4

I slumped against the cold stone wall of the cell, my body weak from three days without food or water. My tongue felt like sandpaper, my stomach a hollow pit of agony. My mind drifted to my parents—would they have fought for me if they were still alive? Is this how my life was meant to end, behind bars, in the suffocating darkness of these four walls?

My thoughts shattered as I heard faint footsteps. My head snapped up, and a shadow stretched across the floor before a familiar face came into view. "Kiara," I gasped, my voice barely a whisper as I squatted to meet her gaze.

Tears glistened in her eyes as she reached through the bars and gripped my trembling hands. "Goodness, look at you, Alina," she whispered, her voice heavy with emotion.

I sniffled, trying to suppress the lump in my throat. "Kiara, you shouldn't be here. If they find you—"

"Leave? After seeing you like this? Never." Her eyes blazed with determination. "I found out you’ve had nothing to eat or drink. How could Rowan do this to you? All for that two-faced rat, Lydia?"

I shook my head weakly. "I didn’t hurt Lydia. I swear, Kiara."

"I know," she said firmly. "I’m sure she fabricated the whole thing. But why would she do that?"

My chest tightened at the memory. "I caught Rowan with her. She’s hated me ever since."

Kiara’s jaw clenched, and her fingers tightened around mine. "Damn it. I always had a feeling she was up to no good." She let out a bitter laugh. "She’s already left the clinic. Unfortunately, she’s perfectly fine."

"Kiara, it’s fine," I murmured. "Leave me to my fate."

Her grip didn’t loosen. "Never. I won’t let you die here, starved and thirsty."

From her jacket, she pulled out a small bundle wrapped in cloth. Carefully untying it, she revealed a few pieces of bread and a small bottle of water. My mouth watered painfully at the sight, the dryness in my throat unbearable.

"Here," she said softly, extending it toward me.

"Hold it!" a sharp voice rang out.

We both froze. Lydia stepped out of the shadows, her eyes gleaming with malice. In a swift motion, she slapped the food and water from Kiara’s hands, sending them tumbling to the ground. She followed it with a vicious slap across Kiara’s face.

"How dare you disrespect Alpha Rowan by bringing her food?" Lydia sneered.

Kiara’s hand flew up, ready to strike back, but Lydia leaned in, her voice low and threatening. "Go on, hit me. Your sick little brother will pay for it with his life."

Kiara’s hand trembled mid-air, her face twisting in a mix of rage and restraint.

"Kiara, let it go," I said softly, not wanting her to risk her family.

Her hand slowly dropped, and she took a step back, glaring at Lydia.

"Now, get out," Lydia hissed.

Kiara shot me a pained look before turning and leaving. The moment she was gone, Lydia turned to me, her lips curling into a smug smile.

"Bravo," she mocked, clapping slowly. "My acting skills are impeccable, aren’t they? Fooled Rowan, your so-called parents, everyone. Now they all hate you."

I glared at her, the weakness in my body no match for the fury burning inside me.

She crouched down, pulling out a bottle of water. "Don’t worry. I’m here to sustain your miserable life." She extended the bottle toward me, her smile sickly sweet.

I hesitated, my parched throat screaming for relief. But as my fingers grazed the bottle, I noticed something—tiny purple grains settled at the bottom. My heart sank. The sweet pill.

"You…" I whispered, realization dawning on me.

"What?" she said, feigning innocence before chuckling. "Go on. Drink before I change my mind, dear Alina."

"You’re trying to kill me," I said, my voice shaking with fury and disbelief.

She shrugged. "Would it really be so bad? It’s a quick death, much better than rotting here."

"Lydia…"

"Oh, don’t worry," she interrupted, standing up. "You’ll die anyway. I’ll make sure of it."

With a cruel laugh, she sauntered out, leaving me in the suffocating darkness.

---

Later, guards came to escort me to the judgment hall. My legs wobbled as I was forced into the vast room. The pack elders sat on either side of Rowan’s elevated chair, their faces grim and judgmental. Whispers and snide comments echoed around me as I was dragged to the platform.

"Look at her. A traitor."

"She deserves whatever punishment Rowan gives."

My head hung low, shame and anger warring within me.

Rowan’s piercing gaze bore into me, his eyes flickering between softness and cold resolve. Finally, his gaze shifted to Lydia, who stood with a triumphant smirk.

"She deserves death, right?" Rowan asked icily.

The elders murmured their agreement, their voices cold and detached.

