TRIAL

AYLA'S POV

The first thing I notice is the cold. It seeps into my bones, the dampness of the cellar pressing against my skin. I’m lying on the floor, the taste of blood metallic in my mouth, my head pounding from Sage’s blow. Every inch of my body aches, but I force myself to sit up, wincing at the movement. My surroundings are bleak—stone walls, a single dim bulb casting eerie shadows.

I try to piece together the chaos from before. The blood, Sage, Nadira… the doctor. His head. Goddess, his head. My stomach churns as the memory rushes back.

Why am I here? Why am I the one being punished when I’ve done nothing wrong?

The sound of footsteps outside the door snaps me out of my spiraling thoughts. I scramble to my feet, but I am unsteady, my legs trembling beneath me. The door creaks open, and Sage steps in, Nadira close behind him.

"There she is," Nadira sneers, her voice dripping with malice. "The murderer."

"Murderer?" My voice comes out as a hoarse whisper, disbelief twisting in my chest.

Sage doesn’t even look at me. Instead, he grabs my arm roughly, dragging me out of the cellar. I struggle against his grip, but he’s too strong, and Nadira’s mocking laughter only fuels my humiliation.

As we emerge into the main hall of the packhouse, I am greeted by the sight of gathered pack members. They’re everywhere—filling the room, lining the staircase, whispering amongst themselves. Their eyes land on me, filled with disgust and ridicule.

“She looks like a mess,” someone says loud enough for me to hear.

“Can’t believe she’d do something like that,” another mutters.

"Always knew she was trouble," an older woman adds, shaking her head.

Each word is a dagger, each glance a slap across my face.

I open my mouth to protest, but Sage tightens his grip, silencing me with a sharp glare. Nadira strides ahead of us, her head held high as if she’s already won whatever game this is.

"Step aside," she commands, and the crowd parts like the sea, clearing a path that leads to the grand hall.

My heart sinks. The hall is set up like a courtroom. At the front, the Alpha's seat looms, though Thane is the one seated there now. The Beta, council members, and elders sit beside him, their faces grim.

Nadira and Sage drag me to the center of the room, where all eyes are on me. My knees feel weak, but I refuse to fall. I won’t give them the satisfaction.

Thane’s gaze locks onto mine for a brief moment, and I see a flicker of something—pity? Concern? But it’s gone just as quickly, replaced by his usual stoic demeanor.

“What is this?” he asks, his voice cutting through the murmurs.

“She killed Caspian,” Nadira declares, her voice steady and loud. “We caught her red-handed.”

The room erupts in gasps and whispers.

“Killed him?” someone exclaims.

"Unbelievable," another voice chimes in.

Thane raises a hand, silencing the room. “Enough. Nadira, Sage, present your evidence.”

Nadira steps forward, her lips curling into a smug smile. “Sage witnessed the murder himself. He saw her with the weapon, standing over the body.”

My head snaps toward Sage, disbelief washing over me. "You’re lying!" I manage to croak, my voice raw.

"Shut up, murderer," someone shouts from the crowd, and laughter follows.

"Always so pathetic," another voice sneers. "Now she’s desperate."

I bite down on my lip to keep the tears at bay, but it’s no use. The humiliation is overwhelming.

"Is there no end to her madness?" a woman scoffs.

"She doesn’t deserve to be one of us," a man adds.

Their words swirl around me, each one heavier than the last.

Thane leans forward, his expression unreadable. “Sage, you claim to have seen her commit this crime. Is that true?”

Sage nods, his face devoid of emotion. “I saw her. She killed him without hesitation.”

"That’s a lie!" I shout, my voice cracking. But it’s no use—the room erupts again, the crowd’s disbelief turning to rage.

“She’s vile!”

“She deserves the harshest punishment!”

“Death is too good for her!”

I can’t breathe. The walls feel like they’re closing in, the weight of their hatred suffocating me.

Thane’s voice cuts through the noise again. “Silence!” He turns his gaze back to me, his eyes sharp. “Ayla, do you have anything to say in your defense?”

I open my mouth, but nothing comes out. My voice is gone again, stolen by the weight of their accusations.

"Of course she doesn’t," Nadira sneers. "She knows she’s guilty."

The crowd roars its agreement, their voices blending into a deafening cacophony.

And then, just as the noise reaches its peak, the doors to the hall burst open.

"Enough!"

The voice is commanding, firm, and unmistakable. The room falls silent as everyone turns to see him—Thane. But he’s not alone. Behind him stands the Alpha himself, his presence commanding respect and fear.

“What is the meaning of this?” the Alpha demands, his gaze sweeping over the room.

Thane rises from his seat, gesturing toward me. “They accuse her of murder, but there’s no trial, no evidence—just the word of two witnesses.”

The Alpha’s eyes land on me, and for a moment, I see something flicker in his expression. Recognition? Surprise?

“She deserves a fair trial,” he says, his voice final. “Take her to the holding cells. This will be investigated properly.”

The crowd murmurs in discontent, but no one dares to defy the Alpha.

Sage and Nadira exchange a glance, their confidence wavering.

As guards move to escort me out, Tha

ne steps forward, his gaze locking onto mine. “This isn’t over,” he says quietly, his tone unreadable.