A furious voice boomed like thunder, heavy with rage.
The two guards froze, terrified. They knew that voice. Slowly, they turned, their faces draining of color.
Matthew stood a few steps away, his eyes blazing with rage.
"Sir…" one of them stammered, lips trembling. Both guards looked as if death itself had appeared before them. Everyone knew Matthew, the future Beta. Everyone feared his rage.
In the blink of an eye, he moved. His hands shot out, one grabbing each guard by the throat. He slammed them back against the stone wall, holding them there with frightening strength.
"And what," Matthew snarled, his voice like a growl, "did you think you were about to do?"
The guards' eyes bulged in panic, their bodies trembling, legs kicking as they struggled to speak.
"Sir… it—it's not what—" one choked out.
He didn't finish.
Matthew released his grip only long enough to slam his fist across the guard's jaw. The man collapsed to the floor with a groan, blood spilling from his mouth.
The other guard whimpered, clawing at Matthew's arm in fear.
From the corner, Sofia gasped. Her torn dress clung to her trembling body, her wide eyes fixed on Matthew.
He had saved her. The man she least expected to come to her rescue was here… saving her.
"You fucking tried to touch her." Matthew spat in anger and punched the other guard hard in the face, sending him collapsing to the floor.
"Guards!" he barked, and two men rushed in, stunned by the scene before them.
"Lock these two idiots in the dungeon… I will deal with them myself."
"No….please…" the guards pleaded, but the other two guards pulled them up on their feet and dragged them away.
Matthew inhaled deeply, controlling his emotion before turning toward Sofia for the first time since entering the cell.
His heart broke in pieces for her… She looks frightened… Her blue dress torn exposing her shoulders… He looked at her and wondered how life could be so unfair to the nicest, purest girl he had ever known.
Matthew's chest hurt. He remembered Sofia from years ago—the happy girl who used to laugh in the training yard, the one who helped everyone, the one who once stole his hat and ran laughing. Now she sat here, broken and cold.
He wanted to run to her and hug her. He wanted to tell her it would be okay, that everything would be fixed. But he could not lie. Tomorrow she was to die. Saying "it'll be okay" would be a lie.
Slowly Matthew knelt so he was closer to her. He kept his voice low.
"Sofia," he said, "I'm sorry. I wish I could fix this. I wish I could stop it."
Her lips trembled. She didn't answer. Her eyes were empty, like someone who'd already given up waiting for morning.
Matthew swallowed. He wanted to stay. He wanted to wrap her in his coat and never let her go. But there were people watching. He forced himself to stand.
"Goodbye," he whispered.
He stood, casting one last glance at Sofia. As he turned to leave, heavy footsteps echoed in the corridor.
Matthew froze.
Someone was coming.
The footsteps drew nearer until a familiar figure emerged—Damien.
His frown deepened as he glanced at Matthew, then Sofia. A familiar jealousy burned inside him. That same jealousy of years ago whenever he sees them alone together, only this time it was far worse than before.
He forced out a scoff. "Saying goodbye to your lover?"
Matthew straightened and stared back without fear. "I'm not her lover," he said in annoyance. "I was just checking up on her."
Damien's jaw tightened. His green eyes burned with jealousy he couldn't hide.
"So you're the brave hero now?" he spat. "Helping the murderer. Trying to steal her away before she dies?"
Matthew's fists opened and closed. "She's innocent, Damien," he said quietly. "You should look—"
"Fuck you." Damien spat. "I saw the video. I know what she did. And tomorrow she will pay."
Matthew kept his voice low. "You're angry. You're hurting. But you can't let that blind you."
Damien's face went hard. For a second, something like pain flared in his eyes, then he pushed it down. "I will make sure she dies tomorrow,"
Sofia watched them, shaking, lips blue from cold and fear. She could hardly believe her ears… that the man she had been in love with all these years was so desperate for her death. He wanted her death more than anything in the world… who would have imagined that the boy who promised to be her knight in shining armor would say such a thing?
Matthew shook his head. "Damien you are making a terrible mistake. One you will regret."
Damien's jaw tightened. For a second he looked like he might hit Matthew, but he only scoffed. "You always liked her," he said. "Maybe that's why you want to lie for her."
Matthew's face went red with anger, but he kept his voice controlled. "I can't believe this is you." He said in a disappointed tone.
Damien didn't say anything else; he only glared at Sofia, who sat emotionless on the floor, and then he turned and left.
After he left, Matthew looked at Sofia, her gaze fixed on the floor. His heart broke, and unable to bear it any longer, he turned and walked away, leaving her alone in the cold cell.
When Damien entered his room, he kicked a stool away… he was… furious, but what he hated most was that he was jealous. Earlier he was finding it difficult to sleep, and the moment he drifted to sleep, he had a bad dream about Sofia, and out of panic, he had gone to check on her only to see Matthew there already. It was as if he was one step ahead of him when it comes to Sofia, like he always does.
Damien's jaw clenched as old memories came rushing back.
He remembered the training yard years ago. Sofia had tripped, and before Damien could even reach her, Matthew was already there, offering her his hand, making her laugh.
He remembered the night of the winter feast. Sofia had been cold, shivering outside, and while Damien was still searching for his cloak, Matthew had already draped his over her shoulders. She had smiled brightly at him—a smile that haunted Damien even now.
And then there was the spring hunt. Damien had planned to take Sofia riding, but Matthew had gotten to her first. He had spent the day with her, laughing, teasing, showing her how to aim a bow. Damien had arrived too late, only to find her glowing with joy, her cheeks flushed as she spoke of what a good teacher Matthew was.
Every memory was a thorn in Damien's chest.
And tonight—tonight was worse. He had gone to the dungeon because he couldn't sleep, because her face wouldn't leave his mind. Only to find Matthew there already there like some noble hero.
Damien's wolf snarled inside him, restless and angry. "Accept it, Damien… you still have feelings for her."
"No," Damien growled under his breath, pacing faster. His green eyes burned with rage. "I hate her. Tomorrow… she will die, and no one—not even Matthew—will save her."