Chapter Three

Susanna's POV

"Treason?" My voice trembled. "What the hell—?"

The words barely left my lips when something shot stars into my brain. I grabbed my hurting cheeks as I looked up to face Derek.

Venom flashed in his eyes as he glared at me. "How dare you think of killing me, you traitorous bitch?" He snarled.

I frowned, just before it dawned on me. Fiona had set me up.

"Listen, Derek, this is a set up. I didn't do anything! You have to believe me!"

"Believe you?" He scoffed, then gestured to the guards. "Bind the traitor and take her to the judgement arena where her fate would be decided."

The next moment, I was binded with chains, whisked off my feet and carried all the way to the judgement arena where to my surprise, all the pack members were seated.

When my gaze fell on Fiona seated on the Luna seat, anger burst through me.

"This is your doing, you disgusting bitch!" I bellowed.

I wanted to curse her out more, but Derek's voice drowned mine as he walked up to join Fiona.

"I called you all here today to witness the downfall of a traitor!" He began, pointing at me

"The former Luna, Susanna Jean was dethroned yesterday. And out of spite, she poisoned my breakfast and stole the crowning staff!"

The noise level in the hall rose. Majority of the pack members hurled insults at me. The same people who I had helped over the years.

I shook my head in mental anguish.

How dare they turn against me? No! I won't take this!

"How about I reveal the face of the real traitor!" I raised my voice over the noise.

"Who said you could speak!?" Derek growled. "You have no right—"

"Fiona was sent by her pack to seduce you and gain control over the Dark moon pack!" I cut him off.

For a split second, confusion flashed across Derek's face but it was soon gone.

"What do you mean by that?" He asked.

"The traitor is only trying to sway the alpha by such ludicrous claims." Fiona's voice rose above mine.

I didn't fail to discern the fear that skittered across her face. She was struggling hard to hide it as she placed both hands on Derek's shoulders.

"The CCTV footage and the crowning staff she was caught with is enough evidence of what she did."

As if hypnotized, Derek turned to face me.

"You actually thought you could sway me? You think I'll believe your lies?"

I winced. Since when did he become a puppet controlled by Fiona?

Even if it was for the four years bond we once shared, he could at least try to investigate if I was lying or not.

"Derek," I called.

He ignored me and said, "The traitor should be beheaded but because she was once the pack's Luna, our customs demands she be granted—"

Fiona suddenly whispered something in his ears and a look of realization flashed in his eyes.

"Unfortunately, this meeting will be adjourned because tomorrow is the full moon festival and we can't pass a judgement on its eve. Take the traitor to the dungeon!"

Without sparing me another glance, he left the arena together with Fiona.

I couldn't even utter a word as I was dragged to the dungeon and locked in.

Waiting for Derek to pass judgment on me for a crime I didn't commit was not going to work.

I had to do something.

From that morning till evening, I tried everything possible to get out of the dungeons but I failed. I was bone deep weary from the stress of it all and decided to catch a wink even if it was uncomfortable.

I didn't know how long I had slept when the door creaked open and I felt the presence of people. I braced myself for what was about to happen while still pretending to sleep.

But I was too slow. Something needle-like was already piercing my neck before I could even realize it.

My hand instantly flew to my neck only to feel a syringe sticking out.

I yanked it off and jolted off the floor, the pain in my neck blurring my vision.

"What the fuck?" I cursed.

"Sorry you weren't expecting that." I heard Fiona's saccharine sweet voice.

That sly cunt. Wasn't she done with me yet?

As if she read my mind, she said. "At first, I was done but you had to run your mouth off to Derek just like you did to your father back at college. You brought this upon yourself, Anna!"

"Boys, drag her out and do as I ordered earlier!"

“Cowards,” I ground out before they reached me. “Your men can't take on one woman without having to poison her?"

"Seems like you have forgotten that I'm an Alpha wolf, Fiona!" I added.

She jeered. "That was the whole point of the poison. To knock your wolf out!"

Murderous intent flashed across the men's face as they charged at me. The effect of the drug was making me weak but I couldn't back down.

I summoned my wolf, even though weak, she was still powerful than the men. This, I owed Derek for training me during the first two years of our marriage.

In seconds, I had taken down the first two.

Two others charged at me again and I took one down but the other was faster. He slashed at me, his claws tearing against my neck and increasing the spread of the poison.

I stumbled backwards, my breathing laboured.

"Knock the bitch out!" Fiona ordered. "We have to leave quickly!"

Leave with them? Not fucking likely.

I had to escape.

I watched as the last three rushed towards me. I quickly charged towards them and collided with a strong impact that took two of them down.

However, the last one who I reckoned to be the leader managed to get through. He aimed for my neck that had gone weak from the poison and slashed through it.

My body turned jelly immediately and I slumped down.

"Throw her into the car!" Fiona instructed.

I tried to protest by letting a shrill howl but surprisingly, it came out as a whisper.

That was when it hit me hard. I had lost my wolf. I tried connecting to my wolf but she wasn't responding.

Shit! I was so screwed!

Helplessness shimmered through me. Couldn't the moon goddess bite down a bit on her cruelty? How could I lose my husband, my position, my home and my wolf within the space of two days?

"Not even the moon goddess can save you from your ugly fate now. Just say your last prayers as.you go." Fiona's voice sounded close to my ears.

And she was right. I was so fucking doomed. I couldn't even summon the strength to curse her out as the car drove off.

The car hadn't even gone more than a mile when the tires suddenly screeched to a halt and the man behind the wheel let out an ear-splitting scream.

I jerked my head up in surprise. What did he see?

“What's going on?" The leader barked at him.

“There— there is something scary in the middle of the road." The driver stuttered with fear.

The leader snorted. "Coward! There's no such thing as scary! Just keep driving!"

When the driver wouldn't move an Inch, the leader rolled his eyes then gestured to the other men.

"Let's go check whatever's in the middle of the road then."

They all left the car while I peered out through the window, watching as they breezed about, inspecting the road.

Then suddenly, a bloodcurdling scream filled the air and a lifeless body rammed into the screen of the car, making me shriek in horror.

Not long enough, the sound of bones breaking and cries of pain was everywhere. My legs got the message and I quickly peeled out of the car, almost breaking the door handle out of fear.

Big mistake!

The leader grabbed me and pressed a knife to my neck. "Show yourself or she dies!" He snarled.

A low growl sounded from the middle of the road, sending goosebumps up my arms.

"You should've just escaped when I gave you the chance. Now you'll regret touching her!"

The voice.

It sounded so familiar, but I couldn't put a name to it.

In a split second, I felt something move behind me and the next moment, the leader's headless body slumped beside me.

My pulse hammered loudly in my throat and I toppled backwards with fright.

But just as I thought I would hit my head on the ground, strong hands wrapped around my waist and pulled me flush against their chest.

The musk and sandalwood scent that drifted form them tantalized my senses.

"Are you okay, Susanna?" The voice was so soft and soothing.

I looked up and recognition kicked in. It was HIM.

"I'm—"

My words caught in my throat as a wave of pain rolled from my neck down to the tip of my toes, making me shudder violently in his arms.

"Susanna, please stay with me."

That was the last thing I heard before a blinding whiteness covered my eyes.