004: WOLFSBANE

~Elara~

My hands tremble. I keep them glued to my sides, desperate to stand tall in the face of humiliation as a crowd quickly gathers in front around us. They are all sneering, watching the scene unfold before them. Whispers agreeing with Rowan erupts. I square my shoulders, clenching my hands into tight fists.

It’s obvious that Kael can see what’s happening, yet he doesn’t intervene. I’m left in the midst of bystanders who keep throwing patronizing slurs at me. If I don't defend myself, no one will.

“I’m sure you know what it means to disrespect your Luna, Rowan. As long as I remain Kael's wife, I outrank you.”

Rowan’s jaw clenches. He takes a menacing step towards me. “What do we call a luna who can’t even protect her own pack? You’re nothing but a weakling, Elara. If you have the slightest bit of shame, you’ll leave now.”

“Rowan, there’s no need to be so aggressive,” a voice cuts into the drama. Heels click against the concrete as Helen approaches, her gaze sweeping over me in disdain. “Elara, you’re not supposed to be here. This is a gathering for wolves. Listen to the Gamma and leave.”

"Helen," I mumble, raising my brows in a silent plea for her to back me up. She has always despised me, but she never went as far as disgracing me in front of thhe subjects before. "Celeste invited me."

She releases an awkward chuckle, waving a dismissive hand in front of her face. "I'm sure she did it out of goodwill, Elara. You have no place here."

My chest tightens. I never wanted to come to this party in the first place. But leaving just because they want me to will be a slap on the face. Trying to salvage the shred of dignity I have left, I turn to Rowan. “Do I need to remind you of the laws? I’m carrying the Alpha’s heir. You have no right to–”

“Is this what you do to Miss Celeste too?” Rowan interrupts sharply. “You taunt her with your pregnancy? Rub her failure in her face? You’re married to the man she loves, and she’s left with a shattered bond? Is this how you treat her too?”

“That’s ridiculous,” I protest, my anger flaring. “It’s the other way around. She never shuts up about her past with my husband. When things don’t go her way, she cries like a freaking child and plays the victim.”

I have no idea why I say all those things, but I do. I can’t watch them ruin my reputation any longer.

“Enough.” Kael's thunders, taking brisk strides our way. He has finally decided to intervene. Celeste is standing behind Rowan, trembling, tears clinging to her lashes. Kael scowls at me, his face clouded with disapproval. “That’s enough, Elara."

Clutching her chest, Celeste doubles over, faking a sob like the perfect actress that she is. “I’mm sorry, Elara,” she cries out. “I didn’t know you hated me this much.”

I expel a bitter exhale and bite back a curse. Celeste staggers, clutching her chest as she coughs. Kael wraps his hands around her arms to hold her upright. With his eyes on me, he hisses. “She’s sick. Do you really have to bully someone who is going through so much already?”

“It’s fine, Kael," Celeste sniffles weakly. “Don’t be too hard on her. It’s probably the pregnancy hormones talking.”

Something inside me snaps. I have had enough of her theatrics. I open my mouth to reply, only to be cut off by a loud scream piercing through the night.

Everything happens so fast. Celeste slumps to the floor, convulsing. Foam gathers at the corners of her lips. Kael is holding her in his arms in an instant, spewing out orders for help. Paramedics rush to the scene. One of them drops to his knees beside Celeste and feels her pulse. Colour drains from his face.

“She has been poisoned,” he announces. “Wolfsbane.”

Wolfsbane? That’s a dangerous substance that isn't found anywhere in the werewolf world. How did she ingest it? She coughs violently, spurting out blood. Drawing in laboured breaths, her eyes flutter open and find mine.

“The only thing I ate today was the meal you made,” she mutters. “Elara, how could you do this to me?”

What the hell is she implying? I blink, taking a step back as dozens of pairs of eyes settle on me. They don’t need to state their accusations, I already know that they believe her. Kael is staring at me with a puzzled look. Sweat gathers on my palm.

“I didn’t do it,” I mutter, shaking my head slowly. “I didn’t do it, Kakel. I would never try to poison anyone.”

But he doesn’t believe me. How could he? Celeste’s word is law. To him, she’s an angel that can never hurt a fly. He would never believe me over her.

“I’m innocent, Kael," I protest anyway, my voice rising an octave. My lips quiver. He should know me more than anyone else in the pack. Even if every other person doesn’t believe me, he shouldn’t be among them. He’s the only ally I have ever known in this community. “She’s lying to you,” I cry out.

Helen marches over to me and sends her hand flying to my cheeks. The blow sends me staggering backwards, disoriented. With eyes burning with hatred and disgust, she thrusts a finger in my face. “I knew your presence in this pack would do more harm than good. “How dare you try to poison my daughter in law?”

Tears rush to my lids. I sniffle, taking her hand in mine, desperate to prove my innocence. “Celeste is lying, Helen. She’s trying to set me up.”

“Are you listening to yourself?” she retorts, gesturing at the unconscious woman who is now being taken away on a stretcher. “Why would she risk her life just to frame you? Do you have any idea how stupid you sound right now?”

I do, but there’s no other explanation. I never used wolfsbane to prepare the meal. I never tried to kill her. Why did she accuse me the minute she heard she was poisoned? She has had nothing but schemes up her sleeves since the moment she returned. This is just another plan of hers.

"Did you do this because you heard about her mating ceremony with Kael?"

It's more of a statement than a question. I sink my teeth into my lower lip, responding with a shake of my head as goosebumps sprout on my skin. "No, Helen. I didn't do this at all."

She scoffs and yanks her hand away from mine, shoving me to the floor. “Take her,” she commands furiously, her eyes scanning the crowd. “Lock her up. now!”