chapter 20 Let her go

Beta Mateo's lips curled into a satisfied smirk as he stood silently, making no move to plead for his daughter's life.

"Hang her to death," Alpha Caleb commanded coldly. Without hesitation, the guards stepped forward, roughly dragging Calista toward the execution grounds.

The alpha rose from his throne, his regal yet menacing presence following closely behind, determined to ensure the punishment was carried out.

The rain had started to pour by the time they reached the execution site. It was as if the heavens themselves were mourning. The guards tied Calista's hands tightly behind her back, securing her to the platform. She tilted her head up, searching the sky for solace, but the moon hid behind thick, oppressive clouds.

The stars were absent too. The darkened sky felt like an unspoken rejection, a final betrayal. Not even the heavens will grant me peace before my death. Calista's heart sank deeper into despair.

Without warning, the rain intensified, drenching everyone in its icy downpour. For a moment, it silenced the murmurs of the crowd. Calista, trembling and soaked, began to sob uncontrollably, her voice trembling with fear.

"I don't want to die!" she cried, her voice barely audible over the roar of the rain. Her wet hair clung to her pale face as her tear-filled green eyes scanned the crowd. Her own people, who had once surrounded her as family and community, now looked on with judgment or indifference.

Her gaze landed on her father, Beta Mateo. He stood unyielding, his expression triumphant, as if her death were some great accomplishment. Calista's heart shattered anew. The betrayal was unbearable.

The guards placed the noose around her neck, tightening it slowly. She squeezed her eyes shut, rainwater mingling with her tears as she braced herself for the inevitable. Thunder rumbled across the darkened sky, lightning illuminating the grim faces in the crowd.

The alpha raised his hand to give the final command. But just as his hand began to fall, chaos erupted.

A massive white wolf with piercing blue eyes barreled through the crowd, scattering guards like leaves in the wind. The wolf's pristine white fur was streaked with blood, but the rain washed it away as quickly as it appeared. His fierce growls sent shivers down the spines of even the bravest soldiers.

Prince Ezekiel had arrived.

The wolf leapt onto the platform, placing himself protectively in front of Calista. His eyes burned with an unrelenting determination, daring anyone to come closer to his future Luna.

"Capture him!" Alpha Caleb roared, his voice cutting through the chaos.

The soldiers transformed into their wolf forms, their cracking bones and snarls filling the air. They lunged at Prince Ezekiel, but he was faster, more agile. His white fur blurred as he dodged their attacks with calculated precision.

The battle was fierce. Ezekiel's claws raked across a soldier's flank, sending him crashing to the ground. Another wolf lunged, sinking its teeth into his leg. Ezekiel let out a growl of pain but retaliated with a powerful swipe, sending the attacker flying.

Despite his immense strength and skill, Ezekiel was outnumbered. He fought valiantly, taking down soldier after soldier, but exhaustion began to creep in. Just as it seemed he might be overwhelmed, another figure charged into the fray.

A massive black wolf with striking light- blue eyes leapt into the chaos, slamming into a soldier who had Ezekiel pinned. It was Jacob.

Calista's eyes widened in shock as she recognized her brother. The black wolf barely spared her a glance before launching himself into the battle with ferocity. His powerful claws and fangs tore through the elite soldiers, turning the tide of the fight.

Beta Mateo's fists clenched in anger as he watched his son defy him. His eyes burned with hatred as he growled low in his throat.

The two werewolves fought side by side, taking down soldier after soldier. For a moment, it seemed they might prevail. But then Alpha Caleb and Beta Mateo joined the fray.

The tide turned quickly. Ezekiel and Jacob, despite their strength and determination, were no match for the combined might of the alpha and beta. Slowly, they were overpowered and subdued, their wolf forms fading as they collapsed into their human forms, bloodied and battered.

Soldiers swarmed in, locking heavy silver chains around Ezekiel's wrists and ankles, preventing him from transforming. He struggled against the restraints, his eyes burning with desperation.

"Father, please!" Ezekiel pleaded, his voice hoarse with emotion. "Spare her! I beg you!"

Alpha Caleb's expression was cold and unyielding. "She will die today," he said, his voice devoid of emotion.

Tears streamed down Ezekiel's face as he fell to his knees. "I'll do anything! I won't marry her-I swear! Just let her go!" His voice cracked, his pleas echoing through the rain-soaked execution grounds.

Calista, still bound and trembling, managed a weak smile. "Thank you, Prince Ezekiel," she whispered, her voice barely audible. "It's better this way. I don't want to drag you or anyone else down with me."

Alpha Caleb gave the final signal, and the guard kicked the wooden platform out from beneath her feet.

Calista's body jerked as the rope tightened around her neck. Her legs flailed, desperately searching for solid ground. She choked and gasped, her vision darkening as rain pelted her face.

Ezekiel let out a heart-wrenching scream, struggling against his chains as tears mixed with the rain on his face.

"Calista!" he roared, his voice raw with anguish.