Skinwalker - Completed

CHAPTER 49

(Aly's POV)

Aly acted as if she didn't hear what the two were talking behind her back, that sneaky Hale. For a moment, she lost her cool in front of Rylie and almost showed how jealous she was.

Hale really knew how to push her buttons.

She sighed. But at least, Hale is one of the people here at Raven Crest that accepted her and forgiven her for what she did. When they lost the Alpha, her dad. The whole pack was turned into chaos. Everyone wanted to fight for the right to become the next Alpha when she ran away.

She knew it because after she woke up and overcame her wolf. They wanted to challenge her for the throne, and she just wanted to run away from the pack. She can't be the new Alpha because of what she did. Her ascending to the throne is paid with a price, and that's the blood of her whole family.

What matters to her now is that Rylie accepted her, and she's really grateful; that's why she was apprehensive when Rylie wanted to come to the elder's meeting. She doesn't want Rylie to know how angry the elders are for what she did.

Plus, the Elder's meeting could get really bloody if the elder decided to cut her head off. She's afraid that she's willing to kill again if Rylie chooses to fight for her, and in turn, she doesn't want anyone touching Rylie.

She stopped and stood at the closed door of the familiar cabin. Her hands turn into a fist. Then she bore her eyes onto the symbols on the door. Wolf in a circle and eating the tails of each other is displayed on it. This is precisely what wolves do if they are threatened. Eat the enemy, or should she say, kill the next wolf who poses a significant risk to the pack.

"What? Nerves?" Hale looked at the door, then at Aly's face, his eyebrows furrowed.

Aly shook her head, and she saw Rylie's worried expression, so she smiled to make Rylie calm.

"No. This is just so overwhelming. The elders are supposed to be on the beck and call of the Alpha, and I am no longer the heir for the Alpha position. It's funny how the universe works."

"Aly." Hale puts a hand on her shoulder. "The elders should start anew. This is a new age, and witches are wreaking havoc in the balance of things. Maybe they will try to see the reasons. You are the only one who can plead your case."

She inhaled deeply. Should they see reasons? The Raven Crest almost fell apart because of what she did, and now she's asking them for help.

"Aly. You don't have to do this. W-We could rescue them by ourselves. We----"

Aly met Rylie's eyes. "Rylie. I have to do this. It's the only way."

Rylie saw the conflict in those rainforest green eyes, and Aly smiled. She put a hand to Rylie's cheeks.

"I'll be ok."

"B-But what if---"

"We should really get going. The elders don't like waiting."

Hale interrupted them. He looked worriedly at the door, then back at them.

Aly sighed and put her hand to her side. Suddenly, missing the warmth from Rylie's face. She looked at the door and turned the knob. She took a deep breath and exhaled a shaky breath before turning it.

The elders wore a cloak the same as the elders of the Light moon pack wear, but theirs has a crest on the left side of their cloth. Their eyes glowed with a yellow tint, meaning that they were already one with their wolf. Their presence seemed imposing as she stood in the center of the room. She can feel the tension in the air as she waits for them to acknowledge their existence.

The elders looked at the three of them as if scrutinizing them.

Aly gulped and looked at the familiar faces she saw as a child. The elders haven't aged much. The magic of becoming one with the wolf made them age slower. She wonders if they really want to become an elder, but she knows they have no choice; it is a calling.

"What case do you plead, traitor?"

She flinched and felt her heart beating faster. Her head felt like an inflated balloon as she looked at the elder's eyes one by one. Her hand sweats as she waits for the elders to show any signs of emotion in their golden eyes.

Rylie attempted to step forward and open her mouth, but Aly put a hand out to stop Rylie. She shook her head. This is her battle, and she must face it alone.

Rylie opened her mouth to speak but closed it again. Hale also shook his head at Rylie.

Rylie must have realized that what she would say could make them seem bad, so she bowed her head. But Aly knew Rylie was just so worried for her.

She looked at the elder's faces, stood her ground, and directly looked at Elder Tristan at the center of the room.

"I was not here to plead anything on my case 5 years ago. I am no longer a part of this pack. I'm here to ask for help."

"How dare you insult the Raven Crest Elders?!"

Aly gritted her teeth to stop herself from closing her eyes. She knew these people would intimidate her, and if she gave in, it would be her loss. She can feel her hands and her legs shake. But she didn't let it show on her face.

The other elders looked at each other before settling on her. They all wore a blank expression on their faces, but Aly showed no emotions on hers either. She needs to be strong. Or they will come for her neck.

She could smell the potent fear on Rylie's as she looked at the exchanges between the elder and hers. Aly reached out her hand to hold Rylie's hands. She wants to let Rylie know she's here and she's not going anywhere even if the elder decides not to help them and cut her head off. She's willing to take a risk.

"You should be killed for what you did to the late Alpha. You dare to step on the Raven Crest ground again after 5 years? Do you think your sins could be forgiven so easily?"

Elder Tristan draws out the words sharply as if scraping chalk on a blackboard.

Aly felt her heartache. She knew that forgiveness is not freely given, but she knew she's been tortured every day of her life because of the memories.

She opened her quivering lips. Her tears threatened to fall as they pooled on the side of her eyes. "If forgiveness is not an option. Living is my atonement for my sins. Is it not enough torture to live every day remembering that I killed my own family? Is it not enough?"

Aly's burst of emotion started rolling off as her heart squeezed and expanded. She finally said what she held in her heart for 5 years. She felt guilt and shame for what she did, but she lived to atone for her sins.

She must have looked weak, but now she doesn't care.

She felt Rylie's hand squeeze hers, and Aly pressed back. She also felt Rylie stand nearer by her side.

Aly looked at the elder's faces. Her ears only heard silence as it grew louder and louder on her ears, and her sense became sharper. Then a breath of someone opening their mouth broke her trance.

Elder Lola met her eyes, and a thin line of a smile broke her lips. "The former heiress has a point, Tristan. She's already been atoning for her sins. Killing your own family is a punishment. Those memories will haunt her forever, but she chooses to live and remember."

Elder Tristan didn't utter a word as he looked at Aly's face. Aly met his eyes, her hands tightening their hold on Rylie's. Her heart beats fast as she waits for the verdict. Elder Tristan is the leader among the Elders and maybe, just maybe. Elder Lola and her own words can persuade him.

Aly's breath quickens as Elder Tristan opens his mouth. This is the moment of truth.