I thought I was mistaken when I heard soft muffled sounds coming from Victoria's bed early this morning when I woke up to pee. It's when I'm returning to bed to continue sleeping that I realize it wasn't a mistake. She's indeed crying and trying to muffle the sound with her pillow so I won't hear her.
What could be the problem? I wonder as I take tentative steps to her bed and sit on the edge. Her back is turned to me so I lightly tap her on her shoulder.
"Victoria, are you okay? Are you crying?... Why?..." I ask her. Instead of telling me what the problem is, her shoulder shakes as she sobs harder
"Hey, hey... Please stop crying... What is the problem... Please tell me what happened..." I continue to beg and comfort her to no avail. I feel like a failure when instead of successfully consoling her as she did for me, it feels like she's not going to stop crying.
I wonder what suddenly happened. Why is she crying so hard? I can't believe this is the same girl who hugged me and told me two days ago that everything would be fine. How can the girl who said with so much certainty that she would take me with her be this dejected all of a sudden?
"Stop crying, please. It's going to be okay..."
"No, it's not, Ash!..." She suddenly sits up in bed, eyes red and swollen with fresh tears flowing down her face.
"Today is the third day! I thought my Alpha would come and get me out. I thought he would save us but I guess we're left to our faith. It's not going to be okay! It's never going to be okay!..." She cries and I pull her to me, hugging her tightly
'Today is the third day!?' I think to myself as I console her. 'What's so important about today?' Even though I don't know what she meant by that statement, I don't pry her for more information. We've bonded a lot in the past three days and I know she will tell me if she wants me to know.
I continue to console her.
"It's going to be okay. C'mon, it's four in the morning. The day is just beginning. You said your Alpha is a good man, if you believe then keep that faith. I'm sure he will come. Stop worrying about nothing and go back to sleep... He will come, go back to sleep..." I continue to say as I rub her back till she falls asleep and I gently help her lay back on the bed.
I can't go back to sleep, even long after Victoria has fallen asleep. I toss and turn on the bed wondering what could cause the vibrant Victoria to break down in such a manner.
When I still can't sleep after about an hour, I get up from the bed and bring some books to my bed to study. Why waste time thinking about what I know nothing about and obviously can't change?
I love the yogurt popsicles she made for me and took some out of the freezer to suck on while I study.
~**~
Thor's POV
It's the third day. The day Carol and Victoria are scheduled to die by noon on the dot. I check my wristwatch and see the time is fifteen minutes past ten already. Eric just left for the airport to pick up my two Uncles who decided to pay me a surprise visit while the rest of my men are made to stay outside the legislative building where I am waiting.
I'm currently sitting alone in front of the hall where the elders who are empowered to make, change, or revoke the laws of all North American Shifters have been deliberating for the past three hours on whether to revoke the barbaric law that states that families of criminals that are found guilty of treason should be sentenced to death with them.
The few days following their sentence and Owen's death have been hectic for me, my dad, Alpha Nate, and Judge Ricky. Owen, the bastard, took the easy way out. Evelyn's words, when we were in the courtroom, mocking and urging him to not be a coward and do the right thing plus the sophisticated style Owen used in killing himself further convinced me that Evelyn and her House Denton are involved in the plan to kill my dad and frame me for his death.
'You understand the consequences before you decided to kill your Alpha, don't you? So don't be a coward. Do the right thing.' I clearly remember her statement which sounded simple yet heavy with meaning. I also remember her mocking and confident laughter. There's no physical evidence yet but I'm more convinced about Evelyn and her House.
They knew Owen could be tortured for the truth while waiting to be executed. They didn't want to take any chances about that happening and their identity being revealed, that was why they had everything planned out for Owen to take his own life if things didn't go as they planned.
The autopsy showed one of Owen's molars had been removed and the tiny capsule that contained the sophisticated poison he used in killing himself was lodged inside the hole. He wouldn't have survived the poison. He died instantly the moment he bit hard on the capsule and the poison spread inside his mouth
Ever since his death, myself and the three elders have been doing everything in our power to make sure his wife and daughter are pardoned, after all, the one that committed the crime already killed himself. Why must they be publicly executed for a crime they knew nothing about?
We've been attending meeting after meeting. Some I was allowed to sit in while for some that involved just the Elders, I was outrightly refused entrance. According to them, I was rude and disrespectful. They especially made mention of the way the three elders were treated by Eric and me when they came to my pack to announce my impeachment.
I didn't see that coming. Unless I planned to wage war against the whole North American shifters or declared my pack independent of them and stand alone, saving Carol and Victoria is not something I can ever achieve on my own if my dad, Alpha Nate, and Judge Ricky had not decided to involve themselves.
Even though the last decision to make or revoke laws lies with the fifty-seven Elders that represent both the sovereign states and non-sovereign territories in North America, Alphas are also allowed to sit in on such meetings if they want to attend and present their points if they have any.
But I'm sitting outside the hall because I was not allowed entrance. The elders gave the excuse that I've not been properly sworn in as the Alpha of Silver Moon pack. I laughed when Alpha Nate and my dad informed me that the Elders really had it in for me and demanded a letter of apology, addressed to the Council of Elders.
As the Alpha of the biggest pack in North America, my dad and Alpha Nate insisted I put my pride aside and lick their asses if I want to be notified and involved in important decision-making. After all, it's not their fault that Silver Moon Elders had badly defamed my character in the presence of the Council of Elders. My dad took it upon himself to write the apology letter on my behalf because he didn't trust me to do a good and respectful job.
Ten minutes later, I suddenly stood up from where I was sitting and punched the air beside me in excitement when I got a text from my dad, informing me that the elders voted in favor of revoking the barbaric law. I read the text again with my face almost splitting in two because of my wide smile
'Congratulations. The elders vote in favor of repeal. Now we wait for your apology letter to be read and the women pardoned.'
I forward the text to Bear and Ivar who are waiting for me outside the building before calling Eric to personally inform him.
"Woo - hoo - hooooo! We did it! We did it!" He hoots and shouts in excitement, making me laugh. I can also hear Henrik's excited voice in the background.
"Will the new law take effect immediately? What about Victoria and Carol, will they be pardoned?" He asks
"Well, we're still waiting to hear that news but I'm hopeful... Are you guys at the airport already?" I ask
"Not yet. We ran into a little traffic but we'll be there soon. We still have time, don't worry." He says and I nod, forgetting he can't see me.
As soon as the call with Eric ends, Ella, whom we left at the mansion to prepare for my Uncles' visit, calls me to express her happiness and congratulate me on the big victory. I'm still speaking with her on the phone when the hall's massive door opens to reveal a man in military uniform.
"Your attention is needed inside, Alpha." He informs me