CHAPTER 4

Liana pov

I instantly looked away in horror. Oh no, I'm done for. I had one rule to follow, just one, and I failed miserably. Now I'm going to get beheaded for real.

I blinked rapidly, trying to think straight. My chest suddenly felt tight, and it was almost as if the air had been sucked out of my body.

How can I be so foolish?

Mother warned me, Vane warned me. Yet I still went ahead and did it anyway.

I always wanted to at least settle down and give Maa a grandchild to keep her company, but now I can't fulfil any of that. Because of my stupidity.

My brows creased further. Why was the alpha quiet? He should have said something by now.

Why is he not saying anything? It's not like he didn't see me, our eyes literally met.

There's one thing that troubles me, though. Why was the alpha looking at me? Was it by chance?

Well, obviously. Why would such a high and royal person be looking at a lowly person like me?

It was probably by chance. I blinked, and they were already judging Stella's case.

How deep was I in thought? Stella was sentenced to working in the kitchen in the lower chamber, which belongs to the luna. Or should I say, future Luna?

I wonder why they live in different quarters. Is she really the future Luna? I mean, the alpha appointed her as his concubine, does that mean that he doesn't regard her in that manner?

“Liana Witherstone.” My name rang in my ears, and I instantly straightened, but still kept my eyes down. I couldn't risk it while everyone was looking at me now.

“Hasn't been able to pay monthly taxes for six months now. And by the law, she was subjected to twelve lashes before being brought here.” They announced it like I was a fugitive.

We would have been able to pay our taxes if they hadn't increased the damn thing over and over again.

They're just corrupt bastards who enjoy extorting the poor, the same goes for this royal family. They're all a bunch of corrupt officials.

How I wish I had my wolf. Maybe I could've taken Maa out of this cursed city, who knows. Maybe my mate is not even in this pack.

I heard the whispers. My fate was being decided. I might end up in the mines, or worse, the alpha would say I looked at him, and I would get executed.

Those were my only guesses. I hoped they would grant me my last wish of seeing my mother before then.

I fidgeted with the hem of my dress. Why was mine taking so long? Or was it this long with everyone else?

“Liana Witherstone.” The alpha called my name, and my body immediately tensed. Here we go.

“You… will be working in the Royal Palace, along with the royal maids.”

“What!” Vane exclaimed in shock.

My eyeballs almost popped out of their sockets. I was beyond surprised. The royal palace?

Is this punishment or a reward?

“Alpha, this girl did not just refuse to pay her taxes, she disobeyed me. She does not deserve to be given this easy punishment.”

Vane countered. What a bastard. Does he really want me killed?

“Are you challenging your alpha, Vane?” He cleared his throat and balled his fists.

“No, alpha. My deepest apologies.”

“This court is dismissed,” Alpha Ryker said as he stood on his feet. He began walking while I was still kneeling. Just when he was about to bypass me, he stopped.

Why was he stopping? I caught a whiff of his scent. Wow, he smelled amazing. What could I expect from someone who was bathed in riches?

He suddenly continued walking again. Vane grabbed me by the hair and yanked me up.

I groaned in pain as I scratched his hand.

“Ah, you're hurting me.”

“I don't know what witchcraft you did to get spared like that, but you better make sure to work hard to pay off your debt, or else your poor old mother will pay the price.” Vane let go of my hair.” I squirmed as I winced in pain.

Vane wasn't just upset that we owed him, he loathed me.

Mostly because I rejected him. I hurt his ego. Even though we were poor, I refused to sell myself to him, and he hated us ever since and even increased our taxes to a point where we couldn't pay anymore.

He thought that would have made me change my mind, but I stood my ground and came to trial. I swear to God, Vane, I'll make you pay for treating me and my mother like shit.