Chapter 91 The Pendant
Ella’s eyes widened as they locked onto something glinting a short distance away. Her pulse quickened, and hope flared in her chest. Finally, she thought. She cautiously approached the object, her heart pounding with anticipation. If this was what she thought it was, it could prove someone else was here—someone other than her might be responsible for the vampire’s murder.
But as she drew closer, her hopeful smile faltered. The object lying on the ground wasn’t just any trinket. It was a pendant—her pendant.
Her breath caught as she picked it up, her fingers trembling. The intricate design was unmistakable, and the tiny gemstones around the locket in the center and the initials S.C at the back of the locket were burned into her memory. She had worn this as a child, a small token of comfort during her turbulent years. Her stepmother had taken it away when she was older, claiming she had sold it. But here it was, lying at a crime scene. How? Why?
“Are you going to transform or not, Ella?” Morgana’s cold voice snapped her back to the present. Morgana was watching her intently, her lips curling into a smug smile. “What’s the matter, Ella? Did you find something to prove your innocence, or are you just stalling for time? Just confess already and let's get this over with.”
Ella quickly stuffed the pendant into the folds of her gown, her movements swift and deliberate. Turning around, she met the curious, expectant eyes of the small crowd who had gathered at the scene.
Morgana’s lips curled into a smirk as she observed Ella’s every move. For a brief moment, Morgana had feared Ella might have found something incriminating, something that would ruin her plans. But now, seeing Ella empty-handed and cornered, she relaxed. She was certain this accusation would stick, and Ella would finally be out of the picture for good.
Ella crossed her arms, her expression calm but firm. “Confess to what, exactly? Going for a run? That’s the only thing I’m guilty of. If you want me to admit to murder, you’ll need to do better than just presenting some baseless evidence.”
The crowd murmured in surprise at her audacity. Even Valen, who had been silently observing, raised an eyebrow.
Morgana's smile faltered, but she quickly recovered. “Bold words for someone whose scent is all over a crime scene. Care to explain that?”
Ella took a step forward, her chin held high. “Gladly. She began, her voice steady as she met Morgana’s gaze. “I came out for a run last night. And just as Scottie had said, My wolf needed the release because I haven't let her out since I arrived here. That explains why my paw marks and scent is here. But as I’ve said before, I didn’t murder anyone. I’ve never even seen this vampire before.”
Morgana’s smirk faded. She had expected Ella to crumble under the pressure, to beg and plead for mercy. But instead, Ella was standing firm, even challenging the so-called evidence.
“So, you want us to believe that your scent and marks at the crime scene are just a coincidence?” Morgana snapped, her voice sharp and mocking.
“Exactly,” Ella replied calmly, her composure unshaken.
Morgana let out a dry laugh, her frustration bubbling to the surface. “Am I the only one who sees how ridiculous this sounds? Why are there no other paw marks or scents here except yours, Ella?”
Ella smiled faintly, her confidence cutting through the tension like a blade. “You’re assuming the killer left no trace of themselves. But have you ever thought that maybe someone deliberately made it look like I was the only one here? A little too convenient, isn’t it?”
The crowd’s murmurs grew louder, and Morgana’s frustration was palpable. “Are you accusing someone of framing you?”
Ella took another step closer, her voice unwavering. “I’m stating the obvious. Whoever did this wanted to make me look guilty.
Morgana’s composure was slipping, her anger bubbling to the surface. “That’s a clever story, Ella, but it doesn’t hold up. “Frame you? Why would anyone go to such lengths to do that? What could they possibly gain?”
Ella’s voice was calm, yet her words carried an edge. “Maybe I’m seen as a threat to someone’s position, and this is their way of trying to get me out of the picture.”
Her statement sent ripples of murmurs through the crowd again. People exchanged glances, unsure of what to believe. Morgana blinked, momentarily thrown off by Ella’s response. Valen, who had been quietly observing, couldn’t help but grin. Ella didn’t need his protection after all—she was handling herself just fine. Just like the queen she is.
