[Two Days Later]
"Wear this and get ready!" A soldier threw a fresh set of clothes into Evangeline's cell. When she didn't move from her spot, he sighed. She'd been sitting in that corner for two days, silent, barely breathing, untouched food left by her side. He had started to wonder if she was even still alive.
But slowly, Evangeline stood and walked toward him.
As she stepped into the dim cell light, a gasp left the soldier's mouth. She looked like death in human form—pale as a ghost, sunken eyes, strands of greasy hair sticking to her face while the rest clung to a loose, unkempt bun. Her body looked like a thin stick that would snap with a breeze.
Evangeline picked up the white satin gown from the floor. Without a word, she bowed slightly to the guards and disappeared into the small, attached bathroom.
"This is so not her," one of the soldiers murmured to the other.
They had expected a riot. A scream. A tearful plea for her father. That was how the Alpha's daughter had always been—loud, proud, and defiant. But this? This eerie acceptance? It unsettled them more than anything else. Did she accept her fate that easily? Or was this just another trick that would end with the whole pack on fire? They couldn't help but get worried.
Inside, Evangeline slipped into the gown worn by criminals before execution—white, thin, with a round neck and sleeves that stopped at her shoulders. It fell below her knees. She walked to the basin, staring at her reflection in the cracked mirror.
A few seconds stretched into a long, heavy minute. And then, her tears finally broke like a dam.
Evangeline turned on the faucet, letting the water run to drown out her sobs. She covered her face and sat down by the basin, her whole body trembling.
She should be relieved. Her father was finally setting her free. No more resentment, no more punishment, no more shame. The burden would end with her. People would forget, and life would go on. But her stupid heart still wanted to fight. To hopelessly beg. To shamelessly live after all the ruckus she had pulled him into.
Her father's last words echoed in her mind—not just the words, but the tone. The sadness in his voice. The way he turned his back on her. That picture had carved itself into her soul.
"He's right," Evangeline whispered, trying to convince herself. "I don't deserve to live."
Wiping her tears, she splashed water on her face and stepped out—only to find a monster waiting for her.
"That was quick," Vallienne sneered. "My heart ached hearing your cries, Lily," she added, pressing a hand to her chest in mock sympathy.
Evangeline ignored her and sat quietly on the bed.
Vallienne frowned in confusion. She had expected anger. Screaming. A slap, at least. By now, her dear friend should have realized she had been behind it all. That she had orchestrated everything. She was the one who had shoved her into the forest. So, why wasn't Evangeline reacting? Her silence scared Vallienne.
"This is your last chance, Lily. You won't see the sunrise tomorrow," Vallienne said, trying again. "Tell me your final wish. I'll do my best to fulfill it."
Evangeline stared at Vallienne. Her dull eyes lit up, glinting with life again. "Really?" she asked.
"Yes," Vallienne nodded, smiling sweetly. Inside, she was practically buzzing with glee—one final chance to crush her.
"Alright," Evangeline nodded. Walking toward Vallienne, she fisted her hand and punched her squarely in the face.
Caught off guard, Vallienne stumbled back as blood spilled from her nose. She clutched it in shock.
"Oops," Evangeline said, blinking innocently. "Guess I hit a little hard. You might have to get your nose done again."
"You—!" Vallienne hissed, her entire body shaking with rage. But she didn't dare lift a hand. Her mother had warned her: try anything, and she'd be the one dying before Evangeline.
"That was my last wish, Vally," Evangeline said with a pout. She took another step forward. "Also, thanks for setting this trap. I'll finally be free from all the pain."
She knew. Vallienne and Johan had plotted this—her rejection, her scandal, every inch of her ruin. They had hoped to humiliate her, to drag her through hell. But instead, her father had decided to end it at once.
"Oh, and tell your secret mate he sucks in bed." Patting Vallienne's shoulder in sympathy, Evangeline added, "He couldn't help with my heat cycle. I doubt if he'll be able to cure your horniness."
Vallienne flushed scarlet. "You bitch—!" She raised her hand to slap her, but someone caught it.
"Get out, Vally," Dylana snapped, shoving her away. "If you don't, I'll call Healer Jasmine."
Albertina—Johan's mother—walked in with Merry. She glanced at the scene and quickly pieced it together. "Leave, Vallienne," she ordered coldly.
Vallienne glared at Evangeline before storming out of the cell.
Once she was gone, Evangeline exhaled shakily. Her shoulders sagged. The boldness vanished. Even if she was dying, she refused to let Vallienne enjoy it.