Rowan’s voice rang out, final and unyielding. "Then she will—"

"Wait!" an elder interrupted, stepping forward. He turned to my aunt and uncle. "Do you truly want her to face the death penalty?"

They hesitated, their silence cutting deeper than any words.

The elder scowled. "Have you forgotten her parents’ sacrifices as Gammas? It would be cruel to punish her so harshly."

Rowan’s expression hardened, then softened slightly. "Fine," he said, his tone laced with mock benevolence. "Because of what she did in the past—saving my life—I’ll spare hers."

Lydia’s face twitched, her composure slipping for a fraction of a second.

"But," Rowan continued, his voice colder than before, "she will be banished from the pack. From this moment onward, she’s a rogue."

I stared at him, my chest tightening. Banishment. How would I survive as a rogue?

The cold truth settled in my heart like a heavy stone. I was now an orphan, framed for a crime I didn’t commit, rejected by the family that should have protected me, and outcasted from the pack that had once been my home. Every step I took away from the packhouse territory felt like a nail driven into my spirit. But I refused to break, not in front of them.

As I walked, my father’s words echoed in my mind, his deep voice a fragile comfort against the storm raging inside me: “Even when the world turns against you, Alina, never lose sight of who you are. You’re stronger than you believe.”

My mother’s gentle reminder followed, her soft smile flashing in my memory: “Hope is a thread, my dear, and it’s never gone until it’s severed. Never give up until it’s over.”

The guards shoved me along the path, their presence a reminder of my status. I didn’t cry. I wouldn’t let them see me broken. As I crossed the pack borders, their footsteps faded, leaving me with nothing but the narrow path ahead and the bitter cold of the woods.

The forest was eerily quiet, save for the occasional rustle of leaves. I dismissed the sounds, assuming Rowan had sent someone to ensure I left the pack territory completely. My legs trembled, weak and sore, but I kept moving. I had to.

“Stop.”

The command sliced through the silence. I froze as footsteps approached from behind. Before I could turn, a harsh voice barked, “Tie her up!”

A sack was thrown over my head, plunging me into darkness. My muffled scream was met with laughter as rough hands gagged and bound me. I thrashed, desperate to free myself, but it was futile. Someone yanked my hair, dragging me forward. My arms were bruised from the force of their grip, but I couldn’t stop them.

The cold air bit at my skin as we came to a halt. The sack was ripped off my head, and I blinked against the sudden light.

“Lydia,” I hissed, recognizing the sneering face before me.

Her lackeys stood on either side of her, their cruel grins mirroring hers. Lydia tilted her head, feigning surprise. 

“Oh, Alina, what a sight. Did you really think you’d just go forever without me fulfilling my promise?”

“What is the meaning of this?” I spat, glaring at her.

She laughed, motioning for me to turn around. “Take a good look behind you.”

I did, and my stomach dropped. We stood at the edge of a cliff, turbulent waters raging below. The sight made my heart pound in terror.

I tried to shift, to summon my wolf, but a lackey pinned me down. Lydia’s mocking voice rang out. 

“You should have just died peacefully by drinking that poisoned water. At least then, your body would’ve been buried beside your parents’ graves. Now? It’ll be food for the river.”

Her words stabbed deeper than any knife could.

“Hold her up,” Lydia ordered, and her lackeys hoisted me to my feet.

From her pocket, she drew a knife—the same blade she’d used to frame me. The bloodied steel gleamed in the fading sunlight as she stepped closer.

“No, Lydia, don’t!” I screamed, shaking violently against my bindings.

She smiled cruelly. “Goodbye, Alina. Relay my greetings to your parents and dear brother on the other side. And my condolences, of course.”

The knife plunged into my abdomen. A sharp, searing pain exploded through my body, stealing my breath. I gasped, staring at her in shock. Her smug smile blurred as tears filled my eyes.

“Let her go,” Lydia commanded.

The lackeys released me, and with one final shove, she pushed me over the edge.

I fell, the world spinning as the wind roared in my ears. The icy water swallowed me whole, its cold grip wrenching the air from my lungs. I thrashed weakly, the pain in my abdomen radiating through every inch of me.

Goddess… why? My thoughts were a tangle of anguish and despair. You took my real family. Now this? Why?

My limbs grew heavy, and my vision darkened as tears streamed down my face. Mom, Dad, Brother… I’m coming.

As my body sank deeper into the turbulent water, my arms drifted apart, surrendering to the current. My eyes fluttered shut, a single tear slipping free as darkness claimed me.