Chapter 12
Alora’s POV
“Tie her up.” The chief guard ordered the guards that held unto me tightly so that I wouldn’t escape and they forcefully dragged me towards the center of the public space in the palace to do as they were instructed, with people gathered all around. I looked around feeling disoriented and utterly confused.
One moment I was in the banquet hall making preparations for Keira’s birthday ceremony and the next moment, they were forcefully dragging me out here against my will with the claims that I am a thief.
I’ve been trying to tell them that I wasn’t a thief and that I didn’t commit the crime that they were accusing me of but their hardened faces was enough to tell me that they wouldn’t listen to me even if I slit my throat right now in their presence to prove my innocence.
I have never stolen anything in my entire life so why would I start now especially when I know that consequences for doing such a thing? What’s worse is that I don’t even know what exactly they were accusing me of stealing in the first place.
“Kill her!” Someone yelled from the gathered crowd in front of me.
“She doesn’t deserve to live. She’s a thief and a traitor to this pack!” Another one said.
“Burn her alive!” And another till the whole crowd was chanting the same notion over and over again causing a huge uproar that didn’t look like it would die down anytime soon.
The whole chaos had me feeling terrified, confused and at a loss for words. Whatever is happening right now doesn’t look good for me at all.
“I-I didn’t do anything wrong. I swear on my life that I am not a thief.” I stuttered, my lungs at a loss for air.
“I’m innocent. I swear by the goddess that I’m innocent of whatever crime I’m being accused of. I didn’t do it.” I repeated frantically, In a bid to gain the pack’s sympathy but I knew that all my efforts were futile.
The hostile look on their faces told me that they didn’t believe me. None of them did.
“You’re innocent?” One of the maids mockingly asked with a scoff.
“You stole the Alpha mother’s jewelry and you have the guts to deny it? You’re the only one who had access to her room to clean earlier today and you decided to steal them when no one was looking p>
“No.” I muttered in a low voice when the accusations didn’t stop coming.
Grabbing me tightly by the jaws, the chief guard brought my face to meet his cold gaze. “By the time we’re done with you today, you’d know your place in this pack.” He swore vehemently and yanked it away.
Tears burned my eyes, blurring my vision as my emotions overwhelmed me. The hateful screams got louder than before followed by insults, curses and rotten fruits being hurled at me.
I felt hurt and betrayed by my own people. Nothing hurts more than being accused and tied up for doing something you’re not guilty or even aware of. It felt like a knife was driven into my chest and lodged there.
This must be how my father had felt that day before he was murdered.
“I’m innocent.” I whispered amidst tears. “I swear that I didn’t do it. I didn’t steal. I would never steal something as important as that.” I cried out but all my pleas fell on deaf ears.
From the corner of my eyes, I noticed a familiar figure push his way to the front of the line. It was Ryan followed by his sister Keira who stood behind him to shield herself from the angry crowd.
Ryan raised his hands to the crowd and they went silent almost immediately. Then, with steady strides, he slowly approached me.
“Why did you do it Alora?” He asked me, the hate and disappointment shining visibly in his eyes as he stared down at me. His mere presence intimidating.
Ryan has always been fond of his mother and whoever did this, was well aware of that fact. They knew that he would never go easy on the thief if he found them and so, knowing his hatred for me at the moment, they must’ve planned this to make sure that he hurts me but why?
“First your father conspired to kill my parents and now you are trying to steal from them? Why? Are you planning to avenge his death p>
I shook my head negatively, hurtful tears falling freely from my eyes. “I didn’t do it Alpha King. I know that you don’t trust me anymore but I would never steal from you p>
“Yes, I was in your mother’s room to clean earlier today and yes, I saw her jewelry because I knocked it down by accident but I swear that I kept it back where I found it. I didn’t take anything.” I explained but he doesn’t look convinced.
Instead, he looked more furious than before.
“If you don’t believe me then maybe someone can vouch for me.” I started and his brows furrowed together. “Another maid saw me when I knocked it down. She came in at that exact moment to call me to partake in other chores. She must’ve seen that I didn’t take it p>
“And what is the name of this maid?” He asked and I went silent because I didn’t know her name. None of them were even talking to me so how would I know?
“I don’t know her name but I will recognize her if I saw her.” I was quick to add and he paused for a few minutes to give it some thought.
“You better be right Alora because if your story isn’t true then I will order your execution right where you stand in front of everyone tonight.” He threatened with a sinister glare that shook me to my bones.
“Bring out all the maids that were assigned to work in the palace this morning.” He ordered and within minutes, all the maids were lined up in front of me.
“So which maid was it that saw you put it back?” He asked and with a lump in my throat, I scanned their faces until I saw her. I gestured at her and she was brought in front of him.
He turned to look at her. “Is this true? Do you agree with what she just said? Did she steal it or not p>
I glanced at the maid, hoping that she would testify that I am innocent. If there’s anyone in this pack who can save me or can vindicate me right now then it’s definitely her.
I saw her fidget as she played with her fingers nervously, afraid to look at me.
“Tell him please.” I urged her to speak when she didn’t say a word. “Tell him that you saw me and that I’m not guilty. Why aren’t you saying anything p>
I turned to look at Ryan. “Why would I steal something as important as your mother’s belongings? What do I stand to gain by taking them p>
“The truth is She started, glancing from my face to Ryan’s. “I saw her take it Alpha King. She’s not innocent. She’s the one who stole them.” She said and just then I felt my whole world come crumbling down in an instant.