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There were only three days before the full moon. Axel had returned to Winter, and with him, he had brought the traitor.

On his arrival, Corrine, Wyatt, and Saul all stood waiting.

Axel pulled Granger from the car, pushing him forward until he stumbled to his knees before them.

He lifted his head, looking up at Wyatt.

“Hello, father-in-law,” Granger smiled.

Wyatt let out a low rumbling growl, but Axel reacted to his words. First, he reached down and grabbed a handful of his hair. Then, pulling back, he whispered in his ear.

“You can poke and prod all you like, but no one will give you what you seek.”

Axel let go of him and took a step backward.

“How good to see you, Granger,” Corrine smiled, her eyes shining with delight. “I was genuinely afraid that we would never get the chance to meet again.”

Her words, sweet and kind as they were, filled Granger with a dread he would never admit to.

Corrine stepped forward, lowering herself so they were at eye level. She licked her lips and reached out to touch his cheek.

“I cannot express,” she said quietly, her voice starting to shake with her crooked smile. “How happy I am to see you.”

Granger swallowed, taking short, quick breaths through his nose.

She leaned even closer.

“I warned you about hurting my child,” she whispered, her voice suddenly cold. “And then you chose to hurt them both.”

Corrine’s hand snaked around to the back of his head. Grabbing a handful of hair, she pulled his head back. Then, lifting his nose to the sky, he let out a strangled gurgle as she placed the tip of a knife hidden under her sleeve against the soft flesh just below his chin.

“Corrine!” Wyatt cried out._.

Axel clenched his jaw but said nothing, watching, allowing his mother a chance.

If she went through with it, he would not be satisfied, and neither would anyone else in Winter. But he wouldn’t blame her. Nor would anyone else in Winter.

Granger stayed still, breathing deeply through his nose. He kept his eyes on Corrine.

She leaned forward, blocking his view of the moon above. So instead, all he saw was the deep green glow of her eyes.

“I could stab this dagger clean through right here,” Corrine whispered, pressing her knife just enough for his breathing to quicken as the sharp poke threatened his resolve.

She turned the knife, and he felt the soft tear in his flesh, a slight burn that shot through the nerves along his jaw and throat. He swallowed, a mistake as it pressed his flesh further against the blade.

“It wouldn’t kill you,” she smiled. “It would just hurt so very much… you would be in agony for the next three days. Swallowing, moving, breathing all of it… setting fire to the nerves that hide underneath your tender flesh.”

The green glow of her eyes seemed to have grown even brighter, too bright. He tried to look away, but she tugged at his hair harder.

Granger looked back up at her, and this time she did nothing to hide the pure hatred that lived in those emerald eyes. The rage and fire of a mother defending her young. For the first time, throughout everything that had happened, Granger felt truly afraid.

“But I won’t,” she smiled, pulling back her knife.

She let go of his hair, letting him fall backward onto the cold ground as she stood above him, staring down.

“If you spend the next three days in distress, I’m afraid it might numb you to pain before your judgment,” she said. “That simply wouldn’t be fair to all the others that deserve to see you writhing in agony.”

Wyatt looked down at Granger with disdain.

“What about you?” Granger spat. “No words for your son-in-law?”

“I do have words for my son-in-law,” Wyatt replied.

Granger clenched his jaw and prepared for what he might have to say.

“Once he arrives, I will share them with him.”

Wyatt and Corrine turned and walked away without another word.

Axel and Saul grabbed Granger, lifting him off the ground as he kicked and struggled, shouting curses and profanities at the elder Alpha and his Luna.

Finally, Saul struck him hard at the back of the head. Granger went limp.

Axel looked at Saul with a raised eyebrow.

“Apologies, my Alpha,” Saul said with a sigh. “I just didn’t want to hear anything else out of his twisted mouth.”

Axel chuckled.

“Saul,” Axel said. “How do you and Pearl feel about the southern territories?”

***

Corrine and Wyatt were both surprised and delighted at the arrival of Ashleigh and Fiona.

The mother and daughter held each other closely while Wyatt awkwardly avoided eye contact with Fiona.

Ashleigh broke the awkwardness, coming right out and telling Wyatt that Fiona already knew the truth. She suggested that he and Fiona should have a chat in his office to finally let it all out. They both agreed.

