Chapter 6: The Cell Beneath The Pack

Chapter 6 – The Cell Beneath the Pack

Three sharp knocks echoed through my room.

Knock. Knock. Knock.

"Aria," Kael called from the other side. "Open the door."

I looked at the packed bag hidden beneath my bed.

Had they found out?

My heart pounded so loudly I thought they could hear it through the door.

Taking a deep breath, I opened it.

Kael stood there with Ronan and Ezra. Behind them were four warriors in full armor.

The sight made my stomach sink.

Four warriors.

Not one.

Not two.

Four.

As though I were a dangerous criminal.

Kael's expression was unreadable.

"The elders have ordered another investigation."

I laughed bitterly.

"Another one?"

"Yes."

"What did Selene accuse me of this time?"

No one answered.

That silence was enough.

The warriors searched my room from top to bottom.

They opened every drawer.

Every chest.

Every cabinet.

One of them knelt beside my bed.

"No..." I whispered.

He reached underneath.

My bag.

He pulled it out.

Inside were a few dresses, my parents' journal, the old map, and a small pouch of silver coins.

The room became deathly quiet.

Kael slowly picked up the map.

"What is this?"

I didn't answer.

Ronan unfolded it.

His face darkened.

"It's the northern escape route."

Ezra stared at me in disbelief.

"You were leaving?"

I looked each of them in the eye.

"Yes."

Kael's jaw tightened.

"You were running away."

"No."

"I was escaping."

His eyes flashed with anger.

"From us?"

"From people who no longer trust me."

For a moment, no one spoke.

Then Kael crushed the map in his fist.

"You are forbidden to leave this pack."

"I don't belong here anymore."

"You are still our mate."

I smiled sadly.

"Only when it's convenient for you."

Ezra stepped forward.

"We can fix this."

I shook my head.

"No."

"You stopped trying the moment you chose to believe her."

Before anyone could say another word, hurried footsteps echoed down the hallway.

A guard burst into the room.

"Alpha!"

Kael turned.

"What is it?"

The guard bowed quickly.

"Lady Selene has collapsed!"

All three of my mates rushed out without another glance at me.

Not one.

Not even Ezra.

Within seconds, they were gone.

I stood alone.

Watching the open door.

Watching the empty hallway.

Even after discovering I had planned to leave...

They still ran to her first.

That answered every question my heart still carried.

Less than an hour later, the warriors returned.

"The elders have made their decision."

"What decision?"

"You are to be moved."

"Where?"

None of them answered.

Two stepped behind me.

Another took my wrists.

Cold silver chains clicked shut around them.

I gasped.

Silver.

The metal burned against my skin.

Luna whimpered inside me.

"It hurts..."

"I know," I whispered.

They led me through the pack house.

Pack members stopped to stare.

Some whispered.

Others openly laughed.

"Look."

"They finally arrested her."

"I knew she was guilty."

"What kind of Luna tries to run?"

Children pointed at me.

Women shook their heads.

Warriors who once saluted me now looked at me with disgust.

Every step felt heavier than the last.

Instead of leading me to the east wing...

They walked toward the oldest part of the pack.

Few people ever went there.

Massive iron doors stood beneath the council hall.

The guards opened them.

A wave of cold air hit my face.

Underground.

My heart skipped.

"No..."

One warrior avoided my gaze.

"I'm sorry, Lady Aria."

"This isn't my decision."

Stone stairs disappeared into darkness.

At the bottom lay rows of prison cells.

The place smelled of damp stone, rust, and despair.

"This is where rogue wolves are kept," I whispered.

No one denied it.

The heavy cell door creaked open.

"Inside."

I didn't move.

Kael appeared behind the warriors.

His face looked tired.

"This is temporary."

I turned to him.

"You said that when they took my title."

"You said that when they froze my inheritance."

"You said that when they questioned my wolf."

"You said that when they locked me in the Silver Wing."

"And now..."

I looked around the filthy prison.

"You call this temporary too?"

Kael lowered his eyes.

"I'll get you out once the truth is found."

A tear slid down my cheek.

"When you finally find the truth..."

"You may not find me."

For the first time since all this began, pain flashed across his face.

Real pain.

But it came far too late.

The guards pushed me into the cell.

The iron door slammed shut.

The sound echoed through the underground prison.

Bang!

A lock clicked into place.

Then another.

Then another.

I slowly sank onto the cold stone floor.

Above me, I could hear faint footsteps as everyone walked away.

No one looked back.

No one stayed.

No one chose me.

I wrapped my arms around myself as Luna's weak voice echoed in my mind.

"We're alone."

I closed my eyes, tears falling silently.

"Not forever."

Somewhere beyond these walls, the truth still existed.

And one day...

The people who buried me in darkness would watch me rise into the light.