Run While You Still Can

18. Settling Debts

My limbs shook as I held onto the tree trunk as hard as my weakened state could let me. My nails dug within the bark, sticking under my nails. I was high up in the tree, hidden by the few colored leaves still hanging onto the branches. The cold was barely tolerable, my lips shaking and probably very blue, but I held on, my eyes glued to the scene before me.

Several Guards were dragging a man through the hard, frozen mud, his arms and legs handcuffed with reinforced steel. His head was covered by a brown sack, reeking with wolf's bane. Even with my far away distance, it made my nose twitch.

The Guards mercilessly threw the man on the ground, grabbing him by the sack to straighten him up. He stood on his knees as they ripped the cover away from his face and I whimpered. His usually pearly skin was scattered with blotches of blood and painful looking rashes. The scar that ran from his forehead, through his left eye and down his chin shone in the pale moonlight. Even like this, his usually long silver hair unevenly cut short, he looked deadly and menacing.

A tall raven-haired woman made her way towards him, a smirk etched on her flawless face. She was clearly not dressed for something like this, her long skirt trailing in the dirty ground.

'' Fancy seeing you here, Stephen.'' She cackled softly, enjoying the show. She stayed a few steps away from him, not bothering dirtying her immaculate nails.

He snarled at her, revealing his sharp canines. '' What a lovely surprise, Miranda.''

'' So, how does it feel to lose your reign? To see your very family crumble down in tears and blood? Because from where I'm standing, it looks rather magnificent.''

I wanted to jump down from my tree and tear her throat out but he remained unfazed, '' Of course it does. But it would feel much better if you actually had dirtied your pretty little hands, you know like a true leader.''

'' A queen never stains her hands.'' She responded raising her chin high.

Stephen howled in laughed, '' Is that what you think you are? I should be careful if I were you, the lack of oxygen you're getting from atop your make-up throne is affecting your brain. It doesn't take a lot to go mad, ask my wife.''

She bared her teeth in an attempt of a smile, '' Such big talk coming from the man chained at my feet. You know, I have a great idea. You might as well kiss my feet since you're already down there.''

'' And you can kiss my ass.'' He replied with a smirk.

He didn't look over to me but I felt his raspy voice intruding in my mind, 'Run, Alyeska, this isn't going to end well. I don't want you to see this.'

'I'm not leaving you.' I replied stubbornly. Everyone else was gone. We were the last two standing and I wasn't abandoning him to die alone. 'No one deserves to die alone.'

'Then promise me this. I want you to survive. Do whatever you need to live. If it means living in a hole for a few decades then be it. But once things die down, I want you to strike. Promise me you will avenge us. Promise me you will tear every single one of their precious little Prestige heads in our honor.'

'I promise, Alpha.' I replied back without hesitation.

'' Alright, I've had enough of him. Boys, take care of him will you?'' she ordered, taking a few steps back.

There were two Guards holding each of his limbs but I knew it was useless. If he had truly wanted to get out of it, he would've. He didn't struggle or fight his way out as one of the Guards drew his sword, the moonlight reflecting against the cold steel.