Chapter4

Instinctively, I stood up and put on my shoes to go out and check, but Lorraine held my hand. "Ophelia, don't you remember? Phillips ordered you not to go out. It will bring us trouble. We shouldn't go. Others will help her."

"No, Lorraine. Protecting pack members is my duty. You stay here and get the beer ready. I'll be right back." I looked at Lorraine reassuringly, then pushed open the door.

When I arrived at the scene, my heart almost leaped out of my chest. Carlee was surrounded by five guardian beasts at the border. She had already shifted, but she couldn't resist the onslaught of the beasts. Wounds appeared on her body as she struggled to evade another round of attacks.

How could this happen? These beasts were trained since they were young and wouldn't attack unless they sensed a threat from Devil Lycan. Why did they suddenly go mad? And why wasn't Carlee resting in her room but instead appeared at the border?

Gamma Richard arrived at the scene behind me, running while shifting into a black wolf. He charged into the pack of beasts, trying to take Carlee out of the encirclement.

I looked at my wounds, hesitating. Perhaps Richard alone was enough to save her? But one of the beasts firmly grabbed his hind leg, pinning him down and making it impossible for him to move. Meanwhile, the other beasts continued to roar at Carlee.

"Carlee! Be careful!" Richard struggled and shouted at Carlee. However, his wolf howl only made the beasts feel even more threatened and angrier. One of the beasts dug the ground with its claws, shaking its head. The next moment, it pounced toward Carlee from behind.

"Now it's your time, Alyee." I couldn't hesitate anymore. I transferred control of my body to Alyee, ran toward the center of the beasts, and blocked their attacks. With grace, I landed behind Carlee, helping her up against me. I searched for an escape route and asked her, "What happened? Why did they get provoked?"

Carlee's voice trembled with tears. "I... I don't know. I just wanted to come and see..."

I slowly backed away with her, facing the panting beasts. I could feel my limbs trembling, and my waist was so sore that it was about to break. But Carlee kept crying. She looked so pitiful that I could imagine how scared she was even if I didn't turn around.

"... Stop crying. I can handle them."

I didn't know how to comfort her, so I reassured her at first. I knew my act of saving her was a bit foolish, but I couldn't let anyone, no matter who it was, die in front of me.

"I'll distract their attention. You should run towards Richard and let him take you away."

"Richard, take her!" After saying that, I pushed Carlee in Richard's direction and ran in the opposite direction, leading the beasts along. They followed me, their roaring voices growing louder, and their running speed increased. Then I remembered I still had the Devil Scent on me!

With them chasing me, I ran into the forest, far away from the crowd. The intense running made my lungs ache like they were about to burst. I slowed down a bit to let my wolf catch its breath. But at that moment, one of the beasts took two quick strides and pounced on me from behind, knocking me down onto the ground. The other beasts also rushed over and pinned me down. I struggled to turn over and looked at its gaping jaws, saliva dripping onto my face.

"Ophelia, think of something. I don't have the strength," Alyee said in my mind, her weakness evident in her voice.

But what could I do? Today's battle and wounds left me too weak to fight back. The beast lowered its head toward my throat, getting closer because of the Devil's Scent on me. I closed my eyes tightly, waiting for it to tear my throat apart.

But suddenly, the weight on top of me lightened. When I gasped for breath and opened my eyes, I saw several injured beasts lying on the ground. Standing before me was... Phillips.

His blue eyes stared at me intensely, his expression cold, and I could sense his anger.

Finally, I relaxed, lying on the ground and panting. My arms were too sore to move. Other warriors who heard the news gradually arrived, tying up several beasts with ropes. Richard also approached, supporting Carlee.

"Stand up." Phillips reached out his hand toward me. I nodded and managed to shift into human form. I wrapped myself in my clothes and put my hand on his, using his strength to stand up.

Gamma Richard stepped forward and bowed to Phillips. "Ophelia truly lives up to being the strongest shewolf. She is indeed courageous." He glanced at me and continued, "But Alpha, her body is filled with Devil Scent. I suspect she has become a Devil Wolf!"

I couldn't believe it, staring at him in disbelief. I helped him save the girl he liked, yet he accused me of being a Devil Wolf?

It was said that Devil Wolves came from hell and were evil and powerful creatures born from bloodshed. The last known Devil Wolf was Ryan, locked in the dungeon. According to ancient books, it was said that one could turn a righteous and kind werewolf into a Devil Wolf through a special ceremony, but it was just a legend! No one had ever witnessed a successful ritual. Then how could I be a Devil Wolf?

But Richard's words drew everyone's attention toward me. They quickly distanced themselves from me. I could even hear their murmurs of discussion.

Richard continued, "If it weren't for the Devil Scent on her, how could these beasts lose control and attack Carlee?"

"I... I acquired the scent because of an injury," I tried to justify myself, but my voice was barely audible due to my weakness.

Elder Tom also looked at me. "Even if you are not a Devil Wolf, your presence would still tarnish the reputation of our New Mars Pack! You don't deserve to be our Pack's Luna."

Richard continued sneering, "And do you have any evidence to prove what you're saying?" His eyes sparkled as if he believed his wish was about to come true. He wanted to exile me.

I couldn't understand why he held such hostility towards me, but Phillips knew about my injury and my unique condition. I looked to him for help, but he stood there, listening to others slander and discuss me.

As if he sensed my gaze, he coughed and silenced the discussions. Then, his blue eyes met mine, his voice sending shivers down my spine. "According to the Pack Law, I should either exile you or lock you up in Devil Lycan's dungeon. Do you plead guilty?"

My heart sank when I heard his words. I clenched my hands tightly, feeling the sticky blood between my fingers.

What did I do wrong? I only tried to save and protect the third party my mate had always defended! If given another chance, I would keep her because it was my duty as Luna. Did I do anything wrong?

But I also knew I had defied his orders by leaving the room with the Devil Scent on me. I let go of my hands and whispered, "I'm sorry. It's my fault."

"Now that she has admitted she is a Devil Wolf." Phillips looked at me coldly. "Take her to Devil Lycan's dungeon for confinement. We will decide her fate after the Alpha Meeting."

I couldn't believe it as I raised my head. "Phillips! How could you say that I am a Devil Wolf? We grew up together, and you know my personality and my condition. You are my mate. How can you not believe me?"

I roared inwardly, "You can protect your mistress with your Alpha status, but you can't ensure justice for me! Why?"

"I have always trusted you, Ophelia, but a woman with the Devil Scent is no longer worthy of being my Luna."