"Ariana, daughter of the banished Alpha James," Alpha Marcus's voice rang through the hall, filled with cold authority. "You stand accused of taking the life of Mara, a cherished member of our pack. Do you admit to this crime?"
Kneeling before the council, my wrists bound behind me, I could feel the weight of countless stares pressing down on me. Hatred filled their eyes, their judgment already cast before I had even spoken a single word.
I had the chance to tell the truth—to fight for my innocence. But as my gaze met Owen’s across the crowded room, the silent plea in his eyes reminded me of the promise he made. My heart pounded as I forced the words out.
"Yes, I confess."
Gasps rippled through the room, followed by hushed murmurs. It was as if the entire pack had been waiting for this moment, eager for the confirmation of what they had already believed—that I was nothing more than the disgrace they had always seen me as.
Alpha Marcus lifted a hand, immediately silencing the pack. "Ariana, you have admitted to a serious offense. Before we determine your fate, do you have anything to say for yourself?"
Frantically searching for the right words, I took a shaky breath. "We argued," I said, my voice carefully controlled. "She mocked my bloodline. Called me a cursed omega. She insulted my family… and I lost control." It was the only explanation they would find believable—the uncontrollable outburst of a powerless girl with nothing to lose.
The Alpha studied me, his sharp eyes narrowing. Slowly, he began to circle me. "You expect us to believe that an omega—one abandoned by the Moon Goddess herself—managed to overpower and kill a warrior’s daughter?" He stopped in front of me, his stare burning into mine. "Do you take us for fools, Ariana?"
My throat tightened. He was right—my lie was full of holes. But I had already spoken, and there was no turning back now.
"Yes," I repeated, my voice steady despite the sweat trickling down my back. "I did it."
Alpha Marcus shook his head and gestured to one of the warriors standing nearby. "Bring the body."
The warrior disappeared through a side door, returning moments later with two others carrying a stretcher. They placed it before the pack, and with a solemn nod from the Alpha, the sheet was pulled back.
The sight of Mara’s lifeless body twisted my stomach, not because of the brutality of it, but because I knew who had really wielded the knife that ended her life. My gaze dropped, fixing at a distant point on the wall behind the elders.
Alpha Marcus's voice was heavy with finality. "This is the result of your actions, Ariana."
Before he could continue, a voice suddenly cut through the tension.
"YOU!"
Lucas, Mara’s brother, shoved his way through the crowd. Before anyone could stop him, he lunged at me, his hands locking around my throat.
"You worthless omega! You took my sister from me!" he snarled, his fingers tightening until I struggled for breath. "You cursed, good-for-nothing creature!"
Spots danced before my vision, the lack of air making my head spin. Just as darkness started creeping in, strong hands pulled Lucas off me. He fought against the warriors holding him back, his furious eyes never leaving mine.
"Your family is cursed," he spat, his voice shaking with rage. "You bring nothing but ruin to this pack!"
"Enough!" Alpha Marcus's voice rang with authority. He raised his hands, and silence fell once more.
"This crime cannot go unanswered," the Alpha declared, his voice a decree of fate. "Ariana will be held until the coronation. Then, under the full moon, she will meet her judgment." His gaze swept over the crowd. "Her execution will cleanse our land and serve as a lesson for all."
A roar of approval erupted from the gathered wolves. They surged forward, pelting me with stones and clumps of dirt. My guards shielded me as best they could, but pain still stung as a rock struck my cheek, leaving a sharp sting behind.
Dragged away, I was thrown into the cold, damp prison cell that had become my home. Even as the heavy door slammed shut, the jeers of the pack still echoed in my ears.
But through the suffocating despair, a single thought kept me going.
Owen had promised to free me when he became Alpha.
Five days. Five days until this nightmare would end.
Yet, time inside the cell blurred into an endless cycle of hunger, exhaustion, and fear. The food was barely edible, and the knowledge that the pack wanted my blood kept me constantly on edge. I curled up in the cold corner, haunted by the memories of that night over and over again.
Then, on what I guessed was the fifth day, familiar footsteps approached my cell.
"Ariana?" Cynthia’s whisper was soft but urgent.
I scrambled toward the bars. "Is anyone watching?"
"No, I was careful." She slipped bread and dried meat through the gaps. "I'm sorry it took so long. I got caught twice trying to bring you food."
I devoured the meal, my throat tight with emotion. "Thank you," I whispered between bites.
She sighed, settling on the other side of the bars. "Owen's ceremony is tomorrow. He'll be Alpha."
My heart leapt. "Tomorrow? Then that means I’ll be free soon?"
"That’s what he promised, right?" Cynthia’s tone was hesitant. "Ariana… are you sure about this? Something feels… off."
"He loves me," I insisted. "I’m his mate. Once he’s Alpha, they’ll have to accept me."
She was silent for a moment. "I hope you’re right." Then she forced a small smile. "Tomorrow, I’ll bring you something special. We should celebrate your last night in here."
"You're the best," I murmured, squeezing her hand through the bars.
After she left, sleep refused to come. My mind raced with dreams of freedom, of finally standing beside Owen, of the pack seeing me as their Luna.
The next day crept by, every footstep outside my cell making my heart pound with anticipation. And then, as the sun dipped below the horizon, multiple sets of footsteps approached.
Owen appeared before my cell, dressed in his Alpha robes, exuding power. My heart swelled with pride.
"You did it?" I asked, barely containing my excitement. "You're Alpha now?"
"Yes," he said smoothly, a smile playing on his lips. "And it's all thanks to you, my love."
Relief flooded through me. "So… you’ll let me out now?"
"Tomorrow," he replied. "But first, I have something to show you."
Confusion flickered inside me. "What is it?"
Before he could answer, more footsteps echoed down the corridor. Cynthia stepped into view, and for a brief moment, my heart lifted—until I saw the way Owen looked at her. The way his hand settled possessively on her waist.
No.
The world tilted beneath me.
Before I could find my voice, Owen turned to Cynthia, pulling her closer. Then, right in front of me, he kissed her. Deeply.
The breath left my lungs.
It wasn’t a mistake. It wasn’t a ploy.
He kissed her with passion, with intent. And as their lips met, my world shattered into pieces.
