Filed To Story: Destined Bond with My Forbidden Alpha Novel (Alpha Alexander & Selene)
And at that moment, he saw the truth of his wasted life, the emptiness of his existence.
He screamed in agony as the fire roared over him, and the last bits of life he clung to were swallowed in flames.
Corrine kept her eyes on the flames, listened as his screams died out, and watched as his body went limp.
Even as the rest of the pack left the arena, still she stood there, watching. As Galen and Bell, Fiona, and even Axel left. She continued to watch the fire, as though she expected him to jump out of it at any time.
She clenched her jaw tightly, a strange feeling settled over her. A tightness in her chest. She gasped when Wyatt’s hand settled on her shoulder. She turned to look at him. He gave her a sad smile. Bringing his hand to her cheek, he wiped away the tear that had fallen from her eye.
“It’s over now,” he whispered. “He’s gone, and she’s happy.”
Corrine’s jaw shook, she tried to swallow it down, but it was too late. The tears fell, and she hugged her mate. Holding him and thanking the Goddess for this blessing.
[Late Morning Before the Execution]
“Do you think there will be any fall out from this?” Galen asked, turning the car up the final road leading into the northern territories of Winter.
“The execution?” Alexander asked, looking over at Galen. “Why? Do you think there will be?”
“I don’t know,” Galen replied honestly. “He grew up here, people cared about him. It can’t be easy to see your friend get killed.”
“No,” Alexander answered. “But he hasn’t been anyone’s friend for a long time. And I would guess that most of these people realized that after the fae attack. The rest, when they heard about Whiteridge. So, no, I don’t think Jackson has any friends left in Winter.”
“You’re probably right,” Galen said. “Bell told me that his scouting team, the ones that helped him escape after he tried to kill you, volunteered to participate in the lashing.”
“I’m not surprised,” Alexander sighed. “They trusted him, and in the end, that trust is what let him escape. I can’t imagine hearing about Whiteridge didn’t create some guilt in their hearts. And then with Selene being taken…”
Alexander couldn’t help but remember how he had felt those days she was missing. Knowing Jackson had taken her and what he was capable of. It was a strange feeling to be thankful that the mad man had wanted her to lose control and choose to be his, rather than forcing his mark on her.
He was glad it was coming to an end and strangely glad he wasn’t the one that had to do it. Alexander himself had no problem with killing Jackson, in fact, he had imagined it many times. But Selene made it clear that she wanted to forget him, to move forward and away from the painful memory of that monster.
If Alexander or Selene had been the ones to take his life, he would have stayed with them forever.
Selene had been in meditation for two days. They hadn’t spoken since the morning after she left to return to Winter. She had told him that she wouldn’t attend the execution, there were too many things she needed to work through on her own.
“Fifty lashings, and with a silver ball attached… that’s intense,” Galen said, interrupting Alexander’s thoughts.
Alexander nodded.
“Winter has always been very serious about the punishment of traitors. Historically, I believe it was supposed to be closer to one hundred lashings. Though I don’t think any of the criminals ever made it that long.”
Galen grimaced.
“I can’t imagine… that’s a lot.”
“Do you think it’s unfair?” Alexander asked.
Galen thought for a moment.
“If you had asked me a week ago, I might have said yes,” Galen replied. “But, after seeing those kids. Knowing each of them is an orphan now because of him… No. I think he deserves every crack of the whip.”.
Alexander nodded.
“Have you ever done it before?” Galen asked.
“Used a whip on a person?”
Galen nodded.
“No, not exactly,” Alexander replied. “I’ve never had reason to, but my father did have me run a simulation of it. He said that I would need to be prepared for the worst job of an Alpha.”
“Wow…” Galen said.
Alexander nodded.
When Axel asked that Alexander participate in the lashing, he hadn’t hesitated to say yes. But now, he wondered if it was the right decision.
“We’re here,” Galen said, motioning toward the building they approached, where Bell stood waiting for them.
He parked the car and immediately exited the vehicle.
Alexander couldn’t help but smile as he watched his best friend run around the front of the car to embrace and spin his wife around.
The event that brought them here was unfortunate and horrible, but here in this moment, they could smile and enjoy each other. It made Alexander happy to see the joy that Galen was able to experience.
It also made him long for his own future happiness.
He took a deep breath and got out of the car.
Bell took the two of them to meet with Fiona. After a short chat about the events of the night and discussing what the expectations of Summer were, Bell and Galen excused themselves to spend some time together alone.
“Wedded bliss,” Alexander smiled once they had left the room.
Fiona laughed.
“You don’t have long to wait before you are just like them, probably worse, knowing you.”
“Probably,” Alexander laughed.
There was a knock at the door.
Fiona glanced at the door and licked her lips nervously.
“Are you expecting someone?” Alexander asked, noting her reaction.
“Yes,” Fiona nodded.
She stood and walked to the door.
“Bell and Galen didn’t just leave to spend time together. I asked Bell to give you and me some privacy.”
She reached for the door.
“Hello, come on in,” she greeted the ones that waited.
Stepping aside, Fiona made room for Selene and Wyatt to enter, closing the door behind them.
“Selene…” Alexander said with delight, standing from his chair. Until this moment, he wasn’t sure he would even be able to see her during this trip. “I thought you were in meditations all day?”
Selene smiled and closed the distance between them. She pulled him into a loving embrace. Alexander immediately wrapped his arms around her and enjoyed her warmth.
She pulled back and took a deep breath.
“Alexander, the reason my father and I are here is because there are things we all need to talk about,” Selene said, looking around at each of them.
Alexander glanced at Wyatt and Fiona. He furrowed his brows and looked back at Selene.
“I don’t understand,” he said.
“All these secrets, I don’t want to keep them anymore,” she said. “I want to move forward. I want to be with you.”
“Selene…”
“But before you and I can take another step towards us, the secrets have to come out,” Selene continued, looking back at Fiona and Wyatt.
“Alexander, honey,” Fiona called to him. “Have a seat, it’s time you know what happened to your father.”
Alexander sat still as silent tears rolled down his cheeks.
Fiona and Wyatt both looked away.
Selene sat beside him, holding his hand.
“Bell’s mate… he doesn’t know that she’s here?” Alexander asked softly.
“No,” Selene said. “As far as we know, he thinks she’s dead. As long as she stays in Winter, he won’t know.”
“Unless Tomas tells him,” Alexander said.
New Book: Veiled Desires of the Alpha King Novel
Dayson was the alpha of the largest pack in North America. Powerful figures from other packs sought to offer gorgeous girls as potential mates for Dayson. He steadfastly rejected these advances, he was not a pawn to be manipulated. But eventually there came a mysterious girl he could hardly say No. Who was she?