---Marcus' POV---

Today was the day. Already several Alphas had gathered, growling lowly as they stayed close to the prison. Anton would be able to scent them all, would sense his impending death in the air.

Good.

Let him fear just the way he made his pack fear, make him feel the anguish and pain of all those innocent pups he killed. Even now, the consequences of his acts were still unseen as multiple pups refused to interact with any unknown wolf.

I've even heard from Dorian, who was one of the last wolves to return from Zayne's pack, that the little ones had nightmares of what happened. What was supposed to be a group of young wolves, eager to explore the world, had turned into a bunch of terrified children who didn't dare to leave their rooms.

A low snarl slipped from my lips before I felt Zayne lean against me, tilting his head curiously. I smiled down at him and hugged him closer, well aware that he was shaking in fear.

The Alphas had all been ecstatic at seeing a young Omega, but had frowned when they realized that Zayne too had been traumatized under Anton's rule. They hadn't heard of an abused Omega before, since such an occurrence was rare. But still, they all fumed and snarled, having to cool off as they scared Zayne.

My eyes flitted to the side, where Quinton and Audrey were standing quietly. So far, Audrey hadn't made an attempt to speak to Zayne directly. She knew better than anyone what Zayne would've endured and she blamed herself for not speaking up.

What happened, happened. There's nothing we can do about it except live with the consequences. And even now, she refused to speak of herself as Zayne's mother. "A mother would never leave her child behind to endure what he did." She said when I asked her about it.

She didn't see herself worthy enough to be related in any way to the omega in my arms. Speaking of which, Zayne was growing increasingly more nervous, flitting looks between the doorway, the growling Alphas and a silently fuming Quinton.

"Dad a-angry?" He looked up, eyes blinking innocently while Quinton shook his head slightly to regain control before flashing Zayne a reassuring smile. "I'm fine pup. Can't wait to see Anton and give him a nice and personal talk though." Quinton glanced at me before frowning down and silently motioned to Zayne.

I knew what he was asking and even I had my doubts. This wasn't something Zayne should see. He's had enough of violence for a lifetime and I didn't want to scar him by witnessing Anton's death.

Because I knew for certain that the Alphas weren't going to hold back on a Rogue who has managed to kill a true Alpha and managed to rule the original pack for decades. It irked them that none of the packs nearby had noticed anything or even had the wherewithal to actually go and visit the pack.

One of the nearby Alphas's scoffed and glanced through the crowd. "Guess which pack isn't here. After being informed of what happened, I guess they're too ashamed and cowering back in their homes." He growled, gaining a few nods while another Alpha rubbed over his beard in thought.

"Its odd how they didn't let in that male, nor did they listen to his requests... Quinton, was it?" His eyes flitted over to the man in Question, who nodded once, frowning slightly. "I mean, if I had a Rogue circling my border for months, begging for help, I'd grow curious and investigate."

A few hums of agreement resounded while the man continued, "At the very least, they could've sent a request for Pack Law. All of this could've been prevented. So many deaths because of a pack's neglect."

Many voiced their agreement and I silently agreed as well but still. The pack hadn't helped Quinton nor contacted Pack Law to alert them of a Rogue circling their borders. Was it neglect, a matter of saving face... or had Anton bribed the Alpha of their pack?

My eyes snapped up when I heard Terrance and Brandon coming upstairs, which meant that Anton was being prepared for his execution. Though I was all to eager to get a hold on Anton and rip him to shreds, I knew I couldn't let Zayne see all this.

And by the way my little mate was trembling, digging his nails in my arm, he was already terrified. When he glanced up, the distress and fear in his eyes was enough for me to lift him up and leave back to the pack house.

"He's all yours. Have at him." I muttered while passing Quinton, who released a low yet pleased snarl. "With pleasure." A wicked grin flashed over his face, eyes set on the doors as if he couldn't contain himself any longer.

Already several of the Alphas were shifting, shaking their fur and snapping their teeth together as they listened to the approaching rogue.

I sighed and held Zayne close while going in the building, smiling as I felt his lips brush against my cheek in a thankful gesture. Who cares if I didn't get to kill Anton? If Zayne was happy, I was happy!

Nuzzling closer to him, he let out a tired chuckle and hugged me before glancing over my shoulder. I could tell he was curious yet afraid.

