Chapter 6 The weight of her chain

Chapter 6-LUCA

At midnight, her knife should have been the end of me. I still think about that moment, how she hesitated when she raised her knife, how I stayed unnaturally still, as if some part of me wanted to test whether my death would arrive clean or messy.

Why did I let it happen? Why did I not move until the whistle split the room? I also couldn't understand why my wolf act strangely excited anytime she was near. It didn’t make sense, yet when she stood before me pretending to be tough, something in me preferred to watch her play that part. I still don’t know why.

The next day, I walked into the courtroom with Trent beside me. Edith, Trent mate, and Lucy were already seated, Lucy with her usual sharp glare, and Edith, calm and composed.

I took my seat at the front and nodded to the guards. “Bring her in.”

Moment later, they dragged Renee in. She looked worn. Chains clinked with each step. Her hair hung in a mess, and her lip was still split from continuous hitting I guess.

“I gave you a chance to live,” I said. “But with your defiance and recklessness, you’ve chosen death.”

She smiled. “What did you expect me to do?” she spat. “Bow at your feet? Thank you for murdering my father in cold blood and choosing not to kill his only daughter? The one who never even knew her mother? He was the only family I had and you slaughtered him. And now you want loyalty? How wise of you.”

Her words stung more than I expected. I didn’t let it show.

I didn’t want to admit it, but something in me shifted. It wasn't regret though, I'm not the type that live in regret. But a sense of waste, she was brave and caught up in a war she barely understood.

Still I'm not here to explain anything to her, I'm here to make decisions.

Lucy leaned forward, eagerly waiting for the sentence. Edith watched quietly.

Truth was, I hadn’t decided. I know I didn't want her dead, but how long will this game last. Let's just continue the game I thought to myself.

“I will make you regret what you did,” I said. “Killing you would be mercy. Your punishment stands. Your workload doubles. No help from the other maids. And you’ll work in chains every day.”

Lucy erupted. “Luca, what? Till she kills us? That’s your plan?”

I looked her way and replied calmly. “I doubt she’ll manage to do that with silver chains on her wrists.”

And then an awkward angry laugh erupted on the floor. “If you won’t kill me,” she said, “I won’t stop. I’ll keep trying, again and again.”

I smiled, genuinely amused. “Then keep trying, princess,” I said. “Let’s see how far hate takes you.”

After the guards dragged her out of the courtroom, I turned to Lucy. Her eyes were already on me expecting something.

“Don’t ever undermine my authority again. And form now on you will address me as Alpha, not Luca.”

She looked struck, like I had just slapped her.

The thing about Lucy? She liked to pretend she was fire and iron. But emotionally, she was fragile. She wasn’t built for rejection, especially not from me.

Her voice came out quietly. "Yes, alpha."

She stood up slowly, keeping her head down and walked out without another word.

Only Trent and Edith remained. “If there’s nothing else, you’re dismissed,” I said.

Edith nodded silently and followed Lucy out.

Trent was still on his sit. “Don't you think you were too harsh?” he asked.

“On the princess or Lucy?” I asked.

“Both.” He said. “You couldn’t bring yourself to execute Conrad’s daughter, and you had to check Lucy to hold the line. It’s a hard balance.”

“What are you, mind reader?” I said under my breath as I walk out of the hall, leaving him alone there.

I went back to my room, after some hours of contemplation, I knew I needed to make some clarification with one of my most emotional fragile soldier, Lucy.

I knew she's just being aggressive out of love, I also knew we would probably clash again in a few days, her temper didn’t exactly take vacations.

But I don't mind settling it with her over and over again, because she's one of the few I knew, who would give her life for mine without hesitation. It's only fair I offer her a little grace in return.

On my way, I saw the princess scrubbing the floor hall.

She was in chains, just as I had ordered. The chain links clinked as she moved, her hands red and bruised from labor. But on her face, her pride and determination, somehow, still appear intact.

I stepped into the hall. The guards straightened immediately.

“Unlock her chains,” I said.

They hesitated.

“You heard me and leave us.”

They obeyed.

Renee didn’t look up as they unlocked the cuffs from her wrists. She just gave a soft laugh under her breath.

“What are you doing, Alpha?” she asked mockingly, finally looking up. “Having a change of heart?”

“I prefer you work efficiently,” I said simply.

She wiped sweat from her face, and the corner of her mouth curved into something halfway between a smile and a threatening look.

“Well,” she said, “thank you, you’re just making it easier for me to kill you.”

I began circling her slowly, watching the way she straightened and followed my movement with her eyes.

“Do you really think that’s possible?” I asked, genuinely curious.

She smiled wider confidently, beautiful in the most dangerous way.

“I’ll remind you,” she said, “when I’m driving the last stab into your chest and draining the blood from your cursed body.”

I paused and closed the little distance between us without thinking. She didn’t flinch, she stare right into my eyes that I felt it in my heart. I could smell the sweat and the fear or adrenaline in her, I couldn’t tell. But she kept me wondering which of us would break first, her determination or my stubborn cruelty.

“I look forward to it,” I told her.

I turned to leave, but before I could took a full step, something hissed through the air, and in a moment cold iron was gripping against my throat from behind.

My fingers brushed the chain now tight around my neck, the same chain the guards had just taken off her.

Then I heard her voice from the back, "I told you, you are mine to kill."