Rebirth Of The Rejected Luna Chapter 144: The Execution

**Erika’s POV**

I stood in the crowded hall, my fists clenched so tightly that my nails dug into my palms. I was sure I'd draw blood any second. My mother was dragged into the hall, her wrists bound in iron chains, her face pale but calm. She looked so fragile, so helpless. It killed me to see her like this.

The court session was a sham, just a formality to make it look like justice was being served. I knew it was all a setup, that the outcome was already decided. But I had to be here, had to show my support for my mom. I scanned the room, taking in the familiar faces of the court members, the servants, and the guards. They all looked so smug, so self-righteous. Like they were better than my mom.

The trial began, and witness after witness came forward to testify against my mother. They all said they saw her sneaking around that night, that she was acting suspiciously, that she hated the Luna. It was all a lie. I knew my mom would never do something like that. She was kind and gentle, always putting others before herself.

But the witnesses just kept coming, each one more convincing than the last. Or at least, they tried to be. I could see the doubt in some of their eyes, the hesitation in their voices. They knew they were lying, but they were too scared to tell the truth.

Then, the final witness was brought forward - a servant shackled and looking guilty. He was trembling, his eyes darting back and forth between my mom and the court members. When he spoke, his voice was barely above a whisper.

"Lady Althea... she threatened me," he said, his voice shaking. "She told me to put the poison in the drink. I had no choice." I knew it was a lie. I looked at my mother, expecting her to freak out, to defend herself. But she just stared at the servant, her eyes dark and empty.

Why wasn’t she saying anything?

Why wasn’t she fighting for herself?

I wanted to rush forward, to demand answers, but I couldn’t. My legs refused to move.

Then the Alpha stood.

“The evidence is clear,” Corvin announced, his voice carrying through the hall. “Lady Althea is guilty of high treason and murder.”

The room was silent. The weight of his words pressed down on me, suffocating.

“She will be executed by beheading.”

The air left my lungs.

“No,” I whispered.

The Alpha’s next words made my blood turn to ice.

“The execution will be carried out immediately.”

I didn’t wait.

As soon as the court session ended, I turned and walked out, ignoring the murmurs, the shocked gasps, the whispers trailing behind me. My mother was being led to her execution, but my feet carried me in the opposite direction.

The guards were dragging the servant—the one who had lied—back to the dungeons. I followed, my heart pounding, my body buzzing with something between fury and desperation.

My mother was innocent.

This was a setup.

I had to know why.

The corridors leading to the dungeon were dimly lit, the air damp and heavy with the scent of decay. I kept my steps light, careful, waiting until the guards disappeared around the corner. Then, I slipped past, pressing myself against the cold stone walls.

The servant sat in his cell, his hands bound in iron, his head bowed. I stepped forward, my breath uneven. The moment my shadow fell across him, he looked up—and flinched.

“You lied,” I said, my voice cold.

He opened his mouth, but no words came. His eyes darted to the door, then back to me.

“You just sentenced an innocent woman to death.” I took another step closer, gripping the bars. “For what?”

His throat bobbed as he swallowed. “I—”

“For what?” I demanded. My voice echoed through the empty corridor.

His shoulders sagged, and finally, he whispered, “I’d rather let my family and I live.”

I stared at him, something icy settling in my chest.

This was bigger than my mother. This wasn’t about some petty rivalry or misplaced vengeance. This was calculated.

My mother was a sacrifice.

A cover-up.

I let out a slow breath, my fingers tightening on the rusted iron. “You think you know the Alpha’s secret,” I murmured, leaning in slightly, “and you think you’ll live?”

The servant’s face paled.

I held his gaze for a moment longer, then turned and walked away.

If he thought he was safe, he was a fool.

**Carlo’s POV**

The air was thick with silence, the kind that pressed down on the lungs, suffocating.

I stood at the edge of the raised platform, watching as Lady Althea was forced onto her knees. The executioner fastened the restraints around her wrists, locking her into place.

The guillotine loomed above her, its blade gleaming under the midday sun.

Corvin stepped forward, his expression solemn, but I could see the happiness embedded within. “We give and give,” he said, his gaze sweeping over the gathered pack members, “and yet there are those who repay kindness with betrayal.”

The crowd murmured in agreement, their faces twisted with misplaced loyalty.

Lady Althea didn’t speak.

She knelt there, her back straight, her head high. Not a single word of protest left her lips.

She knew.

She knew this wasn’t a fight she could win.

Corvin turned slightly, his eyes flicking toward me. “Where is Erika?”

I kept my face impassive. “No idea.”

He studied me for a moment before exhaling through his nose. “I hope you realize that today is your last day with her.”

The words sent a sharp jolt through me, but I forced myself to nod.

“She has to be gone today,” Corvin added, quieter this time, but no less final.

I clenched my jaw. “Then announce that she will be banished.”

Corvin’s eyes narrowed. “I thought we agreed to kill her.”

“We did,” I said, forcing calm into my voice. “But if she dies here, it’ll be suspicious. The pack will question it. We don’t need that kind of unrest.” I met his gaze. “Trust me. I know what I’m doing.”

A long silence stretched between us before Corvin finally nodded.

I had bought her time.

But not enough.