Punishers

The wind was strong, bringing his white hair in front of his eyes, messing them up in the most annoying way and the cold of the night made him shiver as they walked towards the Main Hall. The two brothers hadn't talked after what happened, Zeth had practically dragged Astor outside leaving the sickly werewolf with just his T-shirt. He would also not answer his questions and while they walked he would anxiously look around even though there were barely any people. Zeth looked insane, worried about something his older brother had no idea about.

He opened the door of the Main hall in a hurry, a tall wooden building that facilitated all of the helpers of the Alpha, some people considered it as the main office, the place where Zeth was supposed to be from morning until night dealing with the pack affairs.

Rushing through the stairs he didn't even look back once to make sure that Astor was with him. Only when they reached Edwin's office, their father's beta and second in command in the pack for now, he turned to him.

"Do not say anything, understand?" Zeth asked him, a threat lingering in his words. Astor nodded, unsure of what was going to happen the moment they went through that door.

He knocked, heavy footsteps were heard behind the door, the old wood creaking with each step before a huge man appeared before them. He was in his early forties, his hair a deep brown with a few white strands falling in curls to his shoulders. A wide chest and a rough face, hands that could easily choke you to death, and a very serious expression. That was Edwin, their father's best and most trusted friend.

"Why did you bring him with you?" he asked Zeth, looking at Astor with hate in his eyes. He had known him ever since he was little and always he would receive that look from him. Not even when he was crying from being hurt did he falter once, showing any other kind of emotion other than pure disdain.

"He can help." Zeth said and Edwin exhaled not really believing his words.

"Come in, for now, we need to talk." he announced, stepping to the side and allowing them to get inside. His office was small, with only a heavy desk with three chairs in it, except the bookcases filled with books. Piles of paper were in every corner of his desk, proving to Astor that this man was the only reason the pack had not collapsed after his parents died. Zeth was in it simply for the title, the prestige, and the complete freedom to torture him as much as he wanted.

Both brothers sat down, with Astor feeling extremely uncomfortable. His only positive thought was that Edwin would treat him as if he didn't exist. So he was just there to listen and satisfy his curiosity.

"What did you do Zeth?" the Beta asked him, strict like a parent.

"I…I borrowed some money." Zeth confessed, making Astor look at him in shock. He had no idea of this, he had never heard of any money nor seen anything weird in their accounts.

"Is this the first time you're hearing about this?" he asked him.

"Yes, I had no idea." Astor told him, hearing him sigh as he rubbed his temples.

"What are you doing? Your mother clearly asked you to take care of him."

"I have been trying to. The fact that I am in the brim of death four out of the seven days of the week does not seem to help, does it?" Astor raised the tone of his voice. The only time he seemed to have something to say was when his mother was involved, he didn't care about himself that much after all but his promise to her, was the only reason why he remained here, why he didn't go rogue.

"That is not the point now." Edwin retreated, realizing there were far more important things to be discussed. "Why did you borrow money Zeth? Your family is rich."

"I…well…three months after mum died I received a notice from the High Council that dad owed them money, it was an enormous amount and I got scared so I just thought I needed to pay it off as fast as I could. I borrowed the money and now…now the amount has grown so much and I…"

"Wait…wait. Your father, the pack did not owe money to the council Zeth. Why did you not think to come to me first? This was clearly a trap to scam you how could you be so naive?" Edwin scolded him. "Who did you borrow money from?"

"The Crimson Nightwalkers." Zeth said. The moment Edwin heard the pack's name he slammed his palm on his desk, breaking the wood in half, making all of the piles fall to the ground, scattering the papers here and there.

"Of all the packs out there you decided to mess with Ren's pack?" he screamed at him. "They have sent their people after you. They want to kill you because you own them money. They have always been thugs and you fell right into their trap. They knew the pack would be vulnerable after the attack and you gave them exactly what they wanted! What will happen if they get you? Then they will get us! You have no heir to keep the line alive yet."

Astor stared at his brother. He seemed terrified but deep down the white-haired werewolf didn't seem to believe him. Something about him panicking so much about the pack made no sense to him. Zeth did not care for anyone but himself and this whole deal sounded too much like a made-up lie on the spot. Edwin did not know him well to distinguish it, he viewed him as a naive man who had found himself in a position of power he couldn't handle. It is expected he made mistakes while trying to lead. He did not voice his thoughts, remaining silent he just observed, knowing that Edwin would not believe him anyway.

"I am sorry, I really am…I just wanted to help." he cried and Astor tried not to laugh, somehow this had turned very entertaining.

"Someone must be working for them inside the pack." Edwin said. "There is no way they would be able to guide themselves through the thick woods."

"Wait, you mean they are here? Inside the town?" Astor asked, surprised.

"Yes. Witnesses came to me about some unknown faces, a young man and a girl."

A young man and a girl, Astor heard him loud and clear, his words making him freeze. Could it be that they followed him? Did he lead them into the town?

"No one would have the guts to…"Zeth mumbled when his words came to a stop. He turned his head, staring at Astor as if the knowledge of the world had just appeared to him. "You fucking bastard." he swore at him and his claws appeared. "They helped you and you helped them in return. No one in this pack would have been willing to help you with your wounds I am sure of that. You let them into the town, you traitor!" he screamed at him, jumping him and bringing his chair to the floor with them too.

"I didn't do it. I don't know what you're talking about!" Astor screamed, trying to avoid his brother's vicious attack. Edwin rushed to them, grabbing Zeth and pushing him back, wanting to separate us.

"What on the name of the moon are you talking about?" He asked Zeth, standing in between them, tall like a wall.

"He was injured today." Zeth explained. "When he came back though he was just fine. You know too Edwin no one in this pack would help the creep but I could smell the herbs on him. He must have asked for help in exchange for leading them to me and thinking that I would beg you to track them. You wanted me dead from the start!"

"I didn't! Really I did not lead them into town." Astor said, tears in his eyes as he tried to defend himself. Edwin turned to him, cold and unwavering as he looked at him from above. Astor's heart was racing, cold sweat showered his face.

"Did you have anything to do with them?" He asked him.

"No…I…."

"Astor, did you have anything to do with them!"

"They just treated my wounds! I pretended to be asleep all the time, we didn't even talk. I don't know why they helped me but I would never lead them into the town. I swear, please" he begged.

"I knew it! How dare you…"

"Zeth stop it. You are not a kid anymore." Edwin criticized Zeth's immature behavior. "Astor you will be under lockdown tonight in a cell at the Main Hall and tomorrow at sundown you will be punished for treason as the pack law commands." he announced and Astor's eyes widened.

"No…no, Edwin, listen to me, I swear I did not do it. Please." he pleaded, grabbing Edwin's leg. He was crying, trying hard to breathe properly but the fear of what was going to happen to him was suffocating him. "Zeth, I didn't…"

"You said it yourself scum." Zeth told him. "I will call someone to lock him up."

"Please…" he pleaded, cursing the fact that he was such a horrible liar, so easy to break.

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