Page 58 of The Betas: Rene

The Former Russian Alphas were brought into the pit still groggy. Two men stood inside the pit with their faces covered in leather executioner’s masks, holding two large ancient hand axes with wicked looking blades. It was at that point that Frankie noticed the blocks set in the middle of the arena.

There was that booming voice coming from nowhere. Shivers rushed down Frankie’s spine. “Who shall reap the benefits of being loup garou shall follow the laws of the loup garou. The four declared you rogue and sent you back to Russia to serve your sentences. You defied us. Now you die.”

The Alpha stood. “I ask for mercy. Please, let them not be drawn and quartered. That was barbarism for another age. Take their heads…that is enough of a lesson for those who remain.” There was a commotion at the entrance to the area opposite to where Frankie came in with Didier.

The remaining former Russian Council arrived in chains.

“Where did they come from?” Frankie whispered to Didier.

“The Alpha had them brought to Garou by Enforcers while their party was in New Mexico.”

The voice spoke again and Frankie jumped, startled.

“You reap what you sow.” The lights dimmed. Frankie saw the outline of the sword hitting the necks and watched the heads roll from the bodies. Suddenly, white lights filled the arena and the bodies were gone. The voice continued. “Forget not who you are or who you answer to after your Alpha. Armand La Marche is The Alpha of All Alphas and head of this, the Russian, and the European Councils. We will brook no interference with that decision. You are all witness to our proclamation. The entire former Russian Council is now human but subject to none of the strictures that protect humans from our wrath. Take them away.”

The lights dimmed again and turned red, then white. The sand arena was gone and in its place, was a circular meeting room. A cacophony of voices broke out.

The Alpha spoke, regarding Henri pointedly, “Take our Russian prisoners to the Garou jet and place them in the holding area in the cargo hold. Have them guarded byourEnforcers who are to escort them to the loup garou gulag in Siberia where they will work at hard labor for the rest of their very long lives.”

Someone came up behind Frankie. His wolf’s gentle but strong hand grasped his shoulder. “Ma Vie, are you so disgusted with us that you would leave me?”

“No, baby. I’ve seen you police, try, and convict your own people with loup garou justice. The sentence was warranted considering the crime. The humans who live among you count on your strength to protect us and defend us. The mixing of the species would not work otherwise. They let Chernof get away with murder. For that they received the death penalty. It could not have turned out any differently.”

“Thank you, Ma Vie. Thank you for your faith in me and your faith in the loup garou.”