Bound by Fate: The Alpha's Luna

Chapter 26: The Consequences

Isabella was dragged up from the dungeon, her wrists shackled, her body bruised from the frantic struggle. Her heart pounded wildly, fear and defiance mixing as she was pulled through the dark stone corridors of the Silverclaw pack house. The cold air stung her skin, her mind swirling with the reality of what she had done—releasing the witch, defying Kieran, and whatever consequences were to come.

As they approached the main hall, the sound of hurried footsteps echoed through the stone corridors. Isabella's breath hitched when she saw Alaric, his silver hair disheveled, his eyes wide with worry. He stormed toward them, his presence fierce, but there was something raw beneath his powerful demeanor—desperation.

"Let my mate go!" Alaric's voice boomed, filled with authority as his gaze locked on the warriors holding Isabella. The guards hesitated, loosening their grip for a brief moment.

Kieran appeared behind them, his eyes dark with a twisted sense of satisfaction. "She released my prisoner, Alaric!" he snarled, his voice laced with venom. "She defied me, and she must be punished."

Isabella could feel Alaric's gaze shift between her and Kieran, torn between his rage and the unfolding events. Despite the pain in her body, she summoned her strength. "No! Let me explain!" she shouted, her voice cutting through the tension.

Alaric stepped closer, his protectiveness shining through. "Isabella," he said softly, his voice tense, "tell me what happened."

Kieran sneered, his lips curling into a mocking smile. "Go ahead, tell him how you betrayed us all."

Isabella locked eyes with Kieran, refusing to back down. "I didn't betray anyone," she said, her voice steady despite the turmoil inside. "I found the witch in the dungeon—she's the one who brought me and others from my world here. But it wasn't her choice. You forced her, Kieran. You tortured her to bring us here for your own gain."

The room fell into a stunned silence. Alaric's eyes widened, and the weight of her words hit him like a wave. "What?" he whispered, his voice barely audible, disbelief and anger mingling on his face.

Kieran snarled, stepping forward. "She's lying," he hissed, his eyes narrowing dangerously. "She's trying to twist this story to save herself. That witch was dangerous. She was imprisoned for a reason. Isabella's actions have put us all at risk."

Isabella shook her head, her voice growing stronger. "That's not true, and you know it, Kieran! You didn't just imprison her—you tortured her! You forced her to use her magic to bring humans here. She cursed you instead, making sure none of the humans would belong to your pack. And when I found her, she offered to send me back home. I thought I was doing the right thing by releasing her."

Alaric turned to Kieran, his voice low and filled with fury. "Is this true, Kieran? Did you do this?"

Kieran's face twisted with rage, but his voice was smooth as he replied. "You're going to believe her? A human who's only been here a few months? Over me?" His mocking tone grated on the air. "The witch manipulated her. Isabella doesn't know what she's dealing with. I was trying to protect us all."

Isabella felt a growing sense of urgency. She needed Alaric to believe her. "I'm telling the truth," she said, turning back to Alaric. "Kieran brought us here because he wanted power. He saw us humans as a way to control more packs, to expand his influence."

Kieran's face darkened, his eyes flashing with fury. He took a step toward her, towering over Isabella. "Enough!" he spat. "The Council will decide what to do with you, human. You've meddled in affairs beyond your understanding."

Alaric stepped forward, placing himself between Isabella and Kieran, his eyes burning with rage. "If you've been lying, Kieran, you'll have a lot to answer for."

Kieran's lip curled in a sneer. "And if she's lying, Alaric? Then what? She's endangered every pack by releasing that witch. I've kept this pack safe. You'll see, the Council will back me."

Alaric didn't flinch, his protective stance firm. "We'll let the Council decide. But if any harm comes to Isabella, it's you who will face the consequences."

The tension between the two Alphas was palpable, thick enough to cut. For a moment, it seemed like they might come to blows. But Kieran stepped back, a cold smile spreading across his face. "This isn't over. You've made a grave mistake."

Before Isabella could respond, Kieran raised his hand, signaling to his guards. "Take her to the Council Chamber," he ordered, his voice dripping with authority. "The Elders will decide her fate."

Isabella's heart sank as the guards dragged her down another corridor, this one longer and more foreboding. Alaric followed closely, his eyes filled with a mixture of anger and concern. His fingers brushed hers briefly, a silent promise that he wouldn't abandon her in this fight.