Sentenced

Addy

Macie’s small huff echoes from the chair she’s just settled into. Her parents swivel their heads towards her, clearing their throats as she slumps back into the chair, folding her arms over her ample chest.

“Continuing on,” the Alpha says, “we’ve gathered here to discuss the attacks on Addy and how to prevent them. I’ve asked my children for their thoughts on the appropriate punishment. They both suggest making her a rogue.” He intertwines his fingers.

Macie’s dad’s eyes bulge. “Please, Alpha. There must be another way. The neighboring pack isn’t welcoming to outcasts. We have no other place to go; we were born here, with no connections to any other pack.”

Sherman leans back in his chair, his gaze shifting to Macie. “What’s your take on this, Macie? My son is the future Alpha, and his suggestions carry weight.”

She rolls her eyes at him but halts midway when she realizes who she’s addressing. He scowls at her disrespect as she lowers her head. “I apologize for my behavior. But how can he suggest making the future Luna of this pack a rogue?”

Sherman’s body tenses as he leans forward in his chair, causing it to creak. “What makes you believe that? He has a true mate waiting for him. When she’s found, she’ll be the future Luna, not you. He’s told you this many times, as has Myra. What makes you think you’re his mate? Aren’t you of age?”

She scoffs lightly before turning on her sweet smile that churns my stomach. “He’s told me he’d reject his true mate and choose me. I’ll be the Luna ruling by his side.”

Drake springs up, closing the distance between them in a few strides. “I wish this fantasy you’ve concocted would shatter so you could see the truth. I’d never abandon my true mate. My parents raised me to honor that bond, and I will. If you were my mate, I can assure you that now that my eyes have been opened, you wouldn’t get away with what I’ve seen you do. Mate or not, you’d be punished for defying me.”

She rises, attempting to touch his arm, but he steps back. “I told you people use my name thinking it’ll save them.”

He growls. “Liar! The tapes we watched didn’t show that; they showed you orchestrating everything. You’ve been the mastermind behind every attack on Addy, whether you did it yourself or not. Promising students protection. What will happen when you can’t hide behind my name anymore?”

She gasps, trying to grab his arm, but he steps back again. “What does that mean?”

“It means that what we’ve seen is unacceptable, and now you’ll pay for what you’ve done,” Myra glares at her.

Sherman clears his throat, drawing their attention back to him. “Son, sit down. We can discuss this calmly. You need to learn to control your temper. I understand you’re looking out for the pack’s future and trying to keep it running smoothly, but there’s a time and place for everything.”

Drake growls lowly at her as he backs her up until her knees hit the edge of the chair. “I warned you to leave my sister, Addy, and me alone. This is your last warning. My dad will pass his sentence this afternoon, but if you disobey my order again, in front of all these witnesses, you won’t like the consequences.”

Her lip trembles as her eyes well up. “I have a question. We were fine this morning at school, but about an hour in, your attitude towards me changed. You started hating me. I know orders weren’t followed, but until this morning, you didn’t care. What changed?”

Drake retakes his seat, his gaze shifting between her and his dad. “We watched the tapes, as I said. I didn’t realize how cruel you could be until I saw the proof. Sometimes reality is the best wake-up call. Why would I want someone who sleeps around with other male wolves to get what they want? My mate has to be fully committed to me. I shouldn’t have to worry about her running around with other men. That’s what a real Luna would do, be faithful to her mate.”

Macie’s parents are growing restless as the situation unfolds; her father speaks softly. “Alpha, Drake, please accept our apologies. We didn’t realize the extent of our daughter’s misbehavior until we started asking around. She wasn’t raised to behave like this. Our other children obey every law and command. We’ll address this issue after the meeting.”

Sherman nods, a wicked grin spreading across his face. I’ve never seen him as anything but friendly; it’s surprising to see this side of him. He taps his finger on the table, lost in thought for a moment.

“I think her punishment should be serving as the handmaiden to Drake’s mate, once he finds her. Macie will do whatever the new Luna asks, no matter how small the task,” he says, his gaze landing on her.

Her mouth drops open. “You want me to become a slave to the new Luna?”

He laughs at her outburst. “Not a slave. We don’t have those. You’ll be at her beck and call until you learn to respect the new leadership. Unless, of course, you find your mate in another pack.”

Drake gives his dad a stern look. “Dad, do you really think that’s the best solution? To degrade someone who thought they were the next leader? That might not be the best approach.”

His dad crosses his arms over his chest. “I do. She needs to accept your true mate and work with the new leadership. She won’t give any advice or correct her in any way. I’ll set boundaries with his mate so you won’t have to dress, bathe, or do anything of that sort. If she wants food, you’ll bring it to her. If she needs help with something, you’ll assist her.”

Her eyes narrow on him as she mutters, “I think I’d rather take my chances with another pack than put up with this shit.”

“Macie,” her dad growls, “he’s being generous. How do you know another pack will accept you if you go rogue? Most patrols kill rogues on sight, no questions asked. I should know; I’m on border patrol every day. We’re instructed to kill any rogue that tries to enter our territory.”

“Most packs around here operate the same way, Macie,” Sherman says quietly. “We all have the same basic law. If a rogue is allowed onto our lands, there’s no telling what could happen. No matter how attractive, persuasive, or desperate they are to see the Alpha, the patrol will tear you apart. I can make that happen if you prefer that fate. You’d never be allowed back on my lands. You’d lose everything. No parents, friends, or money to support you.”

She sits there for a few minutes, weighing her options. Finally, she throws her hands up in the air, letting out a huge sigh. “Fine! How long will I have to wait on her hand and foot?”

“That depends on how long it takes you to learn your place in this pack. You’ll be released when Drake and the Luna believe you’ve learned to respect his true mate. That could be a few months or years, depending on how you handle the situation,” Sherman smirks.

She rolls her eyes, her gaze landing on me. “Why is she here? I noticed clothes in your closet earlier that weren’t my size. Are you moving the ~reject~ into a spare room?”

Drake stiffens. “Firstly, don’t use that term again. Her name is Addy; everyone will address her by her name. Secondly, what Myra may be doing with her friend is none of your business. Addy is here because we want to keep a close eye on her to ensure there are no more attacks.” His eyes bore into her.

She folds her arms again, declaring, “Fine. As long as I don’t have to deal with her. She can stay in her wing, and I’ll stay in mine.”

Sherman rises from his seat, a smile on his face. “I believe we’ve cleared the air and set expectations. Thanks for attending this meeting. I have another one lined up, so you’re all dismissed.”

Everyone gets up, heading for the door. As she passes me, she lets out a low growl. Drake catches her arm, pulling her back. “I heard that. Apologize. Now. You need to start respecting every member of this pack.”

She glares at him, venom in her eyes. “Fine. I’m sorry, Addy. Just keep your distance. You did something to steal him from me. I’ll figure out what it was, sooner or later.”

Drake’s grip on her arm tightens, causing her to yelp. “You won’t do anything of the sort. Our relationship was doomed from the start, as I’ve told you. Understand this—I know the truth about what you’ve been doing behind my back. If you see her in a hallway, I suggest you turn and walk the other way until you can pass her without showing any aggression.”

She wrenches her arm free from his loosened grip. “Whatever.”

The door slams shut behind them as she storms out. I release a long breath, staring at the closed doors. ~How am I supposed to deal with her? She hates me more than my own parents do.~ This is going to be a long, rough journey. I turn to speak to Sherman, but the doors swing open again—my parents walk in. ~Great. What’s next?~