PROLOGUE

VIOLETTA

"No! No! Please. I didn't do this! Arlene!" My voice was raw as it scratched against my throat. I didn't know how I got here. How this...happened. I looked down at myself and screamed at the bold red stain on my virgin white nightshift. I stared disbelievingly at my hand, which held a thick sharp bloodied dagger. I let go of it as the realization of what was happening burned in my head. I shook my head vigorously at the guards that marched towards me and seized me in their hold, immediately binding my arms and legs with a thick iron chain.

I parted my lips, panting and at thesame time, trying to talk, explain the truth of the situation but I couldn't. My tongue was too heavy.

"No. No! Please! I don't know how I got here. Believe me. I don't understand too. This was planned. Please, Arlene, believe me!" I sobbed as I directed my eyes unwillingly to the bed and allowed my to eyes to behold the brutal murder in front of me. Their bellies were cut open and their insides were out in display. The bedspread was soaked in the dark red colour and the unmistakable stench of blood filled the air.

Who could have done this? Who? My throat was constricted in pain. All I wanted to do was hold their dead bodies and cry out. My heart was already torn grief. I just needed to place a kiss one last time on their smooth skin, breathe in the minty scent papa alwahys smelt of, caress my mama's soft skin, like I always did in the morning but I was held as a prisoner. Their intention was clear as crystal.

The crown of Balthazar, mama and papa had been murdered by someone in this very palace. A conspiracy. The killers were out there while I, the innocent daughter is a prime suspect. Their assumption, I am the killer.

I went to bed tired and exhausted. I clearly remember biding them good night after the marvelous dinner we enjoyed. Alpha Balthazar had advised me to go to bed early, seeing my coronation as Luna of Balthazar was tomorrow at first light, following his early retirement. Papa was convinced I was ready to take the reigns and lead my people. And my mating ceremony was much later in the day. The last thing I remember was falling asleep on my bed. So how did I wake up here, like this, with a bloodied gown and a dagger in my hand?

"Alpha! Luna!" I screamed admist sobs. "Who did this to you? Who?" I didn't know what hurt most right now. The pain of loosing my parents, not being able to be by their cokd bodies, being accused as their killer or not knowing what was happening. How could they think, that I, would do such a thing?

"Collar her neck with wolfsbane." Arlene's thick voice commanded. "Drag her to the punishment hall. An eye for an eye. A life for a life."

My ears rang at her words. She was going to weaken my wolf. I looked at Arlene issue commands against me as though I meant nothing to her. Her blue eyes were the coldest I have ever seen. Her face was morphed into disdain and displeasure. Her lips were pursed under the bright early morning rays. She looked unkind and when I held her gaze for the briefest seconds, I wondered if this is the sister I've always known.

"Arlene...It wasn't me. I couldn't." This situation was exhausting. Each word came out with a pant. The fear had drained me. Didn't she see that this was a set up, just before my coronation? Didn't she know that I was incapable of acting such? Why wasn't I even given the chance to prove my innocence? She was going to execute me?

Arlene pinned me with her gaze and in the briefest seconds, I thought she would realize the truth. I wasn't capable of doing this. She has known me for twenty years and counting. She should know, that I am as pure as wind.

My fingers became cold as I watched her turn around and walk towards the door with guards by her side. "Ring the palace bell. The entire clan should be aware of this situation. They deserve to watch the culprit take her last breath."

I breathed in harshly and in that second, I became a mad woman. I screamed and fought against the thick chains and strong hold. My Luna struggled to take over, despite the chains. My bones began to crack and my skin changed to a much whiter one, thuck fur began to decorate my skin.

"It wasn't me! Arlene!" My wolf, Viola sounded in a dark voice admist the change.

I found myself on the floor. Sharp pain from all angles. Arrows found their home in my skin. At my momentary weakness, wolfsbane was wrapped around my throat. Like a heated poisonous iron on fresh skin, I screamed out as the fresh greens burned through my once upon a time soft skin. Viola weakened and gave in to my human form. I cried and wailed, begged the guards for mercy but no relief came.

"I am to be your luna." I choked out but my words were followed by urgent hard kicks in my abdomen. "Please, stop." My voice was barely above a whisper but loud enough to be heard in the silent royal room. "Arlene, please."

It wasn't until cold water was poured on my head that I realised I had passed out. My body was sore and I winced as pain welcomed me from my slumber. My heavy eyes opened and I sighed in relief as my mate's face, Robert, Beta of Balthazar clan. My heart warmed in gratitude as he unclapsed the thick wolfsbane from my neck with a gloved hand. My saviour was here. He wouldn't allow any harm to come to me. He would protect and set this record straight.

"I didn't do it, Robert. I couldn't have." I whispered as I tried to reach for him, ignoring the pain vibrating in me, to feel his strength with a touch through our connection but he shifted away immediately. My eyes dulled as a sharp pain of rejection shot through me.

"Robert." I whispered. "Robert."

Robert stared at me with unexpressive eyes for the longest time before he stood up back to his full length. That was when I realised where I was. I gazed at the grand hall that was occupied with loyal subjects. Thesame grand hall I was supposed to have my coronation and mating ceremony today.

"I'm sorry." His thick voice had gone soft but there was nothing calm about his voice. I took in a harsh breath and shook my head lightly. No. He couldn't leave me like this. He was my only hope now.

"Robert." Warm tears rolled down my puffy cheeks as I kept calling for him. Robert spared me no glance. I looked up at the other Betas, Gammas and high stationed Omegas that were present, but disappointment, anger and hatred were the only emotions that was visible on their faces.

I was all alone. I am going to die.

"The punishment has been decided." Arlene's voice boomed in the hall. My body shook involuntarily in fear as I closed my eyes. If this was a night mare I wanted to wake up. I tried to take deep calming breaths through the pain but her next words made it impossible.

"I have heard your plea of mercy. I have decided, that Violetta shall be binded and shall remain mateless, until the end of time. She shall commit her years to serving her clan by whatever means necessary, whenever. Any objection?"

"Arlene! Stop! Arlene!" With the little strength my wolf, Viola had surged me, I struggled on my feet and marched towards her, the chains restricting my pace. Arlene's eyes enlarged in alarm as she watched me approach. Just before I reached her, I was tackled to the ground by countless guards and the wolfsbane was around my neck again.

"Robert."

He wouldn't watch me get treated like this. My mate loved me more than anything. But the Robert I knew was gone. He turned his back to me and walked courageously towards Arlene, knelt in front of her and kissed the succession ring.

"I, Robert Sharma, reject you, Violetta Balthazar as my mate and woman. I cut all ties with you and reject your love. It is a disgrace, what you have done. I agree with the punishment our merciful Luna has gifted you and I pledge my loyalty to her, Arlene Balthazar, the Luna of Balthazar Clan."