CHAPTER ONE

The loud thud on the huge brazen door of the council chamber woke me up in an instant; I looked up as it paved the way and felt strong hands dragging me through the same chamber I once walked into elegantly; my head was banging.

'What’s happening?' I thought to myself as I struggled my way through the huge hands pulling me to the center of the chamber.

Drops of blood rolled down from my head to my face. I looked at the ground, and it was 'my blood!!!'

Everything flashed back in an instant and the pain on my head sharpened.

'This cannot be happening, no!!!!' I screamed inside me, sobbing.

I remembered waking up in an unusual room with blood on the bed and a weapon that I had never used before or even seen. It was such a sight that I almost threw up until the door was unlocked, two strong guards barged in, that was a great offense to enter a room without permission, and this was Lowell’s room, they had to be punished for this single act, I was only interrupted when another figure entered the room, Reika, my maid wearing a mischievous smile;

“Take her away, she has murdered him!!" Pointing at me, Reika screamed, feigning sobs as tears rolled through her left eye. That alone was a sign of pretense, but my confusion was beyond noticing anything else or even judging. 

I kept shaking my head in disapproval and begging them not to believe her, but before I could make a sound, the force of an object landed on my head and it was all bizarre, the light dimmed by seconds and I went blank, I guess I fainted but the pains I feel now is much worse. 

The council chamber felt like a courtroom; it felt unfamiliar for a moment as I tried to regain consciousness, with accusing eyes boring into me from all sides. 

I looked up to find a familiar face, the one that would believe me and stop all these misunderstandings; this was my worst nightmare. 

When I found his face, it didn't look like the handsome and sweet face I had always adored; Karl’s face grew with anger; the rage swept through him when our eyes met.

He rose from his seat, pacing a few steps towards me, I couldn’t handle those emotions his eyes wore, I tried closing my eyelids until I heard his voice

“You,” he spat, pointing at me, his voice laced with venom, “always up to no good. I knew it from the start. I’m glad I rejected you when I had the chance.”

My heart clenched in my chest, pain and disbelief warring within me. “Karl, please,” I pleaded, my voice shaky with emotion, “You know me. You know I could never do something like this.”

But he turned away, his trust shattered beyond repair. “Lies, you keep spitting lies, but today we will end it, now enough of your lies!” he barked, his words like a slap across my face. 

Yet another accusation, and I couldn’t keep up with my mate pointing accusing fingers at me. I have never seen this side of him, and it broke my heart into a thousand pieces that he was the first to point at me in such rage. My heart bled, and I felt the pain surge through my heart; I kept shaking my head as tears rolled down my cheeks.

He walked closer this time, and his face changed almost immediately, with pity and surprise, he bent to where I knelt and came closer to my ear;

Maybe, just maybe…..

He realized I didn’t deserve all this, and he’d punish everyone who did this to me, but my hopes were cut off almost immediately.

“Tell us, Uriel, what were you doing in Lowell’s room?” He spoke sharply but in whispers

The question hung in the air, heavy and accusatory, I couldn’t bear it any longer, “I don’t know,” I confessed, my voice barely above a whisper. “I woke up there, and there was blood and a weapon…”

I looked up to Reika, my maid, who I believed would stand by me and defend me bravely because she was with me all night. Reika remained silent, her head bowed in silence, that was a sign of respect for the servants who were allowed into the council chamber, but it was unlike her to keep quiet when it came to me, she always stood up for me even when other maids gossip about me, but this time she is quiet, very unusual but I didn’t want to be distracted with that which I will deal with later on.

She had been the first person to see me on the bed with Lowell’s blood and declared me a murderer;

How could that be?? 

I can only remember taking a milk juice she offered to help me sleep at night when I complained of having nightmares.

Does she have a hand in this??

No, not Reika; I trust her with my life; she is the most trusted maid I have.

I looked around me; the air was thick, and every glare was filled with rage and guilt, creating an atmosphere of tension. 

Alpha Conri and the council members exchanged skeptical glances, their suspicion palpable. “And where is Lowell’s body?” Alpha Conri demanded, his voice cutting through the tension like a blade.

“I don’t have it!” I exclaimed, desperation creeping into my tone. “I don’t know what happened to him.”

Karl’s accusation rang out, fuelling the growing fire of condemnation. “She’s lying!” he declared, his words echoing through the chamber. “She killed Lowell and tried to cover it up!”

Tears welled up in my eyes as I looked at Karl; how could my mate have such hatred towards her? I just couldn’t believe it.

My heart broke at his betrayal. “Karl, please, I beg of you, make them understand that I am innocent. Tell your father, please,” I begged, reaching out to him, but he recoiled as if my touch burned him.

Reika, my maid, remained silent, Did she know something? The thought pierced me like a knife, adding to the weight of injustice pressing down on me.

An Elder stood up almost swiftly, “So what was she doing in his room, if she claims she has no idea where he is”? He opened both arms to inquire from the Alpha king and rest of the elders, it was more of an additional fact rather than a question.

Alpha Conri turned to the elders of the council, their faces etched with stern disapproval, and began their interrogation, but I had to do something, I couldn’t keep still;

“I swear! I don’t know where he is, and I never killed anyone”! I shouted at the top of my voice, I didn’t care if that was my last straw of strength, but I had to do something. I kept crying as the tears blurred my eyes, and instantly, I wiped every bit of it; I had to see their faces to make sure they believed me, or else I’d be doomed; no, I’ve suffered enough; this is not my end, not now! 

The Alpha’s voice interrupted my spiraling thoughts, his judgment final and merciless. “Uriel, daughter of Alcide Reeds,” he intoned,

There was silence within the court, even I was, but not my heart, It kept beating so loud, I could hear them

“You are sentenced to death for the murder of Lowell.” He declared 

“No!” I cried out, my voice echoing off the stone walls.

“I’m innocent, I swear!”

“Please I beg of you, don’t do this to me!!”