Chapter 6 Chapter Six

• Skye-
• I should have fucking jumped out of the window when I had the chance after finding Elizabeth's lifeless body. The worst that could have happened was a few broken bones.
• I should have run away and never looked back, but I didn’t, and now I had to face the fucking consequences.
• I hissed in irritation as the rude guard clanged the heavy iron door shut in my face. The sound echoed in the cold, damp space, reminding me of my predicament and the pain that was about to begin.
• They were ready to see me as a monster, a killer, without even considering my side of the story. My own mother, who should have known me better than anyone, was convinced of my guilt.
• I slumped against the rough stone wall, my head throbbing from where it had hit the table. My mind was a whirlwind, trying to piece together the events leading up to Elizabeth's death.
• I knew I hadn't killed her, but someone had, and they had done a thorough job of making it look like I did. Or perhaps they hadn’t planned on making me the suspect, and it was my own foolishness in returning to the crime scene that led to my being accused.
• Oh, how unlucky.
• The sound of approaching footsteps interrupted my thoughts. The door creaked open, and a familiar figure with a scent I hadn't sensed in years stepped inside. It was Jaxon, a close friend from my childhood who had become one of the Alpha’s most trusted warriors. He had been away for almost five years, undergoing extensive training. His face was a mix of anger and sorrow.
• Honestly, I was surprised to see him here. The last time I remembered, he had stopped hanging out with me years ago when he began his training to become a warrior. People had started mocking him for being friends with the ugliest girl in the pack, and he had distanced himself from me.
• It hurt deeply, as I once had a crush on him, but that crush died when he joined my enemies in mocking me. When he left five years ago, I was relieved not to see him anymore. So why was he here now? Why did he come back? When did he come back?
• "Skye," he said, his voice low. "What happened?"
• Seeing him, I realised he was still as handsome as I remembered, but unlike in the past, when my heart fluttered with admiration, now it fluttered with fear. Yet, I couldn't deny that his presence sent a flicker of hope through my veins.
• "Jaxon, you have to believe me. I didn't do this. I found Elizabeth like that. Someone else killed her and framed me."
• Jaxon’s eyes softened, but his expression remained conflicted. "It’s hard, Skye. Your mother’s testimony, the knife in your hand... it all points to you."
• "But you know me," I insisted, my voice trembling. "You know I could never do something like this."
• He sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. "I want to believe you, Skye. But the evidence... it's damning."
• "Please, Jaxon," I pleaded. "Help me find the real killer. There has to be something we're missing."
• He hesitated, then nodded slightly. "I'll see what I can do. But you need to be prepared for the worst. The pack is calling for blood, and if we can't find proof of your innocence, I don't know how long I can keep them at bay."
• I nodded, feeling a mix of gratitude and fear. "Thank you, Jaxon. Please, hurry."
• "Jaxon, wait. When did you come back? Why?" I asked, noticing his body freeze, though he didn't turn back to look at me.
• "I came back just today, and I was surprised to hear everything," he muttered, immediately walking out and locking the cell, leaving me alone.
• I sighed in sadness, knowing that I couldn't rely on anyone else to save me. I had to find a way to uncover the truth myself.
• The hatred and anger I felt towards Elizabeth simmered in my heart, but I pushed it aside. There would be time for those feelings later. Right now, I had to focus on survival and proving my innocence.
• Hours passed, the cell growing darker as the night deepened. I could hear the distant sounds of the pack outside, the anger and sorrow palpable even through the thick walls. I closed my eyes, taking deep breaths, trying to calm my racing thoughts.
• Then, I heard a soft rustling outside my cell. I tensed, listening closely. A small voice whispered through the bars.
• "Skye?"
• I turned towards the sound and saw a young girl, no more than twelve, peering through the bars. It was Lily, the daughter of one of the pack's elders and Jenna's little sister. She wasn't allowed to come out and play for some unknown reason. Like me, she was also an outcast, and people avoided associating with her.
• "Lily, what are you doing here?" I whispered back. She looked around nervously before stepping closer, clutching a small bundle of cloth.
• "I believe you, Skye. While I was strolling, I saw something that night. I saw a shadowy figure jumping out of the window of your sister's room before your mother screamed your name."
