Picking my battles

The scent of burnt flesh lingered in the air. I stood rigid, my eyes locked on Scarlet as she cradled her burned hand, her sobs echoing in the living room. The sound grated against my nerves.

This was not how things were supposed to go. Causing pain is not something I enjoy doing. However, she brought this upon herself by breaking the first rule of werewolves.

I watched Aria's eyes widen as Edward and Mellie helped the young werewolves shift back. Derek, Tyler, and Jennie writhed on the floor, bones cracking and reforming. Their agonized howls pierced the air.

"Easy now," Edward murmured, his hands steady as he guided them through the excruciating process.

Mellie's brow furrowed in concentration. "You're doing great. Just breathe."

Aria looked pale but determined as she assisted, as well as Sage and Darian, following Edward's instructions precisely. Only Scarlet remained apart, sobbing quietly as she stared at her burned, marked hand.

When it was over, Mellie turned to Aria, Sage and Darian with a grateful smile. "Thank you for your help. We couldn't have done it without you."

"It was nothing," Aria said softly. "I'm just glad they're okay."

The other two nodded.

Mellie's gaze fell on Scarlet. "What about her? I could take a look at that hand—"

"No," I said sharply. Mellie raised an eyebrow at me, and I explained the situation in clipped tones. Her expression hardened as understanding dawned through our mind-link.

"I see," she said grimly. "Well then."

As if on cue, two of my guards entered. Scarlet's eyes went wide with terror.

"No!" she screamed, scrambling backwards. "Please, I'm sorry! Don't take me there!"

Darian approached her, trying to reason her but she went hysterical.

She tried to hide behind Aria, who looked torn between compassion and wariness. I signaled to Edward, who swiftly approached with a syringe.

"This will calm her," he said quietly.

Scarlet's shrieks reached a fever pitch as the guards restrained her. "No! Aria, please! Don't let them take me!"

I saw Aria flinch at the raw desperation in Scarlet's voice. But to her credit, she held firm even if she murmured words of comfort to her ex best friend. 

Darian looked hopeless, his eyes darting back and forth between me and Scarlet.

Edward administered the injection, and Scarlet's cries gradually faded as the sedative took effect. The guards lifted her now-unconscious form.

"Take her to the dungeons," I ordered. "I'll deal with her later."

Darian followed the guards.

Good riddance.

As they carried Scarlet away, Aria approached me hesitantly. "King, can we talk? Privately?"

I nodded curtly, leading her upstairs to her old room. As we entered, I was assaulted by the lingering scents of Scarlet and Darian's intimate tryst. My jaw clenched involuntarily.

Aria wrinkled her nose. "I'm sorry, the other rooms are still full of boxes..."

"It's fine," I said, more harshly than I intended. I took a deep breath, forcing myself to relax. "What did you want to discuss? I won't change my mind."

She bit her lip, clearly choosing her words carefully. 

The stench of Scarlet and Darian's intimate night assaulted my senses once again. My inner wolf, Neo, growled in disgust.

"We need to take her to Banes Academy," Neo urged. "She needs a full examination after years of poisoning."

I nodded imperceptibly. "Aria, we'll go to my residence shortly. The healers there can assess your condition thoroughly."

Aria's green eyes widened. "I want to talk about Scarlet's fate," she paused, "Please, you must release her. I... I can find it in my heart to forgive her."

My jaw clenched. "Absolutely not. She's far too dangerous to be set free. She must face trial for her crimes."

"But—"

"No," I cut her off sharply. "Think, Aria. If I hadn't discovered her treachery, you could have died. As could those three young werewolves. All because of her petty jealousy."

Aria's lower lip trembled. "Then... then perhaps we could find an alternative to execution? Prison or exile, maybe?"

I studied her intently. "Why are you so determined to defend her? After everything she's done?"

She hesitated. "I always knew Scarlet had a mean girl…sometimes she would make nasty remarks about other people and I wouldn't stop her. But she was kind to me at the orphanage, when she volunteered there. That meant something. I was so alone, so desperate to know more about the outside because I have been stuck in that orphanage for years… "

Her loyalty was admirable, if misplaced. I softened my tone. "I understand your history with her. But I can't simply let her go free."

"Then spare her life," Aria pleaded. "Please, Kaine. Give her another sentence."

I sighed heavily. "I can't make that promise. But I'll ensure she receives a fair trial. I won't be the one to judge her case." A thought struck me. "And I'll extend the preparation period to a full week, instead of three days."

