Justice

Chapter 36
“Really?”
It was an answer Karyan never expected Karina to utter, but he understood immediately.

Her defense would only reveal the creature’s true self in front of the entire pack.

“Well, I’m glad you’re willing to plead guilty.”

Murmurs spread throughout the group. Karyan’s expression hardened. “Because of you, a member of our group, Vargus, was killed, and six more were seriously injured. You two acted recklessly.”

Arald stepped forward. "The law is clear. Reckless actions that endanger our pack must be punished. But we must also consider the potential and situation at hand."

Karyan nodded slowly. “You will be judged fairly. It’s not just about punishment but also about understanding and learning from your actions.”

He turned to the assembled pack. “As your Alpha, I propose that instead of exile, Thad will assume the responsibility of being the food provider for the Vargus family. Vargus has two young children who need food, and you will hunt for them, making sure they are fed until they are big enough to hunt on their own. And Thad has to teach them to hunt, because they don't have a father to do it for them. And Karina.... “

Karyan looked at his step-sister. “There are still four wolves in Bertold’s house. You will help Bertold take care of them until they recover in place of Nalani.”

“Why don’t you let me work with Nalani? I can learn from her too.”

“Just do it, Karina,” the Alpha snapped coldly. “Nalani's Helped long enough, and you’re the cause of all this, not even help to make amends.”

There was an agreement and disagreement among the pack members.

Karyan raised his hand to silence them. “This is my decision. A decision that has been discussed with the elders and advisors. They will both be under my supervision and must prove their loyalty and guilt to the pack.”

Karina’s shoulders relaxed slightly, though her eyes still held a defiant look. Thad nodded, relieved.

The guards led them out of the hall. Thad was returned to his cabin and Karina went back to her room. They were no longer heavily guarded, but still watched.

After everyone dispersed and there was only Arald and Karyqn in the Great Hall, the old advisor approached the alpha.

“So, what are we going to do about the already angry evil creature?”

Karyan sighed. Arald was the one who had always known the creature's true identity, apart from himself and Karina.

He recounted what the creature had said to Nalani. “He told Nalani that he was angry because he felt disturbed. Maybe if we stop bothering him, he will calm down by himself. Hasn’t he never bothered us before?”

Arald nodded while stroking his beard. “It’s unfortunate what Karina and Thad did. Was it Karina who originally had the idea?”

“Yes. She wanted to try talking to the creature. She believes it might be able to return to being Deegon, her father.”

“No way.” Arald shook his head in concern. “The magic that transformed it was not ordinary magic. Apparently Lorelei was in a state of distress at the time. So the magic that was released was very powerful. If only Mond had lost his magic half a century ago, we could have returned him to his original form and let him go as his old self.”
****

Nalani was disappointed that she could not repeat the magic again. After Bertold left, she felt obligated to tell Kabar what had happened. After Mita prepared the parchment and pen, she began to write carefully.

You know, I almost died again. It’s a wonder why my life has always been on the line since I’ve been living in Mond.
This time, an evil creature living in the Mond forest attacked me in the garden. He was angry because he felt that his peace is disturbed.
It had previously attacked seven werewolves, killing one of them. For a few days, I helped Mond’s healers treat six injured werewolves.
Because of this incident, Alpha of Mond has punished two werewolves of the pack who admitted to deliberately harassing the creature. I don’t know what their reason was.
Kabar, I’m telling you this so that you know what happened, and be careful if you pass through the forest in Mond's Territory. Because the creature will attack anyone who crosses the boundary without permission.
Love,
Nalani

She always signed her letters like that to let Kabar know that her feelings for him were still the same, even though she had stayed in Mond to fulfill her duties, waiting for the moment when she returned to Inverno, to Kabar's arms like before.

But there was one thing she didn't mention in her letter, and that was about her magical ability that suddenly appeared.

For some reason, she felt it wasn't time for Kabar to know.

After folding the letter, she called Mita. "Give this to our courier," she ordered. "I want Kabar to receive it as soon as possible."

Mita nodded. Her hands twitched to form a sentence. "How Are you now? Are you okay?”

"My body is fine, Mita. Only a few abrasions and bruises from falling to the ground while dodging the creature's claws. But my feelings aren't that good. I'm annoyed at my strange new abilities. You saw for yourself, the magic didn't appear when I tried to repeat it."

"You must be patient," said the servant.

"You didn't get it long ago, so you need to practice a lot."

"You're right, Mita. Thank you for reminding me. Now, would you please send the letter so Kabar can receive it soon? In the meantime, I'd like to take a short walk in the garden. Maybe some of the plants were damaged by trampling."

"Alright, I'm leaving now.”
After Mita left, Nalani went outside the castle.

She Remembered the rose that had fallen on her body when she fell down to avoid the creature. She was worried that the plant was badly damaged. However, as she turned a corner near the castle, she faintly heard a soft whisper in her ear, calling her name.

"Nalani....Nalani, can you hear me?"

Nalani stopped walking and looked left and right, searching for the owner of the voice. However, there was no one in sight.

“Nalani... Do you hear me? I need to talk to you...” The voice repeated again.

“Yes,” Nalani whispered back bravely. “Where are you?”

“Right here. Down here....”

Nalani turned her head in the direction the voice came from, which was the building at the end of the castle. The dungeon building she had almost forgotten about because of the forest creatures rampage.

“Ordas?”

“Yes...”
***