Stand By Me
1052 Words
Brandon
Right in the open where everyone in the pack had gathered, and where the elders sat around, while in the midst of them, I looked down, watching Rachel who was on her knees, in chains and shackles.
She looked dirty, and weak since she hadn't gotten a good meal since her stay in the dungeon. Even the dungeon was dark and dirty, and it smelt so bad that one would puke a thousand times.
It was her third day in the awful dungeon and her body, including the look on her face, looked like she had been staying there for more than three months.
"What is your sentence?" The first elder asked, after a minute of silence. Nobody made a sound, not even the babies who were in the arms of their mothers.
Even the heavy wind seemed to have apprehended the scene and paused. If one dropped a needle, it would surely sound heavy and loud.
"I, the Alpha of Crescent Moon Pack, sentence her to death," I said, with tears occupying the sides of my eyes.
It was painful to realize my parents had died not because of her recklessness, but because she conspired with the rogues.
"I didn't… I never conspired with them to harm your mother, I swear. That rogue was lying. What would I have ever gained to make her lose her life? She was like a mother to me, I promise" Rachel said with the remaining strength in her.
I scoffed and shook her head. "That is what I want to find out too. Why did you do that? Why did you devise a devious plan to end my mother's life? Why!" I screamed out, growling.
"I didn't…." She muttered, blinking her tired eyes.
"After asking and even torturing the rogue Dennis caught to tell us the reason why you wanted my mother's death, do you know what he replied?" I questioned, but her look didn't show any trace of seriousness or curiosity.
She simply looked exhausted and famished. I gnashed my teeth and looked around, my eyes scanning the whole environment. I was able to see how curious the pack was and this made me convinced to say more.
"The rogue had no idea why you wanted to end her life. The rogue claimed your reasons were personal. Now, tell me! Tell me why you did that! Tell me why you did such a horrible thing" I said, with a strong tone.
She could only shake her head.
"Then, you shall die. You shall die by hanging if you refuse to say anything" I warned, taking my face closer.
"May I die and rot in hell if I ever did such a thing. They are the ones plotting against me. I swear, I never did something like that. The former Luna was like a mother to me" She uttered, and I growled in anger.
"Don't you dare? She is never your mother! She can't be your mother. Not only that, but she was never a mother to you. If only she knew what a demon you were, she would have regretted ever coming close to you or even knowing you. I think it's my fault. I shouldn't have told her of the mate bond we shared" I spat.
"Elders!" I turned around, facing the older men, who looked back at me.
"Yes, Alpha Brandon" They all replied at the same time.
"I sentence The Luna, Rachel Black, to death by hanging. She will be publicly hanged in shame and disgrace outside the castle walls for murdering the former Luna of this pack, my mother. Due to my mother's death, my sick father who heard about it unfortunately passed on after having a heart attack" I announced.
"It shall be done" The elders agreed and bowed.
"She shall be hanged tomorrow after her last breakfast and not even her family will see her nor be allowed to see her alive or even take out her corpse. The vultures and wild will be the ones to devour it, and the sun will heat the skin and flesh up until it stinks and vanishes. Even the hard bones will be made into ashes!" I said with anger in my thick voice.
"Alpha Brandon" I heard Dennis say within the crowd. He came towards me and bowed before continuing his statement.
"I want to suggest something," He said, and I nodded, laying my back on the chair rest.
"And what could that be?" I asked.
"How about you give her time before hanging her?" Dennis asked, and a frown got plastered on my face.
"What is that supposed to mean?" I questioned, furrowing my eyes.
"What I mean is that we need to get the truth from her. We should know why she killed your mother. Probably every day torture in the dungeon would make her confess" He said.
"Hmm… I think you are right, but what makes you think she will succumb? She's the stubborn type. Look, she hasn't confessed up until now" I said.
"Give me three months. Just three months. I will make her confess… If I don't, you can hang her, but let's wait until then" Dennis said, and I turned to the elders who seemed engrossed in their discussion.
"What do you think?" I asked, and they all faced me before nodding, agreeing with Dennis' statement.
"Alpha Brandon. Dennis is wise and strong. What do you think of him, by the way? And don't you think you need a Beta by your side?" One elder asked and I studied Dennis, who seemed shy and embarrassed. He was just smiling, and looking at his sandals.
"Well, not only is he a good friend, but he will certainly make a good, strong, hardworking and supportive Beta" I smiled and Dennis faced me. He had a surprise look on his face and he seemed happy. However, there were tears of joy in his eyes too.
"Everyone! Since I have no Luna now, my Beta will stand by me. Welcome your new Beta, my friend, Dennis Fletcher!" I declared, with a smile on my face, and everyone clapped loud and hard before giving a brief bow.
"Thank you, Alpha Brandon," He smiled at me, and the tears ran down his eyes. At that moment, Rachel fainted.
"Rachel!"
- Writer
