The Rebel
Chapter 44

“Alexander Jones must be punished with 50 lashes every day in public, for the next 10 days and on the next full moon. »

“He must be hanged to death.” »

All the voices fell silent, Alex closed his eyes and Vera suppressed a tear.

Logan’s grip on his hand tightened, the only support in his crumbling world.

“The council’s decision is clear. Mr. Alexander Jones must first be publicly whipped, then he will be hanged to death at the next full moon.

Now I would like King Logan to give his approval on this so that we can carry it out. »

Everyone turned to Logan, who sighed before leaning back in his throne.

One leg placed on top of the other, expressing dominance and authority.

The spokesperson handed him the official order to sign and he read it once.

His next words caused the court to burst into gasps of disbelief.

“Is this your justice? »

The spokesperson stepped forward, not knowing what was wrong.

“King Alpha. My apologies, but the elders have proven this man’s guilt and ruled on his crimes. We indeed believe that justice has been done. »

Logan sneered as he lifted the paper and tore it down the middle.

So, everyone was speechless, wide-eyed.

“King Logan!” How dare you! »

“What is he doing?” »

“He’s disrespecting us!” »

“Such audacity? We are the old ones! »

He just smiled while looking the elders in the eyes.

He answered their questions. “I have no intention of disrespecting anyone. I do what I think is right. »

“King Logan!” You can’t interfere in our affairs! Remember that we placed you on this throne! »

Logan looked darkly at this elder.

“I earned this position, elder. No one named me there. And as for my powers, they extend beyond yours. »

“How dare you!” I have served this court for 45 years of my life! » .

“And I’m afraid if you don’t shut up now, you’ll never make it to 46.” »

The elders widened their eyes and others pulled him back to ask him to calm down.

“Thank you elder. NOW. “

He said, looking at the speaker, “I, King Logan, pursuant to my powers of veto, override the decision of the elders and anyone who disagrees with my decision. Therefore, anyone who wants to go to war against me will be welcome. »

The spokesperson pulled himself together, he dared to ask him while gasps filled the rooms.

“Alpha King, such a rash decision may affect your authority. In my opinion, you should reconsider…”

“I have decided, Mr. Speaker. Come on, proceed. »

All the spokespeople sighed and shook their heads no. That’s when one of the elders spoke up, looking Logan in the eyes.

“Per court rules, King Alpha can only veto one punishment. Right, President? “

“I’m afraid so, Elder. »

The elder smiled as he stood up to his full height and faced the audience.

“So our second sentence still stands. At the next full moon, the Rebel must be tied up in the middle of the land to be whipped. »

These words caused Logan’s eyes to darken and other elders to smile in victory.

“He will be whipped until his skin is removed and every drop of b***d has been drained from his body. »

Everyone knew what it meant, to be whipped until the person died. No one expected it, but the elder was smart enough to identify a flaw in the legal structure.

“It’s against the law. I would like the law to be reread. »

Logan noted, making the speaker open the book of justice and nod at the elder.

“I’m sorry, Alpha Logan. But the law does not say that the secondary punishment is not death. » .

“Flogging is a form of justice. And until death ensues is something that isn’t mentioned, making it an exception and therefore acceptable. »

“Shit! »

Logan cursed in his head, which made the elder smile. Vera finally got up, not being able to take this anymore.

As she ran towards the center, she finally let go.

“I won’t even let you touch him!” He spent his whole life protecting women from crimes, saving them from atrocities… Is that how you reward him? Is this this masquerade of power that you all call justice? »

People who were already talking about his relationship with the Rebel, began to create more of his name.

However, the elders were not happy about a girl getting involved.

“Miss Vera. I will suggest that you keep calm. You cannot intervene in royal affairs.

“Why can’t I?” Because I’m a girl, right? Just because you shitty men can’t stand a girl talking to you in that tone! »

People were speechless, shocked, no man and even less a woman had ever dared to swear in court like that.

Alex tried to stop him while Logan just clenched his fist and hardened his jaw. He wouldn’t stop her now, she was making her point and he wouldn’t stop her.

If only he knew she was digging his grave deeper.

” No way ! It’s because you betrayed our King by hanging out with other men.

One of the women said, standing up from the audience and Vera clenched her fist .

She was weak, her body perhaps trembling, but she had to speak.

It was now or never.

“And who told you that?” Did you see me do it? What shame you do to us as a woman! Smearing the honor of another woman when you are one yourself! »

“At least I am an honored woman. I am faithful to my companion, I love him! »

“Tell us, Vera.

“Do you even love our King Logan or are you only with him for his power?” To take advantage of him? »

Vera fell silent, her words having struck her heart.

Did she love him?

She didn’t know herself and that’s when other women joined her.

They only dishonored Vera.

“She’s a slut!” What does she know about love? »

“Come see how she talks about women empowerment while she shames us all. »

“She’s a traitor, she should also be punished with the Rebel! »

“She should die with him too!” »

“She should be tortured to death!” »

Vera felt a shooting pain in her head. Their words… They were like sharp swords in his heart.

The irony made her laugh at herself. She felt sorry for herself.

The women.

She spent her entire life protecting their honor, giving everything for their good. All this so that one day, they would humiliate him like this.

Are these the women you wanted to save, Vera?

Are these the ones you wanted to protect at the risk of your life?

Her conscience was mocking her.

“Whipped her to put some shame in that spirit!” »

“King Alpha should reject a slut like her!” »

Every word they spoke weakened him.

Other women joined her, and they all pointed at her.

In doing so, they killed his morale and self-respect.

Alex couldn’t stand this. Indeed, he knew how much it affected him. After all, he saw her saving these women every day without worrying about herself.

All this so that one day she will hear this incongruity? !

“Vera!” Do not listen to them ! »

He shouted from behind. But Vera was too lost, she looked around her, those eyes filled with hatred accusing her, humiliating her.

The voices… These echoed in her mind and she held her head.

The whole courtroom was pointing fingers at her and she had never felt so alone before.

His heart was racing, his mind was racing too and slowly the accusing eyes faded.

She closed her ears, trying to block them out, but they were still audible.

“Kill her with him!” Whip it! Torture her! »

His vision was becoming blurry, Alex’s screams falling on deaf ears.

She was losing her strength, her body was going numb and her eyes were covered with black spots.

But no one cared about her condition, everyone was busy accusing and cursing her.

Until a voice rang out throughout the courtroom.

She sewed up every mouth and made every soul tremble with fear.

” ENOUGH ! ! ! » …

The aura around her changed and she knew where she came from.

The voices fell silent, but the sharp pain in his head only grew worse.

The world shifted on its axis and she sent her hands around for support, but found nothing.

Falling back into the depths of the unknown, she was ready to face the pain, when two strong arms held her waist.

The dark aura that had silenced everyone now surrounded him like an envelope.

She held her to protect her.

His eyes were filled with worry as he tried to wake her.

His thumb caressed her cheek asking her to stay with him.

“Vera!” Open your eyes, Vera! I am here. »

He said to calm her down. He pulled her to his chest and, shouting, he gave the order to his men.

It was then that a tear fell from his eyes and finally came crashing down.

She had a sad smile on her lips as she spoke.

Her last words left him helpless.

“Women… They hate me, Logan… They… They hate me. »

And with that, she welcomed the darkness as he watched the tear leave her eye and travel down her cheek.

A fire of fury ignited within him as he watched the woman he loved collapse in his arms.