Page 68 of Red

I swallow and smile. They won’t see me as useless after this.

Above me, the dome reaches its peak, shining a few sunlight beams across the dark room.

“Aloka Tutten,” Lunin addresses me.

“Yes, present, sir.” I give a slight bow.

“You have disobeyed the direct orders of an Alpha, as well as many Elders here.”

It doesn’t matter. What I did will help save them. Why can’t they focus on that?

“I did so in order to—”

“It does not matter your purpose. Did you or did you not leave the residence of Stark Lamont without permission for nine days, then return on foot after spending time with our current human enemy?”

“I did, but I—” I twist, looking for Graden and Otis, but they both stare down at their hands. Cowards.

“Enough.” Another Elder’s voice bounces off the round walls. Dino—he’s the one who cared about Pratt. Guess that courtesy didn’t extend far.

“You will be punished accordingly. We will consult now. Aloka Tutten, do not speak as you wait upon our decision,” the white-haired Elder says.

It can’t be too serious; they must see that I went to help the pack. Why else would I have gone there?

I vote for five lashes.

Five? She’s a near human. She won’t survive.

She must be held accountable.

Stark thinks he’s invincible, and he is not here to protect her.

She should have stayed with the humans.

My eyes scan their faces, trying to figure out who’s saying what. Heat rises in my chest, and I shift, sucking in a breath. Nails dig hard enough into my wrist to break the skin, and my magic flares in warning. The thoughts are too much, so I lock them out.

Lunin clears his throat. “The decision has been made. Aloka Tutten, you will be accountable for three lashes across the back.”

A few of them smile, while others murmur to each other.

“I got information to help. Please,” I plead.

“Darwin will be proceeding with the lashes and Irwin, please tie her.”

The Elder, a wide-set muscular man, I recognize as the one who slapped Stark across the stomach, stands and walks around the long bench. Another with a man bun rises and goes to the wall by the door, lifting down two ropes.

My heart races. Where’s Stark?

Tears fall down my cheeks. “I don’t think this is necessary.” I move again, and Irwin comes at me. There are twelve of them, and one of me. I never trained to fight werewolves — only hide from them.

“Please hold out your arms,” Irwin says.

I lift them and try to stay cool, with no success. He drops the long rope, taking the end and wrapping it around my bare skin. Tying it in a thick knot, he pulls, and my wrists grind into each other.

Dino wipes his face. “Can someone check the temperature in here?”

Irwin grabs the next rope and wraps my legs together, then he and Darwin push down on my shoulders, forcing me onto my knees. I try to move, but the ropes dig in further.

“It’s time,” someone says.