Breaking the Bond that Binds.

Chapter 52 - Paying the Piper

I got up early and finished this off.  Just fixing the typos now...Sorry for the wait.  

Humans suggest that ambush is a favoured hunting style used by wolves in the wild. It is also favoured by Lycans. When we work as a team we almost always succeed. Even the smartest, fastest prey can be caught.

....

The click of heels announced her arrival. Damien, the Hoplite, Apestal, Tattac Guardians were present, also Damos and his Luna. Lieutenant Lewis ushered Sophia into the Chapel chamber and she joined Damien under the central light. A step behind was her secretary. Maria faded away into the background. It was an impressive assemblage of Lycan Pure Blood aristocracy and for a brief moment one would have mistaken it for a grand occasion, the confirmation of a Lycan Alpha and Luna and the public marking of a mate.

Sophia was dressed for the occasion in a blood red dress that floated around her ankles as she walked in. She was all smiles as she greeted the group waiting for her arrival, giving them a grandiose nod of acknowledgement. Damien was clearly unimpressed. There was a fire in his eyes and he scowled as he waited for the last person to enter. Damos wouldn't lift his eyes off the floor. The Hoplite and Apestal Guardians stood rigid and stone faced. The atmosphere was tense. It was another five minutes before a weary looking PA, the last Guardian, arrived.

The Chapel was more oppressive than usual, the walls magnifying the sound of each breath they took until it seemed the Chamber itself was quietly breathing. The Chapel Guardian stepped forward to oversee the ceremony oblivious of the tense atmosphere and was about to speak when Damien raised his hand to stop him. The Guardian looked aggrieved, this was his big moment.

"There's been a change of plans. I...." Sophia's face lost its smile, her amber eyes flickered. "I won't be taking Sophia of the Vasiliki family as my mate." The Chapel Guardian was about to speak but stopped when he saw the look on Damien's face. He looked around at all the sullen faces and could see this was not the time for questions. He was confused but remained silent.

Damien stepped back to stand with the others leaving Sophia alone in the centre of the chamber. "What's going on Damien. I thought we had an agreement." Maria rushed to her Master's side.

"We only had a deal because you held all the cards but I think the situation now has tipped in my favour." Damien was expressionless, even though he was feeling so much hate and revulsion for this woman in front of him. "Virgil is safe and is being taken care of by my lieutenants." Sophia cocked an eyebrow, she didn't think Damien was the sort to bluff. It appeared her plans had gone astray. The indomitable Nico had failed, which he had never done before.

Paul stepped forward and pulled out his phone, lifting it to eye level for Sophia to look at the image. Both she and Maria stared at the screen. If she needed proof, here it was. It was Nico, or recognisable parts of Nico after Virgil's wolf had finished with him.

The blood ran from Sophia's face but even faced with this nightmarish photo she still pressed on.

"What a shame. Nico was a loyal servant." Her clenched her jaw and behind her Maria sobbed quietly.

"Is it really so bad that I wanted you as my mate. But I admit I did underestimate you...." She turned to Paul smiling patronisingly. "I suspect you played a big hand in this. You chase after that lowborn as much as you do your Alpha." Her poison tongue still sharp even at a time like this. Damien's eyes flickered a little brighter and she knew she'd successfully pushed his buttons. But it was a tiny, petty win. Maria moved closer, her arm protectively around Sophia's waist.

"You are here in front of the Alpha and Guardians accused of crimes against our pack, the human world and me personally." The chapel Chamber amplified Damien's voice.

"You are charged with blackmailing the Alpha into becoming his mate." The few present who weren't aware of the situation gasped. Damien's mother clutched at Damos' hand and whisper not so quietly "What's he talking about." 

 The Chapel Guardian covered his mouth to muffle a few swear words that slipped out.

"You are charged with the kidnapping of Virgil Nikola.' Sophia scoffed and mumbled under her breath "A lowborn pffttt.." Damien clenched his fist and went on.

"Your worst crime is that you are responsible for the murder of an innocent human." She rolled her eyes and again added "collateral damaged."

"BE QUIET!" Damien bellowed in his Alpha voice, his wolf growling and everyone instinctively step back.

"You have dishonoured your family name." These words were what brought the reality of the situation home to her. Sophia's mouth pinched and her jaw clenched. In her eyes you could see defeat and for the first time...fear. Maria grabbed on to her tighter. Sophia's fate was also her fate.

Paul stepped forward an Pack Edict in his hand. She had been judged and sentenced. He read it to Sophia with a little too much satisfaction showing on his face.

"The crimes of Treason, Murder, Kidnapping and Dishonouring the Family Vasiliki and the Lycan Pure Blood will from this time on be bound to your name. Recorded for all time. This will be your punishment and your burden." Paul went on "You are cast out from this pack."

"As we do not execute or exile Pure Bloods we have only one sentence we can impose on you and that is to send you back to your family with a list of your crimes and let them handle the matter."

So that was the end of it. Sophia shuddered at the thought of returning home and facing her family and the homeland hierarchy. They were steeped in the old ways and she knew what she would have to endure. Her family would be humiliated in front of their peers, the worst crime of all in their eyes. Murder, bribery, any of those were par for the course in their world but losing face and their prestige was a totally different matter. Their revenge would swift and vicious. Sophia looked around the room, this was not how she imagined the day would be. She saw herself with a strong mate, fitting into the pack eventually, one day actually being happy. Desperation had turned her into a monster, she knew that.

"Maria dear." She turned to her Secretary, whose face was paler than usual, streaked with tears and placed her hand on her shoulder. "You've been such a dear friend, do this last favour for me." Sophia bent and placed a kiss on her companions cheek. Their eyes met, a wordless exchange.

Maria raised her hand and placed it on her Masters. Obeying was ingrained in her, as natural as breathing. Her small claw knife slipped into the palm of her other hand and in the blink of an eye she ran it deeply across Sophia's throat. Before the pain and realisation that death was seconds away, they clung together. The Sophia's eyes closed and she slumped to the ground at Maria's feet. Following her Master into the after life she slashed across her own throat, stood blinking for a moment then dropped to the Chapel floor. They had kept their pact that they would never return home. The chamber was silent, the metallic smell of blood filling the space. Pure blood spreading and desecrating the chapel floor.

The macabre scene had only taken seconds and everyone in the room stood in shock until Damien's mother let out a shrill scream and sent the group in different directions.