Elena’s POV
“Elena, you bitch! Is this what you wanted to see, huh?” Glenda shouted in remorse as she glared at me while Bryson continued to scream at every strike on his skin, blood soaking his shirt and dripping to the ground.
It’s only been a few strikes, but a small pool of blood has already formed on his feet.
A smirk finally freely left my lips, not even bothered to what others may think. They may call me ruthless, but my empathy for those two had been long emptied out by their betrayal.
I shook my head before my smirk vanished and coldly stared at her. “You made a grave sin and someone’s paying for it. As a warrior, you should know that every action has its consequences.”
“You are really-”
Her next words were interrupted by the nerve–wracking shout that came out of Bryson’s lips before he fell down on his knees and coughed up blood, but the punishment wasn’t done yet, as five more strikes were needed.
“Bryson!” Glenda shouted in pain as she crouched down and held his hand tightly.
However, she couldn’t stand his beat–up appearance and looked away, as did many other warriors, upon seeing how much blood was dripping from Bryson’s back and it was not healing.
In fact, it would take weeks for that to heal as it would take time for his wolf to fight the silver that ran through his bloodstream.
“Bryson… B–bry…B–Babe…” Tears glistened in her eyes as she kneeled down and caressed Bryson’s face with a stain of blood on the corner of his lips after he completely collapsed on the ground.
I stare at them with a heart of stone, thinking that Bryson taking the punishment on her behalf properly hurt her far worse than if she received it herself. After all, they were fated mates.
And that right there… was the punishment she deserved the most: experiencing the pain of seeing someone she loves suffer and be in pain because of her. But that would still never be tantamount to the suffering James and I had to face from the death of our loved ones all because of Glenda’s greed.
Prince Deacon stood up, so I followed suit. His face remained glazed with indifference as we waited for the punisher to clean his whip and put it back on the table. Right after he stood back on the side, Prince Deacon announced, “This concludes your warrior punishment, Glenda. And from now on, you are stripped of any military glory you gained here.”
With that, he waved his hand, and a couple of warriors immediately ran forward to help carry Bryson, who could not even stand by himself before he turned around to leave
I was about to follow him, but Glenda’s voice stopped me again. “Are you happy now?”
Looking back at her indifferently, I asked, “Go back and look at yourself in the mirror. I’m not the one you’re supposed to be asking that.”
“Let’s go. Enough with that,” Prince Deacon said without looking back.
Hearing his voice, not even Glenda dared to reply as she gritted with anger while I ran after Prince Deacon.
She’s the one who caused Bryson to be in that state. She had no right to point fingers at anyone right now. If she wanted someone to blame, it should be herself alone.
Days later, we finally arrived back in the kingdom. Bryson could already stand, but he still had his wounds on his
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Chapter 88
+25 BONUS
back and wrapped in bandages. Since he was still weak, he need a few more weeks to recover before he could be back in shape again.
As we arrived at the kingdom’s city entrance, glorious cheers already filled the air. We hadn’t arrived at the main castle yet, but the welcoming of the ordinary pack members from neighbouring packs had already lifted every warrior’s spirits.
Crowds lined up on the streets, cheering and thanking us as we marched toward the castle.
At the palace gates, the Lycan King himself stood walting, his regal presence commanding respect. If that wasn’t the most glorious thing to receive from the king, I don’t know what else.
“Elena Griffins. You have brought honor to this kingdom and fulfilled your father’s legacy,” King Desmond proudly and happily announced as he approached me and tapped my shoulder.
“It was a team effort, King Desmond,” I replied as I gestured toward Prince Deacon beside me.
King Desmond laughed and nodded as his eyes landed on his brother. His tone became lighter and less political as he proudly hugged him and said, “And you, Deacon, have proven once again why you are irreplaceable. Together, you’ve shown what true leadership looks like.”
The King personally escorted us inside, with a few high–ranking members on the side, where the celebration awaited. As I approached the banquet hall, I felt the weight of the kingdom’s admiration for the warriors.
Feeling the glory and achievement of our battle’s success, the graves of my family flashed into my eyes.
The grand hall of the Lycan King’s palace was splendidly decorated with luxurious garments and accessories. Exquisite dishes were served on tables, and warriors were honored. Prince Deacon and I sat at the long table near the king, which emphasized how important both of our contributions to the war were.
As I glanced around this extravagant banquet hall, my mind drifted back to the first celebration banquet I attended, which was held for Bryson’s success.
Back then, I was sitting at the center of attention after I prepared for that for so long, anticipating being reunited with my husband. My heart then was full of hope and determination to support Bryson as his Luna.
But tonight, I sat beside Prince Deacon, no longer a dutiful wife or a Luna but a warrior whose efforts had won a
war.
My gaze again flicked to Bryson sitting far from us and barely given attention by the other. Looking at him, I noticed his posture was stiff and his shoulders hunched. The proud and arrogant man I once knew now seemed diminished as if the weight of his failures had finally caught up to him.
“How the tables have turned,” I silently thought, but I felt no satisfaction in his downfall, only a quiet detachment
