Chapter 5

The great hall filled up fast that afternoon. Hundreds of pack members crowding in, all dressed fancy, all excited to witness the official announcement.

Everyone except me.

I stood in my chambers staring at my reflection. Silver dress. Hair braided perfect. Makeup hiding the fear and exhaustion. I looked like a proper Luna.

Felt like a wolf walking to her death.

My escape bag was hidden near the servants' entrance. Elena had weapons stashed at three exit points. Mira prepared herbs in case we needed to slow down trackers.

Everything ready. Just had to survive the next few hours. Smile through the announcement. Then slip away and run.

Simple plan.

So why did I feel like throwing up?

A knock made me jump.

"Luna Aria, it is time."

I took a breath. Smoothed my dress. Put on the mask I wore for six years.

Time to perform.

The walk to the great hall felt endless. Pack members everywhere, whispering as I passed.

There she is.

Poor thing.

I wonder if she will cry.

I smiled. Nodded. Played my role like always.

The great hall looked beautiful. Flowers everywhere. Banners hanging from the ceiling. Tables loaded with food.

A celebration for the baby that proved I was worthless.

Three chairs sat on the raised platform. Kael's throne. My Luna chair. And a third chair, almost as big as mine.

For Sienna.

I climbed the steps on shaking legs. Sat down. Waited.

The crowd was deafening. Happy voices. Laughter. I searched for Elena and found her with the warriors near the back. Our eyes met. She nodded once.

Ready.

Mira stood with the healers on the left. She looked tense. Worried. Kept glancing at the platform like something bad was coming.

The crowd noise changed. Everyone turning toward the entrance.

Kael entered first. Tall in his Alpha robes. Smiling. Waving.

The pack erupted in cheers.

Behind him came Sienna.

I forced myself not to gasp.

She looked terrible. Face gray. Steps unsteady. Gripping Kael's arm like it was the only thing keeping her upright.

Her eyes were glassy. Unfocused. Wrong.

Kael helped her up the steps. Settled her in the chair with fake gentleness. But I saw his hand tighten on her arm. Saw her flinch.

Saw the warning in his eyes.

The crowd quieted as Kael moved to the front.

"My pack. My family." His voice boomed. Warm. Full of joy. "We celebrate wonderful news. Sienna Goldmane carries my child. The heir who will lead this pack into the future."

Thunder of applause. Howls. The whole building shook.

I clapped. Smiled. Died inside.

Sienna sat too still. Breathing wrong. Shallow and fast.

Mira noticed too. Started pushing through the crowd.

"This child represents hope," Kael continued. "Strength. The bloodline that protects us."

More cheers.

He extended his hand to Sienna. "Stand with me."

Sienna tried. Gripped the chair arms. Pushed herself up.

Made it halfway before her legs gave out.

She collapsed back with a gasp.

Confused murmurs rippled through the crowd.

"Sienna?" Kael's voice held perfect concern. "Are you alright?"

"I don't..." Her voice slurred. "Something is wrong."

She tried again. Made it to her feet this time.

Took one step.

Then her eyes rolled back and she went down hard.

Time slowed.

I watched her fall. Watched Kael reach but not quite catch her. Watched her hit the platform.

Then I saw the blood.

Dark red spreading across her golden dress. Pooling on the floor. Too much blood.

The hall exploded.

Screaming. Shouting. People surging forward and backing away.

I was on my feet without thinking. Moving toward her.

Kael got there first. Knelt beside her. "Get Mira! Now!"

Mira fought through the panicked crowd. Dropped to her knees with her bag.

"Everyone back! Give me room!"

The crowd pushed back but nobody left. All staring.

I stood frozen. Unable to move or breathe.

Mira worked fast. Checking pulse. Lifting eyelids. Hands on Sienna's belly.

Her face went pale. "No. No no no."

"What?" Kael demanded.

"Miscarriage. Severe bleeding." Mira looked up. "We need to move her. Now. Carefully."

Four warriors lifted Sienna. Blood dripped from her dress as they carried her out.

Mira ran alongside, shouting orders.

The crowd parted. Silent. Shocked.

Kael stood on the platform, blood on his hands. Face twisted with anguish.

Then his eyes found mine.

Cold. Calculating. Just for a second before grief slammed back down.

And I knew. This was the trap.

The next hours blurred.

I should have run. Could not make my legs work. Just stood there while everyone stared.

At me. The jealous Luna. The barren mate. The woman who wanted Sienna's baby dead.

My father appeared. "Aria. Come. Somewhere private."

He guided me through the crowd. Pack members moved aside. Eyes following. Accusing.

We reached a small meeting room. He closed the door.

"Father, I did not do this. Whatever they say, I did not hurt her or that baby."

He looked at me with those violet eyes like mine. "I want to believe you."

Want to. Not do.

"You think I did this."

"I think you need to prepare for questions. Accusations. Because Aria, you have to understand how this looks."

A knock. Gamma Thorne entered without waiting.

"Beta Damien. Luna Aria. Alpha Kael requests her presence."

"For what?" my father asked.

"He did not say."

My father looked at me. Conflict in his face. Duty versus love.

Duty won.

"I will come."

We followed Thorne to Kael's office.

All the Elders sat in a semicircle. Serious. Grave.

This was already a trial.

"Sit." Kael pointed to a chair facing them.

I sat. Father stood behind me. Thorne by the door like a guard.

