Chapter 31
Elara’s POV
“I said her.”
Garron’s voice cracked through the silence, finger jabbing toward Triss like she’d personally set fire to his house.
Every eye in the room shifted to her, but Triss didn’t flinch. Her face, drained of color, stared blankly at the floor as if none of us were even there.
“Her?” Cael’s voice rose, laced with disbelief. “You’re blaming this on a soldier now? Really?”
Garron didn’t blink. “I didn’t do this. She went behind my back and handed Elara the wrong map. I had no idea.”
Liar.
I watched Triss closely. Her hands didn’t twitch, her breath didn’t hitch. But there was something–something too calm. about her silence.
“Bullshit,” Cael muttered. “We already got a confession from the man who gave me the map. Said it came from you.”
Garron glanced around, beads of sweat blooming on his brow. “Maybe he’s confused! Or–maybe he’s trying to frame me. I don’t know what I did to offend him, but Triss was the one who gave the orders. Ask her.”
Thorne leaned toward me. “You want background on her?” he murmured low enough for only me to hear.
“Yes.”
“She’s one of our top fighters,” he said. “Should’ve been a general already. But she’s got a criminal mark on her record.”
“What kind?”
“Three months in prison. Theft.”
I blinked. Triss? She didn’t give off criminal energy. But then again, I’ve learned people wear masks better than wolves wear fur.
Garron turned suddenly and kicked Triss in the back. She stumbled forward, catching herself before hitting the ground, still
silent.
“Speak up!” Garron barked. “Say it! You made the switch! You embarrassed us all, you worthless-”
“Enough,” I interrupted sharply, stepping forward. “This isn’t an execution pit. You’re not her judge.”
Garron glared at me, flushed and trembling with rage.
“Ask Bobbie,” he snapped. “He saw her whispering with that man before the mission. She planned it.”
Bobbie chimed in too quickly. “Yeah! She acted weird. Definitely sus.”
I rolled my eyes. “I don’t need anyone else’s opinion.”
Turning to Triss, I spoke gently, “Did you do it?”
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She didn’t look at me.
“I need to hear you say it. We’ll protect you. If he forced you—”
“I did it.”
The words left her lips without emotion, like she was reading a grocery list.
My stomach twisted. Something wasn’t right.
“You’re sure?” I pressed. “No pressure. If this isn’t the truth-”
“I’m sure.”
Garron clapped his hands like he’d just won a poker game. “Finally!”
Cael frowned. “But why? Why would Triss sabotage Elara? They don’t even know each other.”
“She’s jealous,” Garron scoffed. “Women do crazy things when they’re insecure. Don’t act surprised.”
Cael’s jaw clenched.
Then Garron grabbed Triss by the hair and slammed her head toward the wall.
“You ruined everything-”
“STOP!” I snapped.
Thorne’s voice joined mine. “Stand down, Garron! You don’t get to play executioner.” He gestured sharply. “Guards— separate them. Get Triss to a cell.”
“No.”
Everyone turned as I spoke again.
“There’s no need for a cell. I have a punishment in mind.”
I stepped forward until I stood directly in front of Garron. He stiffened.
“What?” he growled, eyes narrowing.
“Thorne,” I said calmly, “you said I could choose the punishment as the victim of this sabotage. That still stands, right?”
“Yes,” Thorne nodded slowly. “As promised.”
“Then I want Garron paraded through the main street. I want his crimes announced through every speaker–every ear in this pack should hear what he’s done.”
Gasps echoed through the room.
Triss looked up, stunned. Garron’s face turned white, then red, then blotchy.
“You’re joking,” he whispered.
I smiled coldly. “No. You once told me that a Gamma should be held accountable for their team’s mistakes. You held me responsible for Jory’s injuries. So now, you get the same treatment.”
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Chapter 31
Garron’s voice cracked as he snapped, “It’s not the same, you crazy bitch!”
“It’s exactly the same,” I said. “Now you know what it feels like to be judged by someone else’s crime.”
He turned desperately to Thorne. “Alpha! You’re not going to let her humiliate me like this, are you?! You’d let outsiders mock your own Gamma?!”
Thorne’s eyes didn’t waver. “You’ve embarrassed yourself, Garron. You dug your own grave.” He nodded at the guards. “Carry out Gamma Elara’s judgment.”
“No, please wait!”
But the guards didn’t wait. They yanked him away, his shouts growing faint behind the slamming door.
I turned around, dusted my hands, and clapped. “So. Anyone want to come watch the parade?”
A few awkward chuckles rippled through the room.
Cael beamed. “Front row seats for me.”
Chapter 32
Chapter 32
