#Chapter 56: I sentence you to death

Olivia’s POV
Even though I did not want to bargain with this witch. As Alpha King, Gabriel wanted to make sure that no more wolves would suffer the same fate as Mara and Reese.
“What is the origin os the poison?” Gabriel demanded. Alicia looked over to Conan and he tried to free himself from Herold’s grip, but he could not.
“Conan and I went hiking years ago, and I found a vine of beautiful flowers. I found out that it is called Wisteria. It is not poisonous to humans, but after mixing it with Deadly Nightshade that I got before going back to Herold’s pack, I could make my poison.”
“Why?” Alpha Herold questioned.
Alicia looked at him I could see her features darken at this point.
“You choose some rogue ragged she-wolf over me and I knew I could not poison her because she never took anything from me. So I started to the poison her brother and his wolf.
I was sneaking it into his food and drink when I could. Since he got regular hospital visits, I could slip in and out with no one noticing.”
Alice laughed at her work. This bitch was actually pleased that she was poisoning fellow wolves and their hosts.
“What about Mara?” I asked. My stomach clenched because I already knew the answer. Alicia shrugged at my question.
“She was going to be crowned Conan’s Luna soon and since Herold tossed me out. I figured I should go back to the man that wanted me more. But he did not want a mistress nor did he consider me a candidate as a Luna.
So while I was a guest, I started poisoning Mara. The idiot wanted to be friends so badly. She was sooo lonely. It was actually easier because she was more trustworthy than Olivia.”
“You wretch bitch!” Conan shouted. He tried to get out of Alpha Herold’s hold and get to Alicia, but Herold only tightened his grip on the wolf.
However, no one was convinced by his tears or shouts. I felt like he showed her the vine, but he could have had them destroyed after they found the poison source. He was as much to blame as Alicia, but as Alpha King, it was Gabriel’s decision, not mine.
I could see Gabriel’s features change throughout Alicia’s confession, but the emotion that took and clung to the air was: Disgust. Gabriel looked at me and I could not imagine his verdict, to be frank. I only hoped that he would do the right thing by my former life ending and what she had done to the others.
“After hearing your confession, I cannot give you pardon. Alicia letting you live would be hazardous to anyone that came in contact with you. Conan as alpha of your pack when you saw the poisonous vine, it was your responsibility to your pack and others to get rid of the deadly plant. Instead, you ignored your duties to pursue the pleasures of flesh,” Gabriel growled at his last words.
“For the involvement and planning of the death of Luna Olivia, and the poisoning of the late Luna’s young brother, Reese, the Luna candidate Mara; I sentence you, Alicia Rivers, to death.” Gabriel said.
Alicia screamed as Eugene handed the traitorous she-wolf to the Royal Guards. Gabriel motioned for the detail to take her away and dispose of her. Gabriel stared at Alpha Conan.
“It truly sickens me that I have to pass judgement on a fellow Alpha like this. Alpha Conan, I strip you of your title and pass the title to your Beta of the pack. For the accomplice of Alicia’s planning and the hand in Mara’s poisoning, I sentence you to death…by my hand.”
My eyes widened at Gabriel’s words. Without hesitation, Alpha Herold pushed Conan towards Gabriel. In a swift movement, Gabriel transformed his hand into a wolf talon and claws. Conan’s body sagged against my Alpha’s. I could see Gabriel’s claws sticking out of Conan’s chest.
Gabriel had slammed his fist and claws through Conan’s chest, stopping his heart. He quickly tore his hand out of Conan’s corpse and let the body his the pavement below. Gabriel growled at all of us. When I tried to walk to him, Gabriel quickly shook his head.
It had been a few hours after the execution of Alicia and her partner Conan. While my heart bled for his pack, Alpha Herold told me that he was going to head out and travel to aid Conan’s Beta in the transition to the title of Alpha. Before he departed, he said that he wanted to speak with me.
I was sitting in the patio gazebo, staring at the spot of blood that was on the pavement. It was the last of the former Alpha Conan. I could not look at Herold right now. I kept thinking about the what ifs.
What if Herold had believed me when I was Olivia?
What if Rebecca had given Gabriel space to be King Alpha?
What if I never agree to marry Herold?
“Olivia,” Herold whispered as he sat on the opposite side of me.
I did not move. I figured he was thinking about her.
“I know.” Herold said a little louder. “I figured it out.”
“What did you figure out, Alpha Herold?”
“I know that you are Olivia. I don’t know how, but I know that you are Olivia in Queen Luna Rebecca’s body.” Herold said.
“What do you want, Herold, a pat on the back? Maybe a cookie?” I said. I was not in the mood for his declaration. If Gabriel would have been in ear shoot, I would have silenced his lunatic theories. However, I was tired, and I finally felt avenged.
Too bad it was by the Alpha that fell in love with the true me.
The remaining form of Rebecca’s wolf whined at my realization. While mine growled at the man in front of me. The man that chased after a woman that only wanted him when he was worth something and abandoned him the moment he needed her to tend to his broken body.
“Olivia, please tell me that I am right,” Herold whined as he tried to take my hand. I slowly wretched it away. I did not want him touching me, but at the same time I did not want Gabriel to see it and mistake it for a reciprocation of affection.
“Don’t,” I said. I wanted him to drop the subject.
“You are finally grieving over your lost mate. Do not try to find her in others. Alpha Herold, you need to leave and tend to the duties left by the Alpha King.” I made a declaration that I knew he would not object to.
Herold bowed his head down, no longer looking me in the eye.
I would not admit to the man whom I truly was, but at the same time I could not tear him down any more than I already did.
“I saw your ways and actions and saw Olivia … I thought—”
“You thought that since you tried to find Alicia in Olivia, you would try to do the same with any she-wolf that was appeasing to the eye. I am not Olivia nor am I that traitorous bitch, Alicia. It was obvious that you and Olivia grew apart and you cannot be together, not now, never again.”