Chapter 58: No Time to Die

Spencer

My mother won't stop crying.

Once I was arrested on Wednesday, I was taken back to the Blood Moon pack where they put me in a room in the guest wing of the pack house. I was to be kept isolated from everyone except for my parents.

My poor parents were gutted once they found out about my arrest. My father couldn't believe it. If Beta Wilmont hadn't talked to him personally, he would've thought it was a prank of some sort.

Neither of my parents could believe their son would have anything to do with Landon's shooting. It was unfathomable for them. This is not the boy they raised.

Sure, I am not. But grief is a monster I wouldn't wish on my worst enemy.

I was in so much pain at that time. Kevin was my world. He meant everything to me. I thought my only chance of happiness died with him. I really did.

My parents arrived shortly after they were notified. They both left their shifts at the hospital, worried sick about me. They know what a charge like this means [for me]. Every werewolf that belongs to our pack [or not] knows.

Attempted murder carries a death sentence. There is no wolf jail. It's either banishment or death and this is not a banish kind of offense. I know this much to be true.

"Oh my Goddess, what happened? How could they arrest you for your best friend's mate's shooting? How can anyone ever think you could do such a thing?" Mom asked me in a desperate tone, as soon as she entered my room. My father looked troubled, but he let his mate inspect me first.

My mom checked me for any injury or mistreatment. She was worried sick.

"I don't know what happened, mom. I have no idea why they arrested me. I mean, I don't know what kind of evidence they could possibly have..." I replied, as disturbed by the whole situation as they were.

"Son, I'm only gonna ask this once. Please be truthful with us..." Dad began in a dreadful tone.

"Dad, stop!" - I interrupted him. - "You can't possibly think I had anything to do with this shooting, right?" I frowned at him, distraught that he would think I'd stoop so low.

"Then how come they arrested you? Beta Wilmont would never risk his reputation by making a false arrest! This isn't like a human court!" He exclaimed, puzzled by the turn of events.

"I don't know, dad. All I know is that I'm not guilty. I didn't shoot Landon!" I told him, who breathed out a sigh. Both my parents were relieved by my statement.

"If you're innocent, then I'm sure this is just a big misunderstanding. They can't prove you had anything to do with this. Your father saved that Alpha's life, for Goddess' sake! Why would they think any of us have anything to do with this shooting?" Mom was revolted at this, enraged by the accusation.

"I wish I could tell you, guys. I really do..." I breathed out a defeated sigh.

"Hang in there, son. You are not alone." Dad encouraged me, moving to hug me.

My parents stayed with me for a while talking until they had to leave. Beta Wilmont stipulated one hour of visitation per day and he was being generous.

Not that this is a normal situation. I just wish I knew what they had against me, but this isn't like a human court. I don't get a lawyer. I don't get to post bail. I get one chance to defend myself before the Alpha, though the odds are stacked against me if Wilmont had enough evidence to have me arrested.

A warrior would bring me my meals inside the room. It wasn't one of Kevin's friends - they almost all died on the day of the attack. It was a new man, no doubt coming from one of the allied packs.

After the attack in which the bulk of the force was purposefully decimated, allied Alphas sent their warriors to our aid. It's why most wolf packs seek allyship with others. Strength in numbers and help in time of need.

I am not entirely sure, but out of the 120 warriors we used to have, there were maybe 20 left after the attack. It was a slaughter since the drones specifically targeted them amongst the crowd. Poor Kevin...

On Thursday, my parents brought me some sweets that I like. My mom makes a delicious apple pie and she knows how much I love it. My dad looked very distraught though.

"We talked to Beta Wilmont. He has some pretty strong evidence against you, son. They found images of you in the alley where the gun was fired." Dad said, already looking at me like I did it.

"Dad, I didn't shoot anyone!" I protested, feeling his confidence in me wavering.

"Then what were you doing in the alley? Tell me, Spence. Because I can't figure that out!" He grilled me, looking confused.

"I swear I didn't shoot him." I insisted, dodging his question.

"Son, please, if it wasn't you then you have to know something you're not telling us. Plead your case!" Mom urged me, looking worried for me.

"I will plead my case, mom. But I'm innocent!" I reiterated, feeling the weight of the accusations against me.

Do they have images of me in the alley from where Landon was shot? No wonder they arrested me. I'd arrest myself too if I saw that...

