FALSE ACCUSATIONS

FALSE ACCUSATIONS
Kael’s pov

“Now!” I shouted.

I’m trying to convince myself to believe her, but I have to be certain; she has to show the chat she had with whoever that person was.

“I can’t. The chat isn’t what you all think it is,” she said, her voice shaking.

“Celine,” I said quietly, “I’m only asking for the truth. Nothing more.”

She said nothing. Her fingers twisted around each other, her body trembling though she tried to hide it.

“I’ve never once doubted you when others questioned your loyalty. Not even when Freya accused you,” I said, stepping closer.

Her eyes met mine. I could sense she was hiding something.

“Then why does it feel like you’re doing it now?”

“Because you’re giving me no choice,” I said, my voice low but sharper than I intended.

Her lips parted, as if to respond, but no words came. She turned away, staring blankly at the wall.

“Celine,” I said again, softer this time, “whatever it is, tell me before it gets worse.”

She shook her head. “I told you already. There’s nothing on this phone.”

I exhaled slowly.

“Then unlock it. Let me see, and I’ll believe you completely,” I said firmly.

She turned back, and as her eyes met mine, I saw tears dropping down her cheeks.

“Kael, please, not tonight,” she whispered.

If not tonight, when then? It breaks my heart seeing her in such pain, but why is she so protective of her phone?

Without another word, I turned away, rubbing a hand over my face.

“Fine, do whatever you want,” I muttered.

I crossed to the bed and sat down. The untouched dinner tray sat on the table, the food already cold. I didn’t care anymore. The hunger I felt wasn’t for food but for clarity, for trust, for her honesty, or are all these too much to ask?

Lying back, I stared at the ceiling.

Freya seemed confident about what she saw, though I know she’s just driven by her thirst for vengeance. But this was extreme. And Celine isn’t making matters better.

But the tremor in Celine’s voice… the way she clutched that phone like her life depended on it. It all made me doubt everything I’d fought to believe about her.

She betrayed no pack instinct, no remorse, just fear. And fear always came from guilt or love. I couldn’t tell which one hers was anymore.

I shut my eyes, pretending to sleep.

Few minutes later

I heard footsteps as the bed dipped beside me when she climbed in, her movements slow and hesitant.

She lay with her back turned, as if the distance could erase the tension still pulsing in the air.

We both remained silent; just two hearts beating under the same roof, separated by a truth she’s afraid to reveal.

And though I kept my eyes closed, I knew sleep wouldn’t come.

Who would believe her mother was the powerful Elara? And that she’s also a hybrid? Why then would she want to attack her people?

Wait, what the fuck is going on here? She said her mother and father were farmers. How the hell did it turn out that she’s Elara’s daughter?

There are a lot of questions she needs to answer. That’ll be tomorrow.

I was still staring at the ceiling when sleep slowly drifted over me.

The next day

I opened my eyes, it was morning already. I glanced at the other side of the bed, but Celine wasn’t there.

Where has she gone? Just then, I heard the sound of the shower running. I walked toward the bathroom, then suddenly stopped.

What was I doing? I needed to be hard on her so she could provide answers. She’s definitely the one inside, no need to ask.

“Be fast, I have a meeting to attend,” I instructed.

“Yes, Alpha,” she answered.

Lying bitch!

I sat back on the bed and saw about five missed calls from an unknown number. Then I noticed three missed calls from Elder Ren.

“What would he be calling for when we’re having a meeting?” I exhaled.

Just then, Celine came out with a towel wrapped around her. I walked past her as I took my bathing robe.

“Good morning, Alpha,” I could hear her say, but I ignored her, walking toward the bathroom.

I took a quick bath, stepped out, went to my wardrobe, picked an outfit, and headed to my inner room.

There, I got ready and headed out to the hall.

The Elders were already waiting; they greeted me as I walked in.

“Sorry for keeping you all waiting,” I apologized, sitting down.

“Alpha, we placed calls last night, trying to reach you,” Elder Ren said.

“I’m so sorry, I was busy. You can tell me now. What is it?” I asked.

“Last night, we were attacked,” he said.

“Attacked by who?” I asked.

I hoped it wasn’t Celine’s men again.

“They were the same people who attacked the last time. They attacked the Irion region, which is known to be deserted but they succeeded in killing about four men, while one survived. He ran to me and insisted he wanted to speak to the Alpha that minute. We tried calling you but got no response,” Elder Ren explained.

“What do we do now, Alpha? This is getting out of hand,” Elder Herald said.

“The survivor said they were werewolves, and after they succeeded in killing, they shifted back and used human weapons on the dead bodies,” he paused.

I felt my heart pound hearing this.

It wasn’t truly Celine.

“Go on,” I urged Elder Ren.

“I think they kill, then use human weapons so we would believe the humans did it,” Elder Ren said.

“Where’s the survivor?” I asked.

“He’s dead. He was injured and struggled to explain this,” he replied.

“We need to find out who they are and what they want,” I said.

“How do we find them?” Beta asked.

“He mentioned they left after achieving their aim; ending lives,” the Elder added.

This is strange.

“Like I said earlier, we must know who they are,” I said as I rose to my feet.

“This meeting is over,” I announced as I left.

I’ve been accusing the wrong person.