1:The Man Put Me Into Jail

Katherine's POV

"Say it! Say it! Confess what you did to our Luna!"

Claire's shrill voice pierced my ears. Her grip tightened around my neck, making my throat burn like it was on fire. Every breath scraping against my lungs like glass. But I could only beg.

After being put in jail by Alpha Harrison for three years, living in this hell, begging was the last thing I could do.

"Please...let me go...please...." I cried harshly but she refused to show a bit of mercy. With just a bit more pressure, she could snap my neck.

"I said say it!!" She ordered again.

"I...I fell in love with Alpha Harrison and wanted to whore myself to his bed," my voice was hoarse and broken after years' torture, but I still managed to spit out the lies, "Out of jealousy, I...hired rogues to...rape and murder his mate and our Luna...my best friend Elisa. I'm unforgivable. Alpha Harrison would...never forgive me. I will spend the rest of my life in jail.."

Claire let out a twisted laugh of satisfaction. "You’re the one who should’ve died! Not our Luna. We’re here following Alpha Harrison’s orders. To make your life here a living hell!"

She threw me to the ground. Her lackeys circled in, fists and boots raining down on every part of my body. I curled into a ball, shielding my face and abdomen the best I could to protect myself. I have lost connection to my wolf. She didn't answer me for two years. Maybe she also thought I'm unforgivable and gave me up.

This was how I suffered every single day for the past three years. All thanks to Harrison, the he-wolf I’d loved for five years.

Ever since I met him for the first time, I fell to him, followed him every day to see him worked and trained. I counted down the days to my eighteenth birthday. Hoping and praying that Harrison would be my mate. And we'd live a happy life together, just like all she-wolves and their mates. But suddenly everything changed to a nightmare.

Three years ago, Harrison's mate Elisa was found by the lakeside, naked and dead. The coroner said she’d been raped and suffocated. The last message on her phone was from me.

"What is there left to explain?" Alpha Harrison glared at me, his eyes bloodshot with rage. "The message came from your phone, asking her to meet you here. You disappeared! And she died right here!"

"No, no I didn’t. " I stepped back, shocking head, "No Harrison, please—"

"It’s Alpha to you!" His Alpha tone slammed me dropped to my knees.

"A-Alpha, please, believe me," I begged, barely able to breathe."It was Elisa who asked me to come here, and I said no! I don’t know why she still showed up."

My mind was completely blank with shock and confusion. I didn’t understand any of this. Elisa was my best friend. We knew everything about each other. Even the fact that I liked Harrison. I never hid that from her. We still loved and supported each other even after she turned his mate on her 18th.

"I love you, but I would never kill her for it! Please trust me Harrison. If I could take her place, I would, I’d rather die than see her like this!" I shouted, staring at Harrison as he held Elisa’s lifeless body in his arms.

He looked at me with nothing but disgust. He wanted to kill me. I knew it. The realization tore at my heart like it was being shredded on a grater.

"Your love makes me sick," he spat. "I will never love a murderer like you. If it weren’t for the Council, I’d kill you myself."

That night, I was arrested. No matter how I explained, no one listened. Even my family cut ties with me under Harrison's order.

“Katherine, I have no choice. Alpha said that if we plead for you, we’ll all be charged with treason. Your brother has just taken my place as Beta, and his wedding is coming. He can't be dragged into this!” I had always believed my father loved me. But only when he turned his back on me, I realized he had only ever loved the halo of a Luna-to-be that used to surround me.

Now the halo disappeared. I should be disappeared too.

In one night, I was reduced from the Beta’s Class A daughter to a prisoner. The next three years felt like a waking nightmare. Backbreaking labor, the sting of whips waiting around every corner, the senseless malice of those just as broken as me...Each day chipped away at the girl I used to be, until even my body no longer felt like my own.

I tried to kill myself, but the prison made sure I wouldn’t die.

"You’ll live every day in hell to pay for what you’ve done." That's Harrison's order.

"Number 786! Where’s 786!" The guard’s voice dragged me out of my daze suddenly. Claire and the others finally stopped. I managed to push myself up with trembling arms. Blood ran down from my forehead, I wiped it along with my tears.

"I’m... 786..." I croaked, panting and tried to stand against the wall.

The guard glanced at my chest to checked my number, and frowned in disgust. "Come with me. The warden wants to see you."

See me? After three years of this... would anyone still want to see me? Was Harrison finally deciding to show me mercy by letting me die in peace? Or was there still more pain waiting for me? A bitter smile formed on my lips when I murmured his name.

Harrison.

I couldn’t believe that after everything these three years have done to me, my heart still stirs for the name.

I followed the guard as we made our way down the dim corridor to the warden’s office. The disinfectant smell hit me while the guard opened the door. The office was small, with filing cabinets lined the walls, and a plain oak desk sat facing the door.

"786. " Warden Elena said. She was a plump woman in her thirties, wearing thick black glasses and holding a file with my photo clipped to the top.

"Unchain her and let her sit," she instructed, and the guard nelt down to unfasten my shackles. The silver had torn deep into my skin, flesh swollen and raw.

Elena didn’t seem surprised. "Wrap that wound before you leave."

"Thank you." I murmured. Compared to everything I’ve been through, I’m truly grateful for Elena’s kindness.

She watched me struggle into the chair, offering a small, almost apologetic smile. "Congratulations. Someone posted bail for you. Two million dollars. As of today, you’re free."

"Free?" I blinked, stunned. "With two million... dollars?"

She nodded. "You attempted suicide multiple times in here, so I think I have to tell you something."

"Your friend Andy. She was diagnosed with a terminal illness six months ago. She refused treatment and instead offered her heart to one of the ranked members. In exchange... he paid for your freedom."

Andy gave up her life... just to give me mine back? My chest ached as Elena continued, "That man kept his promise. But Harrison isn’t done with you yet."

"He issued a public notice this morning. No pack was allowed to take you in. Any pack accept you would be seen as declaring war on the Blackwood Pack. And you are now banned from working any job other than as a prostitute or a slave."

"Your life was bought with your friend’s. So don’t waste it. Live, no matter how hard it gets. Don’t let her sacrifice be in vain." She leaned in and whispered, just for me to hear. "I know you're innocent."

Tears welled up in my eyes before I realized. For three long years, no one had ever believed I was innocent. What a perfect motive. Killing Elisa to take her place as Luna and Harrison's wife. So easy to believe.

"Alpha ordered to kill your wolf, but I’ve been reducing your wolfsbane dosage... just a little. It’s a long shot, but you might still have a chance to find your wolf. I hope one day you’ll uncover the truth behind what happened three years ago, Katherine."

I bit down on my lip. "Thank you, Elana."

The truth no longer mattered. The girl I used to be died long ago. Even if I found the truth, nothing would bring my life back.

I filled out form after form, and changed into the clothes I’d worn when I first arrived. Pocketed the $100 Elena borrowed me and my old phone, I left the jail.

My white blouse from three years ago hung off me like a plastic bag. My ankle throbbed with every step. Suddenly, I felt a chill crawl down my spine and I turned instinctively.

A sleek black Rolls-Royce was parked at the corner of the street.

The window rolled down, revealing a cold, handsome face.

It's Harrison.

The man I loved for five years, and the man put me into jail.