Derek, on the other hand, was deep in thought. Ella’s words had struck a chord. If Ella’s claim was true, it meant someone wanted her gone badly enough to set her up.
Morgana clenched her fists, her composure slipping. “Don’t you dare accuse me, Ella!” she hissed. “Yes, everyone knows I don’t like you. But even I wouldn’t stoop this low! My reputation speaks for itself.”
Ella shrugged, her expression neutral. “I never said it was you, Morgana. But just like you’re using the presence of my scent and paw marks as evidence against me, let’s not forget—there’s no blood or scent of the victim on me. If I’d killed someone, wouldn’t there be traces? At least Valen should have been able to confirm that.”
At the mention of his name, Valen straightened. He met Ella’s gaze and understood her point immediately. She was right. When he had found her sneaking back the previous night, there had been no trace of another scent—no blood, no signs of violence. Only the earthy aroma of the field clung to her.
“Yes,” Valen said, stepping forward. “She’s right. I don’t think Ella is the murderer.”
Morgana’s head snapped toward him, her face a mixture of anger and disbelief. “What are you talking about, Valen? You can’t just defend her like this!”
“I’m not defending her,” Valen said, his voice calm but resolute. He turned to address the crowd. “Actually, I should’ve mentioned this earlier. Ella did go out for a run last night—I caught her sneaking back in. But as she said, someone who just committed a murder would carry the victim’s blood and scent. When I saw her, she had none of that. She was clean.”
The crowd murmured in agreement, some nodding as they processed Valen’s statement.
Morgana whirled on him, her voice sharp. “Stay out of this, Valen. Your bias is showing.”
“Bias?” Valen smirked. “I’m just stating the facts. If anyone’s biased here, it’s you. You’ve been gunning for Ella since she arrived.
The crowd shifted uncomfortably, the tension thick enough to cut with a knife. Morgana’s face flushed with anger.
“But if you all are still convinced she’s guilty,” Valen continued, “then we should do a proper investigation. Compare the paw marks on the field and the claw marks on the victim's to hers. Determine the exact time of death and see if it aligns with her movements. Let’s not jump to conclusions without all the facts.”
Morgana’s jaw tightened, her hands clenched into fists at her sides. She was losing control of the situation, and it was infuriating. “If she’s innocent, Valen,” Morgana said through gritted teeth, “why are there no other paw marks or scents at the scene?”
The crowd fell silent again, the question hanging heavily in the air.
“That can only mean one thing,” Derek said, stepping forward for the first time since the argument began. His voice was calm but carried an undeniable authority. “This was done with the help of a vampire.”
All eyes turned to him, confusion and curiosity written on their faces. “What are you talking about?” Valen asked.
“The murderer had help. The first time Ella was captured,” Derek began, “I came to retrieve her, and we were ambushed. Many of my soldiers were taken down because we couldn’t detect the vampires’ scent. They’ve learned to mask it. The claw marks on the victim show he was attacked by a werewolf, but the absence of the killer's scent suggests a vampire helped cover it up.”
The crowd gasped, the revelation sending shockwaves through them.
Morgana’s face turned pale and for the first time, she seemed genuinely rattled as she realized the tide had fully turned against her. If she pushed any further, she risked exposing herself.
Valen’s expression darkened as his voice boomed with anger. “An intentional murder happening in my territory? Unbelievable!” He turned sharply to Dorian. “I want this investigated thoroughly. Find out exactly what happened here!”
The crowd buzzed with nervous energy, their attention shifting to Dorian.
Dorian nodded, his face serious. The crowd began to disperse, the weight of the incident heavy on everyone’s minds.
Morgana swallowed hard, her unease palpable. If they dug too deep, the truth might come to light. And for once, Morgana wasn’t sure she could manipulate her way out of this one.
Ella let out a quiet sigh of relief as the attention shifted away from her. But as she felt the pendant hidden in her gown, a nagging question lingered in her mind: Who had brought it here, and why?