It’s been two weeks since the day at the motel and Zira was still locked in the room. So she kept to herself most days, not that it was her choice. Isaiah basically locked her in the room with limited visits from her family and Isabella. The only other time the door opened was when Omega Mary brought her food three times a day. Other than dying from boredom, Zira would stare out the window watching the changing leaves fall to the ground.
She really wanted to go outside. Although she was born in the spring, the fall season was her favorite. From the change in scenery to the fashion to the change in weather. Since wolves are hot blooded creatures, the cool air moving through their fur is the best feeling. She would just have one day in the forest with the leaves crunching under feet. So this is what missing freedom feels like.
Since the motel, Isaiah kept his distance from Zira. He was still confused about what happened. He knew he was mad but he had never been mad enough to try to attack Zira. Hell he never yelled at her like that before either. Isabella told him about the color of their eyes on that day and thinks someone hexed us but who? Only two people came to mind. Nas was the leader of a group of rogues that attacked his pack and a witch was involved.
Then sadly there's Alaia but Isaiah knew she didn't have powers. So maybe that was a dead end. The news about Zira’s attempted abortion was all people in the pack can talk about. Some were furious, others kept their opinions to themselves but Isaiah knew he was going to have to address this as soon as possible.
After a meeting with Alpha Zack for the preparations to return to the Wormhole, everyone gathered for Zira’s judgment. Isaiah’s parents, Isabella, Hunter, Jace, Alaia, Zira, her family, and a member of the council with his assistants were all here. Isaiah wanted this to be an internal affair but somehow the elders heard of this incident and sent someone to represent them on the matter. Once they invited themselves to the proceeding Isaiah knew this was going to be bad for Zira. The council member cleared his throat and stood up.
Councilman Faulkner was as old as anyone can get. He was the oldest person I’ve ever met, Isaiah thought. His dark robes adorned with jeweled buttons covered his entire body making him look as if he was floating. His face showed his age as his wrinkles moved when he talked and looked as if they were molded from clay. His eyes were covered by his bushy eyebrows so it might have looked as if he was asleep or couldn’t see. Isaiah never met a member of the council and wondered if they all looked as antique as this one.
“I would like to get this meeting over as soon as possible,” Councilman Faulkner started. Even his voice had an antique quality to it. “I have other business elsewhere, so let’s get started. As a representative of the Elders, the judgment I make today will be accepted as law. Can the accused step forward?”
Zira heard the councilman call upon her. She didn’t want to move but her mother slightly pushed me forward.
This is no time to be rude, Zira her mother linked her.
Zira moved in front of the row of people staring at her. She kept her head low and eyes to the ground. Zira had never been so scared in her life but her face wouldn't show it. She was told a few days by Isabella that the Elders were getting involved which never ends good for anyone. Though standing in front of a councilman could only mean someone is either going to die or disappear.
Aside from the endless boredom, she couldn't sleep and worst of all she couldn't eat. Not even the desserts her mom tried to bring to her could entice her. Despite fighting for her life, she prayed to the Goddess to bring back her appetite. If she was going to die she at least wanted a full body not including the baby. She absentmindedly placed her hands on her swollen belly that has started to make its appearance.
“Zira, you have been charged with a serious crime. The termination of your baby and not just any baby. The baby of an Alpha. Is this true,” Councilman Faulkner asked. His voice bellowed throughout the room as Zira nodded.
“Let’s pretend I cannot see and my hearing is not as good, girl. So speak with your mouth and speak up.”
Isaiah growled a little and the councilman and his assistants looked in his direction. He suddenly felt his father’s hand on his shoulder. Isaiah didn’t look away but kept his stare on the councilman’s eyebrows. He didn’t like the way he was talking to her. Couldn’t he see how fragile she looked.
Isaiah, he is doing his job. Calm down, Alaia linked to him. She must’ve felt my anger though the bond. I nodded and took a deep breath.
“Yes,” Zira croaked out. “I am guilty.”
“Why,” the councilman asked.
It took them all by surprise. No one really thought about the question of why but Isabella knew. Isabella remembered the way Zira told her the plan. Zira looked crazed out of her mind and didn't look like herself. Everyone watched as Zira looked up stunned by the question too. We waited for her to answer while she sat there thinking about it for a minute.
“At first, I thought I was doing it for selfish reasons when Dr. Callie told me the risks that came with the pregnancy, until I saw how it could affect the Alpha’s and Luna’s relationship, Councilman Faulkner. I...I didn't want to cause any problems for them. I felt I was doing what was good for the pack. We know that if the Alpha and Luna flourish, so will the pack. So having this baby would only put a wedge in their relationship so…”
“So you decided to take things into your own hands. Do you understand how precious life is in our community, Zira? Do you understand how precious the life of an Alpha’s baby is to your pack, especially a baby like yours?”
