Chapter 4

VICTORIA'S POV

​The guards didn't hesitate. Two massive warriors stepped forward, grabbed my arms, and pulled me to my feet.

​"Ahhh!" I screamed as a sharp pain shot through my broken ribs. My legs nearly gave way, but one of the guards held me upright.

​"Please! I didn't do it!" I sobbed, looking desperately at the people around me. "I didn't kill the Queen!"

​But nobody answered.

​My father, Alpha Timothy, turned his back on me, refusing even to look at his own daughter. Vanessa stood beside him, wearing an innocent expression, but the moment the King looked away, a wicked smile appeared on her lips.

​Adrian kept his gaze on the floor, his fists clenched tightly at his sides.

​Coward!

​He knew exactly what had happened, yet he was willing to stand there and watch me die.

​"Move!" one of the guards ordered.

​I swallowed my tears and forced my trembling legs to move. Every step sent another wave of pain through my body, but I had no choice.

​The heavy doors were thrown open, and the cold night air struck my face.

​Outside, the festival had completely stopped. The music was gone, and the guests who had been celebrating only a few minutes earlier were now gathered around the packhouse.

​News of the Queen's death had already spread, and the moment they saw me being dragged between the royal guards, angry voices erupted from the crowd.

​"Murderer!"

​"She killed the Queen!"

​"Kill her!"

​I lowered my head as tears streamed down my cheeks. Some pack members spat on the ground as I passed, while others cursed me openly.

​These were the same people who had treated me like an unwanted servant for years. Now they finally had another reason to hate me.

​The guards led me toward the royal execution courtyard.

​The place was surrounded by high stone walls, with burning torches hanging along them. At the center stood a thick wooden post, and beside it was a huge warrior holding a silver sword.

​My blood ran cold.

​No. They couldn't possibly be planning to execute me with silver!

​My wolf whimpered inside me, terrified by the sight of the weapon. Silver was deadly to our kind, and even the smallest wound could cause unbearable pain.

​A sword that size would kill me instantly.

​"Please," I whispered, shaking my head. "I'm innocent."

​The guards ignored my pleas. They dragged me toward the wooden post and tied my wrists behind it, securing me tightly against the wood.

​I winced as the ropes pressed against my injured arms, but the pain was nothing compared to the fear spreading through my chest.

​A few moments later, the Alpha King entered the courtyard, followed by my father, Vanessa, Adrian, and several important members of the pack.

​Everyone immediately bowed as the King approached. His powerful presence alone was enough to silence the entire courtyard.

​He stopped in front of the execution platform and looked directly at me.

​His eyes were completely dark, and there was nothing in his expression that suggested he might change his mind.

​"You took everything from me," he said coldly. "And even your death will never be enough to pay for what you've done."

​"I didn't kill her, Your Majesty!" I cried desperately. "Please believe me!"

​His expression hardened.

​"Begin."

​The executioner immediately stepped forward.

​My heart nearly stopped.

​I watched him lift the enormous silver sword, its sharp blade reflecting the light from the torches.

​Goodness! Was this really how my life was going to end?

​I looked toward my father one last time, hoping he would say something, anything, to save me.

​But Alpha Timothy stood silently beside Vanessa, his face completely indifferent. My sister looked almost pleased, while Adrian couldn't even bring himself to meet my eyes.

​Only a few hours ago, I had been looking forward to the happiest night of my life.

​It was my birthday, and Adrian was supposed to announce me as his mate. Instead, he had betrayed me with my own sister, and now I was about to die for a crime I hadn't committed.

​I was only twenty-two years old.

​I had spent almost my entire life being treated like a servant in my father's house. I hadn't even been given the chance to experience true happiness.

​And now everything was about to end.

​The executioner raised his sword higher, preparing to strike.

​I squeezed my eyes shut, tears rolling down my cheeks as I silently begged the Moon Goddess to have mercy on me.

​Then, suddenly, a desperate thought crossed my mind.

​The Queen was dead, and so was her unborn child.

​The Alpha King had lost both his wife and the heir he had been expecting.

​What if I could give him another heir?

​My eyes flew open.

​It was a terrible idea, perhaps the most dangerous decision I would ever make, but what other choice did I have?

​If I remained silent, I would die within seconds.

​"STOP!" I screamed with every ounce of strength left in my body.

​The executioner hesitated, his sword still raised above his head.

​"YOUR MAJESTY!" I shouted desperately. "IF YOU KILL ME NOW, YOU GET NOTHING!"

​The entire courtyard fell silent.

​The Alpha King slowly turned toward me, his dark eyes narrowing.

​"What did you say?"

​I swallowed hard, my heart hammering wildly against my chest.

​"Your Queen is gone, and so is your unborn child!" I cried. "But you still need an heir, don't you? Please, Your Majesty, don't kill me! Let me give you another one!"

​A shocked murmur spread through the courtyard.

​Behind the guards, I saw Vanessa's smile disappear. My father looked horrified, while Adrian finally raised his head, staring at me in disbelief.

​But I wasn't finished.

​"Take my body, Your Majesty!" I cried, tears streaming down my cheeks. "Make me your breeder! Your bedmate! I'll give you an heir! As many heirs as you want! Just please, spare my life!"

​The entire courtyard fell into stunned silence.

​For a long moment, the Alpha King stood perfectly still, staring at me as though he couldn't believe what he had just heard.

​Then he slowly approached the wooden post.

​His massive figure towered over me, and I instinctively pressed myself against the wood as he stopped directly in front of me.

​He bent down slightly, gripping my chin with his large hand and forcing me to look into his cold eyes.

​"A breeder? A bedmate?" he asked, his voice furiously low. "You think you can replace my wife?"

​"No, Your Majesty," I whispered, shaking my head. "I would never dare replace your Queen. But let me live and I can give you an heir."

​His grip tightened around my chin.

​"And you think I would want a child from the woman who murdered my wife?"

​My heart sank.

​"I didn't kill her," I whispered, fresh tears filling my eyes. "But if you don't believe me, then punish me however you want. Make me your servant, your breeder, anything. Just please don't kill me."

​The King stared at me for a long moment, his expression unreadable. I couldn't tell whether he was considering my offer or deciding how painfully I should die.

Finally, he released my chin and straightened to his full height.

​For one terrifying moment, I thought he was going to order the executioner to finish the job.

​Instead, he turned toward the guards.

​"Untie her," he ordered coldly. "She's coming with me."

​A shocked murmur swept through the courtyard.

​My knees nearly gave way as the guards untied me from the wooden post and secured my wrists in front of me.

​I had done it.

​Somehow, I had saved myself from death.

​But as the guards escorted me toward the waiting cars, I stared at the King's broad back, and a new wave of terror washed over me.

​I had escaped death.

​But in exchange for my life, I had just offered my body to a monster.