The victorious howls finally faded, leaving only the rustle of leaves and the heavy silence that always followed pack justice.
Derek started walking into the woods. The others followed him without a word, picking their way through the trees, until they reached the place where the pack had caught up with Ruby.
Jessica took one look, turned pale, and immediately bent over, retching violently into the bushes.
"Oh goddess," she groaned between heaves. "I think I just lost my lunch… and possibly my soul."
Kai was beside her in an instant, one hand gently rubbing her back while the other held her hair out of the way.
"Easy there, love. Deep breaths. That's it. You're doing great. Most people don't throw up quite so dramatically on their first pack execution. I'm impressed."
"I'm fine," she gasped, very clearly not fine. "I'm completely fine. This is a normal Tuesday for me."
"It's Thursday," Kai said gently.
