Kermit' POV
"What's keeping you bound like this?" I approached the young woman slowly.
"This has been my reality for as long as memory serves, my king. Captivity became my normal existence ages ago."
Her gaze drifted toward the wall timepiece. "My king, time grows short." Anxiety colored her tone.
Yet I refused to look at that clock. Not this time.
The Chairman's earlier instructions echoed in my thoughts. This trial challenges the sharpest intellects. We seek to understand your judgment. Picture yourself as the Alpha King. Reason like one. Lead like one.
I was the Alpha King.
This woman before me belonged to my people. Captivity had been her prison for far too long.
What manner of ruler abandons his subjects?
I knelt beside her, grasping her bound wrists and working at the restraints.
My Alpha abilities could snap these ropes instantly, but the trial rules forbade using our supernatural strength.
She drew a sharp breath, shock widening her eyes.
