Chapter 2

• Cesmae's POV
• I wake up chained to the wall of what I assume to be the Pack's dungeon. The place is made of bricks and mortar chafing at the surface. The lighting is dim and the air smells of blood and piss.
• As I begin to recollect how I have ended up here, I struggle against my restraints, screaming for help and soon, I hear heavy footsteps approaching. I've always had very keen hearing so I'm able to deduce that about three people are coming.
• My guess turns out to be correct as three people appear in front of me; The Alpha, my uncle, the Beta, and a man I recall to be the Gamma of our Pack.
• “Where is Carlisle? Is she alright? Please tell me they were able to save her.” I beg frantically.
• The Alpha and the Gamma glare at me disdainfully while my uncle looks away from me, a deep sadness clouding his features. It makes my stomach drop.
• “What are you talking about, you evil spawn?! Carlisle is dead because you murdered her. Morgan witnessed the whole thing.” The Alpha spats out harshly, his tone showcasing his disgust.
• I feel my heart shatter at the revelation as tears cloud my vision. Carlisle is….dead? But how can that be? It was only this morning when we'd sang our favorite song while making breakfast together and she had gotten me ready for the Mating Ball.
• But now she's dead, gone and I'll never see her beautiful smile again…..
• Morgan. He killed her and now he's pinned the whole thing on me! No, I won't let that happen. I'll reveal his truth and get justice for Carlisle.
• “Why? Why did you do it?” My uncle's broken voice rings out throughout the dungeon and the tears finally run down my cheeks simultaneously choking me.
• I don't know what hurts more, the fact that Carlisle is dead or my uncle thinks that I betrayed him and murdered his daughter.
• “I didn't do it, I swear. I didn't kill Carlisle. I loved her, she was like a sister to me. Morgan was the one who killed her, I just happened to witness the scene and he knocked me out before I had a chance to tell anyone.” I blurt out desperately, my voice breaking.
• “Morgan said you would come up with a similar story and as vile as your actions are, I give everyone a fair chance, even a ruthless criminal like yourself. Let's say we believe you for one moment. What reason would Morgan have to murder Carlisle?” The Alpha asks, his voice thick with malice and his eyes boring holes into my skin.
• “I don't know. He only said she found out something she shouldn't have so he killed her in order to silence her.” I respond truthfully and the Gamma snickers.
• “Yeah, right. Given your despicable act, I assumed you would have a better cover story but I guess that brain of yours only works when you're carrying out evil. Your motive is clear, you've been jealous of Carlisle and when you were rejected for her, you killed her out of spite. Morgan told us everything, how he witnessed you stab Carlisle and you tried to attack him afterward so he had to knock you out.”
• If looks could kill, I'm pretty sure I'd be dead already.
• “How is it that you're believing Morgan's story over mine? What proof do you have that he's telling the truth.” I challenge and the Alpha scowles.
• “Morgan loved Carlisle so much that everyone already accepted they would-be mates. He absolutely adored her and he's my nephew, a man of royal blood, there's no way he would sully his hands with such evil. Besides those sentiments, there's cold hard evidence and they all point to you as the murderer. The necklace you were wearing was found in the hand of her corpse. Your fingerprints are all over her body and even the murder weapon and finally, you left scratch marks on Morgan's neck when he tried to disarm you. You have no case so just fess up and take your punishment with pride.” The Alpha deadpans and I freeze.
• No…. It can't— Why is Morgan doing this? Why?!
• “But Morgan—” I try to counteract in one last ditch effort but is rudely cut off by the Alpha.
• “Morgan is devastated. He's beyond consolation, I've never seen him so broken before. He asked for one thing and one thing only, to see the one who murdered the love of his life executed. So prepare yourself, Cesmae Winters, tomorrow you will be hanged for your crime in view of the entire Pack.” The Alpha declares and I release a whimper as fresh tears roll down my cheeks.
• Why? How can I be punished for a crime I don't commit while the culprit roams free and endangers the lives of others? If Morgan could kill Carlisle so easily and then frame me in such a cold-blooded manner, what's the guarantee he won't do it again?
• What's the secret he was talking about? What could be so important that would be worth taking a life over? I have to get justice for Carlisle. Moon goddess, please….. Please help me just this once.
• The Alpha turned away and so did the Gamma and my uncle.
• “Uncle, please….. You have to believe me, I didn't do it. You know me better than anyone, I would never want to harm Carlisle or anyone else. I would never betray you like that.” I pleaded, hoping he would believe me but he didn't bother to stop or even look at me.
• “I thought I knew you. I took you in because you were the daughter of my dear friend and you had nowhere else to go. Tell me, where did I go wrong? Was my sin against you so great that you decided to kill my only child? I loved you just as much as Carlisle, gave you everything you needed but you chose to repay me in such a wicked way. I'll never forgive you, I'll pray you burn in hell for all eternity.” He said and I could tell from his voice that he was really struggling to hold back tears.
• I didn't know what else to say so I just cried. The three of them left the room, plunging the dungeon into silence again and leaving me to wallow in my own misfortune.