Chapter 2

Clara

“Please.” I whimpered again when the man was unmoving from where he stood. 

I hoped my helpless state would move the heart of these strange men. 

But the man named Calvin held my gaze intently for a split second, without saying a word he climbed onto the horse and galloped away. I staggered to my feet and ran after them, but my feet hit a stone and I stumbled to the ground hard. I watched as my only hope faded into the distance. Tears rolled down my face when I felt their presence. 

“There you are.” Came the mocking tone from Richard. Dragging me to my feet. “How far do you think you can run?” He questioned, putting his lips close to my ear. 

The memory of my parents falling to their deaths right next to me crossed my mind and in annoyance was ready to die with them. I turned my face and grabbed Richard’s ear between my teeth. Biting down on it hard and punching at his belly at the same time. He yelled in pain, slapping me with his hard palms. 

“You buffoons, get this bitch off me!” He bellowed, hitting me nonstop. 

Despite how much the beating hurt, I was ready to leave him with a lifelong scar before letting him go. I can taste his blood in my mouth now and it feels good. A few guards held me by the waist and leg to pull me away. But I was too close to my mission to let go now, I can feel the ear pulling into my mouth. Before I could get to pull it out thoroughly, I got punched in my belly so hard that it had me spiraling. 

“You fucking bitch!” Richard slapped me, holding onto his profusely bleeding ear. 

I showed off my blood-stained teeth, laughing. “That is only a little of what I am going to do to you, you bastard.” I seethed, struggling against the arms holding me down. 

He fumed, steam coming out of his nostrils. “Stupid girl! I should have known that wolfsbane wouldn't do much to weaken you. I would kill you right now if I didn’t need you. Not to worry, I came prepared.” Richard rummaged through his pocket, breathing heavily as his ear kept bleeding. 

I hope he would bleed to death, but then, a lack of ears never kills anyone. 

“You know what this is?” He dangled a vial in my face. 

I gulped with difficulty. I remember giving him that potion vial when he said some rogues were disturbing the borders and he needed something to overpower them before they became too much of a bother to the pack. I had innocently worked on putting together a potion that would disrupt the wolf's regenerative movement and energy. Glad that I could use my healing ability to prevent a looming danger that could lead to unrest in my pack. All along it was just a plan B for the bastard. 

Richard smirked noticing the recognition on my face. “Luna salt. All made by you. Let’s see how you can fight back now. Open her mouth.” He ordered. 

I struggled against my captors, kicking and screaming. But I was overpowered. In no time, the salt was deep in my system and my limbs went numb. 

~~~~~~~~~~~~

“Get down!” The guard pushed me roughly to the ground. 

I winced at the pain that surged through my knee. My dry throat itched as I struggled to swallow. The meeting hall felt unfamiliar even though I have been in it more times than I can count. But at the time they were faces that I could trust, people that I thought were loyal to not just the crown but to my father. 

The room fell quiet when the traitor walked in. He had a devilish smirk on his face when our eyes met. His ear was well hidden underneath the hat he wore. I growled, lunging forward to get a grasp despite the weak state my body was in. If I can get to sink my teeth into him, I am certain he wouldn’t survive it. 

“Stay still!” One of the guards kicked me hard on the side, pushing me to the ground. 

That fool! My hands are tied what does he think I would be able to do? Beta Richard knew it too that was why he didn’t flinch from where he stood addressing the council of elders.

“Elders, I have come to you today to present a case that feels heavy in my heart. This child here, Clara, grew up right in front of me and was deeply loved by all. Yet it turned out that she harbored a deadly ambition that has cost us the life of our innocent Alpha Lucas and Luna Lisa.” 

“What nonsense are you talking about?.” I struggled to speak, but my voice came out in a low whisper which brought tears to my eyes. 

“What are you trying to say, Beta Richard?” Elder Dean was interrogated. 

“My men and I caught Clara in the woods attempting to escape after killing both her father and mother.” He announced without mincing words. 

Shocked murmurs filled the room as the elders blinked in disbelief, questioning themselves if that was true. 

“I did not kill my parents!” I screamed finally finding my voice. My eyes darted towards the elders desperately. “Please, he is lying I wouldn’t do that to my parents. He did it. He killed them. He killed them!” I wailed. 

Beta Richard scoffed like he couldn’t believe my audacity. “We have clear evidence against her. She even went as far as trying to attack us when we caught up with her as she was attempting to elope. She wants to become an Alpha desperately and killing her parents was the only option to achieve her aim. You can ask the pack guards who were with me if you think I am lying.” 

“You are lying! You bastard! Believe me, elders. He kidnapped my mother and me and lured my father to the woods. He killed them. When I tried to escape he subdued me. I was wondering why he left me alive, it was to cover his tracks. Please hear me out.” I begged, crying profusely. 

“Enough!” Elder Dean yelled at me before calling a few of the pack guards forward. “Is it true that Princess Clara killed her parents?” 

“Yes, my lord. We found her with their dead bodies, her hands soaked in blood.” They said. 

“What? You liars! I didn’t do that. I didn't do it!” I gasped, struggling to get my words together. “Why would I kill my parents? Does that sound right to you? Does it?” I screamed, cursing out the guards who had fed under my parents and enjoyed their generosity. Only to end up siding with the traitor. 

The elders began to murmur again. This time they all stared at me with contempt and disbelief. Their eyes judged me without hearing my side of the story. 

“This is so heartbreaking, elders.” Beta Richard spoke up again. They all seemed to shut me out like my wails weren’t reaching their ears. “The circumstances of the Alpha and Luna's death are too heavy to share with the pack members. How do we explain that the princess who is meant to protect and serve the pack, is the tyrant? For the sake of the life they lived, I would advise we keep this to ourselves. We need to give them a befitting burial and have her sentenced immediately since there are enough witnesses.” 

“We can not do that without an Alpha in the seat. Only someone from the royal household or the one chosen by the former Alpha can be allowed to sentence a criminal who commits treason.” One of the elders said. 

He bowed his head as if sad. “It seemed our dear Alpha knew what was coming. He transferred the position to me and handed me a signed blood oath. He said to hold onto it for any future occurrence.” Richard stepped forward and handed Elder Dean an envelope. 

“You rat!” I gritted. This was his plan all along. I already lost this battle before it even started. 

After a long silence, Elder Dean turned a cold eye to me. “Lock her up.” He ordered. 

Richard turned to me and mouthed just for my ears. “You will serve me until you die.” 

“You won’t get away with this! I promise you won’t get away with this! I am going to kill you with my bare hands. I swear by the goddess.” I fought against the guards cursing at him as they dragged me out of the hall. 

Three months of being locked up for a crime I didn’t commit and serving as the pack healer while plotting my revenge. I found the one that would grant me the route to my burning desire. My mate.