As I sat on the cold, damp floor, trying to make sense of everything that
had just happened. My wrists were raw from the ropes they used to drag
me here, and the metallic taste of blood lingered in my mouth. My mind
replayed the scene over and over-the lies, the accusations, and worst of
all, the betrayal.
Scarlet and Layla had weakly cried to the brothers, spinning their web of
lies so convincingly. They claimed I had dragged them to that room for
revenge, that I attacked them out of jealousy and spite. Their trembling
voices and tear-streaked faces painted them as victims, and the brothers
had fallen for it.
"Are you serious?" I had shouted as they dragged me out. "You're really
going to believe them over me?"
Nathan had glared at me, his jaw tight. "You've already proven you're
dangerous, Mia. What else are we supposed to believe?"
"Of course you would believe her. When did you ever believe me?" I gave
a bitter chuckle.
I could feel a smirk played on his lips; this was all planned, and he
wanted me to suffer, and now I feel like suffering more.
My chest had tightened at his words, my heart breaking a little more
with every step they took toward the dungeon. I had tried to explain, to
defend myself, but no one wanted to hear me. To them, I was guilty. To
them, I had crossed the line.
Now, sitting in the dark, the weight of it all crashed down on me. The
brothers-the ones bound to me by the mate bond-had chosen to trust
Scarlet and Layla over me. They didn't even hesitate.
I leaned my head back against the cold stone wall, closing my eyes as
tears slipped down my cheeks. I had been planning to leave, to escape
this nightmare, but they had pulled me back in, trapping me once again.
"They're never going to let you go," Ima murmured in my mind, her
voice heavy with anger. "You need to fight, Mia. You can't let them break
you."
"They already have," I whispered.
The sound of footsteps echoed down the corridor, and I opened my eyes
to see Nathan standing in front of the bars. His arms were crossed, and
that infuriating smirk of his tugged at the corner of his lips.
"Enjoying your stay?" he asked, his tone dripping with mockery.
I glared at him, too exhausted to fight. "What do you want, Nathan?"
He leaned against the bars, his gaze sweeping over me. "Just checking in.
Wanted to see how our little murderer is holding up."
I clenched my fists, my nails biting into my palms. "I didn't do anything
to them, and you know it."
He chuckled, shaking his head. "Doesn't matter what I know. What
matters is what everyone else thinks. And right now, they think you're
guilty."
"Because you made sure of it," I snapped, the anger bubbling up despite
my efforts to stay calm. "You planned this, didn't you? You and your
brothers. You've hated me from the start, and now you're using this as
an excuse to get rid of me."
Nathan's smirk faltered, just for a moment, but it was enough to confirm
my suspicions.
"You're delusional," he said, his voice cold. "We don't need to plan
anything. You're doing a fine job of digging your own grave."
I stood, my legs shaky but steady enough to bring me closer to the bars.
"I might be stuck here now, but I won't stay down forever. One day,
you'll regret everything you've done to me."
He scoffed, pushing off the bars. "Keep dreaming, Mia."
As he walked away, his laughter echoing behind him, I sank back to the
floor, the fight draining out of me.
Why moon goddess I fell in their trap. I was about to run away from all
this drama but here I was again stuck with their trap.
The next morning, they came for me. Two guards unlocked the cell and
hauled me to my feet, dragging me out of the dungeon and into the harsh
light of day. My eyes burned as I adjusted to the brightness, and I
stumbled as they pulled me toward the main hall.
The room was filled with people-pack members, the girls' parents, and,
of course, Alpha Diego. His stern expression didn't falter as I was
brought forward and forced to kneel before him.
Scarlet and Layla stood off to the side, their faces bandaged and bruised.
Their parents were beside them, shooting me looks of pure hatred.
"This is outrageous," Scarlet's father barked. "This girl needs to be
punished! She nearly killed my daughter!"
"She's a danger to everyone," Layla's mother added, her voice trembling
with anger.
I tried to speak, but Diego raised a hand, silencing me.
"Mia," he said, his voice calm but firm. "Do you have anything to say for
yourself?"
I swallowed hard, my throat dry. "I didn't do it. They're lying. I was
defending myself, and they know it."
Scarlet let out a bitter laugh. "Defending yourself? Against what? Your
own jealousy?"
Layla chimed in, her voice shaking with mock indignation. "You couldn't
stand that we were better than you, so you tried to take us out."
My blood boiled at their words, but I forced myself to stay calm. "You
attacked me," I said, my voice steady. "I was trying to leave, but you
wouldn't let me."
Diego's eyes narrowed as he looked between us. "Is that true?"
"Of course not!" Scarlet exclaimed, her voice rising. "She's just trying to
save herself. You can't believe her."
The room erupted into chaos, everyone talking over each other as
accusations and defenses were thrown around. I sat there, my head
spinning, wondering how I had ended up here.
Ima growled in the back of my mind, her anger burning bright. "They're
trying to destroy you, Mia. You need to show them who you are."
But I couldn't. Not yet.
"Silence!" Diego's voice boomed, cutting through the noise.
The room fell quiet as he turned his attention back to me. "Mia, this is a
serious accusation. If what they're saying is true, I'll have no choice but
to punish you accordingly."
I met his gaze, and wished, being a father he could believed me once.
"I'm telling the truth. They set me up."
Diego studied me for a long moment before sighing heavily. "We'll
investigate further. Until then, you'll remain under watch."
I was dragged to my feet once more, my chest tight with frustration and
fear. As they led me out of the hall, I caught Scarlet's smug grin.
They won, and I have finally given up.