Lucas’ Pov

He shook his head again, violently this time, the gag of rocks muffling the sounds of desperation.

I crouched slightly, lowering the sword.

The moment the blade slashed through his neck, Jadel’s head dropped like a sack of grain, thudding hard against the coarse earth.

The crowd roared with approval, fists raised high into the air like loyal wolves hailing their Alpha.

“Burn him!” Gael's gruff voice rang out beside me.

I gave a nod, approval was power.

Two men moved quickly, one grabbing Jadel’s limp, headless body, the other holding his blood-dripping head by the hair like a war trophy.

They marched to the center of the...