2: Murderer?

Chapter 2

Alycia was dragged to the courtroom by the guards. Her heart was beating erratically in her rib cage as she wondered what was going on.

Murderer?

What the hell does her sister mean by that?

But Alycia was not prepared for what she saw in the throne room. Some of the Royal Pack Elders were standing there, with grim expressions on their faces.

Palace maids, servants were bawling their eyes out, as they knelt beside the throne.

That could only mean one thing. As far as Alycia could recall, the last time she witnessed a similar scenario was when her grand father passed away.

A feeling of dread immediately settled over her, and she felt a shiver run down her spine.

“No! No!…Mother, where is mother? Father…”

She began to writhe and move away from the guards as she tried to make her way towards her parents room, but they held her tight.

“Maya?”

Her mate's voice echoed in the throne room as he suddenly appeared from behind her. He was dressed in his Royal regalia.

The black royal regalia.

The exact royal regalia. For mourning.

Although, Alycia was apprehensive, she felt a wave of relief wash through her at the sight of her mate, “Oh, Ethan. What is going on…”

“What did you witness, Maya?" Ethan stared towards Maya, as though he hadn't heard Alycia speak.

Maya's eyes were red rimmed, “I…I saw her sneak into their chambers after lights out last night….and…” she hiccupped, holding her chest as though she couldn't breathe properly.

“And…when I went to serve them tea this morning, they…they were gone.” She bursted into tears.

“What!? What are you talking about, Maya?" Alycia's voice trembled.

Her parents were dead? Why was she being accused of that…?

“You do recall this is your sister you are talking about, Maya," Ethan continued, “What reason do Alycia possibly have to murder her own parents? You only saw her go into the room. How are you sure she did anything to them? It doesn't make sense."

Maya raised her head and her hardened gaze met Alycia's. She tilted her head to the right and a maid who was on the floor, slowly stood up and walked towards them.

“Repeat what you told me, Lotus!" Maya ordered, wiping her cheeks.

The maid shifted on her foot , her gaze down. “The….the princess ordered me to.. to get some Prime leaves. She…ord.. ordered me to…to put them in the tea..I'm s sorry, Alpha…” she immediately fell on her knees, crying and shaking profusely, " I never wanted to. But she threatened to..hu..hurt my mother. She is the only one i have. Please, have mercy!”

She hit her head on the floor, bawling her eyes out as she cried for mercy.

A collective gasp echoed, as well as murmurs from the elders.

Ethan motioned to the guards and they stepped forward and they took the maid away.

Alycia mouth was wide open, unable to wrap her head around what was happening, “Ethan…what is this? What is going on? Don't tell me you believe this nonsense?”

“You have committed a grave crime punishable by the royal laws, Alycia…”

Alycia.

Her heart dropped. She couldn't recall the last time Ethan, called her by her full name.

“You killed your own parents. You have to face your punishment!"

His tone was different. So different it didn't sound like her mate's. Before Alycia knew what was going on, she was dragged and taken to the dungeon.

Few hours later, and Alycia felt like she was going crazy in there, as she has been chained and locked up for quite awhile.

Suddenly, she heard the cell doors opened and Maya stepped in.

She was dressed in a black dress. A guard brought a stool to her which she sat opposite Alycia, with a stoic expression.

Alycia stared at her, “Maya…”

“Have you whipped her yet?" She suddenly asked the guards, and they shook their heads.

Maya sprang up from the chair at once, fuming, “What are you waiting for then!? Teach this murderer a lesson she would never forget and make her regret being born!”

Before Alycia could grasp what was happening, the cages to her cell were suddenly forced open and the guards stormed in.

She tugged at her chains, “Don't you lay your filthy hands on me!"

She stared toward her sister, " What have I ever done to you, Maya? Why do you have to lie against me?”

But the guards did not listen to her. The whip landed on her back, unrelentlessly

Alycia was helpless and angry. The more she tugged at her chains, the more she hurt, as they had been laced with silver.

