By the time we reached the Alpha's cabin, half the pack was there, standing outside. I could feel everyone's eyes on me as we approached, filled with hate, some with fear. I kept my head low as I passed the crowd and entered the cabin. Whatever this was, it had to be a mistake, a misunderstanding.
Selene would never…
Selene was sitting on a chair, tears running down her face. She gasped the second she saw me.
"Keep her away from me!" she screamed. "She's a monster!"
I was stunned.
"Selene?" I started toward her, but two soldiers stepped in front of me, seizing my hands.
"Let go of me!" I yelled, but though they looked afraid, they didn't. I stared around the room—at the Alpha, his wife, Aidrac, Rohan, my mother, my father, Vira, and several soldiers. They all looked grim. And then there was Selene, crying, shaking, calling me a monster.
"Rhea," the Alpha said, "Selene just told us something, that you killed the soldier."
"I didn't kill anyone!" I protested.
"Yes, you did! You're cursed! A monster!" Selene sobbed.
"What are you talking about? You were there with me. We both discovered the dead body!" But Selene shook her head.
"That's a lie! You're a liar!" she cried. "You wanted to kill me, but he was patrolling the woods and heard my scream. He came to rescue me, and you killed him!"
I gaped at her, trying to make sense of her words.
"That's why I ran away," she continued.
"Rhea, is this true?" the Alpha asked.
"No, it's not! She's lying!"
"Why would she lie? She's your best friend, isn't she?"
"Why would I try to kill her?"
"Because you're cursed!" Selene spat. "You told me you dreamt about the attack before it happened and that you were hearing things in the woods!"
I stopped breathing. Suddenly, the room felt hot. The Alpha's eyes were locked on me.
"Is that true, Rhea?" he asked.
"Yes, but I didn't kill anyone. I don't know why she's lying." I stared at the girl who was supposed to be my best friend, trying to read her eyes, to find some meaning in all this….but all I saw was fear.
"The investigation is ongoing," the Alpha said. "The result will determine if you're guilty or not. Until then, you will be held in confinement."
Killing a pack member was a hideous crime, punishable by execution. Why would Selene lie about this?
The confinement was in my cabin. I wasn't allowed to leave until the investigation was over, and no one was allowed to see me except my family. The soldiers led me outside the Alpha's cabin, where the pack was still waiting. Murmurs rose the moment they saw me:
"I knew she did it, she's cursed!"
"I bet she led the attack at the border too!"
"Why hasn't she been executed yet?"
"Because she's the Beta's daughter."
The Alpha stepped outside, and the murmurs quieted.
"Grimhowl, I know this is a difficult time, but I ask you to be calm and patient while we get to the bottom of this," he said.
"How can we be calm when the killer is standing right there? Breathing!" someone shouted, pointing at me. Whispers erupted again.
"We are still investigating," the Alpha said firmly. "Until it's confirmed, Rhea is not the killer."
"But she clearly is!"
"She's cursed!"
"Kill her before she kills us!"
Tempers flared.
"Silence!" the Alpha barked. "A decision will be made tomorrow. Now everyone, back to your cabins!"
Slowly, the crowd dispersed, still whispering and casting hateful glances my way.
The soldiers escorted me back to my cabin.
Back inside, my heart was racing. I was alone, aside from the soldiers stationed outside. A decision would be made tomorrow. I knew my chances of survival were close to zero. The whole pack wanted me dead, and Selene was insisting I killed the soldier.
How could she betray me like this? When she left the woods, where did she go? Something wasn't right. If the Alpha chose to believe her, I was as good as dead.
Night fell. The soldiers remained at my door. My family hadn't returned yet. I was alone. Crying, pacing, and crying again.
I don't know how long it was before the door opened. The last person I expected stood there.
Rohan.
"How did you get past the soldiers?" I asked as he closed the door behind him. The Alpha had ordered they only let my family in.
"They trust I have a reason," he said.
"Where is my family?"
"Still at the Alpha's cabin, trying to defend you." His expression darkened. "And they're not winning."
"What's going on?"
"Selene's still insisting you killed the soldier. And as if that wasn't enough, the dreams and voices she said you heard are now making it seem like you planned the attack at the border. A few elders have been called to help decide the case and they're all against you. At this rate, you'll be dead by morning."
I sank into a chair and sobbed, not caring that Rohan was watching. I was going to die tomorrow anyway.
He stood silently, the dim lamp light making it hard to read his expression. I assumed he was scowling.
Then he spoke.
"Rhea," he said softly, "I know you didn't do any of it."
"Does it matter?" I choked out. "They're going to kill me anyway."
"Not if you escape."
I looked up. He was serious.
"How?" I asked. I knew there were at least four soldiers outside.
"With my help."
"You're going to help me?" I wiped my face.
"Yes. But first, we need to know where to run."
I thought hard. Everyone in the pack wanted me dead except…
"Aravelle's cabin. She's the only one who might help me right now."
"Alright," he said.
I narrowed my eyes. "Rohan, why are you helping me?"
"I already told you, I know you're innocent."
"Yes, but the Rohan I know wouldn't care. If anything, you'd be happy to see me dead, one less omega to deal with."
His jaw twitched. The scowl returned.
"Is that what you think of me? That I'd be happy to see you dead? You're a fool."
"You're risking your position as Gamma for me, and you expect me to believe it's genuine?" If they found out, he'd lose his rank and face punishment.
"Well, it is genuine, and I don't care if you believe me. I'm your only hope, so are you in or not?"
Slowly, I nodded.
Ten minutes later, Rohan opened the door. My hands were tied behind my back as he led me outside.
"I've been instructed to take her back to the Alpha's cabin for more questioning," he told the soldiers.
"Of course," they said, nodding.
"Why don't you all head to your cabins and rest? You've worked hard today. I'll send others to guard her when she returns." Relief washed over their faces, and they thanked him before leaving.
"Now we have to act fast," Rohan said, untying me once they were out of sight. "I'm guessing you still can't shift?"
"Not on command," I admitted, shame creeping in.
"Then I'll shift, and you climb on my back."
"Okay."
He began shifting. In seconds, the man was gone, replaced by a broad, brown-furred wolf. I climbed onto his back and held tight as he ran toward the spire.
It wasn't until we reached Aravelle's cabin and he shifted back into a human that he told me why.
"For your sister… I'm doing this for Vira."