Swara's anger flared, but she kept her cool. "Yes, my Sanskar is starting to bounce back from the betrayal, but I’m not there yet. I’m hell-bent on getting even. After all, the suffering of your mate is something no werewolf can turn a blind eye to," she shot back with a wicked grin.

Adarsh's eyes widened like saucers. "What are you planning?" he blurted out.

"You'll find out soon enough," Swara said, spinning on her heel.

"Swara, you can't do anything to us. It's Alpha Sanskar's call, and only he can dish out the death penalty for folks like us," Adarsh shouted, writhing in his chains.

Swara paused, turning slowly. "How can I let you die when you're my ticket to the big boss, right?"

"Big boss?" Adarsh felt the ground shift beneath him. "How do you know about the big boss?" His voice quivered.

"Ahh, it's a long story, and I'm not in the mood for a bedtime tale. Long story short, I know your big boss will come running to save your hide, so you have to stay alive," Swara said.

"You can't do this. I'll make sure Sanskar serves justice," Adarsh retorted, beads of sweat forming on his brow.

"Didn't I save your sorry butts before? I can do it again," Swara shot back, a smug smile playing on her lips.

The penny dropped for Adarsh: Swara knew all their dirty little secrets, including the puppet master pulling their strings. She had them on video from the hospital, which explained why she saved them back then.

"An eye for an eye. You made my Sanskar suffer. Guess who'll be my target?" Swara continued, her smile turning sinister.

"You want to torture me by making Kavita suffer and keeping us alive to bait the big boss?" Adarsh yelled, panic creeping into his voice.

"Ahh, I must admit, you're not entirely clueless," Swara taunted.

Adarsh's jaw tightened, his eyes narrowing into slits. "Cut the crap, Swara. What do you really want?"

Swara leaned closer to the bars, her smirk deepening. "I want you to know what real pain feels like. I want you to watch everything you care about go up in flames."

Adarsh's eyes darted around the cell, desperate for a way out. "You think hurting Kavita will break me? You're playing with fire."

"Maybe," Swara said, her voice low and dangerous. "But you should know better than anyone that I'm not afraid of getting burned."

Adarsh clenched his fists, the chains clinking ominously. "You're off your rocker."

Swara chuckled darkly. "Maybe. But this is the price you pay for crossing me. For hurting Sanskar."

"You're not going to get away with this," Adarsh growled, his eyes blazing with defiance.

"Watch me," Swara replied, her smile widening. "The big boss will come for you, and when he does, I'll be ready."

Adarsh felt a chill run down his spine. "You won't win. Sanskar will see through your plan."

"Maybe," Swara said, turning to leave. "But until then, enjoy your stay. And remember, freedom comes at a price. One that you're not ready to pay."

The Crescent Moon Pack’s grand hall buzzed with murmurs of anticipation. The air was thick with tension as the pack members filled the room, their eyes fixed on the imposing figure of Alpha Sanskar at the front. He stood tall and solemn on the raised platform, his expression a mask of steely resolve.

Sanskar cleared his throat, and the room fell into an expectant hush. His gaze swept over the gathered pack, pausing briefly on the platform where Adarsh and Kavita would soon stand.

"Get them in." With a commanding gesture, Sanskar signaled the guards.

The two guards entered through the heavy wooden doors, dragging Adarsh and Kavita behind them. The prisoners stumbled forward, their chains rattling with every step. Adarsh and Kavita were in a wretched state—Adarsh’s clothes were torn and stained, with bruises and cuts visible on his face, while Kavita had a bloodied gash on her forehead, her hair disheveled and matted. Their haggard appearance drew murmurs of shock and disdain from the gathered pack.

“Look at them now,” someone whispered. “They’re a far cry from their former selves.”

Another pack member scoffed, “They thought they were untouchable. Guess justice finally caught up with them.”

Sanskar surveyed the scene, his expression hardening as he raised his hand, making the room fall into pin-drop silence.

"Adarsh and Kavita, you stand accused of severe and unforgivable crimes against this pack." Sanskar began. "Your attempts to assassinate Luna, Swara, and your plot to kill my mate have not only endangered our safety but threatened the very integrity of our pack.”

