The people behind him chanted, shouting their foreign words. It grew louder as the werewolves beside and behind me joined them.

  Chills ran down my back. The chanting continued, echoing around me. It seemed like it would never end, but finally did.

  Once silence settled, the man in white turned back to me. “Do you know why you’re here?”

  “To be judged by the tribunal.”

  “Correct. The rulings of this ancient and honored tradition are the highest order of werewolf law—so high and mighty that many have never even heard of it. You, Victoria Bernhardt, destroyer of mighty packs, are a rarity of today’s age.”

  I swallowed, not trusting my mouth to respond to that in a way that would keep me from punishment.

  “Are you ready to begin the questioning portion of the ceremony?”

  “Yes.”

  “Arise.” He gestured to the platform next to him.

  The hands grasping my chain let go. It hit my side.

  “Stand here.” Irritation ran through the voice of the white robed man.

  I stepped onto the platform, my knees protesting every movement. The chain swayed back and forth, pulling on the collar.

  The man in white—he still sounded like James—grabbed the chain and attached it to a hook on a pole next to the robed men behind him. He turned to me, not saying a word. The only thing I could hear were the sounds of breathing all around me.

  “State your name.”

  The words surprised me and I jumped.

  “State your name,” The man in white repeated.

  “V-Victoria Bernhardt.”

  “State your crime.”

  “Falling in love.”

  He stomped his foot, shaking the entire stage. The noise echoed all around. “Prepare the equipment!”

  I cleared my throat. “I-I mean, the crime I’m accused of was breaking up two packs.”

  The man in white stepped closer. “More specifically.”

  My heart thundered so loudly I was sure he could hear it, too. “Luring away a future pack leader.”

  “Which one?” he shouted.

  “Your son.”

  He punched me across the face. I stumbled back until the chain choked me.

  “You will not refer to us as anything other than tribunal members. Answer your questions directly and with specific names.”

  I rubbed my cheek and stepped forward to get away from the pull of the chain. “Tobias Foley.”

  “What about him?”

  “I lured him away.”

  “From what?” shouted the white-robed man.

  “You—I mean, I lured him away from your… the pack he was going to lead after his father.”

  He stepped closer, not saying anything.

  I shook, unable to stop myself. It was torture to speak such a twisted reality.

  “And why did you commit such a horrendous act?”

  Horrendous? What about what they were doing to me? I took a deep breath. “M-my father had just murdered my sister. I had to get away. T-Toby and I had talked about—”

  He struck the other side of my face. “Focus on your crimes.”

  “I went to his home and convinced him to come with me to run away.”

  “Why didn’t you just run away by yourself?”

  “Because I wanted to be with the man I love.”

  He picked up a skinny board and struck my side. “You were thinking of nobody but yourself, right?”

  I shook, refusing to answer. Toby had wanted to go with me as much as I’d wanted him at my side.

  “Answer me!” James struck me in the shoulder.

  I cried out. “Yes.”

  “You should’ve stayed home, under the authority of your father. Then none of us would be here right now.” He paced, muttering curses. “What do you have to say for yourself?”

  My side and shoulder throbbed in unison with both sides of my face. I had nothing to say for myself that wouldn’t earn me another hit.

  “When I speak to you, you answer.” The board came at my head before I had the time to move out of its way. The sound echoed around my skull as I stumbled back. The only thing keeping me upright was the chain, which gagged me until I regained my footing. “Answer me.”

  “Wh-what was the question?”

  “I asked what you have to say for yourself.”

  The pounding in my head wouldn’t stop. “About what?”

  He aimed the board at me again. White spots danced before me as it struck.

  Everything went black.

  Chapter 95

  Victoria

  Ringing in my ears woke me. I pressed my aching palms against the cold wood beneath me. Memories of the tribunal ran through my mind. I sat up, sending pains through my sides and shoulders. Men in black robes remained lined up on the platform just to my left. Off to the right, even more hooded men had gathered.

  The ringing in my ears died down only to be replaced by the low chanting of my captors. I turned, stopped by the chain leash. It was now hooked to a lower spot on the pole.

  Something tickled my nose. Smoke. Something was burning. An orange light flickered behind those on the ground. I couldn’t see the source of the fire, though I was sure it was being prepared for me. There was no way I would escape the tribunal alive. If I insisted on my innocence, I would only be beaten further. If I went along with their game and admitted wrongdoing, I’d end up dead.

  The only thing that brought me comfort was that I trusted Benjamin to deliver my note to Toby. At least he would have our most recent memories, some new pictures, and that note. We would never see each other again until he crossed over to the other side, but at least we’d been given a little more time together. We knew without a doubt how much we meant to each other. I could take all the new memories back with me to the other side of death’s wall.

  Muffled conversation sounded from not too far away. The chanting grew quieter until it finally stopped. A few moments later, the white-robed man returned. How long had I been out? It was still dark, so it couldn’t have been too long.

  “Finally, you’re awake. Let’s pick up where we left off, shall we?” He yanked the chain off the hook and forced me to stand, replacing it on the higher hook. “Time to answer the question correctly, little girl. What do you have to say for yourself?”

