Twenty Nine: Thief

ANNORA

Thief?

What was she talking about? My eyes darted around all corners of the room as I looked to see if I was the one Elara had her finger pointed at.

“Elara,” Lady Agnes called out as she stepped forward. “Let me handle this.”

I understood nothing of what was going on. I was too exhausted, too mad, to even think. What was this about? Alpha Aegon, with an expression I couldn’t decipher, asked what was going on,and Lady Agnes bowed before him.

“There has been a little problem,” She said. “Some of the jewels that were shipped in for Lady Wendeline’s birthday had gone missing and Elara thinks she knows who’s stolen them.”

My brows pinched together. She didn’t mean me, right? That would be absolutely ridiculous. I couldn’t move from my spot because I had my arms around Sora to support her. She was too tired to be involved in all of this.

“And who might that be?” Alpha Aegon asked.

“Annora, Alpha!” Elara snapped. “She definitely did.”

A small chuckle ripped out of my mouth. “You’re crazy, Elara. You are crazy. I am not doing this with you.”

“What? Are you going to deny it? You petty thief!”

“I have nothing to say to you.” I switched my attention to the Alpha who I still very much wanted to punch in the face. “Please ask her if she has proof of her accusation. I had no idea about a shipment, nor anyone’s birthday. If she has no proof then I have no reason to be kept here.

“Agnes, do you have any proof of this?”

Lady Agnes looked at me, eyes filled with sympathy that just irked me more. She looked at me like I was an animal in the rain or something. That was disturbing.

“I never would have brought such an issue to you if it weren’t for the kind of jewelry involved. It’s the diamond necklace you’d paid for, from the merchant overseas. I understand how much you contemplated and how annoying it will be if it’s not found.”

Suddenly, Alpha Aegon’s gaze turned cold. His jaw tightened and he asked Elara if she’d seen me take it.

“Yes, Alpha. I did last night and I am certain of what I saw. Tell Annora to lead us to the spot where she keeps her luggage, I am sure we’ll find something there.”

I was with Kairel last night, what’s a better lie?

“Luggage?” I scoffed. “What stupid luggage? I sleep in the storage room and slave for the Alpha. What do I own aside from these unironed, dirty khakis?”

Elara walked closer, eyes burning with hate. “Then you’ll come with me if you have nothing to hide.”

I rolled my eyes. 

“Lead,” Alpha Aegon. “Take me there.”

With my arms still around Sora, I led her to the storage room with Elara charging forward. A knot formed in my stomach and an uneasiness settled upon me. It lingered.

I could just sense that something had gone seriously wrong. Elara kicked the door open and barged in, stepping all over my mat that was still spread. 

She started to kick around the storage room, finding what’s not lost.

Folding my arms across my chest, I added, “You better find that evidence or you’re in trouble!”

I was seething, burning with rage. Soon, she found the stash with my underwear and sanitary products. That was embarrassing.

She tore it open and my bra and panty lay on the floor. At least they were washed. Sheesh. 

I looked around at Alpha Aegon who looked done and disappointed Lady Agnes. 

“Is that it?” I quizzed. “That's the diamond necklace? Or Lady Wendeline prefers these designs around her neck?”

Elara scoffed, picking up my bra like it was the dirtiest thing in the world. She started to massage the pad and then a smile played on her lips. “Got it,” she announced. “Did you think you were smart?”

I stared bug-eyed as she found a cut in my bra, with two fingers, she brought a small patch. 

“W-what’s that?” I exclaimed.

She tore it open and the necklace came into

sight. Elara smiled, “You’re pretty creative, aren’t you?”