a's

I was still weak from the rejection and everything that had happened since last nig

id. "Where are

of them

grew colder with every step. The smell of mold, rust and something rotten fill

ce

s place. Wolves who broke pack law

not put me here. I did not poi

door. The other shoved me inside so

urned and hit the door with both hands. "Ple

e ans

. The floor was damp. There was no bed, only dirty straw in one corner

round myself and sa

I called

as no answer. Then I

said, but her v

wrong?"

k. It is like something is pressi

ster. "Because o

erent. Something

adow in my room. The prick on my neck.

ed. "Someone really was in m

o destroy you, M

illed m

ne gave me water. Hunger twisted inside me until it became a d

mp but I sat there anyway beca

mething brush

d back

eep, one bit the skin near my ankle and I cried out. Another crawled over my wrist before I could shake i

rs I had worked for that family, hoping that one day they might

urt th

ace. The coldness in his eyes. The way

en ask me what hap

him to believe the worst

nally came, I was curled

d. "Get up," o

The second guard pulled me up rou

said hoars

without pity. "You can

t after the darkness. My clothes were dirty. My hair was tangled. My

ged me toward t

. Pack members stoo

t is

ed to ki

orn. What else

mach t

hem. My father and mother stood below. Leon was there too, dressed in dark clothes, his fa

onto my knees in th

of poisoning Talia Taylor, daughter of the Beta, and attempting to harm t

I said. "I did

rose in t

ned to my mot

terday morning, Anya prepared breakfast for the family.

u know I always prepare brea

me. "Do not call me

st tig

d at my father.

er life with resentment. She was especially bitter after the mate bond with Leon

"I never wished Talia de

are told to speak,"

pack doctor. "Tell thi

poisoning. Her lips were turning purple. Her breathing was weak. Her pulse was unst

. "No. No, that

a's room. A small pouch of rare poison powder was found hidden in her dra

true. I never had any poison i

pect this court to believe someone plant

rately. "That is ex

n is not easy to find. Only someone w

I said. "I do not even

hand to her chest. She looked pale but

h," she said softly. "Even after every

f. "You are lying," I said

e around

e thundered. "Wa

ve Leon when he said she might have done it but after the poison was found

cried. "I sw

at Leon. "Leon Maxwe

her room under my order. The poison was found in her drawer, wrapped in cloth bene

on, please. You know

. "Whether she is my former mate or not, a crime is a cr

r again. "You do not b

id no

ion. Your origin already placed you under suspicion and your actions have confirmed what many feared. You ar

innocent. Someone framed me. Pleas

"For this crime," he continue

inside me w

a wolf of this pack, we grant you the mercy of a quick de

ly three days until I would die. I looked aro

ieved. Talia hid a smile. The Luna looked satisfied.

they dragged me away, I twisted and

ied. "I did

thing I saw before they pulled me out of the cour

e. If I was going to die in three days,

de me, Maya s

ope. We are