Dimitri’s POV
We stayed like that for a long time, the silence between us comforting in its own way. But even as I held Kate, the weight of what I had done pressed down on me. I had ended a life, one that had once meant something to me, even if it was only in a fleeting, superficial way.
It was morning, the first rays of dawn filtered through the windows, and so did slightly warm air, I held Kate in my arms, her body making me even warmer, it felt good to just lie there with her without a care in the world, to ignore the world but there was a knock on the door and it shattered that illusion
” Who is it. ” Kate mumbled and I kissed her head
” Go back to bed, I’ll check it out ”
I got dressed, tugging on a shirt as I went, pulling a for open
“Alpha,” the guard said, his voice low. He looked pale like he was about to faint
” What” I asked
“Sarah is dead. She… she took her own life in the night.”
ONE DAY EARLIER
The air was still, thick with the scent of pine and earth, the sun was falling into the sky as we returned from visiting Kate’s father. The trip had been exhausting, but necessary. The old man had done a lot of things to them, to her and they needed to at least set the score right at least for her.
But I couldn’t shake the feeling that something was off, the closer we got to the pack house the more restless my wolf was, Drey kept pacing within me, growling low, I drew Kate closer to me looking around the corner.
I caught sight of some guards around the house instead of by their guard post , the urgency in their stance, and the way they practically ran toward me, set my instincts on high alert. Kate’s hand tightened on my arm, her eyes scanning the faces of the pack members who were waiting for us.
“Alpha, we have a situation.” one of them called out, his face pale and his tone reedy
“What is it?” I demanded, my voice sharper than intended, the guard flinched his hands shaking m, Kate gripped my hand tighter
” Calm down” I sighed taking a deep breath
” What” I asked
“It’s Sarah, Alpha. She’s escaped.”
For a moment, the words didn’t register.
Sarah, escaped?
The reality of those words hit me like a punch to the gut, my wolf’s growl rumbling low in my chest it was then replaced by fury blazing through me, hot and unforgiving.
How could this have happened? She had been locked away, under guard, for months. I had made sure of it especially after what she had done to Kate even when the betrayal had cut deep, I had shown her mercy-mercy she clearly didn’t deserve.
“Explain,” I barked, the command in my tone undeniable. The guard flinched, his eyes wide with fear and regret.
“She… she had help, Alpha. “One of the wolves, a young one, helped her. He must have gotten close to her while on duty. We don’t know how long they’ve been planning it, but they took advantage of the changing shift.”
” By the time we noticed she was gone, they were already beyond the perimeter attacked the gate guards” I clenched my fists, the sharp sting of my nails digging into my palms grounding me in the here and now.
“Find them,” I growled, my voice low and dangerous.
“Bring them back, both of them. Alive.”
Losing control would help no one, least of all Kate.
“Organize a search party,” I ordered, my voice cold, deadly.
“I want every able-bodied wolf out there looking for them. No one rests until Sarah is found and brought back. Is that understood?”
“Yes, Alpha,” the guard responded, his voice trembling slightly. He bowed his head and immediately turned to carry out my orders.
Kate’s hand on my arm brought me back to the present. I looked down at her, her eyes dark with concern had the rage still simmering beneath the surface, she looked so pale, I did not want her worrying for no reason about anything at all, it made me annoyed that she even was worried.
I took a deep breath, trying to quell the storm brewing inside me.
Sarah’s escape was more than a challenge to my authority, it was a threat to my pack, to Kate. And that was something I could not, would not, tolerate.
“We’ll find her,” I assured her, though my voice lacked the warmth I wished I could offer.
“I won’t let her hurt you ever again.”
Kate nodded, her hand slipping into mine, a small smile on her face, that smile grounded me more than she could ever know.
“I trust you, Dimitri,” she said softly, her hands coming to my face, I stared into her beautiful eyes,
“But please, be careful.”she mumbled
I squeezed her hand, taking the brief moment of connection to steady my resolve on what to do.
“Always,” I promised, I turned away from her started running, and shifting at the same time, bones cracking and reshaping as I gave Drey the control over my body, my senses heightened, every sound, every scent as vivid as we combed the forests and surrounding areas.
The hours dragged on, each passing moment a reminder of the threat that Sarah posed, my wolf pushed at the edges of my control, desperate to hunt.
But I needed to be smart, methodical. This wasn’t just about vengeance-it was about protecting my pack, my mate.
