29

ISBERLT.

I nudge the tray aside, directing my gaze on an Alpha that's feet away from me; his gaze on the screen that sits on the desk, and his fingers typing away.

What's he always doing on that laptop, I wonder? Perhaps some Alpha work?

Gazing down at the big t-shirt that's on me; his scent swirling around my body and inundating me. I can't help but wonder what the hell happened.

What the hell happened to that Alpha that hated me more than anything? Though I doubt that hatred for me has changed, there's something else.

It's in the way he speaks in a much softer tone, and the way he doesn't look at me like the very existence of me disgusts him, like he always does.

He saved me from those wolves, and nursed me—though he hated being so close to me, and he made that clear.

So I can't help but wonder.

*What the hell changed*?

Perhaps, maybe he's just doing this because his woman tried to kill me, going against his orders. That must be it. I shouldn't think too much about it, and I shouldn't forget the fact that this man loathes me. He kidnapped me and had me chained. Treated me worse than a slave, and is the dominant cause of my sufferings.

The only reason I have to work with him is because of our similar purpose for taking down doctor Zion, and his team; he doesn't know that yet though.

"Alpha King," My thoughts are interrupted by Eric walking into the room. His eyes move to me, and a smile slowly creeps to his face as he jerks his head in my direction. "Isberlt, I trust you're fine. " He lifts his brows, and I nod with a smile of mine.

"Turns out I am. " I respond, and he hums before taking his gaze back to Theodore.

"We are waiting for you. She's in the courtroom."

Courtroom? Is that Katniss?

Theodore sighs, and shut his laptop, bobbing his head unhurriedly as his gaze meets mine, and I'm quick to look away from him.

"Change into your clothes and meet me in the courtroom. Rio will wait for you outside. "

He says, and raises; strutting towards the door, with Eric trailing behind him.

Their frames disappear through the door, and I raise from the bed, grabbing the gown Heather brought me earlier.

Slipping the shirt off me, I put on the white gown that goes a little below my mid-thighs — free around my waist. At least I don't have to wear clothes that make me appear like a whore.

Putting the shirt away, I smooth my hands down the gown as my eyes zeroes on his shirt.

Should I leave it there? Or take it with me to clean?

Shaking my head, I grab the tray off the bed, and head towards the door; only to stop in my tracks as skepticism flows through my mind.

"Fuck." I howl before turning back in my stand, grabbing the shirt along with the dress, and presiding towards the door.

"Isberlt. " Rio greets me with a smile as I close the door behind me, and I respond with a smile of mine, nodding.

"I got you worried, didn't I?" I ask with a lift of my brows, and he sighs, shaking his head.

"Why would you follow her? You know how dangerous she is, or at least you should have after everything I told you about her. " When I give him no response, he places a hand on my shoulder, squeezing the skin that's not covered by the gown. "But we don't have to worry about that now. I'm just glad you're alright, and still standing," he scurries backwards, his gaze moving down to my legs as a tease, and I roll my eyes at him, turning away from his gaze which earns me a chuckle from him.

"She's finally going to get what she deserves, Isberlt. You don't have to worry about her any longer. " I never did, to begin with. They said she's dangerous, but I don't see her like that. I see her as a fucking coward who hides behind her people instead of coming out to fight on her own. If she wanted me dead, then she could have done that herself. Why have others fought her war? Fucking weak bitch.

"I'm not. " I tell Rio before taking the direction that leads to the kitchen; eyes following me with each step I take. These days; the murmurs and whispers have died down — only by a fraction — but the tapered stares still follow me.

"Oh my God! Isberlt!" Heather screams when her gaze meets mine, turning heads in our direction as she runs into my arms; nearly knocking me down along with the tray.

"Oh, dear! I was so worried! I feared something happened. " She wails, and I chuckle before motioning for a grinning Evelyn to take the tray for me.

She does, and I finally wrap my arms around Heather; not caring about the eyes that's watching us.

"I'm fine, Heather. You didn't have to worry; I'll always be fine no matter what." I smooth my hands down her back, my gaze running across the small space to settle on a scowling Peter foot away from me.

"Beta, " I unwrap my arms from Heather at the sound of that voice, and two unfamiliar faces stand before me; gazes at Rio.

"The Alpha King requests for him. "

The one to the left nods his head to a point behind me, and I turn around in my stand.

*Peter*.

Why will he call for him?

Don't tell me... Oh, this *fucking* bastard. After all this, he didn't learn?

I cross my arms against my chest as I stand beside Heather; all gazes directed towards a jiggling Peter. I can feel the fear that floods through him from here.

"You heard him, Peter. To the courtroom."

Rio nods at him, and he drops the bowl he had on hand; walking out of the kitchen with sluggish, unsteady steps, and the two men following closely behind him.

"We have to go, Isberlt. " Rio tells me, and I nod, waving at a smiling Evelyn.

"I'll come back to see you."

"Be safe. " Heather speaks with a squeeze of my palms, and I hum before walking out the door with Rio.

"So he was involved. " I shake my head, my gaze on the men that walk before us.