"Dad, please. You have to believe me. I didn't do this! I swear!" I exclaimed, trying to convince him of my innocence. Because if my own father doesn't believe in me, who will?

"I do believe in you, son. I'm just at a loss as to what you could possibly be doing in that alley at that time..." He looked distraught at me. I could feel he was trying to make sense of the facts, but failing.

"Not shooting Alpha Landon, I promise you." I said in a mildly humorous tone.

I ate the pie my mother baked me with hunger. Not that they aren't feeding me here, of course they are. But I am a stress eater.

And her pie was delicious. If only she brought some ice cream to top it... I guess that would be a bit much under the circumstances.

Later that day, I was surprised to hear from Harry. But I should have known he would find a way to get through to me.

But hearing his words broke me completely. He was so supportive, even against all odds - and an impressive stack of evidence against me which I am sure his father would've already told him about at this point.

But once he said my mate missed me, I broke down in tears. I missed Ares too, so much.

I cried myself to sleep that night.

On Friday, before my parents visited me, Beta Wilmont came to see me. He informed me that my trial was set for tomorrow. And I should expect the worst possible outcome.

By the time my parents arrived, I had stopped crying but was still pretty shaken. Quickly they noticed my state and asked me what was wrong. They were both shocked that my trial was set for Saturday.

Not that werewolves follow normal court regulations, but the speed of this is daunting to me.

I had a nice time with my parents' visit, though they were still pretty insistent on me defending myself by explaining what I was doing in that alley.

The problem is nothing I could say is gonna beat the photo evidence. I could say I was just walking by the wrong place at the wrong time, but that is not going to convince Alpha Staedler of my innocence.

Even though it's the truth. That is exactly what happened.

*********************************************

After Alpha Staedler sentenced me to death, I watched as my parents bawled their eyes out in desperate tears.

For all my pain, this was the worst by far. I am their only child. This is not a good way to go. Especially for a parent to see their own son being killed like this.

This was truly wrecking me. Ares was unraveling right before our eyes. His father had to hold him in place before he fell out of his chair at the tribune.

Harry was crying too. As am I. This is so not where I thought my destiny would take me. Not by a longshot.

A warrior brought a robe for me to undress. Pack law requires me to shift before I die. And yes, I have to do it before an audience. Alpha Staedler has to do the same.

I die as a wolf. How fitting that this is the first and last time my mate sees me in wolf form. I mean, how tragic. We should have gone on more dates. But our time together was limited.

"I love you, mom and dad. Always have. Always will." I said, weeping. I began to undress under the robe.

My parents were crying so desperately their voices almost didn't make a sound. Hoarsely, they told me they loved me too.

"I love you, Ares. You were the treasure I never thought the Goddess would give me." I told my mate while he was crying like a baby.

"Harry, I love you too! I didn't shoot your mate, I swear!" I told him, both of us were weeping.

It was a difficult scene to witness. There were so many people crying. No one was content about this outcome.

"STOP!" A voice emerged from the crowd, startling everyone.

The people gathered kept looking for the source of the voice interrupting this solemn moment. Beta Wilmont was already glaring at the crowd for the interruption.

Soon enough, one man comes forward. He presents himself to the Alpha and Beta saying:

"Spencer is innocent. I shot Alpha Barnett." He confessed, surprising literally everybody. The collective gasp was loud enough for the warriors outside to hear.

"Mr. Thompson, please don't interrupt this trial. The Alpha already gave his ruling." Beta Wilmont rebuked him, impossibly annoyed at the intrusion.

"I'm sorry for not coming forward earlier, Alpha. Spencer is innocent. I shot Landon Barnett." Mr. Thompson insisted in a serious tone.

"I admire your valor, sir. But the evidence against Spencer is strong. There is nothing to support your claim." Alpha Staedler told him, already almost naked under the robe.

Mr. Thompson pulled out his phone and played a video for them on the stage.

In the video, he appears standing in the alley from where the shot was fired. A rifle was over his shoulders - the same one seen in the image of me holding it - and he was saying:

"Kevin, Shanequa, this is for you. That Barnett bastard is gonna pay for taking you away from me. I love you!"

Everybody gasped in utter shock. Even those who didn't see the video, most definitely heard him loud and clear.

Mr. Thompson is Kevin's father. He lost a son and his mate on the day of the attack. Yes, my mate Kevin.

"Oh, my Goddess!" Harry cried out from his seat at the tribune. Literally, the whole room was shocked by the revelation.

