009| Prisons of Shadows

She didn’t kill herself.

~Elara~

They didn’t throw me into the dungeons.

Instead, they locked me in my own room.

They were being merciful, at least that was what they believed.

I could see it in their eyes. 

The room that was once parked with happy memories shared with Lucien, has now been turned into my prison.

I heard them lock the door from outside, as soon as the door slammed shut. 

The moment the door slammed shut, I heard them lock it from outside.

Ney screamed at me to lunge at the door. But my body froze—suddenly paralyzed not by the lock, but the silence that followed.

It was worse than betrayal itself.

Like I am nothing, while someone else effortlessly took my place.

I leaned my forehead against the door. For the first time, I let the tears stream down my face.

Slowly, I slid to the floor, pressing my trembling fingers into the plush rug beneath me.

How quickly can love turn into suspicion?

How easily could a Luna become a criminal?

I don’t know how long I sat there before I heard footsteps.

That footstep sounded unfamiliar.

I stood from the ground and sat on the bed. I couldn’t let them see that they were affecting me.

Just then, the door creaked open, and the person entered.

Elder Malric.

I didn’t acknowledge him, but I also noticed he barely bowed when greeting me.

“Luna Elara,” he greeted, his face stiff and unwelcoming.

“Your trial will be tomorrow. Please rest up while you can.”

I let out a dry scoff.

“Seems you guys have it all planned out after all. Not bad.” Sarcasm dripped out of my words.

But his face didn’t change.

“What would happen if you find out I am not guilty? Certainly someone has to pay for accusing me wrongly.” I kept a smile on, but it didn’t quite reach my eyes.

Something flashed across his eyes. Something dark.

“I guess we will know tomorrow then.” He bowed lightly and walked away, the door shutting after him with a loud thud.

It was instantly followed by the jiggling sound of keys as the door was locked from outside.

My heart tightened painfully, as my eyes remained drawn to the door.

Why do I have this feeling that he was sure there would be no way out for me?

My body shivered subconsciously as a shudder rushed through me. My heart was pounding in my throat.

 I sank onto the bed. The same bed Lucien had carried me to, in the past, laughing. The same bed where we made love to each other, and whispered our desires and dreams.

Now, it felt colder than stone.

As night fell, it felt as though the walls were closing in. Fear became the only company I had.

The haunting possibility that maybe... maybe I'd truly be found guilty of a crime I didn’t commit, kept me turning and tossing all through.

A soft knock broke through the silence.

“Luna Elara?”

That hushed whisper sent a wave of emotions through me. I sprinted out of bed.

“Mia?” I gasped, excitement washing through me as I scrambled to the door.

My fingers gazed at the wood, desperately trying to pile a way through to get to her.

“I’m here.” The desperation made me feel helpless.

I wished to see her face, the face of someone who at least trusted me in the very least.

I heard her voice speaking urgently with someone at the doorway. They seemed to be arguing about something.

Minutes later, I heard the rattles of keys, and the unlocking of my door.

Then, she walked into the room, a tray balanced in her hand.

I fought to keep my tears from falling again. I saw her face darken with so much emotion.

“Luna Elara, are you okay, did they hurt you?” She sounded like she was barely holding back from crying.

I bit my lower lip and shook my head, steadying my inner breaking heart.

“No, I’m fine Mia.” I looked her over as she placed the tray of food on the table.

“Luna Elara, I don’t have much time.” She whispered quickly. “Here, I brought you something to eat and drink.”

I followed her hands and looked over the food. Maybe it was the trauma and all, but I couldn’t bring myself to eat anything.

“How did you get in here? I thought everyone was banned from seeing me?”

Mia narrowed her eyes slightly. “The Alpha, he let me see you. He was concerned about you.”

I stared at her for a while. I didn’t really know how to take that statement she just made.

Finally, I let out a cold mirthless laugh.  

“He said you might be starving.”

Her tone softened lightly as she said this, like she was torn between hope and hate.

Wasn’t he being a hypocrite? One minute he was ignoring me in front of the entire pack, and was standing up for Cindy, and the next minute he cared?

This has got to be a joke.

“Thank you, Mia, but I am not hungry.” I sat back on the bed, my heart feeling heavy.

“Luna, I understand that you are angry, you have every right to be. But you really need to eat something now. Whoever is trying to frame you is not going to stop?”  

A shudder ran through me at her words. I tried to keep it cool.

“I really am fine, Mia. How are things going out there?”

I had many questions to ask, but I couldn’t bring myself to frame them in the right way.

Questions like if there was any chance for me to get redeemed?

If there was a way to expose whoever the person framing me was?

Mia leaned in, looking around for a beat before she spoke.

“Luna, I overheard some discussion.”

I wasn’t one for rumors, but I couldn’t help but listen to her instantly.

“What is it?”

“People are talking, they say Esie’s death was strange. They believe someone killed her to shut her up.”

My brows furrowed.

If Esie didn’t kill herself, then someone out there was still pulling strings. And if they thought I’d stay locked up quietly, while they painted me guilty… then they didn’t know me at all.

“Did you find out who?”

This was all I needed, to finally set myself free, else I would be doomed.

“No names yet Luna, but…” she trailed off.

“Someone saw Elder Garrick leaving the servants’ quarters right before it happened.”