  My mind spun, trying to find a reply that would satisfy him. “I was wrong.”

  “About?”

  “Stealing Toby—”

  “Use given names.”

  I swallowed. “I was wrong to steal Tobias from his pack.”

  “And…?”

  “Where he belonged.”

  James stepped closer. “The pack that he was destined to lead in the footsteps of his father.”

  I nodded.

  He hit me across the face again. “Say it.”

  “From the pack he was supposed to lead.”

  “And why was that wrong?”

  I rubbed my jaw. Blood dripped onto my fingers.

  He smacked my hand away. “Answer me.”

  “It was wrong because I broke the traditions and laws of werewolves everywhere.”

  “What did that lead to?” he snarled.

  “My death.”

  He hit me again. “I mean, what happened that actually mattered?”

  Rage ran through me. I bit my tongue to keep from saying something I’d regret.

  “Are you so stupid that you don’t know?”

  I clenched my sore jaw. “It led to the biggest war among packs in our history.”

  “Correct! All because you couldn’t submit to the governing rules and leadership of pack life. Even now, you’re responsible for the deaths of most in your pack. The weaklings ran, but the honorable ones stayed and fought to the death. Though my enemies, they have my deepest respect.”

  Was I supposed to respond to that?

  He paced some more and then turned to me. “You, on the other hand… I have no respect for you. Allowing your feelings to destroy so many lives. Selfishly taking what wasn’t yours and thus murdering so many others. You think your father was in the wrong, but you killed many more.”

  I stared at him in disbelief. How was it possible to twist the truth so much that it was unrecognizable?

  “For that,” he continued, “you must pay.”

  My insides twisted into a tight ball.

  “You’ve confessed to your wrongdoings in front of many tribal witnesses. Now for your punishment.”

  Shouts sounded in the crowd in front of us. The hooded figures on stage behind us chanted low, growing louder with each word.

  Chills ran down my spine, and I shuddered.

  A loud snap exploded in the air, silencing everyone. A large blade on a pole as big as a tree fell to the ground, breaking a thick rope. Enormous wooden spikes fell to the ground in a circle, creating a cage.

  Tiny hairs on the back of my neck stood on end. What exactly did they have in store for me?

  As though answering my question, the man in white turned back to me. “The ancient werewolves have very specific rules for what must happen to a traitorous wolf who causes untold destruction of the species—and it’s twice as bad for an insubordinate woman.”

  My mouth fell open.

  “Now, to make our ancestors proud.” He yanked the chain off, pulling the hook from its place. “On all fours!”

  I stared at him.

  “Am I not making myself clear?” He heaved the chain closer, nearly cracking my neck.

  Tears stung my eyes. I blinked them away, then lowered myself to the ground. If only I could shift. He pulled on the leash, forcing me to run on all fours. I nearly fell to the ground below while maneuvering off the platform. My shoulder scraped the wood and my knees took the brunt of my landing. I scrambled to keep up with James.

  The black-hooded crowd parted just enough for us to walk through. As I crawled along, feet kicked at me from all sides. Some nailed my back, while others went after my arms or legs, trying to make me stumble. One managed to kick my armpit, forcing my arm out from under me.

  My face hit the ground first, spraying dirt into my eyes and mouth. I choked on that before the pull of the collar. Werewolves hit my back and my legs while mocking me. I tried to pull myself up to continue crawling, but they piled on top of me, hitting me everywhere. I couldn’t focus on all the places that hurt simultaneously.

  “Stop!” someone yelled.

  My attackers relented. The man in white pointed around the crowd. “You don’t so much as touch her without my direct permission. Not unless you want to be caged. Do you understand?”

  Mutterings of agreement sounded all around me.

  He yanked the chain, choking me again. I pulled myself up to my hands and knees, following the man in white.

  Once we broke free from the hecklers, the fire came into view. It encircled the vat of steam and smoke. My breath caught. Were they planning to put me in there or force me to consume whatever cooked inside?

  James stopped in front of the newly made cage and gestured toward a space barely large enough for a person to squeeze through.

  I stared at the small gap.

  “Enter!”

  I glanced around for a possible escape, but there was none. The crowd had circled around us, leaving me no other option except to enter the new cage. I forced my way in, barely fitting between the two posts.

  One of the black-hooded men stepped forward, carrying a slender stake as long as the ones that formed the cage. He yelled out as he jammed it into the ground where I’d just entered. A loud snap sounded as another large blade drove through the air, breaking yet another rope. This time, a large round wooden piece landed on top of the stakes, giving the cage a roof—one with spikes. Something burned my nose. I recognized the smell of vampire venom.

  The roof over me was covered in venomous spikes.

  “I wouldn’t shake the bars.” The man in white laughed. “Those points aren’t terribly secure.” He whacked a bar to prove his point. Two spikes came loose.

  I jumped to my feet in order to avoid them.

  “On all fours!” He raised his palm as though to hit the cage again.

  Gasping, I threw myself to the ground.

  He laughed cruelly, but didn’t hit the cage. “Finally learning to take orders. All hope may not be lost yet.”

