Chapter 68

I walkedthe halls without glancing to my left or right. As I neared the wing where my offices were, I saw Sig leaning against the wall.

He joined me. "Anton is in a rush."

That did not mean anything good.

We joined the others as we spilled into the large courtyard where the Pack met. Sig cleared a path for us to near the prisoner's stand.

I did not look around. I knew that I would feel Sage as she neared.

"Not a big crowd," Sig spoke softly.

There had not been much time for members to gather.

"Dagmar is in attendance."

She would lie for Anton. She would have no choice.

"Do I need to call your guards?" Sig glanced at me from the side of his eyes.

"I cannot promise I will not try to interfere," I admitted in a rough voice. I hated to admit any weakness, but Sage was my…everything.

Sig lifted his hand in the air, summoning the males.

I felt Sage approaching. It was only then that I looked around. "Where is Talia?"

"What?" Sig turned in a full circle, searching for the female. "She knows. I sent a messenger to find her."

"Perhaps it would be for the best…" Natalya had her demons, and if she did not want to witness this. I understood.

The area silenced as booted steps sounded on the hard-packed ground.

I closed my eyes and tried to center my mind. Then I prayed. "Goddess, it is your servant, Bredon Redd. My mate, your child, Sage, is in jeopardy. Please, please, keep her safe. Give her strength." My wolf howled deep in my gut.

"She looks resolute." Sig redirected my attention.

Sage stood alone on a wooden riser. Her wrists were secured behind her back. She didn't look around in awe or fear. She stared straight ahead.

"She is strong." Her strength was different than ours. Sage could burrow deep into herself and find calm.

The horns sounded, signaling Anton's approach. In the past, I would be following him as part of his delegation. Today, I did not take part. Only time would tell if I would ever act as his Second again.

I watched Sage, hoping that she would feel my presence. I hoped that she knew she was not alone.

Anton made his way to the stand with his people surrounding him.

I did not listen to the introductions. I continued to watch Sage.

Finally, the charge was read.

Anton walked to the podium. "Sage Isaacs, the charge against you has been read. What say you?"

If she felt the crowd's attention, which numbered over one hundred, she didn't flinch. She slowly turned to face Anton. "Packleader Redd, I did tell your mate the news. I did it to assuage her worry and to impart good news." She glanced at Dagmar briefly.

Anton's mate could not meet Sage's gaze. She looked down at her feet, but her shoulders shuddered as she inhaled.

"There was no maliciousness in my heart or actions." Sage continued to meet Anton's stare.

It felt like time stopped.

Sage was magnificent. She was respectful but did not cower before the Packleader.

I am not sure if my heart beat while I waited for Anton's decision.

The crowd stayed silent. Packmembers were not used to seeing a prisoner who did not beg for mercy.

Anton pursed his lips twice and then spoke, "Sage Isaacs, your actions caused unrest within your Packleaders' domicile. You have broken our laws."

I let out a disappointed sigh. It was stupid, but a part of me had hoped that Anton would leave the punishment at a lecture, pointing out her human ways.

"Twenty lashes will be the punishment."

My breath caught.

Sig leaned closer. "She can withstand that."

I knew that, and yet, I did not want her to have to experience it.

Guards approached Sage. She didn't struggle at first. Then she asked, "Now?" Her voice was higher than usual.

"Yes."

They escorted her to the tall frame with the hook hanging from it.

"It is too high." I started to take off. Suspended from that height would dislocate her shoulders because her feet would not be able to touch the floor.

Arms tightened around my upper body. "Easy, Second."

"It's too high," I told Sig, suddenly panicked. I was hoping, no praying, that somehow the bar would be magically lowered.

"She's strong. She can handle this," he told me again.

"But…her shoulders..."

Her face scrunched in pain as the guards let her swing.

One guard approached and tore her top from her body, exposing her bra.

I forced myself to watch. It took three rips for her jeans to be removed.

"Kill him," my wolf raged.

One day, I would kill them all.