Chapter 1) What she once was.

Séraphine’s pov,

‘Am- am I going to die?’. I thought to myself, as I hugged my legs tightly on the ground.

My lips had cracked and looked barely alive. My face… pale, and every single muscle in my body was screaming for help.

It was clear. I was on the brink of death, after spending a cruel and agonizing time in the cell.

‘I- I can't die yet. I need to see him one more time. He must believe I never did it’. I bit my lower lip in regret and trembled as I thought to myself.

With the bit of strength left in me, I crawled to the iron bars, sitting before it as I held onto it.

“Plea-”. I tried to say something, but coughed violently, while I clenched my chest tightly.

My throat was completely dried.

I can not remember the last time I had a decent cup of water.

“Plea-se”. I forced myself to say and took a deep breath.

My once bright vision had started to fade, and even breathing became a pain to my chest.

“I- I need to see him”. I added, but the response I got in return was their laughter, as they pointed their fingers at me and mocked me.

“She's been imprisoned for a long time, but somehow, she maintained to be fat!”.

“Indeed. She must be cursed! I am glad that our Alpha's eyes were finally opened, and he had the witch imprisoned!”.

Their words were a direct sting to my heart. And suddenly, I began to reminisce about the moment that they once used to adore me.

Wasn't it three years ago?

Then, I wasn't yet the Luna of the Red Moon pack. I was just a 17-year-old young, slim and beautiful lady, who was the eldest daughter of the current Beta werewolf.

I had so many dreams and aspirations.

But, everything changed after I got married to Daxter {my crush}, upon discovering that year, on my 18th birthday, that he was my mate.

His reaction was blank, almost filled with disappointment, like he never wanted that outcome.

Nevertheless, our wedding ceremony was grand, and I received the Alpha's blessings. Everyone celebrated, and my Dad, who saw me as his pride, was no exception.

With my battle formations, the neighboring packs fell into Daxter's control, and he was crowned the next Alpha after his father.

Unfortunately, after two years into my marriage with Daxter, everything slowly began to change.

I initially knew Daxter didn't marry me because he loved me a lot as his chosen mate, but that did not change the fact that he grew indifferent to me the more time I spent as his wife and Luna.

Slowly, whispers began to come and spread out like a wildfire.

They said I was barren and couldn't bear Daxter any heirs. They said that I was going to ruin the bloodline of the esteemed Alpha family.

And next, they demanded I step down.

But that was not when everything completely fell apart in my life.

I began to add a lot of weight despite barely eating, and then, my wolf stopped responding to me. I suddenly became the useless Luna of the pack. A Luna who Daxter was ashamed to show to the world.

Another event occurred.

One fateful day, my little sister, Kelly, stepped out at the council's meeting and confessed that she was pregnant with none other than Daxter's child.

I remembered how bitter I felt after Daxter didn't deny her claim.

But, what could I possibly do about that?

It was a mistake. It was a drunken mistake. They didn't mean to do that. And so, I decided not to be angry.

Besides, she was my sweet little sister. Though I did not understand why I was blamed after she lost the baby in her womb a month ago.

It was clear I was framed, but no one would believe me.

They said I was jealous of my little sister and could not bear the sight of her conceiving a child for the Alpha.

Due to all those accusations, I was imprisoned and was awaiting judgment, as it was an offensive crime to eliminate the offspring of the Alpha.

I stopped holding onto the iron bars and rested my back against it instead.

I was tired. It was not fair.

A once prideful werewolf like me had been reduced to such a miserable state. It feels almost unbelievable.

I sighed in defeat and shut my eyes tightly as drops of tears streamed down both sides of my cheeks.

The sounds of footsteps approaching, knocked my senses back to reality, and I opened my eyes after the footsteps got closer.

For a brief second, I really hoped that it was Daxter who had come to see me. But, who was I kidding?

I was wrong. It wasn't him. Why would he even think of coming to see me?

“Big sister”. The soft voice of Kelly came through, making me force myself to my feet.

“Kelly. You came!”. I exclaimed and thought I was daydreaming.

I was told she was still mourning the child she lost, but to think she could visit me…

… It meant our bond as sisters was the greatest.

“Oh my goodness… Séraphine. What have they done to you?”. Kelly asked with soft eyes which got teary by the second.

Her right hand reached out to me after she bent down, and she caressed my cheek. “I am sorry”. Kelly muttered as she rested her head against the bar.

A few seconds later, she quickly ordered the guards. “Open the door immediately!”.

I saw the guards stare at themselves, before they reluctantly went ahead to open the door to the prison room.

“You are not supposed to be here”. I said to Kelly, as I struggled to stand.

“Nonsense. I am your sister. If I didn't come for you, who would?”. Kelly said, before she stepped into the dirty prison.

For a second, she paused as she looked and stared at the prison room.

I bit my lower lip because I thought she found the place dirty and below her. But, her next words stung my heart.

Kelly held my hands out of the blue, with her beautiful pair of ocean blue eyes staring back at my dull red eyes. “I am so sorry, Séraphine. It is my fault you are like this. I never knew losing my baby was ever going to affect you”.

She sniffed her nose as she continued to say to me with teary red eyes, “If I had known that today was going to happen, I would never have stepped out and revealed I was pregnant. I would have buried the secret with me forever. I am really sorry”.

“I- I promise, I will get to the bottom of this. I will find the true murderer of my child and set you free from this place”.

Kelly hugged me after she finished saying, and I hugged her back. I couldn't control my feelings and ended up tearing, with drops of my tears falling on her dress.

To think I had such a sister. Even when all the world was against me, she stood by my side. She was the reason why I was still hanging on and clinging onto life.