

I laid my head on the rough wooden planks, closing my eyes against the burning pain in my back. I was too tired to fight anymore, too tired to do anything but lie there and endure the aching wounds that throbbed with every breath I took. My wolf stood over me in my mind, protective and vigilant, licking the injuries as though her touch could soothe them.

She shared her strength with me, as she always did, and I knew I would heal faster because of her presence. But the despair threatened to consume me, and she let out a soft, mournful whine, trying to pull me back from the edge. I shut down the swirling dark thoughts, focusing instead on her warmth and care as she tended to my battered body.

My breathing slowed, each breath bringing a bit more relief. Just before sleep pulled me under, I could have sworn I heard her voice echoing in my mind, though it might have been Ori’s, soft and comforting.

"Rest for now, Little Love. I'm afraid your battle has only just begun. But I will be with you, every step of the way."