Chapter Three

Elara's POV:

I continued to breathe in and out as I locked eyes once again with my husband, Alpha Damien. His gaze, usually filled with warmth, was now filled with hatred. The warmth had left his eyes, leaving only coldness as he glared down at me. 

Damien accused me of killing his unborn child, the future Alpha of the Vellex Pack.

The accusation was baseless; I did not take any poisonous herbs that could cause my miscarriage. I was innocent, but no one believed me. I wanted to scream this out badly, but my throat was dry and weak. 

From all the hours I had spent locked up in my room till now, not a single drop of water has landed on my lips.

I glanced down at my bare feet, caked with mud and blood. Then to my palms, which were stained with the blood that had dripped from my head after villagers hurled insults, curses and stones at me. 

I could still feel the sting of the stones, and the icy cold of the rain made it worse.

My parents died four years ago, three days after my first shift. The pain of that loss still feels as sharp as if it happened yesterday. They were my entire world, my only family, and in the blink of an eye, they were gone. 

I was left to fend for myself in a world that suddenly felt too big, too hostile, and too cruel. I had no choice but to keep moving forward, even as my heart ached for the life I once had, for the love I had lost.

Then came Damien. I met him on the very day I shifted. My wolf was drawn to his presence with a pull so strong it was almost suffocating. He was the Alpha Prince, radiating power and authority, yet his eyes held something I mistook for warmth, for belonging. 

He told me I wasn’t alone anymore, that I was his mate, his destined partner. He asked me to move in with him.

I was just 18 then—a girl who had just lost her parents, fragile and desperate for any thread of love or security. It seemed like salvation at the time. 

Damien became my comfort. He offered me a new family, a home, and the promise of a life together.

In his pack, I found not only love but respect. As his Luna, I was loved, treated with dignity and honour. For years, I held on to the belief that Damien was my protector, my saviour, my one true partner in life.

But now, standing here in the clearing, with my heart in pieces, I realize how naive I’ve been. I never, not even in my worst nightmares, thought that Damien—the man I trusted with everything—would betray me in the most unforgivable way. 

To cheat on me was one thing; to accuse me of something as heinous as deliberately taking our child’s life was another. My world crumbles beneath me, and for the first time in years, I feel that same crushing loneliness I thought I had escaped.

My eyes drifted to Sabrina;I wasn't anticipating any sympathy from her, given that she stole my husband from me. 

But she was smiling.

If fate were to grant me a chance to live, I swear to the heavens that I would ensure that Sabrina never saw a moment of happiness again. 

But, if I am given another life, then I will bring ruin to her lineage.

As tears streamed down my face, Elder Tyler's voice broke through the noise of the crowd. “We are gathered here today to witness the trial and sentencing of Elara Scott. She stands accused of causing the death of the unborn Alpha of our esteemed pack. For formalities, she will be asked a series of questions.” He announced.

Tyler's gaze shifted to me. “Elara, did you or did you not deliberately drink poison to eliminate your child?”

“I did not.” I managed to reply, forcing the words out.

How could they even come up with something so absurd? Why would any woman go to such extreme lengths? And for what reason, exactly?

“Do you have any evidence to support your claim?”

“No.” I admitted, my head hanging low.

Tyler turned toward Sabrina. “Are you absolutely certain that you caught Luna Elara taking a poisonous substance that caused her child's death?”

“Yes, I am.” Sabrina responded, her voice trembling as she sniffed back tears that were obviously fake.

Hasn't she done enough? She has already taken so much from me; my husband, my peace, my dignity. Now, she was pushing me toward death.

“Do you have evidence to sustain your accusation?”

“Yes.” Sabrina said, signalling for a maid to step forward.

I squinted at the maid;I recognized her almost immediately. Tthis was the same maid who had replaced my personal maid, Elizar, when she had fallen ill shortly before the incident.

“While cleaning the accused’s room.” The maid began. “I discovered this vial.” She extended her hand, and Tyler accepted the vial. “When the miscarriage occurred, I reported the vial to Alpha Damien. The rest of the events, I am not aware of.” She concluded, stepping back into the crowd.

“Elara.” Tyler continued. “This vial was analyzed by the physician, who confirmed that its contents were responsible for your miscarriage. Do you have any explanation?”

“It does not belong to me.” I said curtly.

“But it was found…”

“Enough!” Alpha Damien's cold voice cut through, causing everyone to fall silent. He slammed his hand onto his chair, clearly frustrated. “I have no patience for these formalities. She was found guilty long ago. It is time for her execution.”

“Vellex Law mandates that every member of the Pack is entitled to a fair hearing. What would the people think if we simply killed her without allowing her to speak?” Tyler stated firmly.

“This goddamn rule was established by my father when he was Alpha. And I have every right to change it.” Damien countered, rising from his chair. He pulled out his gun, then he made his way towards me. “I will handle her execution personally.”

I suddenly fell to the ground, then I looked up at Damien. “Please.” I muttered under my breath.

That was the last word I could say before I felt the sharp pain of his bullet piercing my heart. 

Pain surged through my body, but I had no idea if it came from the wound on my chest or the fact that I was just stabbed by my husband. And his face showed no remorse, no pity, only hatred. And it felt much deeper than ever before.

I coughed, and water mixed with blood trickled from my mouth. “I hate you!” I managed to scream as darkness closed in around me and I lost consciousness.

As my body gave out and the pain became unbearable, a single thought consumed me. If I ever got a second chance, if fate somehow allowed me to rewrite this cruel story, I would never choose him. 

I would never be his mate. If I could go back, I would break free from him, from the pain, from the betrayal. My last wish, with every shred of strength I had left, was simple: I wish to never belong to Damien again.