With Friends Like This

The pain this time was different because it was mixed with anger. Anger at the discovery of her best friends betrayal. The anger was so

great Sharon couldn't even feel the hot iron rod being used to burn her body.

"Confess and end this soon." Beta Frank said coldly.

"The only thing that will be ending soon is your deception." Sharon said defiantly.

Frank snarled and hit her between her eyes. She saw stars before she passed out.

When she woke up she was alone. The air was heavy with the stench of her burnt flesh.

"How much longer?" Hela whispered weakly.

"It will soon be over. Once Gaia gets a message to

Judy, Mona and her father will pay for their betrayal."

"Supposing she doesn't get the message to her? What then?"

"She will. I trust her."

"And what will Judy do?" Hela persisted.

The conversation was interrupted by approaching

footsteps. Her heart slammed against her ribs and she braced herself for another round of pain. The door opened and it wasn't the Omega or

Frank that came in, it was..

"Judy!" She whispered in relief.

Judy stood frozen in the doorway staring at her open mouthed. Sharon couldn't see what she looked liked, but judging from Judy's expression it was worse than she had imagined.

"It's not as bad as it looks." Sharon said with a weak smile.

"Sharon!" Judy rushed to her side, dropping to her knees. "I got your message. My good Goddess what have they done to you? How could Jerry allow this?" She said tearfully, looking at Sharon's bruised and burned body.

"He thinks I killed his mother. But I did not. I swear

I am innocent."

"Of course you didn't. That's ridiculous! He might as

well accuse me of killing her! Everyone knows how much you loved the Agba Luna. You would never hurt her. He is an idiot for thinking you would."

"He does believe it. He has moved Mona into my

quarters." Sharon said fighting back tears.

"I was shocked when I found out. I have tried

talking to him but he won't listen to me. The only person he listens to is Frank." She said in frustration.

"Frank? I am not surprised. His plan is working."

Sharon muttered.

"What do you mean?" Judy frowned.

" Frank killed Agba Luna." Sharon told her.

Judy's jaw dropped. "What?"

Sharon told her everything she had pieced together.

"It makes sense." Judy said thoughtfully, pushing her silver colored hair from her face. "Frank has always been ambitious. But he loved my mother. Killing her to frame you and strip you of your power seems unreal. Do you think Mona is in on the plot?"

"I don't know for sure but," she said carefully. "But... Jerry is the father of her son, Kyle."

Judy's blue eyes nearly jumped out of her head. "How is that possible? She said it was from a one night stand."

"She lied." Sharon interrupted. "Jerry is the father. That is why Frank is doing this. He wants Mona to be Luna and Kyle to be legitimate."

"This is insane! How do you know all this?"

"It dosen't matter." Sharon said evasively. "But it's

true. Frank has to be stopped. You have to tell Jerry who the real killer is."

"Believe me I will. Jerry must see him and his leech

daughter for the murderous snakes they are." She said with determination.

"I am glad you believe me." Sharon said gratefully. "I was worried you won't."

"How can you think that? You have been an angel to everyone in this pack. I will never forget how your cured me of that fever that threatened to take my life. I promise I won't let these scheming bastards take yours."

She kissed Sharon's hand gently. "I will go and speak to Jerry now."

She left immediately and Sharon exhaled deeply.

Finally she would get justice. If anyone could convince Jerry of her innocence it was Judy.

Despite being Jerry's half sister, they were very close. Judy's mother had died in childbirth. A year later her father, the then Alpha, had married the Agba Luna who raised her like her own daughter. Judy loved her dearly, and Sharon knew she would make sure her killer would be exposed and punished.

"Thank the Goddess she is on our side." Hela

said in excitement.

"I told you she would be. Now all we have to do is wait for her to convinced Jerry. I know she will." Sharon said with certainty.

***************************

Judy walked into Beta Frank's office.

"Don't you knock?" He asked irritated.

"Not when I have good news." She said cheerfully sitting down uninvited.

"She confessed?" He asked hopefully.

"No. But we have enough to work with."

"Let's see it."

"Not till you tell me why you didn't mention Kyle was Jerry's son." Judy said frostily.

"How did you find that out?" He exclaimed.

"So it's true? By the Goddess how could you keep such a thing from me? I thought we were working together?" She said clenching her fist in anger.

"I was going to tell you." Frank said hastily.

"When?" She demanded.

"As soon as this Sharon affair was sorted out. How did you find out anyway?"

"From Sharon. Don't ask me how she knew because I don't know. Probably you said something careless in front of one of her loyal

servants and they told her. Probably the same person who put the note on my bed."

"I wonder who it is?" Frank asked worried.

"She didn't say, but it dosen't matter. She won't be

here long. But from now on no more secrets, agreed?"

"Agreed. Now what do you have for me?"

She put a small memory crystal on the table.

"A little editing is all it needs." She said and gave him a cunning smile.

*********************

An hour later Beta Frank entered the dining room were Alpha Jerry and Mona were having dinner. The Alpha tensed as he put the memory crystal on the table.

"She confessed?" Jerry asked apprehensively.

Beta Frank nodded solemnly, then activated the crystal. Sharon's voice sounded in the quiet room.

"I am sorry Alpha." Beta Frank said seeing Jerry's

pained expression. "I know you didn't want to believe it, but Sharon did kill your mother."

"I am really sorry my love." Mona said softly, gently

rubbing his arm.

"What is the punishment Alpha?" Frank asked.

Jerry didn't answer. For a moment he looked near to tears. Then he raised his head slowly and both Mona and Frank flinched at the pure hatred blazing in his eyes.

Mona and her father exchanged a triumphant look.