"We have grave matters," Elder Marcus began. "Sienna has lost the heir. Mira fights to save her life."

I said nothing.

"Mira examined Sienna before the collapse. Found traces of a rare herb. An abortifacient called Mortwert. Do you know this herb?"

My blood froze. "I have heard of it."

"More than heard," Elder Sarah said sharp. "You studied with Mira. Your herbal knowledge is documented."

"I studied basic healing. Mortwert is rare and dangerous. I would never—"

"Where were you this morning?" Kael interrupted.

"My chambers. Preparing."

"Can anyone verify?"

I thought fast. "The she-wolf who helped me dress."

"Before that? Early morning?"

I had been with Mira examining the poisoned herbs. But saying so would implicate her too.

"In my chambers. Alone."

Kael's eyes glittered. "So no one confirms your location when Sienna received the final poison dose."

"I did not poison her!"

"Then who?" Elder Marcus asked. "Only two wolves here know Mortwert. Mira, who treats Sienna. And you, with training and clear motive."

"What motive?" Even though I knew.

"Jealousy," Elder Sarah said blunt. "Your mate's child with another woman. The heir you could never give."

"Having feelings is not murder!"

"No one accuses you yet," Kael said smooth. "We seek truth."

Lies. He knew the truth because he made it happen.

"I propose searching Luna Aria's chambers," Elder Marcus said. "If she is innocent, she will not object."

This was it. They would find something. Kael planted evidence. I knew it.

"I object," my father said sudden. Everyone stared. "Pack law requires evidence before violating a mate's privacy. Suspicion is not evidence."

"A child is dead," Kael said cold. "That is evidence."

"The child died from poison. No proof it came from my daughter."

Kael stood. Alpha authority radiating. "Are you refusing a direct order, Beta?"

Father's jaw clenched. He bowed his head. "No, Alpha."

"Then it is settled. Gamma Thorne, search Luna Aria's chambers. Thoroughly."

They kept me in Kael's office. Two guards. My father. Waiting while Thorne searched.

I sat for what felt like forever. My escape bag was near the servants' entrance, not my chambers. They would not find that.

But they would find something. Kael was too careful.

Footsteps. Thorne returned. Face grim. Carrying a small leather pouch.

No. Please no.

"Where?" Kael asked.

"Under her bed. Hidden in a gap by the mattress."

Kael took it. Opened it. Herb smell filled the room.

He pulled out a handful. Showed the Elders.

"Mortwert. Enough for multiple miscarriages."

All eyes turned to me.

"I never saw that before. Someone planted it. Someone is framing me."

"Who would frame you?" Elder Sarah demanded. "Why?"

"I don't know. But I swear on the Moon Goddess, I did not poison Sienna. Did not kill that baby."

The Elders looked at each other. Silent communication.

Elder Marcus stood. "Luna Aria Silvercrest. Given the evidence, your knowledge, and your motive, we must detain you pending investigation."

"No. Please. I did not do this."

"If innocent, investigation will prove it."

Kael nodded to Thorne. "The dungeons. Post guards. No visitors without my approval."

Thorne moved toward me. I backed away. "Father. Please. You know me. Know I would never harm a child."

Father's face was torn. But he did not stop Thorne.

"I am sorry, Aria. I must trust our Alpha."

The betrayal hurt worse than anything Kael ever did.

Thorne grabbed my arm. Firm but not rough. "Come."

I could have fought. Shifted. Tried to run.

But where? The whole pack thought I was guilty. My own father would not defend me.

Alone. Completely alone.

They walked me through the pack house. Down three flights. Into cold darkness.

The dungeons. Stone walls. Iron bars. Mold and fear.

Thorne opened a cell. Gestured.

I walked in on numb legs. Door clanged shut.

"Trial in a few days," Thorne said almost gentle. "Once Mira confirms Sienna's condition."

"I did not do this."

He said nothing. Just walked away. Footsteps fading to nothing.

Alone in the dark.

I sank onto the cot and broke. Sobbed until no tears left. Throat raw. Eyes swollen.

Escape destroyed. Mate framed me. Father doubted me.

In days I would face trial for murder.

Everyone thought I was guilty.

The trap worked perfectly.

Footsteps again. A figure at the bars.

Golden hair. Amber eyes.

Sienna.

Alive. Weak, leaning on a cane, but alive.

"You survived," I said. Relief flooding.

"Barely. The baby did not."

Grief hit me. "I am sorry."

"Are you? Everyone thinks you killed my baby."

"I did not. I swear."

"I know."

I froze. "What?"

Sienna checked for guards. Leaned closer.

"I know you did not poison me. Because I know who did."

Heart racing. "Who?"

"Kael. Those herbs he forced on me. They were not for health. They were killing it. Killing me slowly."

"Why?"

"I don't know. But Aria, I am scared. If I testify, if I tell anyone, he will kill me. My father owes him favors."

"Then what do I do?"

Tears ran down her face. "Survive. Expose him. You are stronger than I am. Stronger than he knows."

"I am in a dungeon accused of murder. How am I strong?"

"You survived six years. Built escape plans. Have allies." She reached through bars. Placed something small and cold in my hand. "I cannot save you. Ma

ybe this can help."

Gone before I could ask.

I opened my hand. A small key.

What did it open? What was she saying?

I hid it in my dress waistband.

Then lay on the cot staring at darkness.