“Baby like mine,” Zira questioned, looking at everyone as if they knew what he was talking about.
“After looking over the recent reports and images from Doctor Callie, I’ve concluded your baby is not only the baby of an Alpha but a descendant of the Goddess herself.”
“This isn’t news to us,” Isaiah’s father said. Everyone knew the Black’s family ancestors were a line of the descendants from the Goddess herself.
“Of course, Alpha Jack, but how many of your ancestors were white wolves?”
Everyone gasped at the new information. Alaia stood up and started to walk away. Isaiah grabbed her wrist before she could make it out of the room.
Alaia…
I need a moment, Isaiah. I promise I’ll be back. She turned to smile at him but inside her head she was screaming bloody murder. Isaiah was reluctant but knew when she needed a moment to let her go.
Not too long Isaiah nodded.
Alaia couldn't believe her ears. Not only is Zira having Isaiah’s baby but a white wolf. A white wolf was rare. Legends goes that long ago the Goddess had mated with a white wolf and those offspring had a bit of her powers. Whether it was faster healing or mind control over any werewolf or being the Alphas of all Alphas. So white wolves were not just rare but sought out for their power. Throughout the years many were killed due to many Alphas being afraid or jealous of the power they hold.
Isaiah’s great, great, great grandaunt was one of them. She was the second oldest and her brother was the Alpha at the time. He was jealous of her power and thought she was trying to take his position due to the fact everyone loved her. So he planned to have her killed. He succeeded and almost got away with it if not for his mate, who knew about it all and told the council. Since then their line didn't produce any more white wolves until now. The whispers were interrupted by Zira’s father.
“So what does that mean for our daughter,” he asked, stepping behind Zira who looked as if she wanted to faint.
Everyone looked at the councilman who was quiet for a moment. He shook his head as if he was trying to get rid of thought. He braced the table and Isaiah got up to make sure he was okay but his assistants beat him to it. He held up his hand to stop them and for a split second Isaiah thought he saw the councilman's eyes. Isaiah thought he saw red before the councilman’s eyes were covered by his eyebrows. Isaiah thought he was starting to see things.
“Zira Lake, knowing what you would have taken from our community is worth more than life itself. I conclude that after you give birth, if you survive, you shall be executed for all your crimes.”
Zira heard the words he said and felt all the blood drain from her face while protests exploded throughout the room. Most of them were from her family and Isabella. Isaiah was completely silent. He knew this was coming but it didn’t make it easy to hear.
“Silence!” Isaiah commanded. He didn’t remember standing up. “Councilman Faulkner is a representative from the Elders and we would show respect for his decision.”
“With all due respect, Alpha and Councilman Faulkner, I believe your judgment is bullshit,” Zed yelled, while his mother hit his arm but it didn't stop him. He stepped in front of his sister and kept going. “The fact is she didn’t do it. Isabella said it herself. Zira stopped before the procedure even happened. Now you’re going to punish her for that. For not killing her baby.”
At this moment, Zira and Isaiah wanted to hug Zed. Zira had never seen Zed take up for her, but she was glad someone did. Isaiah released a breath of relief.
“Hmmph. From what I heard Isabella was the reason the procedure was stopped in the first place.”
“SHE called me actually,” Isabella stood up. “I was there because she wanted me to stop it. Besides I don't think she’s been herself since the pregnancy. Since she found out she’s been having nightmares that would make anyone go crazy. She hasn’t even been eating like her usual self and that’s saying something.”
Councilman Faulkner was quiet for a moment. Isaiah guessed he was thinking about everything that was being said. Then the councilman turned to Isaiah.
“Alpha Isaiah, this situation is very critical and usually your input would not be included but if it was indeed Zira’s decision to stop the abortion it might change things. Do you believe she is still a threat now that you know how special the baby she's carrying is?”
Isaiah knew Zira or at least he thought he did. She was always there for everybody. She was nice, caring, and strong but for these past weeks he has seen a different part of her. She was distant, angry, and sad. He felt the thoughts of the past weeks flow through his mind involuntarily. He thought about how scared she looked when they found out about the pregnancy and when Doctor Callie told her about the risks.
He thought about when she told him she would fix everything. He thought about the last argument they had the last time they saw each other. The memory of her saying their baby was bad luck. He remembered her saying she had to get rid of it. Even after the failed abortion she still wanted to get rid of it. That kept repeating inside his head.
Everything in his mind was telling him that Councilman Faulkner might be right. Maybe she doesn't deserve to live. The same way she decided their baby didn't deserve to live.
“I agree with your decision, Elder Faulkner,” Isaiah started trying to collect his thoughts before he said anything else.