Soraya's POV
The assembly watched quietly as Jamal's speech was delivered, then the eyes quietly turned to me.
Waiting for my reaction.
They wanted to see my break. Cry, wallow in tears. Tears I was too tired to give right now.
So I stared blankly at Jamal.
What more did they want from me?
Seeing my lack of reaction, the crowd awkwardly shifted, their gaze going back to Jamal as if asking if his words were true.
I didn't know if that's what they meant, but I couldn't process things in my state, no. Not when Jamal's fists silently clenched beside him.
"Alpha Jamal speaks no lies." A quiet voice added, carried with firm conviction.
I watched my friend Elaine step forward, eyes straightly steady as she stood before all eyes.
At this point, I couldn't even be surprised.
First it was Jamal, then her of all people.
Elaine was considered a friend in my eyes, but clearly she didn't think so.
Her face showed no pity as she added to the blame. "Soraya had mentioned a thing or two about the incident to me, but I never questioned thinking it was unwise, but only now do I understand her words."
Jamal's back quickly straightened, puffing out his chest arrogantly. "See? Another witness who tells of her evil deeds. I pray the council delivers justice to the guilty." He said, facing the council and offering a mild bow.
The council, clearly pleased with his act, all nodded in satisfaction, before turning to me.
Faintly my wolf protested for us to speak, but one look at the elder who had slapped us forced that feeling away.
I lowered my head, just waiting for them to judge me.
I knew what awaited me was death, but right now that sounded more like a relief to me.
Maybe once I die I'll meet my parents and cry my eyes out to them. Who knows?
The council announced a bevy of words, but I tuned them out, wallowing in my thoughts.
All through, nobody came out to speak for me or defend me. That's how far they hated me I guess.
"Miss Soraya Vickslow, you have been found guilty of the crimes convicted against you, and for such this council hereby punishes you. Accept the punishment."
The elder's loud voice boomed as he spoke, deep blue eyes boring into me, just daring me to say otherwise.
I lowered my head, mumbling. "I accept."
Pleased, the elder continued on, his voice tinged with hidden excitement. "You are to be offered as the sacrifice in the coming blood moon hunt."
"What?!" I looked up sharply, color draining from my face.
The elder's face turned grim. "Are you challenging my verdict?"
I shook my head quickly, fear clinging to me. "No. I just… Please. I can take anything. You can kill me torture me even, I won't complain. Just anything but that."
The blood moon hunt was just like the name had said.
It was a hunt led by the Grey triplets. The most feared alphas in the country, and they were known for their ruthlessness and bloodshed.
Every year they demanded people from packs be sent to them just so they could rip them apart.
The elder's face was cold against my pleas. He snorted. "Take her away."
"No, no! Please!" I screamed, fighting against the chains and hands that shot to drag me away.
"You can't do this to me!" I cried, voice hoarse from shouting.
I locked eyes with Jamal, tears flowing down my face, but I saw no emotion in his eyes as he watched me be dragged away.
"Please! I beg you." I sobbed, hoping my tears would reach him.
The same man who I had loved, was the same man who was sending me into the abyss.
Into ruin and so much pain.
Condemned to the worst fate cruel to were-kind history.
My protests grew slack, and I let them drag me into the cell.
It was no use crying. No amount of tears was going to change my fate anyways.
Yet, my mouth refused to close.
Broken calls left my mouth one after the other, begging. Begging to be put to death in a much simpler way.
Had I truly been broken?
I let out a quiet laugh, the sound bouncing off the cold walls, chains clicking softly.
Hollow. That's how I felt and it made me realize Cassidy had won.
I wonder how happy Cassidy would be if she found out about this.
Speak of the devil, and she shall appear.
The giant cell doors creaked open, and Cassidy walked in with a playful smirk, her gait light.
"Awwn. You truly are pitiful aren't you?" She pouted.
I looked on, my eyes silently watching her without reaction.
"This again?" Cassidy stomped her foot on the floor. "I thought we were well past this Soraya."
If only she knew.
"Oh well," she continued, sighing. "Whether you react or not won't stop me from enjoying the joy of seeing you in pain."
"You had no idea how happy I felt seeing you scream pathetically while you tried defending yourself. It was hilarious." Cassidy said, a cruel laugh escaping her lips.
Even the evil glint in her eyes echoed off the wall.
How can something so innocent be this wicked? I wondered, but still didn't move.
I should have known Cassidy was evil the first day I set my eyes on her, but I was so blinded by pain, I let my guard down around her. Now I had no one but myself to blame.
"Not much of a reaction eh?" She tilted her head, a chilling smile creeping off her face as she came closer to me. "I'll tell you a secret. One that you can carry to your grave since you will be going there soon."
She laughed, and I couldn't help the shiver that crawled up my spine.
"That fire five years ago?" She started, and my eyes shrunk considerably.
She giddily went on. "Guess who started it. If you can't, I'll tell you. It was me."
I choked looking at her in disbelief, but she wasn't done. She laughed louder, continuing. "I'll tell you about another person who helped. It's your ex lover Jamal, and together with my mother we all planned to frame you all so we could make Jamal quickly become the king."
"It's no hard feelings. I just really hate you and you looked like the perfect target to carry all that blame, so you and your family felt like that." She sighed. "Too bad though. Now you know, but you can't do anything about it."