"Ariana, daughter of the exiled Alpha James,” Owen's father, Alpha Marcus spoke. “You stand accused of taking the life of Mara, a respected member of our pack. Do you confess to this crime?"
I knelt before the pack council, my hands bound with chains behind my back. The room was filled with pack members who all looked at me with pure hatred. Every face seemed to scream that I was guilty before I even spoke.
This was my chance to tell the truth about what really happened that night. But when I glanced at Owen and saw the silent plea in his eyes, I remembered his promise. I turned back to the council and forced the words out. "Yes, I confess."
Gasps and whispers filled the room. Of course they would react this way, the girl they already hated had finally committed a terrible crime, proving them right all along.
Alpha Marcus raised his hand and silence fell over the room instantly "Ariana, you have admitted to a grave crime. Before we pass judgment, do you wish to explain your actions?"
I tried to form a story through my panicked thoughts. "We argued. She said horrible things about my status, called me a cursed omega and insulted my family. I lost control." I knew this would be the most believable story.The outburst of a rejected, powerless girl.
Alpha Marcus narrowed his eyes and circled me slowly. You want us to believe that a mere Omega, a girl the Moon Goddess herself has cursed from birth could overpower and kill a warrior’s daughter?”He stopped directly in front of me. “Ariana, do you take us as fools.”
He was right, my story sounded absurd. But I had made my choice, I had to see it through.
“Yes,” I repeated, trying my best to look as convincing as possible though I could feel sweat trickling down my face.“I did it.”
He shook his head slowly and turned to a warrior standing nearby. "Bring forward the body."
The warrior nodded and left through a side door. Moments later, he returned with two others carrying a covered stretcher. They placed it in the center of the room and at Alpha Marcus's gesture, they removed the sheet.
The sight of her made my stomach turn. not because of the violence but because I knew who had really wielded that knife. I forced myself to look away, focusing on a spot on the wall behind the elders.
"This is the result of your actions, Ariana," Alpha Marcus said grimly. “You're….”
Suddenly, a cry broke through his words. "YOU!" Mara's brother, Lucas pushed through the crowd. Before anyone could stop him, he ran forward and reached out to grab my throat. "You worthless omega! You killed my sister! You cursed, good-for-nothing creature!" Lucas's fingers squeezed around my neck, making it hard to breathe. I gasped and struggled for air, and my vision began to blur.
Two warriors quickly intervened, pulling Lucas away. He struggled against their grip but his eyes was still fixed on me. “My sister! You took her from me! Your family has always been cursed, bringing nothing but misfortune to this pack!” He spat on the floor near my feet.
“Enough! This is a matter for the Alpha to decide.” The Alpha commanded by raising his hands. The hall fell silent, the only sound was the heavy breathing of the warriors holding Lucas back.
“This… this act cannot go unpunished,” Alpha Marcus announced. “This crime… this stain on our pack… it must be cleansed.” He paused, his gaze sweeping over the crowd. “Ariana will be held until after the coronation. On that day, under the light of the full moon, she will face her judgment. Her execution will serve as a cleansing for our land, a reminder of the consequences of such heinous acts.”
Jeers and insults rained on me as the crowd ran forward, throwing rocks and clumps of dirt. The guards tightened their grip on me, shielding me as best they could but some of the projectiles still hit their mark. I felt a sharp sting on my cheek as a small stone grazed my skin.
They finally dragged me away, back to the dark damp cell that would be my prison until my execution. The insults followed me even after the heavy door clanged shut behind me.
Despite the despair that threatened to consume me, a tiny hope remained. Owen had promised to release me once he became Alpha. Five days and I'll be free from this misery.
But the days that followed were a blur. The food they brought was barely edible, and the constant fear of the crowd’s hatred kept me on edge. I spent most of my time in a corner, shivering from the cold, my mind replaying the events of that night over and over again.
On what I thought was the fifth day, I heard familiar footsteps approaching.
"Ariana?" Cynthia's whisper came through the bars.
I crawled to the front of my cell. "Is anyone watching?"
"No, I made sure." She quickly passed some bread and dried meat through the bars. "I'm sorry I couldn't come sooner. They caught me twice trying to bring you food."
I devoured the food, trying not to cry at the first real meal I'd had in days. "Thank you," I managed between bites.
"Owen's ceremony is tomorrow," Cynthia said, settling down on the other side of the bars. "He'll be crowned Alpha."
My heart leaped. "Tomorrow? Then I'll be free soon?"
"That's what he promised, right?" Cynthia's voice held something I couldn't quite read. "Ariana... are you sure about all this? Something doesn't feel right."
"He loves me," I insisted. "He's my mate. Once he's Alpha, everything will be different. The pack will have to accept me when I'm their Luna."
Cynthia was quiet for a moment. "I hope you're right. I'm coming back tomorrow with something special – we should celebrate your last night here."
"You're the best friend anyone could ask for," I told her, reaching through the bars to squeeze her hand.
After she left, I couldn't sleep. Freedom was so close. I imagined walking out of this cell, standing proud beside Owen as he announced me as his Luna. No more whispers and no more shame. Finally, I would have everything I'd dreamed of.
The next day crawled by. Every footstep made my heart race, wondering if it was Owen coming to release me. Finally, as evening approached I heard multiple sets of footsteps.
Owen appeared at my cell door, looking magnificent in his new Alpha robes. My heart swelled with pride and love.
"You did it?" I asked, though I could feel the power radiating from him. "You're Alpha now?"
"Thanks to you, my love. I couldn't have done this without your sacrifice." He smiled.
"When can I leave?" I tried to hide my eagerness. "Are you going to release me now?"
"Tomorrow," he said. "There's just one more thing I need to show you first."
My heart sank a little but I managed to whisper. "What's that?"
Before he could answer, more footsteps approached. Cynthia appeared beside him and my spirits lifted. She must have brought the surprise she promised. But the way they looked at each other made my stomach turn. Owen then reached out and pulled Cynthia to him, his hand settling possessively on her waist.
"No," I whispered.
He looked at me and smiled cruelly, before he kissed my best friend. Passionately, right in front of me.
A deep kiss that shattered my world into a million pieces.
