Chapter 90 Evidence
Ella and Valen stepped out into the hallway, where Dorian, Scottie, Derek, Morgana, and the two vampires accompanying her stood waiting. The air was thick with tension, and Ella felt the weight of their accusing gazes.
“We’re going to the crime scene,” Valen announced firmly. His words cut through the silence, commanding attention.
Morgana blinked, momentarily caught off guard by his decision, her confident smirk faltered for a split second, her surprise breaking through her mask of calm. She hadn’t planned for this turn of events.. She hadn’t expected this. Her plan had been simple—bring Ella to face the council and let the fabricated evidence do the rest. But now they were going to the crime scene, What if they were able to unravel something else there?
“That’s… unexpected, seeing the provided evidence” Morgana said, quickly recovering. Her lips curved into a strained smile. “ But Of course. We can go to the crime scene. If that's what you want” she said hoping that Sandra hadn't made a mistake.
Ella caught the brief hesitation in Morgana’s response, and her sharp instincts told her she was right to insist on going. Morgana was clearly hiding something. Her jaw tightened, and she vowed to uncover the truth. She couldn’t sit idly by while they conspired to frame her. She's not some weak werewolf who can't fight for herself.
Derek, standing a few steps away, frowned deeply. He stepped forward and took Ella’s hands, his touch firm but filled with concern. “Ella, can’t you see what’s happening here?” he said softly, his voice almost pleading. “These people are setting you up. This is a trap. You can’t go with them to the crime scene. I don’t know what Valen told you, but this place isn’t safe for you.”
Valen’s eyes darted to Derek’s hand holding Ella’s. A surge of irritation flared within him as he watched Derek lean in, whispering words he couldn’t make out. Valen’s jaw tightened. He didn’t like it—didn’t like Derek’s closeness to Ella or the way his voice seemed to carry a layer of intimacy.
“Alpha Derek,” Valen said coldly, his voice sharp, “you came here to see me, but as you can see, we have a pressing matter to attend to. I suggest you return another day.”
Derek turned to Valen, his icy glare matching Valen’s intensity. “I’m not going anywhere, Valen. My mate has been accused by your kind, and I won’t leave her side until I’m certain she’s safe.”
The word mate hit Valen like a punch to the gut. He wasn’t sure why it bothered him so much, but it did. Morgana’s sharp intake of breath broke the silence. Anger and jealousy simmered beneath her calm exterior—two powerful men were vying to protect Ella, and it only made her loathe the woman more.
Morgana’s lips curled into a smirk as she watched the Alpha and Lord Valen lock eyes in a silent battle.
“Derek,” Ella said softly,breaking the charged silence. She pulled her hands free from his. “It’s fine. I can handle this.”
Derek looked at her, reluctant but unwilling to push her further. He stepped back but remained close, his eyes fixed on her protectively.
Without another word, they all left the manor and made their way to the crime scene.
The clearing was eerily silent. The usual sounds of the forest were absent, replaced by the oppressive scent of blood and death. The sight before them was brutal: a vampire’s mutilated body lay twisted on the ground, claw marks raking through his chest. Paw prints marred the earth around him, and tufts of fur clung to the surrounding trees.
“This is the crime scene,” Morgana announced, stepping forward. Her voice carried a smug confidence as she gestured toward the evidence around the body. “And as you can see, the evidence is overwhelming.”
Ella’s wolf stirred within her, growling softly. Lila’s strength had returned, grounding Ella and filling her with determination. But the sight before her made her heart race.
Ella’s sharp gaze swept over the scene. Paw prints scarred the earth, fur clung to tree bark, and her scent lingered in the air. Every detail had been carefully arranged to implicate her. Her mind raced as she pieced together what had happened.
Morgana walked over to one of the paw prints, gesturing dramatically. “These match the size of Ella’s wolf form,” she said. “And her scent is all over the place. There’s no doubt she’s the culprit.”
Scottie stepped forward, her brows furrowed in disbelief. “How do you know that?” she asked sharply. “No one has seen Ella’s wolf since she arrived in Devil’s City. So how can you possibly recognize her paw prints?”
Morgana stiffened, the unexpected question momentarily throwing her off. A flicker of panic flashed in her eyes before she quickly masked it.
“Well,” she said, recovering with a forced smile, “her scent is unmistakable. It’s only logical to assume the paw prints match her wolf form. If you’re still in doubt, why don’t we have her transform to confirm it?”
Her words sent a ripple of tension through the group. Silence fell as all eyes turned to Ella.
Ella’s heart sank. She knew Morgana had trapped her. If she transformed, the paw size would match perfectly, and so would the fur color.
Seeing Ella’s hesitation, Morgana’s smirk grew wider, her triumph palpable. “What’s the matter, Ella?” she taunted. “Are you afraid of the truth coming out?”
Valen, who had been silent until now, stepped forward, his voice calm but firm. “Ella’s wolf is weak,” he said. “She’s been struggling since arriving in Devil’s City. She can’t transform right now.”
Morgana turned to him, her eyes narrowing. “If her wolf is weak,” she retorted, “then how did she transform and kill the vampire? Stop making excuses for her, Valen. If she’s innocent, let her transform and prove it.”
The group fell silent again, the weight of expectation pressing down on Ella. She could feel their eyes on her, waiting, judging.
Derek stepped closer, his presence steadying her. “You don’t have to do this,” he whispered.
Ella didn’t respond. Her sharp eyes scanned the scene, desperate for something—anything—that could point the evidence away from her.
Her gaze locked onto something.
Her breath hitched. That’s it.
A sigh of relief escaped her lips as she took a step forward.