Chapter 125: This is not mercy.
Kai’s heart twisted at the sight of Coran’s exhausted figure. The Beta looked broken, his eyes hollow with grief. Coran was torn, torn between his blood, his sister, and the Omegas who had lost so much. His own emotions were a whirlwind, and yet the pressure on him was mounting. Maybe Ren’s decision was the best at this point.
Some of the elders had already begun demanding Coran’s resignation from his position as King’s Beta. They whispered that the young wolf was too inexperienced, too emotional to protect Thegara. At only thirty, Coran was still viewed as a boy in the eyes of many. He couldn’t even control his sister, how could he be trusted to carry the weight of such a crucial role? He could never be as good as his Beta father, the former Beta of the Alpha King who selflessly gave his life to fight the bandits.
Coran approached one of the Omega’s mates and knelt before them, his posture heavy with guilt.
"This is the least I can do. Please... don’t forgive my sister. She is a disgrace to all werewolves for what she has brought upon us. The men she took from you... they were my friends. I’m so ashamed. I’m certain our parents are ashamed, too."
His voice cracked, thick with the lump of grief lodged in his throat. Coran had always been the embodiment of logic and strength, qualities that had earned him Kai’s trust when his father, the previous Beta, had passed.
"Get up, Beta Coran," one of the females said softly, placing a hand on his shoulder as she passed him. "You shouldn’t bear the weight of your sister’s crimes." She paused, glancing at her son, who stood by his grieving grandmother. The loss was so raw, so unbearable, especially for the mates, torn apart by the deaths.
"Prepare them for the funeral," Kai commanded, his voice firm but laden with sorrow. "We’ll tend to this first. May their souls rest in the heavens."
The vassals bowed and quickly scattered to collect wood, their movements swift, though their hearts were heavy with mourning. They burned many shifters just a few days ago.
Returning to their conversation, one of the elders spoke up. "We must look into it, but when I see them, these poor families, all I can think of is execution. And I believe the entire Mountain Pack should be arrested for interrogation."