1. Prologue

I stepped out onto the balcony of my chambers and the night's cold air enveloped my body. I pulled the shawl around my shoulders tighter around my body.

I heard a clashing sound coming from Mrs. Cordelia’s chambers and a deep frown settled on my forehead because Mrs. Cordelia left two months ago to help Father on a mission. Leaving only me and Mother behind. And my brother is only to return home tomorrow evening.

I left my balcony and once I was back inside my chambers, I grabbed one of the candles that was lighting up my room. I heard another clashing sound in the chamber next to mine and my heart started thumping faster in my chest.

I carefully opened my bedroom door before I stepped into the dark hallway, I felt a cold sweat breaking out on my forehead, so I quickly brushed it away with the back of my hand. I walked down the hallway until I reached the door to Mrs. Cordelia’s chambers. Loud moaning and grunts were coming from inside the room, so I placed my shaky hand on the doorknob before I turned it, and then I stumbled inside the room.

A loud shrill escaped my mouth when I saw my brother and Miss Charles doing goddess knows what. He was standing behind her while strangling her. I ran out of the room and down the hallway until I reached Mother’s chamber.

“Mother, come quick! Brother is strangling Miss Charles in Mrs Cordelia’s chambers!” I yelled before I sat down on my mother’s bed.

“Mia, what are you doing up at this hour?” Mother asked me and I frowned at her words.

“Mother, Zion is killing Miss Charles. Get up!” I yelled at her, and Mother climbed out of her bed before she wrapped a white shawl around her arms. She left her room, and I followed suit. Once we reached Mrs. Cordelia’s chambers Mother angrily stormed into the room before she started hitting Zion on the back of his head.

I frowned when my eyes landed on Miss Charles, she was not wearing any clothes. How shameless can one be? Wait if Zion was trying to kill her, why would he require her to be naked?

“Mother stop hitting me! And give me a chance to explain.” Zion told our mother and she let her hands down to her sides.

“Explain Zion. Explain why this cheap tart is sitting naked in my house right now.” Mother told Zion and he pinched the bridge of his nose.

“I apologize ma’am.” Miss Charles said, and mother walked over to her, and she slapped Miss Charles so hard that the sound echoed throughout the house.

“Your father is to hear of this, I will send word to him in the morning. You are not deserving of my son or my family name. The alpha is already engaged to be married!” Mother yelled into Miss Charles’s face, and she started crying in her hands.

“This is not appropriate behavior for a beta’s daughter. You are a disgrace to this pack, Miss Charles. Now get your things and leave my house right this second.” Mother told Miss Charles and the girl that once seemed like a proper lady to me grabbed her dress before she scurried out of the room.

Zion glared at me, and I looked down at my feet because I knew that whatever was happening right now was because I told our mother.

“Zion, I am sending a letter to your father in the morning. You are to be punished for what you have done. And for what your sister had to witness. Shame on you Zion.” Mother said in a harsh tone before she grabbed a hold of my hand. “You are eight and ten years old and you had to witness such a heinous act. I apologize my beautiful girl.” Mother said and I frowned lightly.

What exactly happened between Zion and Miss Charles? Because I am still trying to figure out what it is that I witnessed because it was definitely not a murder.

Mother walked me into my room before she took my shawl from around my shoulders. She delicately placed it back inside my cupboard before she readied my bed for me. “Get some sleep, Mia.” Mother told me in a gentle tone, and I nodded before I climbed into my bed.

“Mother, what exactly have Zion and Miss Charles done?” I curiously asked my mother, and she gently ran her hand over my soft blonde hair.

“It is adult matters, Mia. But never you mind they are to be dealt with by your father and me.” Mother explained, and I frowned up at her.

“Please don’t let Father hurt, Zion,” I begged, and Mother nodded at me.

“Zion will be punished accordingly. Now go to sleep, sweetheart.” Mother said before she blew out all the candles in my room. She picked her candle up before leaving my chambers, and I frowned deeply. Whatever punishment Zion gets should also be mine because I got him into trouble with our parents.