Shattered (Complete) #Wattys2019

Epilogue: Third Person

"Are you sure you want to be here for this?" Em pulled Rose close to his chest. His front pressed firmly to her back. His arms ready to hold her together if she fell apart.

She glanced to his eyes, worry clouding their normally bright hazel mix. "I'm sure. I need the closure." It wasn't that she wanted to see Donovan die. She didn't want to see anyone die. However, in the couple of months since Wyatt's attack, she had grown to realize how much it helped her fight her nightmares when she remembered that she watched his mate end him for good. There was no way he could find her again. And she knew she needed the same closure with her former mate.

"If you get upset, turn around and close your eyes. I've got you baby." He peppered kisses along her shoulder and neck.

The affection sent tingles down her spine, her body responded to his touches, almost convincing her to let him mark her. She had to shake the thought away. Her former mate's execution wasn't the proper time or place for such thinking.

There was no longer doubt of Em's feelings. The prince loved her. He was cautious and patient. He never pushed for anything more than she offered of her own free will. And she loved him all the more for it.

However, she still wasn't sure she wanted to be that much of a risk to the future king. Tying his life to hers. Donovan was a stark reminder of the darkness that could come from a sealed mating bond. She trusted Em. Yet, trusting the nature of the bond? That was something she hadn't reached yet.

Phalen entered the room, looking somber in all black with his golden crown upon his head. Jax walked beside him with a velvet case. The two took a stand in front of the Elders Council.

"Your Majesty." Elder Lylle nodded his head in respect. "It is with a heavy heart that the Council hands over a wolf for the terms of his sentence, not matter how warranted the judgement is. We recognize the weight we place on your shoulders in carrying out your justice. By the Moon Goddess above, may your hand be swift and as painless as possible."

Phalen nodded as he turned to open the case Jax held. Inside was a silver dagger with a golden hilt set with moonstones. It would be beautiful if not for its purpose.

Quietly, Donovan was escorted to a chair in the room, set directly between the king and the Council. "Donovan Kenton, you've been brought before us to finish out your final sentence. Do you have any last words?"

Messy, dark blonde hair bounced as he nodded. His voice was quiet and broken. Such a different man to the one I had known for all those years. "I can only apologize one last time." His golden eyes stared at Rose with resignation.

From what Em had told her, the wolf had never let the man have control again. Not after her first heat. She would never know if Donovan felt true remorse for his actions. She doubted it. However, it was clear his wolf did.

It tugged at her heart. How had the two been paired? Not that she would forgive either of them. The wolf could have stopped him, yet he never did. Not until it was too late.

Em growled a soft rumble of warning until the wolf turned his head to face the Council. "Having the year to find small forms of redemption, followed by a quick end is more than I could have asked for. Let the judgement be."

Before anyone had time to question it further, Phalen stepped forward. With one clean movement, he sliced the throat of the guilty wolf in front of him. It wasn't a duty he relished in at all. However, it was one he wouldn't assign to anyone else. It was a burden he carried as king.

No one spoke as the end came.

As soon as it was done, he looked up at Rose, praying he hadn't damaged her view of him. Yet she seemed at peace. Leaving the blade with Jax and knowing the guards would handle the cleanup, he made his way to her.

With a gentle kiss to her head, Phalen smiled down at the girl who had become a daughter to him. He had always been disappointed he hadn't had a chance to become a father. After Elora passed, he just couldn't bring himself to welcome another female into his heart. No one could compare to the love of his true mate. Yet, Rose held a completely different part of him.

Em's soft grin caught his brother's eye.

It had taken a couple weeks for the two of them to balance out again. Phalen had always suspected his brother was attached to Rose, yet his past with saving the victim had been so damaging, he hadn't really expected Emerson to act on anything. The king was far more worried that the early similarities between Rose and Caroline would be enough to shatter the hold the younger man had on his emotions. He never expected their wolves to recognize each other as mates.

A small shiver still ran down his spine at the thought. Despite the fact that Rose was twenty four and had no relation of any kind to Phalen prior to the case, he still loved her as a daughter. It was strange to think of his daughter and his brother as mates. Ew, on principle.

However, all he really could do though was trust their wolves. The instincts were stronger than logic, and denying them would hurt them both.

Quietly, Em and Phalen surrounded the woman they both cared for as they all left the Council Chambers. The case against Donovan Kenton was over. And with him, the last piece of shattered soul was pulled from the toxic pool of her past. Everyone knew it would take more than finding all of those lost fragments before she could be whole. Yet they could hope that the sharp, jagged edges smoothing away with the love of two brothers.

With them at her side, she was given a bright and warm future, surrounded by family. 

********** THE END **********

(Author's Note- Please let me know what you think of the story. I look forward to any critiques. What you like, but more importantly, what you don't like. Any info can help me improve the story, or better yet, grow as a writer to provide better stories over all. Thank you so much.)

(Additional Note- I'm also posting another story that has similar foundations... girl abducted and found, alpha king... etc. However, the stories are very different, with different relationships and characters. There is no over lap. So, please feel free to check out the new story. Stronger.)