The Abandoned Luna's Journey to Power (by Emily Reed) novel Chapter 115

Chapter 115 Reckoning After the War

Chapter 115 Reckoning After the War

James’s POV:

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The verdict from the military court arrived. It was written clearly on the paper. Cold. Final. Because Evelyn disobeyed orders on the battlefield and rushed in to claim glory, the punishment was clear: 30 lashes with the Bonebreaker Whip.

I held the thin sheet of paper, but it felt heavier than stone.

For an Alpha at full strength, 30 lashes would mean being bedridden for a full day.

For Evelyn now…

I glanced at the medical tent behind me. A foul, rotten smell leaked from it.

She was barely alive. If she took the punishment, she would not survive.

“James…” Evelyn seemed to sense something. From inside the tent came a low, animal-like whimper. “I-Is the verdict out? I won’t go. I won’t… I’d rather die…”

I took a deep breath, folded the judgment, and tucked it into my coat. Then I turned and walked straight toward the command tent.

That tent belonged to the highest commander of the army and to the woman I once cast aside without a second thought. Cindy.

Inside, the candles burned bright.

Cindy sat at the table, calmly wiping down her gauntlets. When she heard my footsteps, she didn’t even look up.

“Your Grace,” I said, standing before her. My voice was dry.

“If you’re here to beg,” she replied flatly, “don’t bother.”

Her tone was as casual as talking about tomorrow’s weather. “Orders are orders. Evelyn disobeyed command, rushed ahead for personal credit, caused the deaths of 3,000 frontline soldiers, and was captured alive. She disgraced the army. 30 lashes is already mercy, given her past service.”

“Mercy?” I stepped forward, unable to hold back, and I grew agitated. “Cindy-no, Your Grace! You know her condition! She was tortured beyond recognition. 30 lashes will kill her!”

“So what?” Cindy finally raised her head. Her silver eyes were cold, without warmth. “Don’t those three thousand soldiers matter? They had parents. Mates. Children. When Evelyn used their lives to fill her path to glory, did she think of that?”

“She was confused!” I argued, even as the words sounded weak. “She wanted to earn honor! Cindy, I know you hate us. You hate me for breaking our bond. You hate her for taking your place, but using public power for personal revenge is not who you are. You used to-you can’t even bring yourself to kill a rabbit…”

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09:39 Tue, Jan 13 O G.

Chapter 115 Reckoning After the War

“James.”

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She cut me off. A sharp, mocking smile curved her lips. “How long are you going to keep talking about the old Cindy?” she asked. “That Cindy died the day you betrayed her.”

She stood and faced me head-on. “You say this is personal revenge? Fine. Let me ask you this. If the one who disobeyed orders today were Miguel or Viola, would I punish them? I would. I’d punish them even harder. Because they are my soldiers, and I do not allow such basic mistakes from my army.”

“Evelyn isn’t your soldier!” I shouted, losing control. “She’s your enemy! That’s why you won’t let her go! You’re jealous! You’re jealous of everything she once had! You’re jealous she is my Luna! You don’t want her alive and back at the Royal Court, competing with you!”

The tent fell completely silent.

Cindy stared at me, as if she had just heard the biggest joke in the world. She laughed. Her shoulders shook. She laughed so hard her eyes almost filled with tears.

“Jealous? Compete?”

Her smile vanished. Her gaze turned sharp as a blade. “Open your eyes and look carefully. I am the Duchess. I am the Alpha of Silverpeak Pack. I command the Gamma Guards. And what is Evelyn now?” She spoke each word clearly. “A disfigured, broken body. A ruined name. A disgrace. You think I would lower myself to compete with someone like that?”

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