As soon as the news of other rogues being escorted into the pack was received, Luna Mahira mind-linked Yara to bring Nihal and Hritika at Alpha's office where everyone else was already waiting.

Upon entering, Yara detected a mixed scent and her head snapped towards Vivaan and Rehyaa.

"You two marked each other?" She asked in disbelief.

Vivaan scratched the back of his head sheepishly. "Umm..sorry I know the current situation is bad but we couldn't...."

Although Vivaan and Rehyaa had came into an agreement to wait for the month to complete the bond, they couldn't ignore the spark between them and gave into the demands of their heart, forgetting what their mind had decided.

"What are you apologizing for? I am shocked that you lasted for a whole day. My mate and I marked each other within ten minutes. With Alpha blood running in both of your bodies, I thought you would beat my record." Gamma shook his head, looking highly disappointed in Vivaan.

"Aren't they too young for all this?" Nihal questioned in a stunned voice. This whole species was screwing with his mind. Not only they expected an eighteen year old teenager to take over an abandoned pack but also the speed in which their relationship progressed felt ridiculous to him.

"It might be too young in human age but not here. If it was too early for all this then we wouldn't have the capability of recognizing our mates at the age of sixteen. We develop and mature early than humans," Gamma answered with a huff.

"As far as I know, all mates mark each other within a few days if not on the same day itself, with the exception of our female Beta." Gamma taunted.

Yara was already feeling low about her mark and Gamma's words were like fuel to the fire. At this moment, she couldn't help but feel envious of her best friend. She suddenly felt her hand getting squeezed and looked up to see her mate trying to comfort her while glaring at the Gamma.

"What to do? We are just that lucky. We can take our time, get to know each other and fall in actual love before marking each other, unlike you all who had to give into the whims of mate bond. When we will seal our bond, we would be 100% confident in ourselves unlike you, who I am sure didn't even know the basic things about your mate when you marked each other."

Although Nihal's words were directed towards Gamma, all the werewolves in the room felt attacked.

Before another argument could rise, Luna's voice boomed, "Let's not forget the reason for which we all have gathered here."

Vivaan sighed in relief as his mother handled the situation but his eyebrows furrowed when he saw Hritika. She hadn't intervened even once in this argument. That wasn't like her, especially when Nihal was getting attacked. Nor had she complained about climbing the stairs to reach the office.

As the leaders started discussing about the rogue situation, Vivaan silently moved towards Hritika, not wanting anyone to divert their attention towards him.

"All okay?" he whispered, while tapping her shoulders.

"Uh! What?" She asked with confused eyes, having suddenly came out of trance.

"Did you even hear the argument that had happened a few seconds ago?" Vivaan questioned, looking at her disoriented form.

If it was possible, Hritika looked more confused than before, clearing Vivaan's doubt.

"My mind was somewhere else," she said in a quiet voice.

The news of these rogues had shattered her. After losing her temper and all that crying, only emptiness had left within her. She wasn't even sure if she wanted to know about Alpha Jaipal anymore. If this was her condition after finding the rogues then she didn't know what would happen when they would find out the main culprit.

"Hritika, don't lose yourself. These criminals will receive their punishment. Your parents will receive the justice."

Hritika gave Vivaan a small smile, to thank him for his efforts, even though his optimism didn't transfer to her. Even if justice was given, Neither could it bring her parents back nor could it bring back the life her Aunt and Nihal had spent in misery.

"Everything is ready. Let's go," Alpha announced, after he received the confirmation from the guards.

"How are you going to punish them?" Nihal asked.

Alpha Aarjav was surprised as Nihal directly spoke to him without him initiating the conversation. Nihal's little act brought peace to his wounded heart.

"They are all going to be beaten up until they are on the brink of death then we will let them heal as much they could while being shackled in silver chains and will again beat them up. The torture would continue until they fully give up. And then lastly we would make them lose their wolves. There's no other pain that could beat this," Alpha explained patiently and clearly.

"Do you want to come with us to see through the punishment?" He asked, giving Nihal the chance, he would have never given to anybody else as only the leaders and their strongest warriors were allowed to go there.

"No, I don't think I would be able to handle the gruesome sight." Nihal refused with a shudder and Yara immediately took a hold of his arm to comfort him.

"I would like to go." Hritika's voice was heard, reminding everyone that she was still there.

"Hritika, this can give you nightmares for your whole life." Nihal argued, coming to her side after gently removing Yara's hand.

"I want to." She stood firm on her decision. She wanted to see the murderers receive the price of their deeds.

"Only for the first ten minutes then." Vivaan came up with a compromise. This way Hritika would get the satisfaction of seeing the culprits receive their retribution but would also be protected from seeing the horrible sight.

Thankfully, Hritika agreed. Vivaan too went along with the current leaders for the sake of Hritika. He was her brother too and wanted to be her pillar when Nihal couldn't.