"Lina…" Dylana threw herself onto Evangeline. Tears slipped out of her eyes, helplessness visible in the way she clung to her tightly.
Merry joined her, wrapping her arms around them. Albertina stood in her spot, struggling to hold back tears. She had done everything—everything—to convince Alpha Graham, but nothing worked. She had promised her best friend, Sarah, Evangeline's mother, to protect her daughter. And she had failed.
"I haven't died yet," Evangeline joked, patting Dylana's back. "Save some tears for later."
"I'm so sorry," Dylana whispered.
Evangeline smiled faintly. "Why are you apologizing, silly? You did nothing wrong," she replied. It was nice to see at least a few people sad to see her die.
Dylana looked down, biting her trembling lip.
"We tried but…" Merry trailed off, turning away.
"It's fine." Evangeline offered a smile. "You should be happy. I'll finally get to meet them again."
Her words struck them like arrows.
"I might get to see them in the afterlife," she continued softly, tears trickling down her cheeks. "Maybe… maybe I can make up for what I did."
Wiping away her tears quickly, she asked, "Do I look okay? I don't want them to forgive me as soon as they see me. Sam hated whenever…" her voice choked, "whenever I got sick. If I look too pitiful, he might forgive me instantly…" Tears broke out of her eyes, a lump forming in her throat.
"Oh, sweetheart…" Albertina stepped forward and embraced her tightly. Evangeline clung to her and cried. She had wanted to be brave. To face death coldly, without regret. But she couldn't, hoping to see her father one last time. To hug him, to feel his warmth just once more.
"Time's up," a soldier announced. "We need to take her away."
"No!" Dylana cried, holding onto her tighter.
Evangeline gently pulled away. "Take care of yourself," she told her. "I hope you leave this pack one day. Chase your dreams, Dyla."
Then she turned to Albertina. "Thank you… for everything." Looking at Merry, she smiled, fighting back her tears. "Take your meds, Merry. You don't have to stress about me anymore."
The soldiers stepped in quickly, locking iron chains around her wrists and ankles.
"No! No!" Dylana tried to stop them, but they didn't stop. Making sure Evangeline had no chance to run, they dragged her out of the cell.
"No! Please!" Dylana screamed as they dragged her away. Merry caught her, holding her back as tears poured down her face. Albertina gripped her chest, praying for the heavens to somehow save Evangeline.
Evangeline's heart pounded as they approached the hall. The platform was ready. The executioner stood tall, axe in hand. The pack gathered below, buzzing like flies. Murmurs echoed as she was brought forward.
At the front, her father stood beside the elders, expression blank, but eyes cold and impatient. He wanted to get it over with soon.
On the other side stood Johan and Vallienne with their parents. Johan smirked, the kind mask finally peeled off. Vallienne sneered, her nose bandaged. At least that was a beautifully satisfying sight to die with.
The crowd buzzed with cruel anticipation, reveling in the sight. Evangeline was like chewed gum stuck to a shoe—something they needed to get rid of quickly. Many were eager to see her die.
The soldiers pushed Evangeline up the stairs to the platform. She was forced to her knees before the execution block. Her vision blurred with tears. Her body trembled.
The executioner stepped forward, his axe gleaming under the sun's rays reflecting through the glass dome.
"By decree of Alpha Graham," he announced, "the traitor Evangeline Raymore is sentenced to death."
Evangeline closed her eyes. She held her breath, waiting for the axe to hit her neck, waiting for the pain to take over before granting her eternal peace.
But instead—
Bang!
A gunshot shattered the air. Then another. And another. The crowd gasped, freezing in horror.
"Arghh!!!" the executioner screamed, his wrist severed from his arm.
The axe clattered to the floor with his bloody hand.
Evangeline opened her eyes in confusion. She turned, horrified, as blood splattered near her feet. Her eyes almost popped out at the sight of a cut-off wrist.
"Oh my god…" someone whispered in the crowd, their eyes falling on the psychopath who had shot.
Evangeline looked toward the entrance, her breath heavy, her heart racing… And then… it stopped.
A man stood by the large wooden doors, gun in hand. Calm. Dangerous. Familiar.
It was her fated mate. Ezaar fucking Veyrin.
Ezaar spun the pistol between his fingers and turned his gaze to the shackled woman on the stage. When their eyes met, his face bloomed like firelight.
"Missed me, Kitten?" he asked, his eyes gleaming like stars in the night sky.