Ruby:
My son’s eyes softened as he looked down at me with his beautiful silver eyes filled with sadness, deepening the guilt clouding my soul. I couldn’t believe I hadn’t recognised this mysterious aspect of my son, even after being with him for seven years.
Could I truly call myself his mother? I should have noticed all these signs, but I didn’t because I didn’t pay enough attention to him as I was too busy wallowing in my own misery.
“Mother, you’ve always been the best,” he said, gently wiping the tears from my cheeks.
“It’s me who doesn’t deserve you. I should have listened to you.” His words struck me, and the deep well of emotions I had tried to hide threatened to spill over. It wasn’t his fault; I shouldn’t have hidden details about his father in the first place.
Despite the transformation of his body, I could still feel the essence of my son. I reached out and pulled him into a tight embrace, holding him close as if he could disappear despite the strangeness of his current form. He hesitated for a moment, then wrapped his arms around me, returning the embrace.
“In your next life, I hope you have better parents than us. We both failed you,” I whispered, tears streaming down my face as I held him closer.
“But I want you to know that nothing could ever change the love I have for you. You are the best part of my life, and you’re the reason I’m still standing. It’s unfortunate that I didn’t realise that sooner,” I said, and Alex’s grip on me tightened.
“Please don’t blame yourself, Mother. I’m sorry for all the pain you’ve endured because of my fate. But together, we can right the wrongs of the past and find a way to move forward.” I nodded, pulling back slightly to look him in the eye, admiring his wisdom. Alex grinned at me.
All these years, he had been so smart, and he was even the only child who got admission into the werewolf academy. Yet, I hadn’t noticed that it was because he wasn’t a normal child and had an immortal living within him.
“This reunion is touching, but it doesn’t change the truth. Your son is a monster that shouldn’t have been born. Killing him was me doing everyone a favour.” Liam’s groans broke the moment; his voice was filled with rage. Alex’s gaze hardened as he slowly turned towards his father.
“The only monster here is you, Father,” he said coldly. “Your sins will not go unpunished.”
I looked at Alex with sadness, realising that the father he had longed to have was capable of saying such despicable things to him, showing no remorse for hurting him. I was disappointed in myself for not recognising this evil side of Liam, even after being with him for so many years.
Once again, I failed.
“Hold on, Alex,” I said, placing a hand on his arm.
“I need to hear why. What was his aim in doing all this? I need answers.”
Alex nodded, giving me his permission. “Ask him, Mother. But please, don’t fall for his empty words,” he warned.
I swallowed hard and walked back toward Liam, who was still tied up in the bag. His dishevelled state didn’t elicit sympathy from me-only a deep well of anger and grief. I kneeled down in front of him, staring into his cold, hard eyes that looked exactly like Alex’s, only darker and uglier.
“Liam, I deserve to know why. Why did you ruin and torment my life by taking away the one thing I cherished the most?”
Liam’s lips twisted into a cruel sneer as he looked up at me from his bound position. His eyes held a dark glint of malice.
“You always were a foolish, naive woman, Ruby,” he spat, a mocking smile spreading across his face.
“I did what had to be done. That child was never going to be a proper leader. When I held his throat between my hands, I knew he was weak-too weak for our pack-and a future disgrace to me. Of course, he wouldn’t have been capable of challenging me for my alpha position, but he would still have brought shame upon me because he was a weak bastard.”
I swallowed hard as his lack of remorse and his cold, calculated explanation made my blood boil. I struggled to keep my composure, my hands trembling with rage.
“You had no right to decide the fate of our child! I carried that child myself, so who the hell are you to take him away?” I screamed, spit flying out of my mouth.
But at that moment, I didn’t care.
“Did you do it for me?” Liam retorted, his silver eyes burning darker with something I had never seen before.
“For me?” I scoffed, shaking my head in disbelief.
“I hate to burst your bubble, but I never wanted a child with you. You were the one who insisted. I gave in to keep you quiet, if only for a while.”
His words hit me like a punch to the gut, but I refused to let him see the pain he was causing. I maintained my hard glare, stopping myself from crying in front of him.
“You should have told me plainly if you never wanted to have a child with me. If you had come clean, trust me, I would have understood. Why did you have to do all this? Why did you dare accuse me of cheating when you were the monster yourself? Poor Andrew, may his soul rest in peace; he had to die because of you,” I demanded, and he hissed, then scoffed, as if my words meant nothing.
“You were just too blind to see it, and it’s all your fault. You were too consumed by your obsession with having a child. You were never the Luna I needed, but I couldn’t do anything about it since the pack loved you. We were childhood lovers, and then we became mates, but at one point, I became bored. I needed something new, so I did what I had to do, using the excuse of your supposed infidelity to justify getting rid of you after getting rid of the little bastard inside you. Fortunately, Andrew was the scapegoat I used to do that.”
His words were like poison, each one more hurtful than the last. My heart pounded in my chest, anger and betrayal surging through me as I barely recognised the man in front of me.
“I hope you enjoy burning in hell,” I said, my voice trembling with anger, and Liam’s smile only grew wider, despite the bruises on his face that showed he had received a good amount of beating.
