8. A Petition.

Logan's POV

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The persecution was not until sun set. I walked back to my office to do other things as I awaited for the intruder or better yet, Magnolia's persecution. Whoever she was, whether she was Magnolia herself or related to The Enigmatic Anonymist, I had to put an end to her.

"Get set with everything needed. Prepare the persecution square".

I instructed a guard who had come in after me to submit some scrolls.

"Yes, Alpha". He bowed.

"Any feedback on the Anonymist?". I inquired but the guards lowered head told me there wasn't.

"Go on".

He bowed slightly and walked out of my office.

I sat at my desk digging through the compliant scrolls submitted by my people. I picked one up and opened it.

"The harvest season is yet to come and there seems to be a low supply of food items".

I picked up my quill pen and scribbled down a possible solution to it. Hoping to give out an instruction to get it done later.

I picked up several others and went through their plights, scribbling down something after each of them.

"Alpha Logan, the healer wishes to see you".

I heard as I picked up the last scroll.

"Come in". I responded without looking up. The door opened and she walked in. My brows furrowed as I glanced through the contents of the scroll I was holding. 

"Alpha Logan". She called moving closer to my desk. I looked up at her.

"Tell me Hattie, what about the children?". 

I knew fully well Hattie's presence had something to do with the children's welfare. I frowned when she sighed.

"Something seemed to have happened". She started and gave a short pause that made me drop the scroll. "One of them…one of the children seems to have started showing signs of progress or better still, she is healed".

My stance changed immediately, I sat upright and stared at her.

"I am really glad to hear that".

Although my face remained expressionless.

"What did you come up with?". I asked but she slowly shook her head. "Did your herbs eventually do this magic?"

"It wasn't me, in as much as I hate to admit it". She sighed.

"It wasn't you?". I inquired and she shook her head again. I wondered who could've possibly done it.

"I came here with a petition". She said instead and I listened closely.

I strutted towards the persecution square later at sun set and took my seat on the high podium. The prisoner was soon dragged to the persecution square.

I watched as the chains were removed from her wrists and a rope tied to them instead. Her head was pushed down and her neck held in place by what we called loggerhead which made it earlier to behead a prisoner at a go.

"Alpha Logan, the persecution is about to start".

Beta Duncan informed and I simply nodded, my eyes never leaving the loggerhead but my mind far away. I was still thinking about Hattie's petition.

Another guard stepped forward and drew out his sword. He positioned himself and raised up the sword. He was ready to behead the prisoner. He seemed very eager to do it.

"Stop". I instructed audibly just as the sword starting descending.

The persecution ground broke out in hushed whispers among the pack members who were present. The guard's hand hung in the air whilst he held the sword.

"I said stop". I repeated and arose from my seat.

Slowly, the guard's hand dropped to his side along with the sword.

"Alpha Logan". Beta Duncan started and when I turned to look at him, he shook his head with a smug look on his face. "You can't delay the persecution any longer".

"I call the shots Beta Duncan, in fact, I have my reasons". I stated simply and strutted towards the square of persecution. The prisoner was looking at me with her wet and teary eyes.

"Does the Alpha wish to do it himself?". The guard who was about to behead the prisoner asked with a slight bow. He put the sword back in its place.

I didn't say anything in reply but only draw the sword from him and immediately, the prisoner shut her eyes and bent her head towards the loggerhead.

Some pack members started gasping and murmuring incoherently.

"Is he going to do it himself like he always does?".

Some questioned.

"Oh dear!".

I could hear the prisoner's slow whimper and tears were seeping through her eyes. This was finally the end for her.

I used the flat side of the sword to pull her chin up so she would look at me.

She raised her head up but dared not look me in the eye. She was sobbing profusely.

"What shall I do with you, little one?"

Her eyes met mine and for a split second, I was sure I deciphered hopelessness and the plea to be saved.

"Alright then, close your eyes".

With a low sniff, her lashes fluttered close. I raised the sword and without hesitation, I cut lose the rope that bid her wrists.

"Get up". I ordered and she was silent for a while with her eyes still closed. When she opened them, she looked around frantically and finally, she looked up at me.

Slowly but surely, the pack members started leaving the persecution square.

"It has never been".

They murmured as they walked away.

"This is so surprising".

My ears were really sharp but I paid them no heed. I had something in mind.

"I said get up". I seethed and she scampered to her feet.

I turned on my heel walking away with my hands at my back. The prisoner trailed behind me like a lost puppy.

"Can we do anything for you, Alpha Logan?". 

A guard rushed to me with a bow.

"Nevermind". I dismissed.

As I walked past Beta Duncan, I could see the disapproving remark written all over his face. I ignored him and continued to wherever I was headed. I walked a distance with the prisoner still trailing behind me.

"S-sorry". She was quick to apologize when she walked into my back. We had reached our destination so I turned to look at her. Her head hung low.

"While in my territory, you walk with your head up". I said firmly. "And look at me when I talk little one".

She softly cleared her throat and raised her head up. Her head was up but she looked everywhere but at me.

"Look here".

She finally looked me in the eye for a brief second and I must've sworn her eyes held something silvery for those brief seconds.

I turned to the sight before me but could see her head hanging low again from the corners of my eyes.

I knew she was caught by surprise by the way she gasped when I held her chin and turned her face to the sight in front of the both of us.

"You see this here?". I asked surveying the fields and she nodded.

"What is this place?"

Her head turned towards me and I could sense the confusion on why I was asking her that.

"It's…it's a field your majesty". 

My head jolted to look at her. I raised a brow.

"Your majesty?"

"I…I mean Alpha king. I…I mean Alpha". She stammered.

I ignored her, obviously annoyed at her behaviour. I turned back to the field.

"It's a field". I informed, although she already knew that. "A farming field".

I surveyed the field again taking in the plants and crops that were growing well. 

I needed to come take a look at the farm land and inspect it's progress. The harvest was fast approaching but before then, my people needed food.

"Do you know who works here?".

"F...farmers". She whispered low.

"Who are you?"

"W-what? I…I'm Astrid".

I slowly shook my head.

"You're a Farmer from today henceforth".

She took a step back and I turned to look at her.

"Plant all the wild berries you ate here".

"W-what?". She asked more to herself than she did me.

"You work on this field with the farmers from tomorrow. But only that you, get to plant a harvest of wild berries by yourself".