Finally, just as dawn began to break, a howl from the west of pack lands sounded.
They had found her.
I snarled and turned back in a run, I arrived at the pack house where guards had gathered, snarling at the prisoners bound
” Go back now” I told my wolf, he whined
” We’ll hunt later ” I promised and he huffed ceding control to me.
I stood upright as Kate handed me clothes which I put on immediately, I strode towards her and there before me was Sarah on her knees her wrists bound , her once-proud demeanor shattered, the guard who had aided her standing nearby, his eyes wide with fear.
“Alpha,” one of my Betas stepped forward, his head bowed in respect.
“They’ve been subdued. What are your orders?”
“Take him to the prison,” I ordered, not sparing him a second glance, he was young and right away I could tell what had happened here. He believed he was in love a senseless notion
“Dimitri,” she began, but I silenced her with a glare.
“You had your chance and you squandered it.,” I said coldly. She flinched slightly her face turning even paler than normal
“You can’t do this,” she whispered, though her voice wavered.
“I can.” I said stiffly, turning to the guards
“Take them back to the pack,” I ordered loudly
” The guard is to be imprisoned, and Sarah… Sarah will face judgment.” I muttered
Sarah lifted her head at that, her eyes locking onto mine with a look of betrayal in them, but fragile acceptance as if she had expected this outcome, as if she had known from the start that her escape was doomed to fail.
She didn’t resist as they dragged her to her feet, I watched them both, my wolf snarling but there was no satisfaction in it there was no joy in it for me.
As I turned to leave, one of the guards approached me hesitantly.
“Alpha, she’s asking to speak with you. One final favor.”
I almost laughed at the absurdity of it, but there was a part of me-perhaps the part that still remembered the girl she used to be-that wanted to hear what she had to say.
“Fine,” I said, my voice tight.
“I’ll speak with her.”
I turned to Kate taking her hand in mine,
” Are you ok” I asked and she nodded
” Let me take you in first” she shook her head
” I’m fine, go and see her ” she said and I nodded kissing her lips.
I watched her walk away, taking one step at a time, once she was out of sight I made my way to the dungeons.
The dungeon was cold, damp, I made my way down the narrow corridor, the sound of my footsteps echoing off the walls.
When I reached her cell, I found her sitting on the cold stone floor, her back against the wall. She looked up as I entered, her eyes hollow, searching mine, her face gaunt and tired, whatever strength she had left was waning.
“You wanted to speak with me,” I said, keeping my voice neutral, though it was an effort to maintain my composure.
“I want to explain, even though I’m not sure that would help now”
Her gaze dropped to the floor.
“I know there’s no point in asking for forgiveness,” she began, her voice hoarse, as if she had been crying.
“But I had to try. I… I made a mistake, Dimitri. I thought… I thought if I could get rid of Kate, things would go back to the way they were.”
“I was desperate,” she whispered
I felt a pang of something-pity, perhaps-but I pushed it aside.
“I never gave you any reason to think that,” I said, my voice firm.
“Kate is my mate. She always has been. You were nothing to me but a warm body, to me Sarah.”
She flinched at that, her hands tightening into fists.
“But why? Why did it have to be her? Why couldn’t it have been me?” she said her voice breaking
“You were more than a warm body, to me I loved you,” she spat,
“I never loved you, Sarah. Whatever you thought we had, it was a lie. You were a convenience, nothing more.” I replied coldly.
She let out a choked sob, her shoulders trembling as she fought to hold herself together.
I closed my eyes, willing myself to remain unmoved. “It was never love, Sarah. Not for me. And it’s time you accepted that.”
“Do you hate me?” she asked, her tone fragile,
I hesitated, did I hate her? After everything she had done, everything she had put us through? I wanted to say yes, to let my anger fuel my response, but the truth was, I didn’t. I pitied her, and maybe that was worse.
“No,” I said finally,
“I don’t hate you, Sarah. But I can’t forgive you either.”
I left the cell and walked back to my quarters , Kate was waiting for me. She looked up as I entered, her eyes filled with concern.
“Is it done?” she asked softly.
I nodded, the weight of the evening settling over me
“It’s done. She’ll be executed tomorrow.”
Kate didn’t say anything, just stepped forward and wrapped her arms around me.
I held her close, letting her warmth seep into me,
“Thank you,” I whispered into her hair, the words catching in my throat.
“For being here.”
“Always,” she replied, her voice steady.
“I’m always here for you.”