He took a deep breath, continuing with a tone of authority. “Such treachery cannot be tolerated. The severity of your actions demands a punishment fitting the gravity of your crimes. You are to be sentenced to—”

Before he could finish, the hall’s heavy doors creaked open once more. Swara strode in with an air of determination, her eyes locked on Sanskar. The murmurs among the pack grew louder, a mix of curiosity and surprise.

Sanskar’s voice trailed off when Swara approached him. He gave her a nod, signaling her to speak.

“Hold it right there, Sanskar.” Swara’s voice rang out, slicing through the tension. “I have something to say before you finalize your judgment.”

Sanskar’s brow furrowed in confusion, but he gestured for her to continue. “Swara, what is it?”

Swara climbed the steps to the platform with a resolute stride. “Adarsh and Kavita’s crimes are indeed severe, but as Luna of this pack, I have the right to administer their punishment myself. They’ve attempted to kill me multiple times and plotted to murder my mate. I demand the right to deliver their justice.”

Adarsh snorted indignantly, and Kavita hissed, “This is a power play, Swara! You know we’re not to blame for everything you claim!”

"You have no place to say here, Adarsh. Better keep quiet." Swara refuted sternly.

"Even if I am a prisoner, I am a perpetrator, and I am looking forward to Alpha Sanskar's justice. Sanskar, don't sway behind a woman." Adarsh screamed in desperation.

Sanskar’s gaze hardened, and he raised a hand, signaling the guards. Without hesitation, the guards stepped forward and placed gags over Adarsh and Kavita’s mouths, effectively silencing their protests.

Adarsh’s eyes blazed with anger behind the gag, and Kavita struggled furiously against her chains, her muffled protests clear despite the gag. The pack members exchanged uneasy glances; their reactions were a mix of shock and intrigue.

Sanskar’s gaze softened as he looked at Swara. He considered her words carefully, then addressed the crowd. “The Luna has spoken. The pack’s support is crucial, and if she insists on executing the punishment herself, we must honor her request.”

Murmurs of approval and understanding rippled through the hall as the pack members rallied behind Swara’s authority. Sanskar nodded, signaling the guards to maintain control as Swara prepared to take charge of the proceedings.

With Sanskar's support clearly behind her, Swara stepped forward, ready to execute the justice she deemed necessary, and growled, joined by the entire room.

Two days later, Swara sat beside the unconscious figure of Nikhil, who lay on the hospital bed. She held his hand gently, her thumb tracing the lines of his palm. The room was quiet; the rhythmic beeping of the heart monitor was the only sound breaking the silence.

"Nikhil," she whispered, her voice hoarse with emotion. "I know the blow of losing Sia was heavy on you, but you must wake up and see how I avenged you and Sanskar. Adarsh and Kavita got their punishment. Though they are still alive, it’s not much better than being dead. I made sure they both endured horrible pain daily, praying for death."

Tears welled up in Swara's eyes as she recalled the fun times she had shared with Nikhil and Sia. The memories flooded back, bittersweet and sharp. Her phone rang suddenly, breaking her reverie. She glanced at the screen, which flashed "Alpha Ayush calling." Confusion and surprise mingled on her face as she slid the green button to answer.

"Hello, Alpha Ayush," she said, her voice trailing off as she walked out of the hospital room, seeking privacy.

"Miss Bose, how are you and Alpha Sanskar? I just got the news about Adarsh and Kavita. How is Alpha Sanskar holding up?" Ayush's voice held a note of hesitation, and he frowned as he looked at the figure before him.

'Alpha Ayush called me just to ask this? Why didn't he call Sanskar directly?' Swara thought, confused, knitting her brow.

"Miss Bose, are you there?" Ayush's voice jerked Swara from her thoughts, and she quickly composed herself.

"Yes, we are doing fine, but I wonder how word got out so fast."

"Of course, I am already late with my call. I tried to reach Alpha Sanskar a few times, but it seems he's not taking any calls," Ayush explained.

Swara rubbed her forehead, feeling the weight of the recent events pressing down on her. "Sanskar is still busy with pack issues because of the changes in dynamics."

"I can understand. It must be hard for him," Ayush said sympathetically.

"Speaking of which, Alpha Ayush, thank you so much for the herbs..." Swara's voice turned thoughtful. "You and I both know how they worked on me. Also, convey my thanks to the sender." She added it with a smirk.