"You are not a betrayal. Say it."

"I am not a betrayal."

Making Her repeat the five words He proclaims as true

Does not ease the hemorrhaging Her soul is going through

His confession does not diminish Her suffering

Her violent voice shakes Them as a wind blustering

All the years of Her father's labor

All the tears from Her mate's failure

All the ruins of Her Lineage in ribbons

All the fluids from His sins unforgiven

Bone curling inward around the withering organ

And in the darkness, Her voice repeats until morning

"You have betrayed me."

He judges another Alpha and yet he did the same.

He fed a female from His body

He pretended His brother's mate was His own.

He confesses Their ruin was His own creation.

Salt-tinted lips captured between trembling palms.

He waits... Listens... Accepts... Admits...

He ruined Them.

Now He begins His own interrogation,

As His mate breaks in His arms.