Though Corrine did require a promise of nonviolence from Fiona, which Fiona pointed out was a clever play before agreeing to do so.

Corrine and Ashleigh stayed together in the living room, catching each other up. Eventually, Ashleigh shared her experience with the Valkyrie, and Corrine suggested she speak with Saul about it.

Ashleigh agreed.

When Axel returned, he hugged his sister like she hadn’t felt since she was a small child. Soon after, Bell arrived, and then Wyatt and Fiona returned.

They stayed in the living room, talking, laughing, and enjoying each other’s company well into the night.

The circumstances for their gathering were unfortunate. But the comfort that Ashleigh felt being with all of these people at once chatting and laughing. It was something she had been missing, something that helped her in a way she didn’t even know she needed.

The only thing missing from this evening were those boys of Summer.

***

“Why are we doing this?” Axel sighed. Leaning back on the couch.

“We must hear his request,” Wyatt stated simply.

“We already know his request,” Axel replied, sounding irritated. “And there is no conversation to be had, no debate, no consideration.”

Wyatt took a deep breath before speaking.

“Axel,” Wyatt sighed. “Even if you disagree with something one of your people wants, needs, or says… it is still part of your job as their Alpha to listen.”

“But it is not my job to lie or give them false hope,” Axel stated, holding his father’s gaze.

“That’s not what we are doing,” Wyatt growled.

“Are you sure?” Axel asked, leaning forward, resting his elbows on his knees.

“Yes.”

“Are you certain that your friend and Beta isn’t coming here, believing that you might be willing to lessen the judgment I have decreed for his son?”

“I am certain that Richard understands the seriousness of Granger’s crimes and the responsibility we have to the rest of this pack,” Wyatt growled.

“Good,” Axel said, sitting back once more. “Then there won’t be a problem.”

***

“I understand what he has done, and I know he must suffer for it,” Beta Richard spoke with his head bowed and from his knees on the floor before Wyatt.

Axel stood behind the couch, his arms crossed and his jaw set with an angry expression.

“But,” Richard continued, “please, please… can’t you spare his life?”

Axel scoffed and shook his head.

Wyatt took a deep breath, letting it out slowly.

“I know what I am asking of you is difficult and selfish. I understand the position I am putting you in.”

“Then do not ask it,” Axel growled.

Richard clenched his jaw and swallowed.

“Please, Wyatt, as a father, you must understand….” Richard continued.

“I do,” Wyatt replied softly. Then, putting his hand on Richard’s shoulder. “I do.”

Richard looked up with hope in his eyes.

“You can’t be serious,” Axel growled.

“I understand your request, Richard. As a father, I imagine I would do the same in your position,” Wyatt said.

“Then you’ll spare him?” Richard asked.

Wyatt took another deep breath, pursing his lips and closing his eyes.

“No,” he said gently. “Granger’s crimes are… beyond allowances.”

Richard fell back with a shuddering breath. Tears feel heavy from his eyes. He sniffled, trying desperately to hold himself together.

“Please… Wyatt…” Richard pleaded. “He’s my only son.”

“And what about Bennett?” Axel asked.

Richard looked at Axel, his brows creased in confusion.

“I’m sorry… I don’t know who that is.”

Axel scoffed and shook his head.

“Bennett is the man left with no one,” Axel replied coldly. “After his wife passed, all he had was his daughter. His one and only daughter. You have two daughters, right, Richard?”

Richard swallowed and nodded.

“Well, Bennett had no sons and no other family. Only Renee. The young woman that your son murdered.”

Axel glared angrily at Richard. Then, he took a deep breath and sighed.

“I’m sorry for your loss, Richard. But the Granger you knew, the boy you raised. Your son. He’s not there anymore. All that is left is a monster. As Alpha of Winter, I cannot allow such a creature to exist.”

Richard closed his eyes, allowing a heavy sob to escape his lips.

“Even if he has to die… must you go so far?” Richard asked softly. “This judgment… it’s….”

Richard couldn’t finish his sentence; the emotion was too strong.

“I’m sorry, Richard,” Wyatt said, gently grabbing his shoulder once again. “The hatred he has created, it must be satisfied.”