Chapter 1

Karen’s POV

“Traitor!” someone spat.

“No mercy!” another bellowed from the back.

“Death! Death!” roared a cluster of men, fists raised high.

I forced myself not to flinch, but each word cut deeper than a blade. My chest burned, my throat tightened. These were my people the ones I once healed, defended, smiled at. Now their eyes were full of poison.

My wrists throbbed against the chains. My pride told me to stay quiet, but inside I was screaming. I’m not what you think. I never was. A child spat in my direction and my stomach twisted. If even the innocent had turned against me, then I truly had nothing left. I swallowed hard, but the bitterness wouldn’t leave.

They wanted me broken. They wanted me begging. I watched the people I had once called my own now howling for my blood. Their cheers had once lifted me, but tonight their voices were the chains around my neck. Just one accusation, and I was a traitor.

Today was my execution. I always knew this day would come. Of course I wasn’t happy it did, but I wasn’t sad either.

“Xavier”or “Alpha Xavier” came close and spat in my face as he seethed through his teeth.

“I hate every gut in you,” he said in disgust.

I looked at him in amazement. This same mate who had once loved me now hated me because of an accusation that hadn’t even gone through proper investigation.

“I, Alpha Xavier Grayson, reject you, Karen Denmark, as my mate and Luna,” he said with a smirk. “I don’t need to make you accept the rejection, because you’ll be gone in what seems like a couple of minutes.” He smiled evilly.

“I, Karen Denmark, accept your rejection,” I whispered, though each word tore through me like pieces of glass. The bond between us snapped, and for a moment I felt as though my very soul had been ripped apart. The pain wasn’t just in my chest it spread through my veins like fire. My knees almost buckled, but I refused to give him the satisfaction of seeing me break. If this man I once called my “mate” could hate me so easily, then I had no reason left to hold on.

“Well, let’s see how long that toughness of yours lasts. You’ll be the one crawling back to my feet that’s if you even live to see daylight,” he said, laughing coldly.

He strolled back to his seat and ordered the herald to recite the accusations.

“By the order of the council,” the herald said in a loud voice, “she is guilty of the death of Luna Rose, Alpha Xavier’s mother.

Gasps erupted, followed by furious shouts.

“Murderer!” someone shrieked.

“Rot in the dirt where you belong!” another spat.

My heart clenched. Luna Rose had once held me like her own daughter, and now her name was being used as a weapon against me.

“–and also guilty of treason”. The uproar doubled. Feet stomped against the ground. Men bellowed, “Hang her!” Women hissed, “She betrayed us all!” Even children screamed words they barely understood.

Treason. The word echoed in my skull, heavier than chains. I wanted to shout that it wasn’t true, but my voice was trapped beneath their hatred.

I dared to glance at Xavier. His face was stone, unreadable, but he didn’t stop them. My chest tightened. How could he stand there, silent, while they tore me apart? Didn’t he remember the nights we planned a future together? Didn’t he remember how fiercely I once believed in him?

I hereby announce that her sentence is death execution as concluded by the elders.”

I noticed the movement of the Beta. He walked quickly to Xavier and whispered something to him. His expression changed immediately. He stood up and said, “This execution has been adjourned for reasons given that we are expecting the Lycan King, and he cannot come here to see this mess.” He dragged the last syllable while looking at me with disgust.

“Guards, take her back to the dungeon and keep a close eye on her,” he commanded. They dragged me away.

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

Back at the dungeon

The prison was colder this time a damp stone cell in one of the darkest corners of the dungeon where no sunlight reached. They chained me to the wall as the guards left.

I wanted to scream. How did my life turn out like this in just what felt like a few months? When I thought everything was going to be better, it only kept getting worse.

I leaned against the stone wall, my wrists burning inside the cuffs. They were already raw and bleeding, but that pain was nothing compared to what I felt in my heart.

I noticed the heavy footsteps of the guards at night and guessed they were retiring to bed. My body ached from where they had slammed me to the ground during the trial with the Lycan King. Then the cell door opened and I saw her…, it was Yvonne, my personal maid.

My eyes widened. “Yvonne?” I croaked, my voice raw and b

roken. “What are you doing here? If the guards find you..”