The Truth Before All Eyes

The Truth Before All Eyes
Myra couldn't breathe under the weight of the gazes that surrounded her.
Everyone's eyes were fixated on her like she was a curse, and their stares grew heavy and suffocating as the seconds passed in silence.
She glanced down at the floor and managed to swallow past the rising lump in her throat.
She pressed a hand to her neck, vainly trying to cover the mark, as if by doing that, it would disappear and no one would know about it.
But they knew. They all knew. Every single werewolf in that room knew she was the Alpha's mate.
Their stares were thick with disbelief and disgust— she could feel it resting heavily upon her shoulders.
Why now? Why here? Why me? She asked herself.
Yet, despite all this, the wolf was not bothered , seemingly content in burying its face in her neck.
Her fingers dug into her skirt as a lot of ugly emotions settled in her chest.
It raised its head almost immediately, like it sensed them all.
Its golden eyes locked with her frightened blue ones. Then its eyes softened and it gave a small murmur before it pressed its forehead against hers and closed its eyes.
Myra's breath shuddered at the surprisingly tender action of the wolf. Slowly, she felt small waves of calm through the mate bond.
She should have pulled away. But she was too weak and wounded, so she closed her eyes and let the calmness wash over her.
The wolf's big black paws closed over her smaller hands. And in that moment, it was just them: mate and mate.
The rest of the world faded.
'Mate,' its gruffly voice echoed softly in her mind.
She realized the wolf was connecting to her mind through the mate bond.
'Mate,' it repeated over and over like a mantra.
For a few seconds, it felt like peace.
But reality came crashing back when she heard Lucien say,
"What is the meaning of all this?" He dragged the words carefully.
Myra looked up then, and found his eyes boring into hers. She glanced at the floor and said nothing.
What was there to say, anyways?
A minute passed. "You're not deaf woman," Lucien's voice was slowly losing control over his anger.
She fixed her gaze on the floor stained with her own blood.
The wolf nudged her head, trying to gain her attention. But when she refused to look at it, it lowered to her lap and rested its muzzle on her hands, closing its eyes.
Lucien watched the scene, his jaw ticking. "What did you do to him princess?" He asked calmly.
Myra swallowed, too confused to speak. She felt tensed under the heavy stares of the silent, angry werewolves.
"Answer me!" Lucien barked, walking forward.
The wolf raised its head with a growl, like it despised Lucien's rude manner of talking to its mate.
Lucien shifted back to avoid any sudden attack. He studied the wolf, searching for any traces of Arthur. Unfortunately, there was none.
He tried to get the Alpha through the mind link but the bond was severed.
His mind raced in apprehension. How? How did that happen?
The mind link between the Beta and Alpha couldn't be broken off so easily.
He swung his gaze back to the princess. "What did you do? What have you done?" His voice was thick with fear.
"N-Nothing," she squeaked out. "I-I swear I didn't do anything."
"She's a liar!" Christine rushed over to his side and grabbed his arm. "She poisoned him!"
Myra's eyes widened in horror. "N-No I didn't do anything to him. I—"
"She poisoned him! She bewitched him. Can't you see that?" Christine sobbed, pointing an accusing finger. "She stole him from me. From us."
Lucien's gaze narrowed. "What did you do to him princess?"
"I swear I didn't poison him. Please let me explain," Myra said desperately.
"Don't listen to her. She's lying. She stole him! She took what belonged to me. What's rightfully mine." Christine cut in, wailing loudly.
The stares of the werewolves brimmed with fury.
"Christine's right. This woman has poisoned our Alpha," one advisor said.
"She isn't his mate. She's lying." A general spat. "A human mate? Fucking impossible. A human mate to the Alpha? Fucking dead impossible."
"Ha! She thinks we're idiots. But I must admit we underestimated this human princess," another general concluded.
Vincent—the Gamma—was silent as he studied her. He didn't join in. He watched her.
Christine pressed on, "Beta Lucien say something. Do something."
Lucien's jaw ticked. His fists clenched as he appeared to be deep in thought.
Could it be true? Hell no, it couldn't be true. She couldn't possibly be.... There had to be a mistake somewhere.