Aria clutched at my shirt desperately. Neo rumbled with approval at her determination, even as he agreed with my stance on Scarlet.

To my shock, Aria fell to her knees before me. "Please, I'm begging you."

Neo snarled. "Get her up NOW. Our mate should never kneel to anyone."

I grasped Aria's arms, pulling her to her feet. The mating bond surged at the contact, nearly overwhelming me.

My entire body ignited with the sizzling force of our mating bond.

Her fierce loyalty, even to one who had betrayed her so gravely, was staggering.

"Listen to me," I said firmly. "I may be willing to let Scarlet live, but there will be severe consequences for her actions. However, I have two non-negotiable conditions."

Aria's eyes shone with hope. "Name them."

First, you must enroll at Banes Academy for a mandatory year of study. You will learn more about our kind and participate in defense training. This will be important for you. It's for your own protection as much as anything. And we will keep an eye on your medical condition."

Aria nodded eagerly. "And the second condition?"

I met her gaze steadily. "You are forbidden from asking me anything about your mother until that first year is complete."

Aria's brow furrowed. "My mother? But why—"

"Those are my terms,I will answer every question concerning your mother after that year but not before," I interrupted. "Take them or leave them."

She bit her lip, clearly conflicted. I could practically see the wheels turning in her mind as she weighed her options.

"Alright," she said finally. "I accept your conditions."

I nodded, relieved despite myself. "Then I'll make the arrangements. But Aria, you must understand – this doesn't guarantee Scarlet's survival. The trial will determine her ultimate fate. If the three werewolves and you too do not suffer severe consequences, she will probably go to prison and get her inner wolf silenced instead of getting a death sentence. But freedom without consequences is out of the question."

She whispered, "I know. But it's a chance."

In a sudden moment of contemplation, she added, "I still need answers about my mother and I still want revenge for her. I haven't forgiven you."

"I know," I raised one finger. "In one year, you'll get your answer."

"But why?" she asked. "Do you think I'll appreciate you in one year? Let me tell you, that won't happen. I will use all the resources at Banes Academy, the resources you'll teach me, to destroy you by this time next year. I may have begged and kneeled before you, thanking you for sparing Scarlet's life just now because I don't want another life taken because of me. But make no mistake, I do not like you and I will avenge my mother."

"So fierce," Neo exclaimed with a grin. He seemed pleased by the challenge.

Gazing down at her, I was once again taken aback by her beauty - not just her external appearance, but the kindness and empathy that emanated from her very being. It both overwhelmed and frightened me to be in her presence.

Neo approved,"Good job Kaine, at least she will be safe with us at the school."

"Come," I said gruffly, gesturing towards the door. "We need to get you examined."

As we left the room, Neo's voice echoed in my mind. "You're going soft, old friend."

I growled internally. "Hardly. I'm simply picking my battles."

-----

The scent of anxiety hung heavy in the air as I surveyed the young werewolves gathered outside. Their eyes, wide with apprehension, fixated on me, craving answers. I took a moment to steady myself before addressing them.

"Listen closely," I began, my voice carrying the weight of authority as I explained the gravity of Scarlet's actions without divulging the intimate details. The betrayal of someone from my own community still raw within me, I couldn't help but feel a surge of anger coursing through my veins.

As I spoke, movement caught my attention. Aria descended the stairs, her dark reddish waves catching the light. She wrapped her arms tightly around Sage, seeking solace in her friend's presence.

"I'm finally going to Banes Academy," Aria whispered, her voice barely audible over the tension in the room. Sage seemed taken aback but managed to summon a smile for her friend.

A familiar figure approached – Tom, the young man who had lent me his phone earlier. As he drew nearer, that puzzling scent hit me again, triggering something in my memory.

"Your Highness," Tom said, his voice low and filled with respect. "I am eternally grateful for everything you've done for me and Derek. I can't express how relieved I am that everyone is safe and sound. If there is anything at all that you need from me, please do not hesitate to ask; I am here for you without question."

I nodded absently, my mind racing to place that familiar scent. It was unnerving yet very close to recognition.

My silver-grey eyes bore into Tom as realization flooded over me. The barely visible scar along his strong jawline, the way he held himself – it all added up. This scent wasn't just familiar; it was a ghost from my past, one I had long believed to be buried

And then it hit me like a bolt of lightning. My inner wolf, Neo, couldn't help but exclaim with astonishment, "What the actual fuck?"