002: SHATTERED BONDS

Valerie.

The dungeon stinks of puke and feacal matter. I don't know how many hours blur by, because this place remains dark even during the brightest sunlight. I sit on a large stone, heaving weakly. At least, Helen was nice enough to keep me in an empty cell, far from other delinquents locked up.

“How the mighty has fallen!” Two guards strolls in, banging the bars of my cell with a metal rod. I flinch, pressing my hand to my belly as if the noise can affect the child growing in there. 

“The mighty?” The second guard mocks. “Everyone knows that Valerie was never mighty in this pack.”

Valerie. Not Luna. Not Mrs …

“How can a human rule over us? We tolerated her for years because of the former Alpha. Now that he's dead, she has to die too.”

I feel my baby move in my stomach. I swallow, squeezing my tear stained eyes shut. It's no secret that the packs subject never liked me. Now that they have an opportunity to treat me how they want, they are grabbing it quickly.

“Valerie,” the first guard drawls in a patronizing tone. “You should be grateful that the Alpha didn't reject you and take Miss Celeste as his Luna as soon as she returned.” He slides the rod in and hits my leg with it. “She's a better fit for the pack. Not only does she know the Alpha best, she has received training on how to lead a pack since she was a kid. She's charismatic and looks perfect with the Alpha.” He pauses, exchanging knowing glances with his partner. “You act so haughty all day in the hospital, pretending to be better than her, but it doesn't change what you are. A weak human.”

“Even the Alpha knows better,” his second chips in. “He returned to the pack an hour ago, yet he hasn't paid his distressed wife a visit.”

There's a sharp sting in my chest. My nostrils flare. After Caspian died, I cried for hours. Now, I feel too weak to shed any more tears. I'm used to Sebastian's cruelty now. Ever since Celeste Blackthorn returned to the pack six months ago, his attitude towards me changed.

“Her wolf bond is shattered, Valerie,” Sebastian told me one night when I demanded to know why he was paying her so much attention. “Her mate left her, and it’s taking time to heal. I have to be there for her. You know I'm the only one who can help her heal. It’s just for a year. One year will be enough for her to go back to normal.”

“I’m your wife, Sebastian,” I cried out. “Your wife. I’m carrying your child. Surely she can’t be more important than us.”

“She’s the Beta’s daughter. If I toss her to the side, it will only cause a rift in the Pack. I can’t let that happen.”

So I learned my place. It wasn't until later that I discovered who she really was. His first love who eloped with someone else long before I came into this pack. Everyone loves her. They prefer her to the human Luna who has no place here, and they never shut up about it. Not when the Alpha and his mother share the same sentiment. 

Footsteps echo down the hallway. The guards nudge each other and whisper. “The Alpha is here.”

A glimmer of hope engulfs me. Now that Caspian is gone, Sebastian is the only one I can depend on. If he has even an iota of sympathy for his child which I am carrying, he'll do the right thing.

Sebastian walks towards my cell. The guards give him a quick bow and scurry away. I look up, expecting to see him alone, but instead, Celeste Blackthorn joins him. She looks just like I remember. Pale and fragile, as always, her frame unsteady. 

“Sebastian,” I huff, rising to my feet. “Did… did you hear?”

I search his face. Sebastian has always respected his father. He certainly wouldn't take his death lightly, but his emotions are kept at bay. His face is blank, unreadable. His hard eyes are fixed on me. 

“I'm sorry, Sebastian,” I try again when he doesn't reply. Stretching my shaky hand out to him, I go on. “I know how much you loved your dad. I'm sorry for your loss.”

“We're not here to listen to condolences,” Celeste speaks out, like she's his mouthpiece. “Sebastian is here to know the truth. Did you really kill his father?” 

The question throws me off guard. I didn't think that Sebastian, of all people would think I am capable of something like this. I take a step back, sinking my teeth into my lower lip.

“I did not. I see no reason why you'd suspect me of that either.” My voice is flat and resigned.

“Oh Valerie,” Celeste whines. Her eyes flick to my stomach. “I really hope you didn't do it. You're carrying Sebastian's child. It would be stupid to commit a murder when the fate of the pack rests on you.”

She doesn't try to hide the sarcasm in her tone. “Caspian adored you very much. I hope you didn't break his trust and kill him.”

All this time, my eyes are fixed on Sebastian. He doesn't say a word. He just let her speak, as he always does. I bite the insides of my cheeks, looking away from him.

Celeste wraps his arms and with hers, leaning into him. “Let's go, Sebastian. It's time for the council meeting.”

They turn to leave. At the entrance, Sebastian stops, his back to me. “I hope you tell the truth, Valerie. For my father's sake.”

***

When I get dragged into the tribunal hall, the elders are seated behind a panel. All sounds cease as I enter. My hands and legs are bound together with long shackles. Sebastian sits at a table beside the panel. On both sides are Helen and Theron, Celeste's father and the Pack’s beta. 

Helen looks nothing like a grieving widow. She looks like she's ready to kill, her eyes glaring daggers at me. Celeste is nowhere to be found, fortunately.

“Luna Valerie," Elder Fenris begins. He’s the leader of the council, a formidable man who everyone submits to. “You know why you’re here, so I won’t beat around the bush. Evidence has been tendered against you. Incriminating evidence that shows all the measures you took to kill the Alpha's father.”

I part my lips to speak, but the elder cuts me short.

“Before you deny it, keep in mind that your sentence depends on your readiness to admit your guilt.” Disgust flashes in his eyes. “I'll advise you to say the truth, Valerie. We know you killed your father in law.”