"I didn't poison your Alpha," Myra pleaded. "This is all a mistake. Please don't hurt me. I have done no harm."
"She wants to deceive you with her tears." Christine buried her face in Lucien's arms and sobbed. "She stole Arthur. She stole his mark. She must have cast a spell on him. She's a witch."
"I haven't done anything." Myra's lips trembled. "Please don't listen to her."
"Why?" Lucien scoffed. "Why do you think we'll believe you? You have our Alpha—the Alpha of Silvercrest—sitting like a dog next to you. You've made him senseless."
"I am innocent," Myra replied quickly, trying to defend herself. "Your Alpha forced this," she jabbed a finger on her neck, "on me."
The wolf whined suddenly, licking her fingers. It looked ashamed.
Lucien threw a glare at the wolf. He couldn't believe this big black puppy was the wolf of Silvercrest.
"You have some guts to accuse Arthur of something so ridiculously impossible," Vincent spoke up calmly.
"Arthur would never hurt me like that," Christine continued sobbing. "He would never choose a human."
"You did something to him," Lucien said. "And you better tell us what it is."
"Maybe she used black magic," an advisor muttered.
Gasps exploded and whispers floated among the council members, accompanied with dark glares.
Lucien's eyes widened. "Did you—"
"No I didn't" she cut in, looking horrified as well. "I am not a witch."
"She used black magic on him," Christine gasped. "She wants to kill him."
The whispers grew fiercer. "That's the only sane reason as to why the Alpha is against us."
"She is a wicked woman. And she seeks revenge."
"This has been her plan all along. To force the Alpha's mark upon herself."
"She wants the throne. What do we do now?"
Lucien was tensed. He didn't know what to do and he hated it.
"Did you use black magic on Arthur?"
"I swear I didn't," Myra whispered. "Please believe me."
"Are you going soft on her Beta?" An advisor questioned.
Lucien turned to him with a hot glare. "Shut your fucking mouth."
The advisor didn't cower. "Why? Because you're suddenly believing her words?"
"Watch your mouth," Lucien warned then turned back to her. "Explain how the mind link between Arthur and me is broken."
"I-I don't know."
"She knows! She's hiding the truth from us."
"Let's throw her in the dungeons. Lock her up till she says the truth."
"No," she refused. "I did nothing wrong."
Lucien glowered at her. "You claim you did nothing. But I see no evidence backing up your claims."
Myra tilted her chin, meeting his gaze even though hers wavered. "Your Alpha gave this to me. I don't know why. I didn't ask for it."
"How did you get the mark?" He threw a question at her.
She swallowed. She couldn't tell them. Arthur would kill her.
That night was never meant to be spoken aloud. The night he had given her a burden she didn't ask for.
She licked her lips, "I have no idea how I got it. Your Alpha would be in a better position to answer that question."
Lucien have a dry chuckle. "Our Alpha is currently a mindless dog who's under your manipulative spell. I doubt he knows where his left paw is."
Christine dabbed her eyes with a handkerchief. "She wants to be Luna. She's a whore. She's been spreading her legs for him."
" I do not!" Her cheeks burned with embarrassment and indignation. "I am innocent."
"We have to throw her in the dungeons. She's lying. She doesn't want to confess," Vincent murmured. "She used black magic and now she's denying it. Let's take her away. She's a witch disguised as a human."
Her heartbeat quickened. "I've done nothing. Listen to me."
"Guards!" Lucien bellowed.
At once, the doors flew open and guards poured in like they'd been waiting eagerly. Their hands were poised at their swords, ready to strike.
Lucien's order was sharp. "Seize that woman."
Before Myra could react, the guards strode over, their boots echoing against the floors.
When they were a few feet away, the wolf's eyes snapped open and it lifted its head up. It arose with a low growl and stopped them with an unblinking stare.
The guards paused their stride and retreated a few steps back.
"I said seize her," Lucien barked, looking furious.
They exchanged uneasy glances.
The wolf remained still, watching them, assessing them. It was no longer the docile puppy. It was the Alpha wolf.
The guards retreated even more. No one dared take a step forward. They couldn't attack their Alpha.
