Chapter 6

LEXA POINT OF VIEW

Harsh light stabbed through the tiny window, jolting me from broken sleep on the freezing cell floor. Every muscle screamed as I pushed myself up, my mouth dry as sand.

Today was my trial. Probably my last day alive.

The door banged open. Two female pack warriors entered, faces hard as stone.

"Get up," the taller one ordered. "Clean yourself before the trial."

They marched me to a small washroom, watching my every move as I splashed icy water on my face and tried to untangle my hair with trembling fingers. The mirror showed a ghost, sunken eyes, cracked lips, hollow cheeks. Was this really me?

"Hurry up," the second guard snapped. "Everyone's waiting."

I patted my face with a rough towel. "Will I get to speak? To defend myself?"

The women exchanged looks that made my stomach sink.

"The Alpha decides who speaks," the first one said, not meeting my eyes.

They led me through dim underground hallways toward the main pack hall. The normally busy corridors stood empty, everyone already gathered to watch me be condemned. My legs weakened with each step closer to the judgment that awaited me.

The roar hit me first, hundreds of voices buzzing like angry bees. When the doors swung open, silence crashed down so fast it hurt my ears.

The pack hall had been transformed. Instead of the place for celebrations and feasts, it now looked like an execution chamber. Alpha Gregory sat high on his ceremonial chair. Linda perched beside him, eyes gleaming with anticipation. To his left sat my father, face empty, eyes fixed on the wall above my head.

Damian stood at the front of the crowd, jaw clenched tight enough to crack teeth. Behind him, pack members packed every inch of space, faces hungry for blood, my blood.

My guards shoved me to the center of the room where a small wooden platform waited. I stepped onto it, feeling hundreds of eyes burning holes through my skin.

"Lexa, daughter of Beta Thomas," Alpha Gregory's voice boomed through the silent hall, "you stand accused of attempting to murder Sara, daughter of Beta Thomas. How do you plead?"

My throat closed up. I had to swallow twice before I could force out the word: "Innocent."

The sound barely carried, yet angry whispers instantly rippled through the crowd.

"Silence," Alpha Gregory commanded, and the room froze.

He pointed toward the side of the room where Dr. Marshall stood beside a wheelchair. In it sat Sara, looking fragile as a baby bird, pale skin, limp hands in her lap. Catherine hovered over her, one hand gripping Sara's shoulder possessively.

"Sara will now tell us what happened," Alpha Gregory announced.

Catherine wheeled Sara forward. My half-sister wore a simple white dress that screamed "innocent victim." Her golden hair framed her face like a halo. Even after months in a coma, she looked beautiful while I stood there in yesterday's wrinkled clothes.

"Three months ago," Sara began, her voice soft but carrying to every corner, "I was getting ready for my wedding to Damian. I was in the upstairs hallway of Father's house when Lexa came up to me."

She paused, taking a shaky breath that made Catherine squeeze her shoulder in support.

"She seemed angry. I asked what was wrong, trying to be kind despite our... difficult relationship. That's when she exploded with rage."

My nails bit into my palms as I fought to keep my face blank while Sara spun her lies.

"She accused me of stealing everything from her, Father's love, Damian's attention, my place in the pack. She said I didn't deserve to be Luna." Sara's voice cracked perfectly. "I tried to walk away, told her we could talk when she calmed down. That's when she said if she couldn't have Damian, nobody would."

Gasps filled the room. Sara's eyes welled with tears right on cue.

"I felt her hands on my back, pushing hard. I remember falling, the stairs rushing up at me, trying to grab something, anything..." A single tear slid down her cheek. "Then nothing until I woke up yesterday."

Catherine squeezed Sara's shoulder again, shooting me a look of pure hatred.

"Thank you, Sara," Alpha Gregory said gently. "I know that took courage."

He turned to me, his face hardening. "Lexa, what do you have to say?"

Every eye shifted to me. My heart pounded so hard I thought it might break my ribs.

"I wasn't there," I said, my voice stronger than I expected. "I was in the kitchen making dinner when Sara fell. I heard the crash and ran to find her at the bottom of the stairs."

Angry mutters filled the room.

"Do you have anyone who can confirm where you were?" Alpha Gregory asked.

I hesitated. "Martha was with me earlier, but she'd left to visit her sister. I was alone in the kitchen."

"How convenient," Linda remarked, loud enough for all to hear.

"It's the truth," I insisted, scanning the crowd desperately for any friendly face. There were none.

Catherine stepped forward, practically vibrating with anger. "My daughter has no reason to lie. Lexa, however, has every motive, jealousy, bitterness, rage at seeing my Sara take what should have been hers."

The crowd nodded in agreement. Catherine had always been respected, her words like gospel to the pack.

"I've watched this girl for years," Catherine continued, playing to the crowd. "Always skulking in corners, glaring at my daughter, hating her light. Is it any surprise her darkness finally lashed out?"

"That's not true!" I cried, but my voice drowned under supportive shouts from the pack.

"We've all seen it!"

"Always jealous!"

"Never belonged!"

Alpha Gregory raised his hand for silence. "Lexa, if you weren't on the stairs, how do you explain Sara's clear memory of what happened?"

"I can't," I admitted, feeling the noose tighten. "Maybe the fall confused her memory, or—"

"Are you calling my daughter a LIAR?" Catherine's voice sliced through the air.

"Or confused," I finished, standing taller. "Brain injuries can affect memories."

