Chapter 23: What Was Left

They came into the great hall at noon, with the whole Moot still in their seats.

Margaret walked in first, in her plain gray gown, with her head high and her eyes red.

Behind her came Corbin in iron wrist chains, led by the old scarred warrior.

Behind him came Brianna, with a pup in a blanket against her chest.

Her braid was gone. Her hair had been cut to her shoulders, and she wore a plain gray shift.

The hall went quiet as they crossed the black stone.

Margaret stopped in front of the Alliance seat, where Sorcha sat with Brogan on her right, and she bowed from the waist.

"Luna Sorcha," she said. "Alpha Greaves. Honored Moot."

"Margaret," Sorcha said.

"I did not come to ask for anything."

"Then why come?"

"Because the pack voted that it should be said here, before the Moot, and not in a back room."

Margaret drew a breath.

"Ironwood sends its shame. And what is left of its pride."

She stepped aside.

Corbin took two shuffling steps forward, the chains rattling, and he went down on one knee.

He did not look up.

"I have been eleven days in the northern villages," he said.

His voice was rough and cracked.

"I have dug ditches and mended fences. I carried water for a woman whose son died in the raids."

"She told me what her boy was like. She told me I was the reason he was dead."

"Corbin," Margaret said quietly.

"No. Let me say it, Mother."

He lifted his head, and his eyes met Sorcha's.

"I did not ask Sorcha if the bond was a mistake. I decided."

"I decided because it was easier than telling the truth to Brianna, or to you, or to myself."

A muscle jumped in his jaw.

"I took her seven years and her place because I could. And when the wards fell, I put a knife to her throat."

"Yes," Sorcha said.

"I am not asking for forgiveness."

"Good."

Keep reading free with an account. Start My Mate Broke Our Bond, So the Northern Alpha Claimed Me from Chapter 1, then sign up free to read the rest of this chapter.