"Don't worry love, after tonight, you don't have to worry about Anton anymore." I reassured, watching as he frowned but nodded. "But... what about my siblings?" His question was a difficult one, as I didn't have an answer for it.

"Your sister is easily found, as your mom knows whom she was adopted by, and where they are. As for your brother..." I paused, unsure how to continue but Zayne understood and nodded his head.

"I was found because of the dog fights... " He thought, sniffing slightly as I drew him in my lap and nuzzled his hair reassuringly. We were torn between hoping that whoever and where ever his sibling was, he'd be safe. But if they were safe, it would take a long while before we'd find a trace of the last pup.

It would be easier if they fell into the wrong hands... But that was not something anyone wished on the unnamed pup. All we could do was hope, and pray for a miracle.

--- Quinton's POV---

A low snarl rumbled through my chest as I eyed the doors, shifting from one foot to another eagerly. My wolf was more than ready to burst through my skin, take control and rip Anton to shreds. But I knew that if I shifted now, I'd had no control over my animal.

And I wanted Anton to suffer.

Besides me, Audrey whimpered softly as the doors opened, revealing Anton's smug smirk as he stepped up the last stairs. Squinting against the sunlight, he surveyed the gathered Alphas before his eyes landed on us.

"Ah, of course. I was wondering when you two would show up. Came here to gloat about my demise?" A growl ripped through my chest as I lurched forwards, flashing my teeth before Audrey held me closer.

Anton's attention moved to my mate, grinning even wider. "Audrey. How delightful to see you again. A shame that you lost a few pups along the way, though I heard you've found two of them." My wolf was going insane in my head but paused as the information soon sank in.

"You knew..."

The man smirked, not even fighting against Pack Law as they circled him, preparing for his execution. "Of course I knew. I had eyes and ears everywhere. I knew wherever Audrey was going because it never came up in that pretty yet empty little head of hers that she was injected with a tracker."

He snorted, rolling his eyes while scanning the other Alphas with a broad grin. "So easy to make Pack Law and other Alphas think it was her stealing information. For such proud men, you don't check your security enough."

Wait..."You're confessing? Why? Why now, after all this time?!"

"Why not? I'm going to die anyways; I have no doubt about that. Speak or keep silent, these Alphas will make my blood spill over the forest floor by the end of the day." He moved his shackled wrists, making them chime slightly.

"I don't know you personally but after I found out you mated with Audrey, bred her, I knew enough. At first, I was simply waiting, hoping for the day you'd follow her back home to ask for her hand so I could kill you while she watched."

He shrugged, ignoring the countless growls. "When she was starting to show, I knew I couldn't let her leave. She'd never come back again and by keeping her prisoner, you'd be worried sick until you'd barge in to free her."

Anton chuckled humorously, shaking his head. "I had already given my men the order to capture you on sight, so I could break you before her and through you, break her. At least you can say Audrey was smart enough to escape before she gave birth. Otherwise I'd let her go but I'd taken one of the girls in her place."

His eyes moved over the crowd, smirking though there was a tired look in his eyes. It seemed as if the once proud rogue Alpha was giving up. Though there was still that spark of madness in his eyes, it seemed as if he had resigned with his fate.

My wolf snarled, eager to get past all this. Already I could feel my bones shifting, could feel my wolf pushing through and I knew I didn't have much time left.

Anton smirked slightly as he turned our way. "So yeah, I know all about the fact that you reconciled with your little Omega runt, how you found out about your daughter...yet, you don't know anything about your eldest son."

It seemed like everyone froze before he was shoved closer towards the forest, the Alphas shifting and preparing to run after him. Anton wouldn't get far but...

"Isn't it ironic? Your one nemesis who tortured the youngest son, is the only one who can save your older son. Pity that I'm taking that secret with me to the grave." Before anyone could stop him, Anton shifted, signaling the start of his execution.

"Stop, WAIT!" I screamed at the others but they all tore off after Anton, making me shift as well. The air filled with the stench of fear, pain and blood and by the time I had reached Anton, he was already bleeding out.

His wolf was panting but when his eyes landed on me, he dared to smirk, barking out a soft laugh. Bleeding from multiple gashes, his breath choked and shaky through a crushed larynx...

And then he was gone. And with him, the information where I could find my eldest son. My wolf let out a long, mournful howl; surely we could try and look for him, but it would take so long to find our pup.

My pups...

My poor, sweet pups. Why did they have to pay the price?