Ridian’s POV
Cilla stayed silent until we reached our floor. I decided not to say anything to pressure her but followed in silence. When we stepped out of the elevator, she refused my offer to hold her. I felt annoyed but decided to let it be. My patience was wearing out, though. Sarah opened the door and helped Cilla to the bedroom while I sat on the couch. Since I didn’t want us to discuss our issues in Sarah’s presence, I decided to wait for her to finish what Cilla needed her to do.
“Jane Willow is asking for you at the gate,” Kenny said to me via mind link. I quickly sat up. I remembered what Brody had said and stood up.
“Take her to my office,” I ordered, stepping out of the living room without bothering to inform my wife. Within a minute, I was in my office, pacing about. That woman had some nerve, after she had tried to turn my brother against me. I was done being merciful. On second thought, I decided to step out to the front yard so that everybody could witness her humiliation.
When they brought her there, she looked down, not wanting to face me. I stepped closer and grabbed her chin before lifting her head up. “Look at me, you little b! tch.”
She glanced at me with eyes pouring out fake tears. I felt disgusted when they fell on my hand so I let her go. I grabbed the top of her head and pushed her down until she was kneeling down.
“I’m so sorry,” she said. “Please accept me back. I made a mistake and deeply regret it.”
I didn’t feel anything apart from disgust towards her. For the first time, I began to see her for who she really was; a lying, manipulative b! tch. “What mistake are you talking about? The crime in which you tried to kill my wife?”
Jane shook her head vigorously. “No, no, no. I don’t know what you’re talking about. I would never do something like that. You and I are over and I understand that. You have to be with your destined mate. I’m talking about leaving without saying anything. I’m really sorry that I’ve done this twice and not yet realised my mistake. Now i have realised that this is where I belong.”
I chuckled. “You’re pathetic, Jane Willow. You returned because you realised that this is the only pack that will accepted you back. News flash; you’re wrong. We don’t accept trash anymore.”
“Please alpha Ridian…”
Brody stepped into the circle that had been formed around us by the pack, which was ready to witness the downfall of Jane Willow.
“Can you really swear that leaving without saying anything was your only crime?” he asked, crouching down to stare at her.
She nodded. Brody slapped her. It was a loud and hot slap that made everyone shudder.
Jane started rubbing her cheek vigorously while crying. “I’m sorry I lied.” She said.
Brody slapped the other cheek. “That was for lying and trying to fool a pack that loved and welcomed you when you needed it the most. Is this how you repay someone who has been good to you? What else did you do, Willow?”
“I’m sorry that I tried to turn you against your brother, the alpha. I truly regret it.”
“Do you regret trying to harm the luna as well.”
“I didn’t do anything to her, I swear.”
“Bring me the whips, Kenny.” I said, tired of listening to their drama. “You, Jane Willow will receive fifty lashes on your back and be banished from Blackmoon pack forever. This is a punishment for the crimes you’ve committed against this pack.”
The crowd applauded as Jane was dragged from the front yard to the trees and taken to the whipping post in the woods. The crowd followed. Even the slaves that had left their work stations for lunch joined the crowd.
Since I had loved her very much at some point, I didn’t think I could handle seeing her being whipped thoroughly. I had shared a deep connection with her which was yet to completely break. Although I hated her, I didn’t think I’d enjoy hearing her cries.
So, I decided to get back to my wife who had some questions to answer. When I got to our bedroom, she was asleep. How was it possible that she could sleep so soundly with everything that was going on outside. I highly suspected that she was faking it but decided to play along. I undressed and went to take a shower. She was still pretending when I got back.
I dressed up and was ready to wake her up when I heard a knock. Since Sarah had been dismissed and I couldn’t be bothered to go and open the door, I connected to the person’s mind.
“What’s it?”
“The Markle twins are missing?”
“What do you mean they are missing?”
Cilla suddenly sat up. If the situation wasn’t so dire, I would have laughed. I ignored her and went out of the bedroom. I threw the door open and came to face with one of the warriors. “They were last seen before Jane Willow was brought to the yard. They were playing in the garden with Lilly and Jamie Forster. The four children started running to the yard when they heard commotion but Lilly and Jamie only realised the other two were not with them when they had already mixed up with the crowd.”
“Who the hell took my siblings?” Cilla asked. It was only then that I realised she had come to the door. “I have to go and find them.”
I grabbed her wrist. “You’re not going anywhere in this condition.”
“You can’t dictate where I go or not go. This is about my siblings.”
“Leave and tell the others to search for the children everywhere,” I told the warrior before closing the door and turning back to Cilla. “I care about them, too. They’re like my own children, alright. I want them to be safe and okay, but unlike you, I also want you to be safe and okay. You can’t go out there like this. There’s someone who wants to kill you. I’m not going to let you hand yourself over on a silver platter. I can’t be without you.”
“This is not about me, Ridian Jamison. My siblings are in danger and I have to go and help.”
“What are you going to do now?”
“Can you search better than all the warriors I have?” I asked.
She turned away from the door and went to sit down. “If they die, it’s on you.”
I sighed and went to sit next to her.
“I’m sorry,” I said, reaching out to wrap an arm around her. She winced and moved away. My hand retracted while my fingers balled into fists. Standing up, I left the house. I couldn’t bear it anymore.