Chapter 4 MY MATE’S BETRAYAL

Elara

The first thing I felt when I woke up the next morning was a splitting headache. I found myself naked, under sheets in an unfamiliar room.

Panic washed over me. Where was I? Why was I naked?

Memories of last night came rushing into my head and my head snapped to the side.

He was gone.

Horrified, I looked down only to be greeted by the red staining on the cover.

My horror only intensified when I glanced out the window and saw the light blue hues stretching across the sky indicating a new day.

I slept the entire night with a stranger!

My legs felt sore as I scrambled out of bed to grab my clothes sprawled all over the floor and threw them on.

Father was going to kill me.

By the time I returned to the pack, It was morning already. The shabby closet I called a room was located inside the main house where the Alpha and his family lived so I had no choice but to walk right in. I just hoped I'd be able to slip in without anyone noticing me.

My joy knew no bounds when I slid in through the front door and found no one in sight.

Luck must be on my—

“You ungrateful bitch!” A voice growled, sending a chill running down my spine. I froze on the spot.

I turned around to meet the blazing eyes of my father, his Luna standing beside him with a scowl on her face, and my evil sister right behind them.

At the same time, pack warriors surrounded me from all angles pointing their weapons at me. I was caught.

“Alpha,” My lips trembled. “I was just—” A yelp escaped my lips as my father slapped me hard. I crashed to the ground.

I held my cheek and looked up in shock. My father had just slapped me. Yes, Father hated me but he never raised his hand on me… till today.

“Sir—” A whimper escaped my lips as he grabbed a chunk of my hair and pulled me to my feet, forcing me to stare into his eyes.

“How dare you try to poison my family after everything I've done for you?”

My eyes widened in horror. Poison? What was he talking about?

Before I could process his words, another slap sent me crumbling to the ground.

“I saved your life!” My father roared above me, “I brought an illegitimate and cursed thing like you into my home and this is how you dare repay me?” He threw a small bottle at my feet.

My eyes widened as I recognized it as the bottle Jace gave me. I made sure to hide it before following Emma out yesterday so how did it end up in Father’s hands?

“You recognize it, don’t you? Emma found it in your room last night. She was caring enough to do so even after you left her to go get yourself screwed over by some damned wolf!” He spat in disgust.

My eyes widened in horror. That was a lie! I never left Emma, she was the one who drugged and left me instead!

“That’s not true!” I scrambled to my feet and caught sight of Emma stifling a laugh.“Emma is lying! Please believe me, father, she was the one who—“ I gasped as his hands wrapped around my neck.

“I am not your father!” He growled, his eyes were filled with hatred. “And don’t you dare blame my innocent child? You are an ungrateful mistake that should’ve never been born. I don’t know what I was thinking when I saved your life back then. I should have left you to die, just like your mother did!”

It felt like a dagger had been shoved right into my heart as tears gathered in my eyes hearing his hurtful words.

All my life, I've wanted nothing but my father’s acceptance. I wanted him to love me, to embrace me and call me his own but he never did. My birth mother abandoned me and my father was about to kill me.

How ironic.

“Please,” I sobbed, “I didn't do any—”

“Shut up!” He barked, “What you have done amounts to treason and you shall pay with your life.” Father finally let go and I collapsed to the ground.

“Arrest her! This traitor tried to kill my family. She will be executed at Emma’s party tonight to show everyone what happens when anyone tries to mess with my family!” Father ordered.

And just like that, I was dragged away amidst all my cries and pleas for innocence and thrown into a dark cell. The moment I was alone in the confinement of the stinking cell, I broke down completely.

What was going on? Why was I suddenly being blamed for a crime I knew nothing about? I had—

“Had fun last night?”

My head snapped up to see Emma standing outside the cell, a smirk on her face.

“Tsk, tsk, tsk, my heart breaks for you dear sister, you look terrible.”

“You…” Anger bubbled in my veins as I made my way to her. “Why did you do that? What have I ever done to you?”

She scoffed, “Are you seriously asking me that? How dare a bastard child like you suddenly show up at my house one day and think you ever had a chance of getting my father’s love?” Her eyes turned embers as she glared at me.

“ I am Alpha Asher's only daughter—his legitimate daughter! Don’t think I’ll let you take anything from me. Father’s love and everything good only belongs to me!”

I didn’t know if it was pent-up anger or if I was just disappointed but the only words I uttered were “You are a fool, Emma.”

So much jealousy….so much hatred when I never had a place in Father’s heart, I’ve never dreamt of taking anything away from her either.

“You dare you call me a fool?” Emma’s face turned red but she burst into laughter the next second. “You are the fool here, Elara, not me.”

At the same time, a man appeared out of nowhere. My heart did a little flip as I recognized his blonde hair and a new hope swirled within me.

Mate!

My mate was here to save me!

But all my hopes were shattered when Jace took Emma in his hands and kissed her, right in front of me.

I stared at them in shock. What was going on? Why was my mate kissing my sister?

“Why do you look so shocked? Don’t tell me you thought he was here for you?” Emma laughed mockingly.

“I’m sure she did, baby. She has always been a fool.” My mate snorted next to her.

Baby? Did he just call Emma baby?

“A fool I wouldn’t have been able to get rid of if you hadn’t helped me.”

“Help?” I finally found my voice. What was Emma talking about?

“Why did you think Jace gave you that poison? Did you think he wanted to poison the Alpha?” Emma’s question hit me like a ton of bricks.

Thump… thump… thump…

All I could hear was my heart beating as I stepped back.

Jace wouldn’t… Jace couldn’t have done that to me, could he?

But one look at his face told me all I needed to know.

My sister had framed me and my mate helped her do it.

“Look Jace, she’s crying.” Emma mocked and the two of them burst into laughter. “You better save your tears for tonight little sis, I’ll make sure you die a terrible death.”