"He still hasn't spoken to you, has he?"

"Well, he grunted when I wished him good morning today, so that's progress."

Reece stopped in her tracks and gave me a blank stare, and I raised my hands in a shrug, "It really is progress. He has not acknowledged anything I have said for the past three days. At least he grunted to let me know he heard."

"Just know that you'll be getting the grunt treatment for a while. His anger hasn't simmered down completely yet, " she said, turning back around to continue walking, "And is there a reason why you wanted to visit the third section?"

I sighed, covering my nose as the smell of dried blood and vomit started to tickle my nostrils, "I wanted to check on Nolan. I still feel awful about his punishment."

"He'll be out of those chains before you know it," she said, patting my back comfortingly, "Besides, his whip lashes would have healed by now so I'm sure he isn't in as much pain as before."

"I guess, but I–"

My phone started vibrating, and I pulled it out of my pocket to blink at the Minister's number sliding across the screen, "It's the Minister. Finally."

As I clicked the green button, Reece whispered, "I'll be back. I need to pick up some paperwork for Alrik."

I nodded and gave her a thumbs up as the Minister's boisterous voice filled my ear, "Jaslynn!"

"Minister! How are you?" I greeted, surprised to hear how cheerful he was.

I could practically hear the grin on his face as he said, "I haven't felt this alive in ages. I've completely forgotten the thrill of heading into battle and being victorious. Why, all this fighting has made me feel three centuries younger."

"Perhaps this is a sign that you should get out more," I smiled broadly, "And who exactly are you fighting so early in the journey?"

"Rogues, of course. The territory we just traveled through was flooded with rogue wolves. It was quite fascinating to learn that fire scared them away so quickly."

"Are Daxton's dragon warriors treating you well?"

"Oh, definitely. Not only are they wonderful warriors, but they are great companions. The stories they tell are absolutely amazing. They have lightened the atmosphere of this dangerous trip."

Just as he said, I heard someone yell in a distance, "Yo Minister! Your rabbit is getting burnt."

The Minister cursed, and there was some shuffling before he returned to the line, "How are things with you and Alrik, dear? Did you work things out?"

"Well, we did, but he's not too happy with me at the moment," I sighed, explaining what I had discovered and the argument I had with him.

As I explained my thoughts, the Minister was silent and for a moment, I thought the call had ended before he hummed in response, "You know, Jaslynn, sometimes actions speak louder than words. I'm sure Alrik has been told before that he is wrong for punishing his pack members like that, and when you brought it up, it didn't do much other than infuriate him."

"So I have to open his eyes another way," I stated, slowing my pace as the punishing grounds came into clear view.

"Precisely. But you have to make sure no one gets hurt in the process. I don't think Alrik will appreciate any experiment that hurts his pack members."

"Oh, of course not. I do not plan to make their situation any more difficult. "

The Minister sighed, "I wish you the best in your endeavor and pray for your success. I have to go now, but I'll call you when we reach the next territory. I'm positive we'll reach the cave by next week."

"Alright Minister, be safe," I said, ending the call after our final goodbyes.

I pursed my lips in thought as I glanced at all the miserable wolves that were facing hell for some sort of minor crime they had committed.

"Actions speak louder than words," I muttered, letting the words linger on my tongue.

I only had one chance to make the right move and open Alrik's eyes. If I pushed the wrong button, I could be kissing my relationship with him goodbye and ruining his pack's chances of living a free lifestyle.

I tugged my wand out of my bun and tapped it against my lips thoughtfully, "I wonder."

***

I grabbed the file off of Conrad's desk, grumbling incoherently under my breath. Conrad grinned at my peeved expression, "Why so glum, Commander? Look alive. My flowers are wilting under your glare."

"Very funny," I said, giving him a deadpan expression, "Alrik has been more asshole-y than normal, and I know it's because he's furious with Jaslynn. And instead of sitting down and talking to her, he's taking it out on me and making me do the stupidest tasks."

Conrad sighed, "You're talking to the wrong person. Yesterday, he made me go to the hospital to take inventory of how many gloves and needles they have."

"He made me lawn mow the training field and that's not even part of my job," I said, throwing my hands in the air in exasperation, "It took me ten minutes to figure out how to work the damn thing."

Conrad opened his mouth to reply but closed it abruptly as a mind link pushed through to both of us.

"Commander Reece. Beta Conrad. We have an issue in the third sector."