  I shook. If the bars hadn’t been between us, I’d have attacked him. The first thing I’d have done was to rip off his smug expression. The only good thing about the hoods was that I couldn’t see his eyes, which I knew so closely resembled Toby’s.

  He turned to some other robed werewolves. “Prepare the stake!”

  Shouts and cheers sounded throughout the crowd. My stomach twisted in knots. Maybe James was right. I might just beg for death over whatever sick and twisted torture devices he’d thought up.

  The man in white strutted away from the cage, hitting each bar as he went. Several spikes shook, but none came loose. Once I was sure none would fall, I turned my attention back to the white robe. He and some others had gathered around a pole, doing something I couldn’t see. The crowd continued cheering and yelling.

  I lay on my back and stared at the fallen spikes. If I stuck one into my heart, would it be enough to kill me before I could be humiliated any further?

  Chapter 96

  Toby

  Jet, a few local alphas, and I crept toward the shouting.

  “What are they doing?” Jet asked.

  I shuddered. “I have a feeling we won’t like it when we find out.”

  Finally, we came to a clearing. A huge group, all wearing black, was gathered around a long pole. A small fire burned at the bottom, and someone was tied, her feet only about a foot above the flames.

  “No!” My stomach twisted in knots. It was Victoria. I lunged forward.

  Hands grabbed my shoulders. “Not yet.”

  I shook free and glared at Travis. “That’s my fiancée.”

  “Right, but we can’t be stupid. Running in without a plan would be suicide. Look at the size of that group.”

  “Look at Victoria!”

  The crowd cheered louder. Someone in a white robe stood between Victoria and the masses holding a can of gasoline.

  My stomach dropped to my feet and smashed into pieces. “That’s it.”

  “Let’s get the others,” Travis urged.

  I glared at him. “Be my guest.”

  His eyes widened. “They’ll slaughter you. And for what? You won’t even rescue her.”

  The yells quieted and the person in white spoke. I’d know that voice anywhere.

  “Toby?” Jet asked.

  “That’s my father. I’m going in.”

  Travis shook his head and turned to Jet. “I hope you’re ready to become alpha.”

  Jet put a hand on my arm. “He’s right. We need the others.”

  “Then get them.” I marched toward the field.

  “Hurry,” Jet told the others and joined me. “I’m not letting you go in alone.”

  “I thought you wanted to be alpha.”

  He shoved me. “Not like this.”

  We crept up to the crowd. Not one head turned our way. They were all focused on my father’s speech. I couldn’t pull my attention from Victoria tied on the pole like a witch from so long ago. The fire snapped and crackled as the flames inched up, closer to her.

  “Any plans whatsoever?” Jet whispered.

  “I attack my father, you untie Victoria.”

  He gave me a double-take. “Are you serious?”

  “You got anything better?”

  “No, but I was sure you had something more than… getting all three of us killed!”

  “Look, if you want to run back for the others, then go.”

  Jet looked conflicted, but then shook his head. “I’m your assistant alpha. I won’t leave you.”

  “Then come on.” I marched closer to the scene in front of us. My father finished his speech and people in front of him cried out, many raising their fists into the air.

  The fact that they were crying out for Victoria’s blood made me sick. My stomach twisted, threatening to release its contents.

  My father held high the gasoline canister. Everyone else shouted out for him to douse her. He inched closer to her. The crowd only grew louder. My chest constricted. The fear in her eyes crushed my soul.

  “No!” I cried out and broke into a run.

  At that exact moment, the group turned silent. Every hood turned toward me as I raced for Victoria.

  “Toby,” she cried.

  My father pulled off his white hood. His eyes were wide and his face paled. “How’d you get away from my men?”

  Several in the mob lunged for me.

  “Stop!” My father put his hands into the air. “These two are mine. The others, you can have.” He waved toward Jet.

  A dozen broke free and ran after him. He spun around and fled into the woods.

  My father grabbed my arm. “What happened to my men?”

  I narrowed my eyes. “They got what they deserved.”

  “They’re dead?” he exclaimed.

  “As doornails.”

  “How?”

  I shoved the gas can from his hands. It flew behind him and rolled toward the woods. “Let her go.”

  “Now that I finally have you where I want you?” He turned to a black robed figure and snapped his fingers. The man ran after the gasoline. “I don’t know how you managed to overpower my guys, but don’t think you’ll be able to take me so easily.”

  I threw myself at him, knocking him down. I knelt and grabbed his hood, forcing his face in front of the flames. “Let her go.”

  “No,” said a voice behind me. “You let him go.”

  Someone in a black hood aimed the gas toward Victoria.

  “Let go,” he said, “or the girl gets a gasoline bath.”

  I shoved my father’s face closer to the flames and then let go. I stood and dusted my hands off. “Put it down.”

  He jerked it toward Victoria, splashing a little onto the fire. The liquid trickled down to it, feeding the flames. They danced faster, inching closer to her feet.

  Rage tore through me. I lunged for him and knocked the canister from his hands. It flew toward the other hooded men. They hollered and moved out of the way.