Dr. Marshall cleared his throat. "While that's technically possible, Sara's recollection is remarkably clear and consistent. She's repeated the exact same details multiple times."

My stomach dropped to my feet. Even the doctor had taken sides.

Alpha Gregory nodded. "Does anyone wish to speak in Lexa's defense?"

Silence fell like a stone. I scanned the room, looking for anyone, anyone at all, who might doubt my guilt.

My father stared at his hands, saying nothing.

"Father," I said, unable to hide the desperate plea in my voice. "You know me. You raised me. Do you truly believe I would do this?"

All eyes turned to him. He raised his head slowly, pain etched in every line of his face.

"The evidence speaks for itself," he said finally. "Sara has no reason to lie."

His betrayal cut deeper than any knife. My last hope, shattered.

"What about the timing?" I asked, grasping at anything. "Why would I push her just weeks before being forced to marry Damian? It makes no sense!"

"Perhaps you didn't expect to take her place," Linda suggested with a cold smile. "Perhaps you just wanted to hurt her out of spite."

The crowd nodded, swallowing this explanation whole.

Damian stepped forward, his face tight with barely controlled fury. "I've listened to both sides. I've known Sara my whole life, she's honest, kind, incapable of such a lie. And I've been forced to live with Lexa these past weeks, seen her resentment, her anger."

His eyes locked with mine, cold enough to freeze blood. "She pushed Sara. I have no doubt."

The room erupted in agreement. Alpha Gregory pounded his staff for quiet.

"As pack law requires, the decision rests with the victim and her family," he announced when silence returned. "Sara, what justice do you seek?"

Sara looked up at me, blue eyes swimming with fake tears. "I don't want revenge," she said softly. "I just want our pack to be safe. Whatever the Alpha thinks is right."

A perfect performance, appearing merciful while handing the decision to those she knew would choose death.

"Catherine?" Alpha Gregory prompted.

Sara's mother stepped forward, chin high. "Pack law is clear. Attempted murder deserves death. Nothing less would be justice."

Murmurs of agreement swept the hall. Catherine wasn't finished.

"My daughter may never walk properly again because of this..." she waved at me like I was something rotting, "this jealous, spiteful creature. Mercy would mock Sara's suffering."

The crowd roared approval. Catherine stepped back, a tiny smile playing on her lips.

"Linda?" Alpha Gregory turned to his mate.

Linda rose gracefully. "We welcomed Lexa into our family despite our suspicions. We gave her chance after chance." She shook her head sadly. "Instead, she brought only trouble and shame."

She faced the crowd. "Our pack must be strong. Our laws exist for a reason. Death is the only fitting punishment for trying to murder her own sister."

The hall erupted in cheers. Pack members stomped their feet, creating a rhythm that pounded in my head like a death drum.

Alpha Gregory raised his hand for silence. "Damian, as Sara's intended mate, you may also speak."

Damian's face remained cold as he stepped forward. "A quick death would be merciful compared to what she deserves."

My knees almost buckled beneath me. Even knowing they hated me, hearing them demand my death made darkness edge my vision.

"And you, Thomas?" Alpha Gregory asked my father. "As her father, you may request mercy."

The room went deadly quiet. This was his chance, my only chance. If my own father spoke for me, others might think twice.

Father stood slowly, looking a hundred years old.

"Sara is my daughter," he began, and my heart shattered further. "Her suffering these past months..." He shook his head. "But Lexa is also my blood."

A tiny spark of hope flickered in my chest.

"I cannot ask for her death," he continued.

The spark grew brighter.

"But neither can I defend her actions."

And died.

"I abstain from this decision and accept the pack's judgment."

He sat back down, eyes fixed on the floor, refusing to look at me. The final betrayal. Neither condemning nor saving me. Simply washing his hands of me, as he had my entire life.

Alpha Gregory nodded gravely. "I have heard everyone. Based on the evidence and following pack law, I find Lexa guilty of attempting to murder Sara."

The crowd's approval swelled like a storm tide.

"The sentence," he continued, "will be carried out at moonrise tomorrow. Death by silver blade, as our laws demand for crimes against pack members."

Tomorrow. My last day alive.

"Do you have any final words before returning to your cell?" Alpha Gregory asked.

I looked out at the sea of hateful faces, at my father's downcast eyes, at Damian's cold stare, at Sara's false tears.

"I am innocent," I stated, my voice steadier than I felt. "I did not push Sara. Someday, the truth will come out."

"Take her away," Alpha Gregory ordered.

As the guards grabbed my arms, Catherine stepped forward, triumph blazing in her eyes.

"You should have stayed in your place," she hissed as I passed. "Always reaching above yourself. Tomorrow, you'll finally learn your limits."

Linda joined her, both women blocking my path like twin angels of death.

"The pack will be cleansed tomorrow," Linda announced loud enough for all to hear. "The threat to my future daughter-in-law removed for good."

"Cut out like the poison she is," Catherine agreed, practically glowing with satisfaction. "My daughter will take her rightful place, and no one will remember you existed."

They turned to the Alpha. "We request to witness the execution up close," Linda said. "As representatives of the women she harmed."

"To make sure justice is truly served," Catherine added.

Alpha Gregory nodded. "Granted."

The two women looked back at me, victory shining in their eyes.

"Enjoy your last night," Catherine whispered. "We'll be counting the minutes until dawn."

The guards dragged me away, their words burning in my ears. The doors slammed shut behind us, cutting off the sounds of the pack already preparing for tomorrow's big event.

My execution.