"What now?" I groaned, banging my head against the desk.

"The punished ones are being freed."

"What?" Conrad and I both shot out of our seats.

"A strange witch appeared out of nowhere and started yelling a spell that has broken the chains of several wolves. Every time one of our warriors tries to capture them, she freezes them."

A horrified expression formed on Conrad's face as the blood drained from mine, "Jaslynn," We whispered in unison.

I leaped toward the door and rushed out of the office with Conrad in tow. We sprinted toward the punishing grounds, where a large mob was forming as the punished wolves escaped between the buildings.

We pushed our way to the front of the group where my eyes immediately sought out Jaslynn's figure crouching by the pillories.

"Jaslynn!" I yelled, scrambling toward her, "What the fuck are you doing? You're going to get in so much trouble."

She raised her head so I could see the broad smile on her face, "Isn't that the point?"

"What?" I asked incredulously, watching as she yelled, "Diruo!"

The wooden constraints on the man burst into pieces, and I shielded my eyes as wood chips flew everywhere. Jaslynn patted his back and muttered, "Run as fast you can. Get out of here."

"Thank you," he whispered hoarsely before he darted in the same direction the others were escaping. A pack warrior tried to grab him, but Jaslynn was quick to yell, "Rigescunt indutae!"

He froze in place, and she turned to me, smiling sheepishly, "They'll unfreeze in about ten minutes."

"Jaslynn, what are you doing? Alrik is going to be furious," I said quietly, following her as she made her way toward the chain swings.

She yelled the same spell again and the wolves dropped to the ground in a heap. She told them to run, which they did, and just in time because the alarmed mob behind us had become silent.

That could only mean one thing.

Alrik had arrived.

Jaslynn helped the last group of wolves escape, just as Alrik came storming through with Conrad behind him.

"What is going on here?" He barked, glaring at the crowd and at me and Jaslynn, "Who freed the punished wolves?"

I swallowed, "Alrik–"

Jaslynn cut in, "Beta Conrad, what is the punishment for freeing the prisoners?"

Alrik's eyes narrowed on her, "Jaslynn, stop whatever this is."

She ignored him, "Beta Conrad, please answer my question."

Poor Conrad looked torn as he glanced back and forth between the mated couple, "The punishment?"

"Yes, what does pack law have to say for what I did?" She asked confidently, raising her chin proudly and avoiding Alrik's barking completely, "Convict me."

He swallowed nervously and shook his head, turning his gaze to the ground as if he was ashamed of what he was about to say, "Luna Jaslynn, for interfering with justice and breaking pack law, you are subjected to twenty lashes at the whipping post and two weeks in the chain swings."

Gasps echoed across the group as the pack heard his declaration, and Alrik stormed forward, grabbing Jaslynn's arm, "No. She was just being foolish–"

"Beta Conrad," Jaslynn called, giving him a pointed look.

Conrad squeezed his eyes shut, "Warriors."

I covered my mouth as two of the pack warriors, who had not been frozen by Jaslynn's spell, stepped forward reluctantly.

"This is ridiculous. Jaslynn, come here!" Alrik growled ferociously as they tried pulling her away from him.

For the first time since he had gotten there, Jaslynn acknowledged him and stared with the most serious expression on her face, "No second chances, remember? No one is above pack law, Alrik. Not even you."

Her words hit the right spot, and Alrik released her arm slowly with an unintelligible look on his face. She let the pack warriors lead her to the whipping post where she yanked her sweatshirt off, revealing the thin tank top underneath.

I saw her whisper something to the pack warriors, who seemed terrified by what was happening before she got on one knee and leaned her elbows on the other.

The pack warrior behind her raised the whip and let it fly, creating a whistle in the air before it collided with her back with a sharp smack.

Jaslynn didn't even wince.

Her eyes remained trained on Alrik's, her expression neutral but intense as if she was trying to convey a message. The only indication of pain in her body was her curled fists that were getting tighter with every strike against her back.

I couldn't see Alrik's expression, but every muscle in his body was stiff as he watched his Luna get lashed right before his very eyes.

I turned around, unable to bear the sight as drops of hot crimson blood started to slide off the curve of her back and drip onto the concrete beneath her, and studied the pack members' looks.

Many of the she-wolves had tears in their eyes and petrified expressions while the rest of the wolves were torn between admiration and horror.

Admiration for the sacrifice their Luna was making.

Horror for the price she was paying.