The door burst open before I could say more. His Beta Caleb and a group of warriors stormed in. Their eyes widened as they took in the scene.
“What happened here?” Caleb’s gaze landed on Owen before it met mine.
I opened my mouth immediately without hesitation. “It was me. I killed her.”
The looks on their faces were unreadable, but I could see the disbelief in their eyes. But it didn’t matter, I had made my choice.
“Take her to the cells.”
I was dragged away and soon enough, my only friend, Cynthia ran after me. “Ariana!” she cried out, grabbing my arm. “Tell them you’re not the one who did it. Tell them the truth.”
Tears filled my eyes, but I couldn’t speak. All I wanted now was to protect Owen. I was finally dragged to the cell and it got slammed shut behind me. I was alone in the darkness, with nothing but my thoughts.
The Moon Goddess had always been cruel to me.
And tonight, she had been crueler than ever.
"Ariana, daughter of the exiled Alpha James,” Owen's father, Alpha Marcus spoke. “You stand accused of taking the life of Mara, a respected member of our pack. Do you confess to this crime?"
I knelt before the pack council, my hands bound with chains behind my back. The room was filled with pack members who all looked at me with pure hatred. Every face seemed to scream that I was guilty before I even spoke.
This was my chance to tell the truth about what really happened that night. But when I glanced at Owen and saw the silent plea in his eyes, I remembered his promise. I turned back to the council and forced the words out. "Yes, I confess."
Gasps and whispers filled the room. Of course they would react this way, the girl they already hated had finally committed a terrible crime, proving them right all along.
Alpha Marcus raised his hand and silence fell over the room instantly "Ariana, you have admitted to a grave crime. Before we pass judgment, do you wish to explain your actions?"
I tried to form a story through my panicked thoughts. "We argued. She said horrible things about my status, called me a cursed omega and insulted my family. I lost control." I knew this would be the most believable story.The outburst of a rejected, powerless girl.