"You'll see tomorrow. Consider it my final gift to you, my dear mate." He spat the last word like it was poison.
They turned to leave, but Cynthia paused as she looked back. "You know what's truly pathetic, Ariana? How eagerly you took the blame. The perfect little martyr, right until the end."
I listened as their footsteps grew fainter along the corridor. I crumpled to the cold floor, my heart feeling like it was being squeezed in my chest. The truth hit me then, I hadn't been cursed by the Moon Goddess.
I'd been cursed by my own foolish heart.
—--------------
“Ariana James, you stand before the pack to face judgment for your crimes,” one of the werewolf council declared loudly across the pack clearing. "Tonight, the Moon Goddess shall bear witness to your punishment."
The crowd shouted both happy and angry sounds, and I could feel how much they hated me.
I kept my gaze fixed on Owen, silently pleading for him to keep his promise. But when our eyes met, I saw no love or regret. I only saw emptiness, it was obvious he didn't care at all.
Owen raised his hand and the crowd fell silent. "Stop the execution," he commanded firmly. The murmurs died down as everyone turned to him in confusion.
"Owen," one of the council members said cautiously, "the judgment has been passed. Execution is—"
"I have a different punishment in mind," Owen cut in, smiling in a way that made me feel cold all over.
"What are you suggesting?" The council members looked at each other nervously, but Owen’s eyes gleamed as he stepped forward.
“Death is too merciful for her. She deserves something far worse.” He stared at me intensely. “A punishment fitting the crime… and the betrayal.”
My stomach dropped and for a moment, I couldn’t breathe. What could be worse than death?
The pack members also shifted nervously in their seats clearly confused.
“Speak plainly, Alpha Owen. Go straight to the point.” another elder said.
Owen looked at the council members and then right at me. His cold stare made me feel completely exposed. “Sell her… as a slave.”
Both the crowd, the councils and I gasped collectively.
“Slavery is hardly a punishment fitting such a crime!” one elder protested. “If anything, it’s too easy a fate—”
“You didn’t let me finish,” Owen interrupted in a cold voice. “She will be sold as a slave… to the Night Walker Pack.”