Page 140 of Caged Between the Beta & Alpha
He smiled warmly, and there was no sadness in his eyes this time, just a look of understanding and pride.
“I’m proud of you, and I love you. I always will, and I’m still holding you to that chilling time as friends.” I nodded vigorously, my hair falling in my eyes.
“Of course, you should!” I said.
The glow of the setting sun warmed the room, gracing his skin beautifully, only enhancing the handsome man before me.
A man who was selfless and loving.
A smile that was completely genuine crossed my lips. This time, there was no doubt or what-ifs. I knew what I was doing and why. For my happiness and for his.
I raised his hands to my lips and placed a gentle kiss on each hand.
“I, Raven Jacobs, reject you, my amazing friend, Damon Nicholson, as my mate,” I said softly, holding his hands to my chest.
But I will always cherish you as a friend.
“I, Damon Nicholson, accept your rejection.”
I will always love you.
We closed our eyes, feeling that painful pull that ripped through our chests. Our hands were still combined. I couldn’t breathe for a few moments from the pain that jarred my body as I felt something snap and that emptiness settle somewhere deep inside. Yes, it was painful, but once it was done, I felt better.
We opened our eyes slowly, gazing into each other’s, my eyes sparkling with so many emotions. Then, under that setting sun, we smiled at one another…
Redemption
Raven
Two days had passed since the night of the rejection. I had spent it sitting next to Damon, refusing to leave him, because even if he was smiling, I knew he was hurting. We put a movie on, although I knew neither of us was watching it as we had soon fallen asleep on the sofa. I knew that it would take him time because he had held out hope. Somewhere along the line, I had given up, knowing that it wouldn’t work, but he had held on.
I hoped somewhere in the future, we could look back and smile at this entire situation. Someday, one day.
It was the day of Liam’s trial. It terrified me to know that that night he would be punished. He was the future Alpha of the pack, and although right then it felt like there was no hope, I was confident he would get there one day.
As for the curse, it was clear Liam, himself, had to do something to end it, but what? Even I didn’t know. All we knew was that the answer lies within.
Moreover, the killer was still out there. The pack was still working on it, but since Liam had been the one leading it, they were set back. With him gone, they had to check over things he had already done, although from what Damon told me, they were in contact with him to help where he could. He was even reviewing files in his cell.
He had told me that Liam had ordered them to do a thorough check on the tracker and stealth wolves who had the ability to hide their heartbeats. As for no scent, sprays to hide them could easily be made or retrieved from the pack supplies, which were also checked, but none seemed to be unaccounted for. So, either someone was making their own or getting them from somewhere else. Since I hadn’t felt anyone creep up behind me the night my mom was killed, we felt that a tracker wolf would be higher up on the list of suspects with a chance ofbeing the killer.
I was in the hall, seated at the front once again. I wore a high-neck top, not wanting all eyes on my mark. Everyone was seated just as they had that day, but the room was far more uneasy, and there were more pack members than there had been for Dad’s trial.
The doors opened, and Liam was brought in. His scent wafted into my nose, and I closed my eyes, trying to control my emotions. I watched him walk through the centre. Unlike Dad, who had had two guards holding him, Liam led the way. Despite his being stripped of rank, he was clearly still an alpha. His eyes were trained ahead, and he took the seat that was awaiting him. The guards cuffed him to the chair just as Dad had been before stepping away.
Uncle El stood up, his face emotionless, a frown furrowing his brow. I felt dreadful that indirectly because of Liam’s and my situation, they were going through this. No, because of this stupid curse, too.
“As you all know, we are here today to hold Liam Westwood accountable for the crime he has committed… one that deserves capital punishment for marking Raven Jacobs against her will and almost killing her in the process.” Uncle El’s eyes flashed dark cobalt and my gaze shifted to Liam.
The room remained quiet. I knew everyone was unsure of what to make of it. My heart was squeezing as I looked at him. He simply nodded slowly, his face emotionless despite his eyes clouded with emotions. What were we?
“Liam, do you have anything to say?” Uncle El asked. Aunty Red was frowning, the sadness in her eyes clear. Liam raised his eyes, staring ahead with those cerulean orbs of his, full of emotion.
“I allowed my anger to get the better of me and, in the process… committed a terrible crime. I don’t deserve any leniency, and I don’t think any punishment can make up for what I did,” he said clearly. Uncle El nodded.
“I’ve thought long and hard. Considering you are an alpha… you are meant to be an example to this pack. An alpha is meant to be what he wants his people to be, a role model for the youth of his pack. If the alpha commits a crime, it is far worse. With this title comes great responsibility, one we must always uphold. As your Alpha, I sentence you to five hundred lashes with silver in public.”
My eyes flew open in shock. Five hundred? That was worse than Dad’s! And in public? Why humiliate him? I looked at Uncle El, not missing the way his fist trembled by his side or the way Aunty Red gripped his arm. It was hurting them, too... yet they were doing the right thing for the pack.