• My heart leaped. "Lily, are you sure? Can you describe the figure?"
• She nodded, her eyes wide with fear. "I couldn't see the face, but the person was tall with a hooded cloak. They moved quickly, like they didn't want to be seen."
• "Did you tell anyone?" I asked urgently, and she shook her head.
• "No. I was scared because I was forbidden from ever leaving the house. But I thought you should know."
• "Thank you, Lily," I said, feeling a glimmer of hope. "You did the right thing. Can you tell Jaxon what you saw? He might be able to help."
• She nodded again, handing me the bundle of cloth. "I brought you some food and water. I’ll try to find Jaxon now."
• With that, she slipped away, her presence leaving me with a renewed sense of determination. I had an ally—someone who believed in me and had seen something that could help clear my name.
• It wasn’t much, but it was a start. I unwrapped the bundle, finding a small loaf of bread and a flask of water. As I ate, I began to formulate a plan. I needed to find a way to gather more evidence to prove that someone else had been there that night. And I had to do it as soon as possible before the pack’s anger grew more intense.
• Exhausted, I eventually fell into a restless sleep, huddled against the cold stone wall. My dreams were haunted by Elizabeth’s lifeless eyes and my mother’s accusatory screams. In my dreams, I was running, always running, but never escaping the shadow that pursued me.
• I woke abruptly to the sharp pain of a boot connecting with my ribs. A gruff voice barked at me, and rough hands dragged me to my feet. Dazed and still half-asleep, I struggled to find my footing.
• “Get up, you filthy murderer,” the guard growled, yanking me towards the cell door.
• “Where are you taking me?” I asked, my voice raspy with sleep and fear.
• “Alpha’s orders,” he spat, tightening his grip on my arm.
• “Time to face your fate.”
• He dragged me through the dimly lit corridors, my mind racing. Had Jaxon found anything to help me? Or had the pack already decided my guilt without waiting for proof?
• We emerged into the main hall, where the pack had gathered. Their eyes burned with anger and betrayal as they looked at me. At the far end of the hall, the Alpha stood beside my father and Arthur.
• My mother was there too, her face twisted with grief and fury. The guard shoved me forward, and I stumbled, catching myself just before falling. I straightened up, trying to appear braver than I felt. My heart pounded in my chest, but I knew I had to remain strong.
• “Skye,” the Alpha’s voice boomed across the hall, silencing the murmurs. “We have heard your plea of innocence. But the evidence against you is strong, and the pack demands justice.”
• I opened my mouth to speak, but he held up a hand to stop me. “Before we pass judgement, we will give you one last chance to defend yourself. Do you have anything to say?”
• I took a deep breath, my eyes scanning the crowd for Jaxon or Lily. I needed their support now more than ever.
• “I didn’t kill Elizabeth,” I repeated for the thousandth time as steady fear gnawed at me. “I found her like that, and someone else must have done it. Someone saw a figure jumping out of her window that night. There is more to this than what it seems.” I yelled in pain, knowing that I had to protect Lily, who was my witness, or her life would be in danger too.
• The pack members exchanged uneasy glances, but the Alpha’s face remained stern. He looked over to my mother, who stepped forward, her eyes burning with righteous anger.
• “You always were a liar, Skye,” she said, her voice trembling.
• “Even now, you try to twist the truth to save your own skin. You have no proof, no witnesses, just your word, and we all know what that’s worth.” The crowd murmured in agreement, and despair threatened to overwhelm me.
• "I don't mind shaving my hair to prove it or throwing myself into the mud or a river. I know you all hate me already because I am ugly, even though I didn't create myself, but that's fine. But for the sake of my sister, please just believe what I am saying." I cried, going to my knees. I didn't mind showing weakness or losing my dignity at this moment, but I just didn't want to die for something I didn't do.
• “I saw it!” Lily cried, her small voice cutting through the noise, and my head snapped in her direction. My heart skipped a beat as I watched her push her way to the front, rendering me speechless at her bravery. “It's true; I saw someone leaving the house that night!”
• What was she doing? She was going to be in trouble.
• All eyes turned to her, and the hall fell silent. The Alpha motioned for her to come forward, his expression sceptical but curious.
• “Tell us what you saw, child. Remember, if you lie, you will be beheaded immediately,” he scowled.