Third Person’s POV
10 Free Going
“Velda, how could you use Jason as a shield? He just became a father! His pup hasn’t even opened its eyes. yet. and his mate is waiting for him back in the pack!” Brock snarled.
Velda’s insides were in turmoil, but her eyes darted nervously at Brock, revealing her guilt.
Yet, she forced herself to stay composed and tried to justify her actions. “In the heat of battle, I thought he was one of the Western Tribes‘ wolves. It was too chaotic, and I genuinely didn’t recognize him.
“Save your excuses!” Brock retorted, his voice trembling with anger. “The Western Tribes‘ wolves wouldn’t just stand idly by next to you. And what a poor excuse that is! You can’t just brush off your mistakes so easily!”
Struck a nerve, Velda snapped. “Enough! We’re all captives now. We’ve slaughtered innocents; they won’t let us go easily. Instead of endlessly criticizing me, let’s figure out how to escape!”
Brock refused to back down. “It was your order! You insisted the enemy general was hiding in those houses and claimed some wolves were disguised as civilians. That’s why we carried out the massacre. It was all your idea!”
Aware that the Western Tribes‘ soldiers outside could hear, Velda raised her voice.
“I only told you to kill a few to flush out the general, not to slaughter everyone. Don’t pin all the blame on me!”
The other captured wolves erupted in anger.
“It was your command, and you cut off their ears to claim credit for defeating enemies. You turned civilian deaths into false merits. Don’t try to deny it!”
“Velda, without your order, we’d never harm civilians. As our superior, we followed your lead, yet this is how you act?”
“Exactly! You said we were avenging our dead civilians, but we later found out the Western Tribes never massacred ours. You lied to us!”
“If you’re so at peace with what you’ve done, why demand secrecy? You’re clearly aware of your wrongdoing!”
“Now you try to deny it? You lack the courage to own up to your deeds. Despicable! You’re not even worthy of being compared to Adelaide. She’s honorable and fights bravely on the battlefield, unlike you!”
Velda’s face turned pale with rage at their united opposition.
She ignored the Western Tribes‘/wolves outside and shouted furiously, “What are you saying? Battlefields are brutal! Have none of our wolves died in war? Are the wolves at Bloodscar Border any more innocent? They’re from the Western Tribes, and the decades–long border disputes have sparked countless wars. The treaty I signed ended it all. Sacrificing a few for lasting peace between our nations–it’s a worthy cause!”
Her face, swollen from slaps, contorted as she screamed hysterically, her features twisted.
1/2
#09 Sat, 5 Jul
Chapter 79
Her once–neat hair was now disheveled, making her look deranged.
The crowd, stunned by her madness, fell silent.
Even the hot–tempered Brock held his tongue.
Brock had once been wholly loyal to Velda because she had treated her subordinates well.
She’d invited him to her mating ceremony with Ulrik.
But today’s battle and her words made him realize he never truly knew his cousin.
Her actions shattered his perception of her.
Alone, Velda shuffled to a corner, bound hand and foot. The restraints made her uneasy.
Her ears rang from the slap, and the cold wind from outside made her shiver.
She called to her wolf, but it barely responded, its voice weak.
She was furious yet helpless.
Bound and unable to shift, she leaned against the cold wooden wall, hoping Ulrik would rescue her before the Western Tribes‘ wolves retaliated.
Disappointment crept in.
If Ulrik had truly cared, he would have pursued her, not just called out in vain.
Velda wondered, “To Ulrik, which mattered more–his achievements or her, his mate?”
If he had stopped her, she wouldn’t be in Dominic’s clutches.
The hut, drafty and cold, had the captives shivering.
Nineteen bodies crowded in, teeth chattering.
Velda, barely holding on, felt dizzy.
She tried to steady herself, fear and hope warring in her heart.
9/2
