Chapter 33:
A faint rustle to my left caught my attention. I turned to see Lyle approaching, his movements hesitant. His youthful face was drawn with worry, his eyes darting nervously.
“Alpha,” he said, bowing his head.
“I… I think I saw something.”
My stomach tightened.
“What did you see?”
“Near the southern perimeter,” he said, his voice trembling.
“A wolf—one of ours. They were meeting someone in the shadows. I couldn’t see who it was, but… it didn’t feel right.”
The knot in my chest hardened, but I forced myself to stay calm.
“Show me.”
Lyle led me through the camp, his steps quick and sure despite the fear radiating from him. We reached the southern perimeter, where the scent of pine and damp earth mingled with something sharper—a scent I recognized but didn’t want to believe.
We followed the trail until it led to a small clearing, where a figure crouched near the edge of the trees. The moonlight illuminated their face, and my heart sank.
Merris.
She froze as she saw us, her eyes widening in panic. For a moment, she looked ready to run, but she knew better. There was nowhere to go.
“Alpha,” she stammered, her voice trembling.
“I… I can explain.”
“Don’t,” I said, my voice cold.
“I already know.”
Her shoulders slumped, and the fear in her eyes gave way to resignation.
“I didn’t want to betray the pack,” she said quietly.
“But Silas… he promised he’d leave my family alone if I helped him. I didn’t have a choice.”
“There’s always a choice,” I replied, the anger rising in my chest.
“You chose to betray your pack. To betray us.”
“I didn’t mean for anyone to get hurt,” she said, tears streaming down her face.
“I just wanted to protect them.”
Her words twisted in my chest, the anger warring with something softer—compassion, understanding. But I couldn’t let that sway me, not now.
“You’ve put the entire pack at risk,” I said, my voice hard.
“And for what? Silas doesn’t keep promises. You of all wolves should know that.”
Merris fell silent, her head bowed. I turned to Lyle, who watched with wide, uncertain eyes.
“Go get Osric,” I said.
“Tell him to gather the council.”
Lyle nodded and ran off, leaving me alone with Merris. I stood in silence, the weight of the moment pressing down on me.
“I’m sorry,” Merris whispered, her voice barely audible.
“Sorry won’t bring back the wolves we lost,” I said, my tone unyielding.
“But it might save the ones we still have.”
The council was assembled once more, their faces grim as Merris stood before them. She didn’t try to defend herself or beg for forgiveness. Her shoulders were hunched, and her gaze was fixed on the floor as the council debated her fate.
“She should be exiled,” Miriam said, her voice sharp.
“We can’t risk keeping a traitor in our midst.”
“And send her straight to Silas?” Osric countered.
