As the sun rose the next morning I waited patiently as Amber was lead from the dungeon to a deep pit. The dirt seemed fresh and there was no leaf litter in sight. It must have just been dug for this.

She is practically thrown into it by Caleb and it was the first time I'd ever seen him so angry. He was always so nice and thoughtful. If I didn't know any better, I'd have mistaken him for Jasper but he was standing by lilac holding her trembling body close to him.

Hunter then took his place before the jeering spectators. "Who would like to carry out the sentence of this traitor? Know that this will be a heavy burden but and honorable one."

Lilac buried her face into her mate's chest as the crowd grew silent. It was no surprise, despite everything Amber had done she was still a trusted friend to many and a valuable member of this pack. No one would want her blood on their hands even though she broke pack law. Aiden stepped up ready to volunteer but a voice spoke up before he could. "I'll do it."

Everyone's mouths open with a gasp and Hunter's fearful gaze fell on me. "Are you insane?"

"No, I'm responsible for her rampage and not to mention it was me who was meant to be her ultimate target. It's only right that I face her." I made up my mind last night when I learned of her fate and before anyone could stop me or change my mind I hopped down into the ditch.

I shift and Amber chuckled as if I have made a joke. "Are you sure it's not because you want to finish what we started? Either way I wouldn't have it any other way." She shifted and drops into a crouch, teeth snarling as she stared at me with eyes like two storms of swirling rage.

I find my own lip curl up into a snarl as my fur bristled down my spine. She made the first move as she leaped forward and clenched her jaws on the scruff of my neck and starts shaking her head with the intention of tearing my flesh. I dig my paws unmovingly into the earth as I snap my own jaws on one of her legs. As my jaws increase pressure she yelps, letting go of my scruff. I jump up and tackle her, the two of us rolling on the ground as dirt and fur fly like puffs of dandelions in the breeze. I aim for her throat to end it here and now but she notices my attack and she quickly has my pinned. I'm holding her back with my hind legs as I feel her breath on my own neck till I spot an opportunity claw at her with my hind legs. My paws claw and scrape through the fur on her belly and tears at her flesh sending blood trickling onto my fur.

She jumps back as blood dripped from the wound I had made, dripping onto the dirt as she limped. I waste no time, leaping at her and sinking my teeth into her spine. I hear a deafening crunch and she yelps once more. Her hind legs give way and she collapses to the ground with a thud.

I stand over her triumphantly as she peered up at me with pure hatred in her cold green eyes as if her look alone would kill me. Then, placing my jaws around her neck I hold. She twitches and her front paws thrashed and clawed at the ground as if trying to grasp for life. Her paws slowly become hands as long finger nails tear through the ground, leaving perfect rows. The fight slowly left her body as the life left her eyes. Only when I felt a pain shot through my heart did let go, sure that she was gone. When I finally released her, her eyes were staring at me still full of pure hatred. It was over. All the deaths. All the heartache. They ended as she drew her last breath. All the lives she destroyed got their peace.

As I'm lifted out of the pit I see a look of relief on Hunter's face. "Punishment has been carried out. The Moon Goddess shines upon you. She has deemed this murder necessary for the good of the pack." Hunter then turns as whispers something into Aiden's ear.

Walking up to me he hands me my clothes which a carefully clasp in my jaws. I walk to a secluded place and shift. Blood runs slowly down the back of my neck from perfect teeth marks.

When I return, Amber's body was being placed on a pile of wood. Then a match was stuck and the pile went up in flames. The flames climbed and licked upwards till her body disappeared in the vermillion flames as they climbed and licked at the sky, sending embers up with each crackle of the wood.

"What's with the bonfire?" I whisper to Hunter.

"Our pack's tradition. Such heinous acts should never go unpunished, even in the afterlife. Taking the life of your own pack is our most sacred rule. Burning her body will render her unable to go to the Sacred Hunting Grounds. This is the only punishment most suitable. To be forever barred from acceptance into the afterlife and doomed to walk the earth for eternity. To feel nothing but shame and disgust for her own pathetic existence. Forever alone. " His tone seems dead as he watched the flames devour all trace of her. I could see the reflection of the fire in his eyes. "Though honorably, you have also taken the life of a packmate. Your soul will be judged by the Moon Goddess when that time comes. I told you it would be a burden."

"I have little to worry about. I have already forsaken the Moon Goddess. Now that the punishment has been done and I no longer fear for the life of my family and I will be heading home." My heart throbbed is I said it but I will not be dissuade. A small voice interrupted us.

As I turn I see Lilac standing there with a canvas in her hands as well Jasper behind her holding a pile of them. "I remembered you taking interest in this painting. I thought that you might want to keep it."

Taking the painting into my hands I peer at the ocean once more. The waves encapsulated my feelings as the turbulent water crashes against the rocks. Without hesitation I toss it into the inferno and watch as it withers away into dust. Lilac stares wide-eyed as I explain. "I don't want anything to remind me of her and her cold-blooded intent. Her paintings deserve to be like her, forgotten."

Just like that everything she had made, each painting she had brought into this world was gone. Aiden also walks up to Hunter with a blonde wig that was retrieved from Amber's house. She was the waitress that gave me the drink the night I was poisoned. Hunter noticed my realization and tosses it in as well.

As the fire showed no sign of dying down I pick up my bag and walk to the driveway where I see a car driving towards me. The window closest to me rolled down to reveal my brother. I look back to Hunter and we exchange a knowing glance. It was time for me to leave and I could feel his heartache. Opening the door I crawl into the passenger seat.

Alex notices my expression and sighs. "Are you sure you want to do this?"

I nod my head, holding back tears as I try to ignore my wolf as she stared holes into me with a look that was a mixture of anger and disappointment.

"Are you sure you're okay?"

I give my best chuckle. "Why wouldn't I be? I'm going home." My heart throbbed as I said the last part.

"I think your home is here. I can tell you are reluctant to leave. I can tell that Hunter doesn't want to loose you and deep down I know you don't want to lose him. As you once said, a mate only comes once." He smiled at me. "No matebond is perfect but they always make it work. I understand what he did has hurt you but he is willing to try. I made up with Vanessa because I'm willing to put what happened behind me."

"Alex, just drive." My voice cracks.