“You can think what you want, Ruby, but the truth is, I did what I believed was best for me, and now I regret nothing. You were nothing but a means to an end, Ruby. Nothing more. At least you had higher standards than Lilith; I must give you that,” he sneered.
“The shameless bitch was ready to sleep with anything that walked just to attain a higher position. She came into my life at just the right time, when I was ready to get rid of you. She was loyal and obedient like a dog, unlike you. That’s why she remained with me, although she wasn’t even entertaining on my bed. Maybe because she was in love with that bastard by your side and only planned on using me. I didn’t care, though. I only cared about you,” he continued, and I clenched my fists at the irony of his words.
Cared for me? His twisted version of care was sickening.
I struggled to hold back from slamming his face hard, as his lack of remorse was a final blow. It was so unfortunate that the man I once loved at some point in my life was just a monster in disguise.
“You and Lilith really deserved each other. I hope you keep each other warm while burning in hell, where you belong permanently,” I declared, standing up and stepping away from him, unable to bear the sight of his wicked smile.
“See, Mother? This man has no remorse. He deserves the justice that is coming to him.” Alex’s voice pulled me back, and I nodded, the truth sinking in deeper. Liam’s actions had been driven by his own selfishness, and now he would face the consequences.
As I turned back to face the elders, who were silent as they watched the display, I was sure they had a million questions about why the Chief Judge was referring to me as mother.
But their questions could wait.
Shifting my attention, my gaze unconsciously went to Lilith, and I was startled to see her on the floor, crying uncontrollably. Her tears were a shocking sight, considering her usual strong demeanour.
Was she crying for herself or for Liam? I couldn’t figure it out. Her vulnerability was a reminder of how much she had made me suffer, yet I didn’t back down. Her impending punishment was something I was honestly looking forward to.
“It’s time for your judgement,” my son, who, to others, was still the chief spirit judge, declared, his voice carrying authority that silenced the murmurs in the room.
“I will read all the deeds you have done-both evil and good-from the Book of Life.”
With a flick of his wrist, a large, ancient tome appeared in his hands. He opened the book, his expression unreadable. As his mother, I could tell it was still difficult for him to sentence his father to whatever fate awaited him.
“Liam, Alpha of the Pearl Moon Pack, you have been found guilty of grievous crimes against your own blood and your pack. You killed your father in cold blood, betraying the one who was meant to guide you. You took the life of your own son, severing your own bloodline with your cruelty.”
Each word felt like a stab to my heart, confirming the darkest truths about Liam. I couldn’t believe how twisted he had become, and yet it all made sense now.
“You have also taken the life of your loyal bodyguard, Andrew, for your own gain. Furthermore, you have abused your power as alpha, extorting your pack members for their wealth and treating them like slaves.
Your disregard for their well-being and their livelihoods has left a stain on your legacy.” Alex’s voice grew heavier with each accusation as the gravity of Liam’s actions became clear to all in the room. My heart pounded in my chest as I listened, barely able to comprehend the depth of Liam’s betrayal.
“You have emotionally tormented your ex-mate, Ruby, and in your quest to protect your own secrets, you have given the authority to kill innocent people to keep your tracks clean. Your reign of terror has caused immeasurable pain to those around you.” Alex paused for a moment, his gaze locking onto Liam, who was now visibly shaken.
“Given the severity of your actions and the suffering you’ve inflicted upon your pack, your loved ones, and the innocent, the Book of Life has decided your punishment.”
The room fell silent, and the tension was almost unbearable as we awaited Liam’s fate. I held my breath, hoping for a punishment that would finally bring justice for all the lives he had destroyed.
“What about the good I’ve done? Surely, you must have read that too! There must be something in there!” Liam’s voice, though quivering, spoke up from inside the bag, but Alex’s expression remained stern.
“I have searched the Book of Life for any good deeds attributed to you, Liam. Unfortunately, there is nothing recorded that would weigh in your favor. You have caused more harm than good in your time as Alpha. Your actions have brought suffering and destruction, leaving no room for mercy,” Alex declared, his voice final.
Liam’s face twisted with disbelief and anger, his eyes darting around the room, perhaps seeking support or finding a reason to protest. But there was none to be found, as the chief spirit judge’s words left no doubt that Liam’s fate would be dire.
Turning to face me, Alex’s gaze was intense, and I furrowed my eyebrows in confusion.
My mouth gaped in shock as Liam’s gaze locked onto me, pure fear swimming in his eyes. I hadn’t expected to be given such power, but I couldn’t deny the satisfaction that surged through me as I watched him realize the depth of his predicament. His life now rested in my hands, the woman he had wronged so deeply.
Taking a deep breath, I felt all the pain Liam had caused me over the years come rushing back, but so did the love I once held for him. At one point, I could remember him begging for forgiveness when I was locked up in a cell, all thanks to Lilith. He had promised he had changed and pleaded for me to take him back. Unfortunately, I had almost believed him-he was as cunning as the devil.
However, despite his crimes, there was still a tinge of sadness in me. After all, whether I liked it or not, he was still the sperm donor of my son.
With a heavy heart, I squared my shoulders and looked Liam in the eyes, contemplating the best way to bring justice, not only for myself, but for all those he had wronged.