"Then why is there a photo of Spencer holding the gun if you were the one who shot him?" Beta Wilmont asked him in an accusatory tone.

"Because he was trying to stop me from making a mistake. If you pay attention to the frame of the picture as he was holding the gun, he was scolding me. He was telling me that was not what my son would've wanted." He explained, sending shock waves throughout the entire packed gymnasium.

"You can't prove that from a picture!" Beta Wilmont scoffed.

"No, but you could tell from his facial expression he was talking to someone else. I just didn't appear in the picture because I was out of frame." He elaborated, looking dead serious.

Alpha Staedler kept looking at his Beta utterly shocked. Lucas was beyond gobsmacked. As were everyone else, naturally.

"I can provide the rifle if you want to run a ballistic exam. It's in my house." Mr. Thompson continued, nonchalantly.

Alpha Staedler turned to me and said:

"I'm sorry for everything that happened to you. In the name of our pack, I offer my sincerest apologies. You're free to go." He declared and I breathed out the biggest sigh of relief.

Ares leaped onto the stage in one jump and held me tightly where I stood.

"Arrest Mr. Thompson. Verify his claims and report back to me." Staedler ordered his Beta, who obeyed promptly.

"I knew you were innocent. In my heart of hearts, I always knew it!" Ares told me as he hugged me so tightly I could barely breathe. He kissed me for a minute before we realized we had a massive audience and I was almost naked under the robe.

Awkwardly, I got dressed before I went downstairs to my parents who were looking at me beyond relieved.

Without Ares leaving my side, I walked to my parents to receive the warmest of hugs. My mother and father were put through the wringer.

"Mom, dad. This is my mate, Ares Saunders. These are my parents Dr. and Dr. Jonas." I introduced him to them, who were happy to meet him officially.

I talked to my parents for a bit, showing off Ares. He was so adorably shy next to them.

I told them I would come back to their house right after we left the gymnasium. But I had other people to talk to right now.

I went in the direction of the tribune and Harry nearly jumped into my arms. We hugged for a while, comforting each other in a warm embrace.

"I knew it! I always knew it!" He told me, tearfully.

"I knew you couldn't have shot my mate! No matter what they told me!" He reiterated, voice wrought with emotions.

"Thank you for believing in me. It means the world." I said, swooning at my best friend.

"Always!" He said, kissing my cheek ecstatically happy.

I was hugged by Landon too, who told me:

"I'm so happy you're safe. You have no idea how much I was dreading this." He said, quite emotionally.

"Thank you, Alpha. And I'm sorry for not telling you who the real shooter was. I just couldn't bring myself to do that to Kevin's father." I explained to him with some remorse.

"I get it, Spencer. You're a fiercely loyal person." He said, looking proudly at me.

"I am, but I just didn't think any good would come from punishing a man who already lost so much." I argued, feeling sorry for Mr. Thompson.

In my heart, I owed it to Kevin to not betray his father. I just never could've imagined they would charge ME with Landon's shooting.

Luna Staedler, Aaron, and a lot of other people hugged me, telling me they were relieved of my innocence and safety.

After some time, the crowd was dispersed. Never leaving my side, Ares accompanied me to the exit.

"I hate that you were being condemned for someone else's crime. You have no idea the desperation I felt since you were arrested. Especially after you were sentenced to death." Ares told me, still reeling from the emotionally heavy journey.

"I'm so sorry, mate. I just couldn't snitch on Mr. Thompson. I hope you can forgive me." I said, feeling terrible and remorseful. Though it wasn't a walk in the park for me either.

"Of course, I forgive you. Weirdly, it only makes me love you even more." He said and I melted.

"Did you just say you love me?" I asked him, catching him off guard.

"I did. Of course, I love you. You're my everything, Spencer. I need you in my life." He spoke from the heart and I swooned.

"I love you too. I want to be in your life. I guess I have no time for dying." I snickered. He glared at me as we found my parents who were going to give us a ride to their home.

A|N: Sorry, did you really think the body-positive gay boy was going to die?

Not on my watch!

I have literally thought of this whole storyline while listening to this song on a movie soundtrack playlist.

It came to me totally randomly and I freaking loved it. It was a very inspired choice, if I may say so myself.

Also, between you and I, #Spares is my favorite couple from the book and I'm not splitting them up. Hell no!

I hope you all enjoyed the rollercoaster.

Love,

Léo.