Chapter Three - The Accusations

Nia's POV 

I dressed carefully that morning.

Not like an Honoured Companion.

Not like a discarded wife.

But like the woman who once stood at the Alpha’s right hand and commanded warriors twice her size.

I chose deep sapphire instead of white, the color sharp against my skin, the fabric tailored for movement rather than display. I braided my hair the way I used to before battle drills, tight and practical. If today changed everything, I would not look small when it happened.

My hand lingered over my abdomen as I fastened the final clasp.

I allowed myself a smile.

This child would secure my place again. Darian might be lost in the haze of a fated bond, but he was still Alpha. He understood legacy. He understood bloodlines. He would not cast aside his heir.

Hope made my steps lighter as I made my way toward his office.

When I arrived, the doors were open but the room was empty.

Instead, I found Darren.

The Beta leaned against the opposite wall, arms crossed, eyes cold the moment they landed on me.

“Where's Darian?” I asked calmly.

“Well,” he drawled, “to what do we owe the pleasure? Why would an Honoured Companion request an audience with the Alpha?”

His tone dripped with disdain.

Darren had always despised me. From the day I arrived at Dark Crest Moon, he made it clear that he believed I did not belong among wolves. He called my birth cursed though that wasn't a lie, whispered that I carried misfortune, insisted I should never have qualified as Luna.

I walked toward him slowly, smiling.

His smirk faltered just slightly.

I reached up, caught his ear between my fingers, and yanked him down until his face was level with mine.

He stiffened instantly.

“Even demoted,” I murmured softly, “you are still not my match on the battlefield. You know that better than anyone.”

His jaw clenched.

It was no empty threat. I had proven myself in combat more times than he could count. In strength and swordsmanship, I stood second only to Darian. Darren had sparred with me enough to understand exactly how much restraint I usually showed.

I released him.

“Now,” I said sweetly, “where is he?”

He straightened his uniform with forced composure.

“In the west lounge. Entertaining guests.”

I turned and walked away without another word.

As I approached the west lounge, I heard laughter.

Darian’s voice.

Lyra’s lighter tone woven through it.

And another male voice I did not recognize.

When I stepped inside, I saw them seated comfortably. Darian and Lyra were side by side, their shoulders nearly touching. Across from them sat another Alpha, broad-shouldered and dignified. He rose the moment he noticed me.

“Luna—” he began, then corrected himself politely. “My apologies. Lady Nia.”

Lyra’s lips curved faintly.

“Oh, you need not stand,” she said dismissively. “She is merely an Honoured Companion. Nothing of importance.”

I smiled as though she had complimented me.

The visiting Alpha looked momentarily uncomfortable but resumed his seat.

I turned my gaze to Darian.

“I need to speak with you privately.”

He leaned back in his chair.

“Whatever you have to say, you can say it here.”

For a brief second, I considered insisting.

Then I decided there was nothing to hide.

“The physician confirmed it this morning,” I said, my voice steady despite the sudden pounding of my heart. “I am pregnant.”

Silence fell for half a heartbeat.

Then Darian shot to his feet.

He crossed the distance between us in seconds and pulled me into his arms.

“You are certain?” he asked, his voice filled with something I had not heard in weeks.

“Yes.”

He laughed softly against my hair and held me tighter.

The visiting Alpha stood again, smiling broadly.

“This is wonderful news,” he said warmly. “A double blessing indeed. Luna Lyra announced her pregnancy earlier today.”

The words froze the air around me.

Darian pulled back slowly.

Lyra lowered her gaze, her hand drifting protectively over her abdomen.

“I did not wish to overshadow anyone,” she said softly. “I thought it best to wait, but since we are celebrating…”

My stomach tightened.

Two pregnancies.

At the same time.

Lyra suddenly sighed and sank into her seat, her expression sorrowful.

“I truly hate to say this,” she murmured, “but I did not expect Nia to act so shamelessly.”

Darian frowned.

“What do you mean?”

I stared at her.

She lifted her gaze slowly, eyes glossy with feigned pain.

“The child she carries is not yours, Darian.”

The room seemed to tilt.

“Are you insane Lyra?” I asked, my voice dropping with disbelief over her accusations.

“What?” Darian’s voice dropped dangerously low.

“She has been meeting one of the Gamma guards in secret,” Lyra continued. “They believed no one noticed. When he tried to claim responsibility and reveal the truth, she silenced him.”

A cold chill crawled up my spine.

“Silenced him?” Darian demanded.

Lyra nodded weakly.

“He is dead.”

The visiting Alpha stiffened.

I felt as though the ground had vanished beneath my feet.

“You are insane,” I whispered.

Lyra gestured toward the table where a folder lay waiting.

“Evidence,” she said quietly. “Witness accounts. Messages. And the body was discovered near the eastern woods last night which she visited last. The timing aligns perfectly.”

Darian looked at me, his expression shifting from confusion to fury.

“Nia,” he said, his voice trembling with contained rage, “tell me this is false.”

“It is false,” I shot back, stepping forward. “How far will you go to ruin me, Lyra? I have done absolutely nothing to you!”

Lyra flinched as though struck.

“Even now she denies it.”

“I would never betray this pack!” I shouted.

Darian’s face hardened.

“Lock her away,” he ordered immediately.

“Darian—” I began.

“Take her.”

Guards seized my arms.

I struggled, pleaded, demanded he look at me properly, but he did not.

He turned away.

The cell they threw me into was cold and windowless.

Hours passed.

Then the door creaked open.

Lyra entered.

Behind her stood two guards.

She carried a small vial.

“I gave you an opportunity to leave quietly,” she said conversationally. “You should have taken it.”

“What are you doing?” I demanded.

She nodded to the guards.

They grabbed me before I could react.

The vial was forced between my lips.

I fought violently, twisting, kicking, trying to clamp my mouth shut, but they held me firmly as the bitter liquid burned down my throat.

Agony followed instantly.

My stomach convulsed.

I gagged, trying to cough it out, clutching my abdomen as pain tore through me.

Warmth spread between my legs.

Blood.

Lyra watched calmly.

“Once she is dead,” she instructed the guards, “you will report that she confessed and poisoned herself out of shame.”

She stepped closer, lowering her voice.

“You should have left when I allowed you to.”

“You will pay for this” 

She burst out laughing as if I had told the most ridiculous joke. “You won't be alive to see me being called out for my crimes”.

Then she walked out.

I collapsed to my knees, trembling, blood staining the floor beneath me.

“Please,” I begged hoarsely. “Take pity. I have done nothing.”

One of the guards avoided my gaze.

The other swallowed hard.

“You once spoke for my sister when she was falsely accused,” he muttered quietly.

Before the second guard could react, he struck him from behind, knocking him unconscious.

“Hurry,” he urged, unlocking the cell.

I crawled out, my body shaking violently.

He led me to a hidden passage behind the old storage wall, a secret door few remembered.

“Go,” he whispered urgently.

I stumbled through the tunnel, each step a battle against the pain ripping through me. By the time I emerged beyond the pack borders, my vision was fading.

I collapsed onto the cold earth, clutching my stomach, blood soaking into the soil.

“Please,” I whispered into the darkness. “Someone… help me.”

And then everything went black.