62. Punishment Fits the Crime

Ivy

Nalia is standing in the center of the clearing. She has been there for hours, long enough to watch the moon rise.

The evidence against her is presented; every witness, every statement, all of it weighed against her.

I am standing beside Kaelan, who hasn't said anything in the beginning, but he breaks his silence. "So, this is the woman who killed my birth mother," he says quietly.

"Yes, and now she will be punished," I say.

"Good," Kaelan replies and then goes silent again.

The pack members stand around, each looking at Nalia with a mix of contempt and pity. They are all expecting justice to be done. I look around and see the intensity in their eyes; they all want nothing more than to support me and Ryder.

Ryder takes a deep breath as he prepares to pronounce his verdict. Nalia is guilty of murdering Kaelan's birth mother, and as the Alpha and his new guardian, he has to determine her punishment.

"I have decided. You will be sent into exile, far from here, so that you may never