Death's Consort; His Destined Queen

"You.. you... you monster, " Eleanor stuttered out in horror, pointing accusingly at me. I had frozen over the bleeding guest who had puncture wounds almost all over his neck. Blood gushed out in spurts from the holes of wounds.

A series of loud gasps filled the air immediately as the crowd of curious onlookers got to the scene.

An older gentleman with kind eyes, a doctor from a neighbouring pack, rushed forward to attempt to help the vile man on the floor.

He shook his head lightly. "The punctures run through some arteries. I'm afraid he's cold."

I took a sharp intake of air. I had momentarily forgotten to breathe. The fear that had gripped me had made me lose all senses of flight.

He cleaned his bloody hands with his handkerchief and ran his fingers through his hair as he stood up, his eyes finding Eleanor's, before turning to quickly glance at me quizzically. I remained still, frozen over in shock.

The not-so-tiny ivory knitting hook was still in my grip. My eyes were unfocused and wide as I shivered in the cold night.

A clanking of metals sounded from somewhere close by. I wanted to run, to disappear.

"Whack!" my cheeks turned sharply and harshly grated against the cold rough floor as a heavy slap effectively forced my eyes open from the tormenting memory.

My throat was so dry and parched that I couldn't make a sound without scorching pain. Hence, my instant regret at the gasp that tore through my throat at the harsh awakening. "It's time, you piece of filth," a guard drawled leisurely.

Pain radiated through my cheek to my jaw and neck, and I moved my hand to soothe it.

The guard who lurked over me sneered disdainfully as if I had wronged him all his life and tugged my hair, dragging me out of the cell. More pain clouded my senses and my vision blurred.

But none of that compared to the ache in my chest. I felt bitter and pained. Maybe if my mother had not abandoned me, nor was I sold to McCarthy, then perhaps, I would not be in this situation.

I have been loathed all my life in this pack. I was the household slave and was treated just like that.

As to what warranted the hate, I have no idea. It had been present for as far back as I could remember.

I kept my head down while he literally dragged me out of the cell and through the long corridors to the pack square, which was a few furlongs away from the training field.

"Death is too easy for, you witch" "This despicable thing should not have been allowed in the pack in the first place"

"I wonder how Anna survived breathing in the same environment as her" "Ew, I can't even imagine it"

"McCarthy should have sold her to some rogues years back." "Maybe, I mean, poor Sydney might still be alive"

"Can you believe what I heard? They said she claimed Sydney wanted to rape her" "Hahaha, girl, you're kidding, right?? This piece of borrowed shit?? No fucking way!"

"I said the same thing. I would have dropped my panties in a second if Sydney so much as looked at me for even 5 seconds!"

"PST, I would have jumped him if he had ever looked my way for just a second! Damn! All that hotness just laid to waste!" "By a scumb-"

Elder Anton raised his hand to silence the excited crowd when the guard finally threw me in front of the scaffold. My knees scratched the wooden floors and started bleeding immediately.

My heartbeat skyrocketed, and my palms became sweaty. This Elder didn't seem to like me much compared to the other Elders.

When they came to investigate my unfortunate accident the day before, he insinuated that I was sent by an enemy pack to probably kill McCarthy, and that was likely why I was caught on the compound by Sydney who tried to stop me and ended up my victim.

After his statement, none of the Elders seemed to believe anything I said. Why would they?

"As you all know, we are all gathered here to serve justice to the family of Sydney Garrett, who was brutally murdered without cause," my head snapped up at those words, and my eyes bored directly into his briefly.

The anxiety, pain and fear I felt earlier grew into morbid anger. I clenched my tiny fists and wished I had an inkling of strength. I would have wiped out this entire pack.

The Southern section, where I found myself, was vile and unkind to omegas and slaves, and worse to me.

The Central section was too comfortable and busy enjoying their royalties since they were close to the Alpha and Luna. They cared less about the affairs of the southern sector.

McCarthy handled the affairs of the southern people, so he was powerful enough to get me out of this mess. But when had he ever stood up for me? Never.

Someway somehow, I had hoped that McCarthy would have even acknowledged to the Elders that I was his slave. Maybe then they might have heard me out.

Then maybe I may not be here at my own execution. "and to witness the execution of the perpetrator of this atrocity!"

I lowered my head again at that as I blinked hard to stop the hot tears threatening to escape. If I was going to die today, the least I could do was to pretend to be strong, for once.

It would be a shame to give these evil spawns my tears. I bet that would make them very happy like it always did. All this time, being a slave in McCarthy's household, they had enjoyed my pain and tears.

"I stand here on behalf of the Council, who could not be present due to matters of utmost importance, and hereby give our final cast of judgment. The accused, Keturah, is found guilty of murder and is hereby sentenced to death at the guillotine, now!"

The crowd howled in excitement and eagerness at that, whereas the guards dragged me onto the scaffold.

I tried to break free and fought with every fibre left of my being. I bit and scratched them, throwing my legs and arms around blindly in an attempt to escape.

I was desperate. This couldn't be all I could amount to! I had to find my mother and curse her for leaving me here, of all places.

I may not have anything to live for but I was looking forward to meeting my mate on my 19th birthday. It was just a few days away.

The guard from earlier smacked my head with something hard. The vision went dark and ringing bells sounded in my head.

I may have passed out for a second because when my vision cleared, I was secured under the pillory.

Some of the younger wolves started throwing trash and rotten foods at me while laughing, and the tears that I had tried so hard to hold in, burst out freely.

"I didn't mean to", I hiccuped, attempting to explain what happened again. " I know, and know that I'll always be with you." A voice replied to me.

I darted my eyes around searching to see the female guard who had replied. "Wh... who are you?" I stuttered out.

Laughter broke out amongst the guards as they pulled my hair back. "She's going mad!" they burst out in laughter again, this time, eliciting more mocking laughter from the crowd gathered.

"Katya. You can call me Kat. You'll meet me soon when we shift." this time, I realised the voice came from inside my head.

"Maybe I am going mad." I thought to myself.

"Kat, well, we're dying any second from now"

"I know. I also know what happened, and I'm here for you regardless." I sighed in resignation as more tears ran down.

My position in the pillory made my neck and back hurt, coupled with all the pain from the beatings and scratches and bruises.

It hurt everywhere. I couldn't even focus on a particular pain. I broke out into sobs, feeling pathetic and wronged.

"It's all real. Maybe, in the afterlife, I'll have a good and happy life." I said even though my heart was trying to jump out of my chest at the thought of another unfortunate life.

"I hope so too," Katya's soft voice whispered sorrowfully.

"NOW!" Elder Anton ordered.

"I can't watch this," Kat said and retreated to the back of my mind. "No, no, no, Kat... I thought you were here for me. Oh Selene, Moon Goddess, how cursed am I, that even my wolf deserts...." The sound of the blade being dropped led me right into the afterlife before it reached my sore neck.