Incurring The Alpha King's Wrath.

AQUA

The next morning, I woke up with the ability to barely breathe. My body protested against the lack of oxygen. My wolf must have sensed the danger before I did, because when I woke up, I discovered that my claws were out as I struggled against the pressure on my neck.

My eyes whipped open to see Gunnar's angry face looming over me, his hand wrapped around my throat. I instinctively tried to get him to loosen his grip but the difference between our strengths was too much, just like an ant trying to push a mountain.

“P-Please spare me,” I released a strangled grasp. I could feel my energy waning as my consciousness started to fade. Panic set in when I realized I could die like this so I kicked my legs against the sheets frantically, desperate to be set free.

Gunnar was naked from head to waist, his eyes cold and lifeless as he spoke to me, “How dare you steal my wolf energy? Who sent you here to sleep with me?”

“But I thought you were the one who requested me!” I protested, confusion coating my voice. I had no idea why he was this furious but his current deposition scared me so I added, “You said you wanted a third-tier submissive virgin wolf so they sent me here instead!”

“A virgin?”

I nodded, pointing to the blood-stained sheets underneath us. “Yes. I only came here because you requested me from my alpha.”

Gunnar suddenly released me and backed up while accessing the sheets. His face turned pale when he saw the proof of my innocence. He came down from the bed and started wearing his clothes quietly.

Seeing him like that, I was slightly relieved that he had decided to drop the issue until he barked, “Hello, is anyone there?!”

A few seconds later, Leon burst into the room,his eyes landing on my naked skin. I flushed under his stare and grabbed the sheets to cover myself while Gunnar growled warningly. When Leon’s eyes went to him, he said, “Summon your alpha, Keegan for me. Tell him we have an important issue to discuss.”

A while later, I found myself dressed and bound. Every nerve in my body was alight with tension as I knelt in the center, the eyes of the pack burning into me. My heart pounded in my chest, echoing in my ears like a war drum.

“Keegan,” Gunnar addressed the older alpha while pointing at me. “You knew the reason why I stayed in the Wind Ridge pack was to avoid females during their mating heat season, yet you sent a third-tier submissive wolf to my bed. Explain yourself.”

Keegan's eyes widened in surprise as he looked between me and Gunnar. “I have no idea what you're talking about. I never sent anyone to you.”

My heart skipped a beat at his words. I parted my lips to speak, but a throbbing headache hit me, silencing me once more.

Gunnar turned to me, the temperature around us dropping several degrees as he asked me, “You lied to me?”

“No, I didn't!” I shake my head in denial. My eyes land on my lover who is standing beside Juliette, his true mate. “Leon, say something. Tell him the truth, you are the one who sent me there saying that he requested me!”

Everyone’s eyes turned to him, silently asking him for the truth. Leon cleared his throat and declared, “I have no idea what she is saying. I never met her last night because I went hunting with Alpha Keegan, and I only arrived this morning.”

“That’s a lie! You said that Gunnar requested it from me!” I struggled against the persistent headache, my voice hoarse with pain and regret.

“No, I didn't!” Leon shot back, staring at Gunnar. “Alpha Keegan can vouch for me. Besides, everyone knows I'm a mated male. Why would I be with her at night when I could be with Juliette instead?”

I slumped back in defeat as murmurs of approval from the pack spread through the air. His words stung like venom, paralyzing me momentarily. How could he betray me like this? The one who had sworn to stand by my side, now the one condemning me.

The truth hit me again when I looked over at him, watching him stare at his mate with love and adoration. It was a look I knew so well, because he used to look at me the same way.

Leon never planned to leave Juliette, or the position his marriage with her would bring him. He lied to me, and used me.

Juliette, who had been staring at me with a triumphant smile, suddenly stepped forward and said, “Alpha Gunnar, now that you know the truth, please feel free to kill this tramp whenever and however you like. That's what she deserves for accusing a mated male like this!”

Her words spurred the rest of pack mates gathered around me, drawing out their shouts of agreement. Soon, I felt a shoe hit me from behind, causing me to cry out in pain. More footwear kept coming as they threw them at me.

Tears of humiliation and shame trickled down my cheeks. The fact that no one believed me hurt me very deeply but still I whispered, “B-But I'm innocent…”

The insults from the crowd poured into my ears until I nearly sank into the crowd. I had suffered a lot of things with the lowest rank but this was the first time I was being punished for a crime I didn't commit.

“Are you all done?”

The crowd instantly fell silent. My wolf cowered within me as a domineering energy surged into the room. The pressure was overwhelming, nearly forcing me into unconsciousness. I bit my lips hard to endure the searing pain.

When it suddenly stopped, I felt warm liquid trickling down my ears and nose. I wiped the blood away with my sleeve as Gunnar stood up from his seat and stared at the crowd.

“All of the details are not yet clear so I am postponing this trial for three days,” he announced. Something about him changed, enough to make everyone gasp and turn pale. He turned to Keegan and continued, “The next time we hold this trial, I want a clear explanation about this case. And I want nothing but the truth, do you understand me?”

Keegan's jaw tightened as he lowered his head, “Yes, Your Highness.”

“Good. Everyone's dismissed.”