GIVEN TO THE TWIN ALPHA KINGS - Chapter 16: Chapter 16

Delaney
"Get up." I woke up with a gasp, followed by a series of coughs that left my throat burning. I blinked once, then twice, my eyes coming into contact with a pair of black boots. The coldness of the floor beneath me was not enough to numb the ache in my entire body. I couldn't tell which part hurt the most, my throbbing skull, my burning wrists or my legs.
I couldn't tell where I was for a moment until I heard the loud screams, and then it all came rushing back.
"Rick," I whispered, trying to sit up, my pulse picking up. A scream tore from my mouth as pain radiated from my ribs, a reminder of the brutal fall I had taken from Rick. I lowered my wide eyes on my legs as I moved them, holding my breath. When I didn't feel any discomfort between them, I let out a sigh, relief washing over me. He hadn't managed to sexually assault me.
"It's time," the guard spat, nudging me by my ribs, making me let out a loud hiss, eyes closed as I waited for the pain to subside.
"Time," I repeated in a trembling voice, stirring on the hard floor.
"Get up, freak!" A second guard ordered, his voice firmer and deeper. Without warning, both guards pulled me up by my arms, straining my aching body even further. I let out a wince as I swayed between them, my legs giving out.
"You need to walk or get whipped." The other kicked my legs, giggling like a fool when I forced myself to step forward.
It took several minutes to be dragged from the dungeons to the town square, every step backed up by a laboured intake of breath. The sky was still dark, with heavy clouds occluding the rising sun. Yes, I was going to die, but at least I had not been defiled. It seemed the Moon goddess had come through.
At the town square, hundreds of spectators gathered, their chatter filling up the space. At the front was a wooden platform, where a wooden frame with a rope dangling in the middle stood. My eyes watered at the imagination of being hanged, in front of everyone, for a crime I did not commit. I didn't know I had stopped walking until the guards shoved me, the crowd parting to make a way for us.
"Freak," a man muttered as I passed.
"Murderer," a woman hissed, shoving me.
A few steps before the platform stairs, a hand held my wrist, stopping me for a second. When I looked up, my eyes met with those of Elias, a blank look on his face. He stood in front of me, his Adam's apple bobbing up and down.
"Trust me," he whispered. His words, although not enough to stop my fate, gave me hope.
"Ladies and gentlemen." Alpha Kai's voice echoed across the open space. I snapped my eyes up to him as I was pushed up the platform, my vision blurring as I took him in. I was forced to stand beside him, under the wooden frame, with the same guards standing on either side of me.
"We are gathered here to exercise justice for one of our own, Lucy Harrow," he added, his previous firm voice now cracking. As the people cheered, the back of my throat ached, a number of emotions bombarding me. Ronan joined his brother, his eyes barely meeting mine.
"This here." He pointed at me. "Is Delaney Thorne. She killed Lucy with dark magic and now she will pay with her..." Alpha Kai trailed off, hanging his head. He couldn't finish the statement, not even when Ronan placed his hand on his shoulder.
I couldn't look at them any longer without tearing up, so I directed my thoughts to my dad. Did he know that his friends were minutes away from killing me? How was he going to survive after he learnt of my death? I missed him so much, and now I was going to die without seeing him for one last time. I needed to tell him that I loved him, that he was the best dad I could ever ask for. I needed to thank him for standing by me, even though I was different from the rest of the werewolves.
"Stop this!" I snapped my head up, jaw dropping as Maribel came up the platform. The alpha kings turned their heads towards her at that moment.
"Which justice are you two talking about when you never did a proper investigation?" She snapped, her watery eyes never once leaving mine. Gasps filled the air, followed by whispers that quickly died out, taking in the scene. I shook my head at her, begging her silently to stop. I didn't want her to face the alpha kings' wrath for defending me or questioning them in front of everyone.
"Somebody restrain her." It was Ronan who ordered, with guards immediately holding Maribel.
"Let's get this over with," Kai muttered, stepping aside with his brother for everyone else to witness my execution. My heart was pounding so hard while every part of my body was emitting sweat. I looked at Maribel as she was whisked away, a tear sliding down my cheek as she begged.
"This is it," I whispered, my lips trembling, heart thundering in my ears. Then I turned to the crowd, searching for Elias. Our eyes met as the tied rope was lowered and secured around my neck. Two guards stood at the wooden frame, ready to pull the ends of the rope so that I would be suspended, with every pull meant to tighten around me.
I could see Elias opening his mouth, even though my vision was hazy, his lips moving fast, muttering words as the rope dug into my skin. Then I felt it – heat like I had never experienced before spread in my veins, muscles and flesh, pushing outwards. There was a presence in my mind, pushing, taking over my thoughts. My neck tingled as my spine snapped backward involuntarily and suddenly, with so much power that the rope snapped into two.
"Delaneey!" Maribel's scream ripped through the air as I fell forward onto the platform. I felt like my insides were being torn apart while my skin stretched. My mouth opened, but no scream came. Then it began, the sound of bone after bone breaking as I thrashed violently on the ground. I didn't know how long it took, but the pain ebbed away almost as soon as it had started.
"Impossible," Kai whispered, awe filling my ears, clearer than ever. My eyes fluttered open, and the first thing I saw was a red paw. I stood slowly and steadily on all fours, then shook my fur, enjoying the feel of the morning breeze as it penetrated through.
I had shifted into a wolf when it mattered the most.