A vein bulged at the side of Lucien's neck. "I said seize her! Dammit!"
Ethan, the head guard, stammered, "B-But the Alpha is right next to her!"
Lucien walked up to him and pinned him with an authoritative glare. "Seize. That. Woman."
Ethan couldn't refuse the Beta's orders. He inhaled sharply and crossed the room with determined steps.
The wolf remained unmoving, fixing its unreadable gaze on him.
Ethan inched closer but the wolf didn't launch any attack. His body relaxed slightly.
Myra glanced at the wolf, wondering if it had suddenly changed its mind. It wasn't moving.
But Ethan was advancing closer.
"It's better if you don't put up a fight," Ethan stated, believing the wolf was on his side.
Myra felt a sting in her chest, realizing she was alone. The wolf made no move to protect her.
"Don't touch me. Don't come closer." She warned, her voice trembling.
"Don't listen to her. Grab her." Lucien growled.
But the moment Ethan's hand shot out and grabbed her arm, the Alpha wolf snapped, shedding off its calm stance.
It pounced on Ethan, shoving him to the ground. 'Mate. Mine.' It roared, raising his claws to tear him apart.
"Fucking shit!" Lucien swore and shifted immediately, running to them.
One by one, the guards shifted and followed Lucien. All against the wolf.
But the Alpha wolf was no ordinary wolf. It didn't tremble or cower at the sight of them. It snarled and dove in to attack.
The guards were strong but none could match the wolf's speed.
It moved forward, attacking each and all, making sure no wolf was spared from his wrath.
It was blinded by rage. It saw only its mate's wound and tears and sought revenge in blood. They had made her cry.
And now, they wanted to take her away.
Soon, the room was soaked in terrified squeals and wounded furs. The floors were painted with their blood.
The only wolf left standing was Lucien. They circled each other, each one baring his fangs to the other.
'Alpha snap out of this,' Lucien grunted in his wolf form.
'Hurt mate. I hurt you.' The wolf responded, narrowing its gaze, calculating its next move.
'She's not your mate.'
Wrong words. The wolf lost it. It charged straight at Lucien, knocking him back.
Lucien's wolf slammed into him, teeth sinking into its shoulder, but the Alpha wolf twisted and shoved him off.
Lucien's frustration was reaching its peak. He fought harder and tried his best, but he was no match for the wolf's vengeance.
Standing by the sidelines, Christine didn't like what she was seeing. The wolf was fiercely defending that low-life.
Het heart burned.
She turned to the few guards who were struggling to stand. "This is your chance. Go and seize her now."
They exchanged frightened glances. "W-We wouldn't dare." One replied, shaking.
"Did you see what he did to us? He'd kill us if we dare come close."
"I am ordering you to arrest that woman for black sorcery," Christine stomped her feet impatiently.
They shook their heads, their fear evident.
"You will do as I say."
"We're sorry Lady Christine," another refused gently, struggling with his injured leg. "We can't take her away."
Christine huffed and marched over to her. If they wouldn't do it, she would do it.
"You're coming with me." She hissed, grabbing Myra's arm.
"Let me go!"
"In your dreams. You're going to the dungeons. You can't steal what's mine." Christine ground out.
She dragged Myra across the room, despite the princess's struggles. She was hell-bent on throwing this filthy human where she belonged.
But the wolf sensed its mate's absence. It jumped off Lucien and turned around, not seeing its mate in sight. It let out a panicked moan.
Then its eyes alighted on Christine and the firm grip she had on its mate. It snorted and sprinted after them.
At the sight of the wolf charging straight towards her, Christine pushed Myra and moved back in time to avoid it.
The wolf rushed to its mate's side and pressed its trembling muzzle on her neck, assuring itself she was still there. Still his.
No one could take her away.
The pain, the tension, the heavy weight of emotions all weighed down on Myra. Her breathing quickened and her vision blurred.
She tried to be strong, to shove them aside but she was breaking from the pressure of holding it in.
The last thing she felt was strong, protective arms scooping her up gently, as if she were the most fragile thing in the world.
Then darkness swallowed her.