Chapter 1

• Amelia’s Pov
• "No! It's not me, daddy! Please believe me, please..."
• It all happened so fast.
• One minute, Leon was running down the stairs, his excited squeals cracking through the silence, and the next minute, he was tumbling down the flight of numerous stairs. Instinctively, I reached out to grab him but I couldn’t grab him.
• I watched in horror as he tumbled down the stairs, his desperate cries piercing through my heart as I ran towards him.
• But I was too late.
• The unmistakable thud of his head cracking against the hard marble was sickening.
• “Leon…Leon!” I screamed at the top of my lungs, like somehow that would get him to feel okay. I skipped stairs as I ran towards him, not even caring if I fell just as he did.When I finally got to him, I crouched, scraping my knees on the ground as I cradled the back of his head.
• My hands were coated in a warm liquid… his blood.
• Leon’s blood.
• Panic erupted through me as my breaths came out in desperate struggles. I tried not to move him too much as I shook him, holding unto a fleeting hope that he’d wake up.
• But he was unconscious.
• Screams escaped my throat, my tears streaming down unto his pale face.
• “Somebody help us!”
• At that instant, thundering steps approached us. I didn’t tear my eyes of Leon until our father stood in front of me. His eyes widened as his gaze landed on Leon.
• Suddenly, his eyes shifted from Leon to me, his expression contorted into one of rage.
• “You did this!” he barked, a deep growl reverberating through him that made me flinch. “You witch! You tried to kill my boy.”
• "No! It’s not me!" My tears ran down as I pleaded eagerly, my voice shaking with panic. "I don't know why Leon suddenly fell off... I... I just wanted to catch him..."
• “Guards! Take her to the dungeon!”
• The words bellowed through the walls, my heart to coming to a halt as I processed his words.
• Before I could protest,Leon’s unconscious body was ripped from my arms, followed by hands grabbing me and pulling me away.
• How did this happen? Why should I be considered as the murderer of my stepbrother? Why wouldn't my father give me a chance to explain? Why wouldn't he trust me?
• The guards dragged me to the dungeon door, where the heavy iron doors opened with a grinding noise. Before I could stand still, they pushed me roughly in.
• My body thudded against the cold, hard concrete floor, and a sharp pain swept through me.
• My tongue was torn by the impact, and I could taste the strong smell of blood, warm liquid gushing out of my mouth and dripping to the ground. The blood ran down the chin in a thin line.
• “Stand up, you murderer!”
• One of the guards snapped coldly, and the sound pierced my ear like a sharp sword. He stood over me and kicked me mercilessly in the stomach.
• The pain made me curl up in a ball, my breath suddenly suppressed, my lungs like an invisible hand clenched, I couldn't breathe. But all I could do was bite my lip and not let myself show any sign of weakness.
• "Do you think you're still Alpha's daughter? You bitch, how dare you murder the future Alpha!" The guard growled in anger, lifted his legs and tried to kick again, but was stopped in time by another guard.
• "Don't waste your time with the bitch, Alpha will execute her himself." The man who stopped said coldly. Then they left the damp, dark dungeon together, leaving me alone on the cold floor.
• I don’t know how long I’d stayed locked in this dungeon, but I could feel the moon’s presence lingering, despite having no window, I could somehow feel its warmth on my skin.
• A sudden stimulating feeling coursed through me, prickling my nerves and making the hairs on my neck stand on end. Confusion clouded my mind until realization struck.
• My shift was supposed to be tonight… and Jax was meant to be with me, to support me through it.
• Hot, searing pain suddenly tore through my spine, forcing a broken whimper out of my throat. My eyes widened in terror as I clawed my way off the ground.
• “No, no… please, not here,” I cried out, hoping somewhere the goddess would hear my cry of plea.
• It came again-- an even sharper pain ripped through me. A strangled cry escaped me.
• “Please… I can’t do this alone!” I cried out desperately, clutching my chest as though it would stop the pain coursing through me.
• But the pain coursing through my limbs was proof that my prayers didn’t reach the goddess’s ears.
• The dungeon’s perforating darkness wrapped around me like a noose, keeping both my body and soul captive.
• I could feel my soul crushing, losing every ounce of hope I’d tettered onto for my sanity. Now I felt it all slipping away as pain grappled every muscle in my body.
• I forced my feet to stand as I limped to the dungeon gates when I heard a snap.
• Screams filled the room, and I didn’t realize it came from me until I collapsed on my broken leg.
• Another snap and my arm got twisted in an awkward angle. I stared in horror, fear gurgling down the scream lodged in my throat.
• They say a werewolf’s shift is supposed to be a soul-binding moment between a shifter and their wolf, but mine felt different.
• I yearned desperately for my wolf’s soothing voice, to feel her coat brush against my skin and our soul tie— but all I felt was nothing but a profound emptiness and agony from the excruciating pain coursing through every fiber of my being.
• My throat tightened as I held back my screams, praying for death to ease my misery.
• The dungeon doors suddenly opened and I sensed who it was before I saw him.
• “Jax,” I tried to say his name, but I hadn't produced a sound.
• He rushed towards me, his voice trembling when he saw me, “Goddess… what have they done to you?” His eyes widened in realization. “You’re shifting.”
• The gates opened and in a flash, he lifted me into his arms gently.
• “They told me you were in the dungeon. I finally found you!” he whispered, his voice soothing my agony. “I know you’re innocent.”
• The moment our skin touched, a silent whisper rammed through my mind
• ‘Mate.’
• He carried me out of the dungeon, watching me closely. “I don’t understand. Your body is mangled from your shift, but I see no sign of your wolf.”
• I didn’t understand it either… but all I needed right now was to get out of here.
• Suddenly, Jax halted as a deep growl reverberated through his chest.
• “Get out of my way.”
• I followed his gaze to find my father glaring at us.
• "You're really going to defy your Alpha for the murderer? Leon had wolfsbane in his system, and we found the exact same wolfsbane in her room,"he spat out, making me flinch.
• Wolfsbane? I suddenly realized what happened today is no accident. My heart sank as I realized who was trying to hurt me.
• “Give me some time. I'll prove her innocence, alpha.” Jax shot back. “Please trust your daughter one more time!”
• Silence.
• “She’s not my daughter.”
• His words felt like a spear had been thrown through my heart. Uncontrollable tears rolled down my eyes as I held onto the only person I had left.
• Jax tried to move forward but a sudden strike from behind made him falter. He collapsed slowly, his gaze still holding mine while he did. His grip on me loosened and even as he fell unconscious, he made sure he didn't drop me hard.
• Desperately, I tried to reach Jax’s unconscious body but his father got to him first. I watched with a broken heart as he threw Jax over his shoulder and left the dungeon.
• Defeated, I turned to my father.
• “I didn’t do it,” I whispered, but his eyes remained cold.
• “You still dare to lie to my face!” he bellowed. “The evidence is clear, Amelia. You were expelled from the Silver Moon Pack for attempting to kill the future alpha.”
• It felt like a part of me had been ripped out of my chest.
• With one last look filled with animosity, he added.
• “I never want to see your face again. If I do… I’ll kill you.”