"Katniss, and Peter. Why am I not even surprised?"

Rio chuckles beside me as they walk down the hallway.

The doors are opened, and we walk inside the spacious room.

The Alpha King is seated on the throne-like chair that's above the levelled ground, and Katniss is on her knees before him — head bowed in what I assume to be shame — along with six naked men.

Peter stands before Katniss, making eye contact with the woman before going on his knees beside her, and the woman looks upon him with disgust clear in her eyes.

Theodore rises from his chair, turning everyone's attention back to him.

"Katniss, " He calls with a soft tone, and the woman raises her head to him; guilt written all over her face, but we all know better than that.

"I just want you to answer one question, and if you dare lie to me; you won't like the plague that will befall you. " Katniss nods, the fear reflecting off her too intense. "Did you set these wolves up against Isberlt? Did you order them to kill her?" The Alpha King questions, but she gives no response—only bows her head.

"I believe I asked you a question. " He speaks; tone sharper, and Katniss lifts her head, her gaze moving to meet mine.

With a hardened face, she turns back to the Alpha King, and say, "Yes, I did. "

Everywhere goes silent as we all await his next words.

Scoffing, he takes a step closer to her, "So you took her away on a *false* order that I didn't give to have her killed? For what purpose, exactly, Katniss? What would you possibly gain from killing her?"

"You answer me when I ask you a fucking question!" He raises his voice, and she lifts her head, screaming, "**You**! I would gain **you**! I dislike the fact that she was getting closer to you, Theodore! Who the fuck is she? She's nothing but an inconsequential slave who betrayed her kind, and should be killed for it, but for some fucking reason; you keep letting her go. Then she dared to try to fucking seduce you! I'm sorry, but I would not sit still and watch a petty slave steal **my man**! I'll rather have her killed!"

This woman is fucking nuts!

"When?" The Alpha King questions, "When, and where did I declare myself *yours*? When did I mark you as *mine*, Katniss? Please tell me."

Rio snickers beside me, and I move my hand to my mouth to stop the laugh that's about to slip through my lips. Oh my, Hades! This is fucking mirthful.

"What... What are you talking about, Theodore? Why.. why are you... why are you saying those words to me?" Katniss croaks, her voice breaking through each word.

"I just want to understand, Katniss. When did I ever tell you I was *yours*? When did I? For you to conclude I'm *yours*? To the extent you're willing to **kill**another woman because you felt *threatened*?"

"You can't possibly be saying those words to me! After all these years! After everything! You're throwing me away like this?"

Theodore sighs and moves from her, pacing towards Peter, who immediately bows.

"Raise your head, Peter," and he did. "You attempted to kill a pack member and rape a woman one time, but I let you go because you promised to repent. Yet here you are again, with those who set up an evil undertaking to kill the same woman. What do you have to say for yourself?"

"She made me do it! I swear, I didn't... I would do nothing. Katniss made me do it!"

He says with a shivering voice, and Katniss shoots him a glare.

"Shut up, you fucking bastard! You were excited to get rid of her because of what she did to you. How dare you lie, you fucking waste of semen!"

She speaks angrily; the naked men watching the drama unfold between them.

"Shut it! You both!" Theodore converses, and the room falls into silence as he walks back to his seat with his arms folded behind him.

"For what you've done, Peter. You'll be put into chains laced with wolfsbane, and you'll be forced to survive on your own in the cold cell without food and water. Your eyes shall never see daylight again, and you will rot in there; regretting your every action. "

"No! No, please! Please, Alpha. I promise I've changed. I... I promise. Please don't do this to me. Please. " The poor man cries as he tries to crawl his way towards the Alpha, only to be dragged back.

"Take him away from my sight. " He says, and Rio moves forward; dragging him to his feet and out of the room.

"As for you," he turns his attention to the men, "Involving in a scheme to kill a defenceless wolf, and going behind your Alpha's back to carry out such an act; you're forever banned from this pack, and declared rogues. The day you set your feet on this pack again is the last day you'll live on earth."Just like Peter, the men plead for their lives, but he pays no further attention to them as the men drag them away from him in their naked forms.

I let out a low breath as I watch Katniss, whose head is still bowed.

"I never expected this from you, Katniss. Not from you. " I feel the *pain* that drips off his tone, and my chest tightens at the sensation.

"I only wanted reprisal, and nothing more. The bitch was going to steal you away from me!" Katniss speaks with a glare directed at me.

"Shut up, Katniss! Shut that your darn mouth!"

Theodore roars from his seat, and I feel my heart skip a beat at the sudden outburst.

"I will put you in the dungeon, and you'll live there until you learn your lesson. "

"What?" the woman cries. "You're putting me into the dungeon? Theodore! Look at me!"

"Take her away, Eric."

"No! Theodore! You can't fucking do this to me! Not after everything I did for you! How could you do this to me!" She struggles against Eric who moves her out of the room; her screams bouncing off the walls.

*Author's Note : Well, there goes their punishments. Which was your favourite punishment, Sweethearts? Drop those thoughts for me to read!!!!*