CLAIMING HAILEY

IL

homas will use her as an example." Their accusing gazes pierced my soul. Even though my head was lowered and my cheeks were burning with embarrassment, I was unable to ignore what they were saying. I was pulled into Thomas's study by the warriors as they flung open the doors. His broad shoulders were bent over a map that was spread out on his enormous wood desk. He commanded the room with an air of unadulterated power. His face clouded when he looked up and noticed me. "What do you mean by this?" he asked.His voice was deep and menacing as he hissed. Stepping forward, the taller warrior bent his head. We discovered that she was employed in Alpha, a human settlement. She was moving covertly behind the pack. Thomas stared at me with his piercing blue eyes, a mix of incredulity and rage. "Is this accurate?" Nothing I could say would undo what I had done, but my mind raced for an answer. "Yes," I said in a scarcely audible whisper. There was an oppressive hush in the room. Thomas's hands squeezed into fists and his jaw grew taut. "Are you even aware of what you did?" With controlled anger, his voice soared. "You've put the whole pack in danger! If the people find us- "They won't," I cut in, my voice beginning to sound desperate. "I used caution. Nobody has any suspicions. He interrupted me and angrily said, "You disobeyed my orders." "You disregarded this pack's rules. You disgraced all of us. Even though his words hurt, I felt angry as well as guilty. "I had no other option!" With a shaky voice, I shot back. "I was unable to be here any longer. I- "You couldn't stay?" he said in a poisonous tone. He stepped forward, taller than me. Do you believe that this is a personal matter? Do you believe that putting all

nd of the cell opening, my h

ssion as cold and unyieldi

actions", he said in a detached voic

platform with a commanding presence that cut down on the muttering of the throng. "Hailey has betrayed this pack," he proclaimed. By breaching our laws, she endangered our lives. For her actions, she ought to face consequences. I had a sense of foreboding. Thomas turned to me and said sternly and decisively, "Until I make a decision regarding your destiny, you will stay in the dungeon." As the soldiers pulled me back, my heart sank deeper with each step, and the heavy do