It was bizarre. She couldn't place a finger on her emotions. The guards were not being lenient at all. Every whip was like a part of her flesh was being taken out. The pain was out of this world.

Alycia's screws tore through the dungeon. She begged--she pleaded, but Maya simply watched, a cruel smile playing on her lips.

“Enough!" A deep voice echoed in the cell, and the guards immediately stopped whipping her. Alycia hunched over, her breathing coming out in harsh gasps, struggling to stay sane.

“Take her to the square. It's time for her punishment!”

Maya stood and left with him, while the guards unchained Alycia's weak battered and bloodied body and led her out.

An angry crowd met them the moment they stepped out. Pack members sat on the floor. Some stood with their hands on their head, some rolled on their ground, as they mourned the previous king and queen.

The moment their eyes settled on Alycia, they were filled with rage. They swore at her, threw things at her, as she was led to the guillotine.

This was happening way too fast. Alycia thought. Was it a dream? She could hardly lift her eyes, she felt so weak, and her night dress was stained with blood.

She had never been handled this way. Ever. And when she was suddenly pushed to the bare floor, and came face to face with the guillotine, she began to panic.

Some guards began to set it up, and Alycia weekly raised her head to stare up at her mate in a silent plea.

She met Maya's gaze instead. Standing beside Ethan, with a satisfying smirk on her face.

Alycia knew she was being framed. And by none other than her sister. She was more surprised that even her Mate, Ethan, believed every single word spoken against her.

She couldn't believe it. And now he was sentencing her to death? Even without hearing from her.

She had literally given him the power to do this. She was the one who granted her position to him!

Oh..

She shivered. Her father was never in support of their union. He had warned her against accepting the Rogue Alpha as her mate. And what had she done instead?

She had granted him her position as the next heir to the throne, and then crowned him as Alpha.

Oh, they would be rolling in their graves right now.

They didn't deserve this. But as much as she thought about it, it was all her fault.

Her eyes swept round the crowd. They were angry. So angry. Eager to see her take the brunt of her deeds.

And when she stared back at her mate, he had a pained look on his face.

“I wish this was a dream, Alycia," he began, his voice low but commanding enough for all to hear him. The crowd hushed, “It pains me to see you go this way. You told me your parents aren't fully in support of us, but I never knew you would go as far as killing them just so we can be together. Regardless, I still wish you had spoken to me before doing such. But I have to do right by your parents. We have to do right by them!"

" Yes!” The crowd cheered.

This was the same people that looked up to her. This was the same people who would have vouched for her anywhere, but rather they wanted her gone.

Tears streaked down Alycia's face as she saw how serious they all were. She tried to speak but she was so weak, and her back burned. She tried to reach out to the mate bond, pleading with Ethan.

It was her last option. She couldn't die this way. No way this was happening..

But the guillotine was finally ready. Her bloodied nightgown clung to her trembling body as she was dragged to the guillotine.

She raised her head weakly, her vision blurred as they searched for Ethan. Her mate.

He stood tall beside Maya, who was sobbing uncontrollably in his arms. His eyes were cold and.... unfamiliar.

When their gaze met, she whimpered.

Please...she tried to plead through the bond. Please, Ethan....

A flicker of emotion crossed his fac. But it wasn't regret. It was more like.... satisfaction?

And that was when her whole life literally flashed before her eyes.

Was this how she'd leave this earth? She wondered.

Everyone stared at Ethan, waiting for him to give the final command. And then, finally, Ethan raised a hand. The signal for the guards to proceed.

But the moment they were about to act, a deep chilling voice echoed through the crowd.

The grounds shook violently, and everyone turned their heads to the direction of the voice.

As soon as their gazes rested on the source of the commotion, a shiver ran down their spines.

The crowds whimpered in fear and children began to cry all over again.

Grown men and women were trembling, even Maya and Ethan were wide eyed and shocked as well.