Chapter XLIII

The Nomad Clan farm is tense. Despite more than two months since the battle ended, the people who helped the sorcerer are still in custody. The war council has yet to reach an agreement on their punishment. Some called for capital punishment, others banishment, and others for the guilty parties to be flogged. Alf knows they were forced, but they also had the option to refuse to die, to die with honor. The Alpha leaves the war room even leaves the farm, as he passes through the door the snowy landscape fills his eyes, he inhales the scent of the snow, all he saw was white, white and whiter with a beautiful sky in different shades of blue, he brings his hands to his mouth, exhales breath to give them warmth although he didn't need it after all his forty degrees body temperature cushioned the -30 degrees Celsius in the open air a few minutes later Loke arrives at his side, he didn't belong to that pack but he was Nordic, from time to time he went to visit so as not to forget his traditions, the Beta offers a cigarette to the Alpha but he rejects it, you can smell his concern.

Loke pats his right shoulder, he was about to talk when his cell phone told him Dario's voice was happy when it informed him that his friend Secundina was alive and not only was on her way to Greece with her brother, he ended the call, the two werewolves celebrated the news. The Alpha's happiness was little when he was required in the hall, he takes his place before the council, listens to the final decision, accepts it again, leaves the hall, asks Loke to accompany him to the prisons. They leave the house to go to another house that at first glance looks like any other, front garden, beautiful facade, the Alpha opens the door with his fingerprint, the interior looks like any other house, however, going down to the basement it is another world, armored walls made of pure silver, yes that same silver that destroys them, is also their best weapon, go down a second floor, there an elevator where they go down five floors. When the doors opened it was a whole office, people coming and going all over the place carrying out their duties, "ignoring" their Alpha, the tour ends when they reach the first bars, they are opened, some guards receive them, the four go to one of the interrogation rooms, Alf asks to be taken to the oldest, he waits patiently for a couple of minutes. The door opens, a middle-aged woman, her hair was already gray, her face already had wrinkles, her gaze was already tired, out of respect Alf stands up, waits for her to take her place so he can take his, their gaze meets, not one of the two headquarters.

• Is it a staring contest, son?
• Why didn't you refuse? Lower your head.
• You had the option to refuse.
• They would kill my family.
• I congratulate you, you're a great matriarch. And the clan? The clans that were diminished? The families left incomplete by your decision? Tell me, Freya. What should I tell them all?

There is no response, he lowers his head.

• I must tell my wife and daughters who are still convalescing that you put the well-being of your family before the clan.
• It is what it is, take it or leave it.

Elian's passion

• I'm going to take it, or if I'm going to take it.
• When is my execution going to be?
• “Who said you were executed?” the Alpha smiles.
• No, no, no! Please don't, have mercy.
• I'm done.

He leaves the interrogation room, walks back to the first section where his clan's offices were located, goes to his personal office, and asks his secretary to connect him with Darío.

• Hello my Nordic friend.

—Loke told me about our friend Secundina, that's good.

—Yes, it is, it is good news to know that my Secu is alive, news that I must tell Emi.

• And how is she?
• Well, she's behaving like a teenager and a newborn too. Did you call me to ask about my niece?
• No, of course not. The decision has already been made.
• I'm listening.
• All members of that family are going to be executed, we are going to exterminate them from the cubs to Freya, the matriarch.

Darío swallows hard at the news.

• When will the execution take place?
• In a few hours we'll start with the puppies - he places his arms on the desk, interlacing his fingers and resting his forehead on them, thus hiding his face from the Greek - I feel responsible for what he did, the punishment must be exemplary, since he not only endangered my pack but everyone's.
• That's true, the most logical thing is execution.
• Of course, but she'll suffer before that, she'll see everyone in her family die.

• You could do nothing to prevent the torture.
• It was the council's decision, the majority are women.
• With kids? – the Nordic man nods – Uh, I feel sorry for her.
• "She must suffer the same thing those mothers, those daughters, those wives, and even those lovers suffered: the loss of a loved one. Her family owes us life for life, she must watch her family die."
• All clans will want proof.
• The testimony of one of you three is more than enough.

do you want to come?

• I would love to, but we are preparing for the holidays and besides that…
• Ha! Same here, the Wild Hunt, Yule. Do you think your brother wants to come? At least to see the first execution.
• You ask him, he already sent you the plane number.
• Thanks, I hope to see you at the New Year's party – hangs up, calls the major immediately –

The flight attendant hands the phone to the Greek.

—Elián, I'm glad to know that you're already doing well.

• Thank you, my friend. Tell me what I'm good at.
• The executions begin in a couple of hours. The other clans will want proof. I thought you might come. What better proof than your faithful testimony?
• I'm not going alone, two beautiful ladies are accompanying me.
• I heard about Secu, she's welcome, who's the other lady?
• My great-granddaughter. Wait a minute, “Secu, do you want to go to a Viking farm?”—Alf laughs, remembering that she wanted a Viking boyfriend, bursts out laughing when she hears, “Are they nice?”—friend, let me tell the pilot, and I’ll see you in a few hours.
• We'll be waiting for you here, don't worry, I'll hide the handsome ones.