The Four Beta Brothers
Epilogue

CHARLES

Verdict: Guilty

Sentence: Death

It was rare for werewolves to receive the death penalty. We didn't typically leave things to the legal system-not that there was much of one. There were laws to follow and punishments for breaking them, but alphas were expected to take care of problems as they saw fit when their pack members broke the rules. Other alphas could challenge other packs if they felt their ruling was unfit, but threats were often eliminated in the heat of the battle.

It was ridiculous that Winston even bothered with a hearing for my case. The moment I failed to kill Elijah, I knew it meant my life was over. Ethan should've just killed me like a man, but he was pathetic. He didn't care about killing me. He only cared about the safety of his mate.

All of this was ridiculous. I was supposed to be sitting in the beta's seat, but instead I was sitting in chains. Everything was over, and I knew I had officially lost. Anthony had gotten cocky, and I was screwed by his death.

"I told you this was how this would end for you."

I jumped to my feet and rushed to the bars. The dark hood covered her flaming red hair, but I'd recognize that voice anywhere.

"I'm surprised you came back for me." Maybe my life wasn't over. She freed me from this jail cell once before. If she could do it again, I would run. I wouldn't look back this time. I'd be free.

She took slow steps towards the bars, and I watched her hand closely, waiting for her to unlock the door. "I didn't come back for you."

"But you can free me. I can get out of here and-"

Her hand shot through the space around the bars, and her nails dug into my throat as she crushed my windpipe. "Your information wasn't good enough," she said coldly. "Why would I free you, when you led me in circles."

I clawed at her arm, desperate for her to release me. If I had my wolf powers, I could've shredded her arm, but my silver restraints drained me of any strength. I tried to speak, but my words came out in a strangled gurgle.

She loosened her grip enough to let air rush into my lungs, but she kept her claws sunk into me. "What was that?"

"I told you everything I know." I managed to wheeze.

"What you know isn't good enough. You deserve the death they sentenced you to." She dropped me and started walking away, taking any chance of freedom with me.

"Wait! Wait, maybe there's something else I know," I said. My throat ached and blood ran down my neck, staining my shirt.

She stopped and turned back to look at me. She tilted her head to the side. "So you lied to me before?"

"I didn't lie," I lied. "I just forgot a few pieces of information."

"You better start talking," she hissed.

"I want my freedom." Information was power. I had learned that lesson a long time ago. That was the reason I didn't tell Anthony about Juniper being at CUW right away. It was important to play my cards right.

"I already gave you that, and you wasted it."

"Give me my freedom again, and I'll tell you the name of the woman you're looking for and where you can find her," I said.

She paused, and I thought she was going to start leaving again, but after a long moment, she said, "Fine." She leaned in closer, and her eyes glowed red. My body shivered, hating the closeness of the vampire. "Start talking."

I smirked, thinking about Elijah's reaction when he found out I had escaped yet again. I wouldn't go after him a second time-at least not right away-and the rest of his life would be spent looking over his shoulder, wondering when I would come after him again.

"The woman you're looking for is named Lacey, and she resides in one of the northern packs," I said.

"Which pack?" She leaned in even closer, hanging on my every word.

"I'm not sure. Whenever Anthony took his 'business' trips, he always took a flight to Castor Airport. There are several packs close to that airport, and he never said which one. However, he always saw Lacey. He may have been a liar and a cheater, but he had a certain...preference for women."

"Is there anything else you've forgotten to tell me?" she asked, pulling the hood over her eyes again.

"Perhaps. But you'll have to unlock this door to find out." I didn't actually have more information for her, but she didn't need to know that.

"I think I'll take my chances." She turned to the door, and my face paled.

"Wait! We had a deal, you b***h! You have to let me out of here!" I grabbed the bars of the cell and tried to shake the door.

She flipped around, and the aura that filled the air was deadly. "You're right. We had a deal, and you screwed me over by leaving out the most important information. Then you had the audacity to try to make the same deal for the same information. In my eyes, I've already fulfilled my part of the bargain. You wasted your freedom, and now you must face the consequences." She turned to the door again.

"Get back here! You can't leave me here! I can help you destroy them! I know how Elijah works. I can-"

"You are useless, and I don't need anything from you. Besides, I have no interest in Elijah. There's only one person I care about getting revenge on."

My life walked away with the vampire, and I was desperate. I had to make her realize I was useful if I had any hope of getting out of here alive. "Who? Maybe I can still help."

She stopped before opening the door, and the silence was deafening. She debated if it was worth telling me or not.

"Juniper. I intend to make her suffer as much as I have. He wants her more than he wants me, and I will make her wish she was dead because of it."

"Who is this he?" I asked.

She opened the door, letting the spring air rush in. "The vampire king."