“Yeah,” Owen says. “But I’m not sure you’re thinking straight. She’s a witch, and she’s attacked wolves. The law is clear.”
“I didn’t call you to help me collect the cameras just so I could watch her die now,” I say, urgency coloring my tone. “Yes, I wanted to catch the traitors, but I also wanted some time to get the truth out of Sadie.”
“Do you really think the ritual could be working?” Shane asks. “You looked like you’d gone through a meat grinder when we picked you up, and you’re still not fully healed.”
“I’m not sure,” I answer carefully. “That’s why I need time.”
My friends look at each other, and I know that they’re softening, just a little. It gives me hope because deep down inside, I’m starting to actively reject all the principles I was raised under.
Even if Sadie did lie to me, that’s a common thing for people to do when they’re scared. It doesn’t make anyone evil just for doing it, and she shouldn’t be sentenced to death just for being a witch.
The uncomfortable thought that she might have known she was a witch from the very beginning—even the night we made Cassie—tries to invade my mind, but I push it away.
Plenty of time to stress about that later.
“Okay,” Owen says, nodding. “We’ll stand up for you and her. It’s a huge risk, though, Rhys, you know that. What if she kills someone?”
I shake my head. “I won’t let that happen. I promise you, if she’s against us, I won’t let her hurt anyone else. I just have to trust my gut right now. Like Neville said, if there’s any chance we can heal the packs, we have to take it, right?”
“Yes,” Shane replies, nodding. “That’s true. I can’t stand to see anyone else get sick.”
“So, we’re agreed, then?” I ask, and my boys nod.
We head back to the table, and Owen and Shane give their recommendation. The council grudgingly grants a stay of execution, and I take Sadie’s hand, leading her down the stone hallway towards the door.
When we get outside, her face crumples, and she cries into her hands. I have a million questions, but I can see she’s in no state to answer them. Her face is smudged with bruises, herdress is torn, and her beautiful, soft brown hair is clotted with dried blood.
“Are you alright?” I ask.
She nods. “I’m okay. I’m not in much pain anymore. I’d love to get cleaned up a bit.”
I take her around the back of the manor to a small kitchen and leave her there while I go to the parlor and find some clothes for her. All major events for the three packs are held here, and even though the manor doesn’t have electricity or modern plumbing, it can accommodate visitors.
So long as they don’t mind drawing water from a well and heating it the old-fashioned way,I think to myself.
I get back to the kitchen and leave the dress for Sadie. Once she’s cleaned up, we go out to the Viper. I’m still struggling with the normalcy of walking across the gravel drive in the bright sunlight and getting into the car like it’s a normal day, when only an hour ago, I was fighting for my wife’s right to live.
All I’ve done since Sadie got here is worry about her safety, and I’ve had enough of it. Whatever I’ve told myself in the past, I’ve never seen humans as inferior to us or agreed with killing witches on sight. It’s finally hitting home how much we need to change.
***
On the drive home, I’m still eager to ask my questions, but Sadie leans back against the car seat and slips into a doze. I turn back to focus on the road, my frustration rising.
And what do I do if she just says, “yeah, I’m here to bring you all down”? What do I do, wring her neck?
A shudder runs through me as I realize that’s exactly what I promised the other alphas I’d do.
When I said “do the right thing,” I meant resolve this without hurting Sadie or Cassie. I’ve truly trapped myself in a corner here.
The moment we arrive home, Sadie awakes suddenly, her eyes going wide as she sees the house. Before the car is even fully stopped, she leaps out and runs towards the front door, going through it so fast that she doesn’t even bother to close it behind her. I follow her in and find her in the living room with her arms around Cassie.
“Hi, Mommy,” Cassie giggles. “I’m happy to see you, too!”
“Oh, baby girl,” Sadie says, brushing Cassie’s hair back from her forehead. “I missed you so much!”
“It was only one night, Mommy,” Cassie giggles. “And I had a sleepover with Auntie Jean and the other kids.”
“That’s great, baby,” Sadie says, wrapping her arms around Cassie and snuggling her against her chest. My heart swells with emotion, and I find it difficult to believe this woman could hurt anyone.
