Chapter 4: Sweet and Dumb

Hannah

The whip cracked against my back, as fire streaked across my skin. I gasped, struggling to keep the scream trapped in my throat. Eamon, my mate, my tormentor -loomed over me, his gaze cold and unforgiving.

“Please, Eamon,” I begged, my voice hoarse. “Let me speak to Maya, Is she safe? I need to know!”

Hours have blurred into days since I was dragged away and tortured.

Eamon had taken it upon himself to dole out my punishment, his aim to find who my accomplices were.

At first, I had pleaded and begged in the hope that my mate would see my innocence. He had not.

Tired of the repetitive questions I have instead leaned towards asking questions of my own.

He sneered as he snapped the whip again. “So, you do care for someone else. Shame you didn't show that compassion before trying to kill Vivian out of jealousy”

“I didn't! I’ve told you a thousand times, Eamon. I wasn't trying to hurt you or Vivian! I was only trying to save you! It was—”

His laugh was bitter, cruel. “Save me? From what? What were you saving me from, what was so dangerous that you, a wolfless, powerless wolf wanted to save me from?”

I flinched as his words cut deeper than the whip, tearing into the fragile

hope I still clung to it.

“You were under a spell.” I stammered.

“Lies!” he growled, striking me harder. “ Who gave you the poison? If you want to hear from your friend again you better Answer me!”

“What poison? It wasn't poison, it was a potion, meant to break the enchantment on you. I'm your mate, Eamon. I'd never hurt you.”

He scoffed in disbelief as his hand tightened on the whip, he leaned towards me “Is that why you tried to kill Vivian in the hope that I would choose you instead? Is that why you won't tell me who put you up to this?”

“I have no plans! No accomplices!” I sobbed, choking on my words. “I've never even left Red Crescent! Please, Eamon. Believe me—I'm innocent!”

“You have established the fact that you could never hurt me, and yet you still do not intend to confess who gave you the potion.”

I paused, my mind raced, at the thought of revealing my only accomplice, why couldn't I just spit out the truth? Why was I suffering so much while Luna Ivy sat on her throne without battling a lash?

Since the incident not once did she visit me, to speak up for me, or prove my innocence. I had hoped she was doing something in the shadows to help but days had gone by and still no news.

The oath I had recklessly sworn flashed through my mind, I pushed the fear I felt as I decided to speak.

“It was Llllaaa!” a gasp of horror escaped my lips at the sharp scream that ripped out of me, Prince Eamon arched his eyes in confusion.

“What do you mean by la? Is this a joke to you Hannah?”

I shake my head, waving at him for patience as I try again “I'm trying to say their name Alpha, I swear. The person who gave me the potion is no other person than lu…lu…llllllaannnn!”

The scream that followed is stopped by a sudden slap, a wave of nausea engulfs me as I wait for the wave of pain to subside.

Eamon’s look of shock rivaled mine as I realized I had slapped myself.

I looked at the offending piece of appendage that had moved of its own accord puzzled, unshed tears welled in my eyes as I wondered what was happening to me, why couldn't say her name.

“What is this Hannah? A game?” He growled as his eyes flashed with disgust.

Desperate, I shook my head and shuffled backward as I rushed to explain.

“This isn’t what It looks like, I want to say their name, it's on the top of my tongue. I just can't. Why can't I say her name, Eamon?” I cried as tried streaked down down my cheeks.

“I should have known you were wasting my time, you are not ready to tell me the truth. You think this is a game. It seems I have been too lenient with your torture. It has been decided by the elders that you are to be hanged for attempting to kill the future Alpha and his Luna. This was your last chance and you threw it away.”

“No please I beg of you Eamon, I don't know why this is happening to me, I want to talk but my mouth won't move. Please believe me. I beg you.” I cried, grabbing onto his leg.

Eamon kicked me away as he turned to leave.

As I watched him walk away from me a sudden anger overwhelmed me, I could not believe he would treat me this way.

“What happened to you? Why are you cruel? The Eamon I used to know cared for me, he protected me from everything. What changed between us to make you not even listen.”

He chuckled as he turned to face me, a flash of white teeth showing between his soft lips, “Is that why you haven't been giving me the answers I want to hear because you think I'll go easy on you?”

“I've told you nothing but the truth Eamon what more do you want from me, I was only trying to help. To free you from the curse—”

His eyes narrowed as he growled, interrupting me "You expect me to believe that? That you, a cursed child who brings death wherever she goes, acted out of pure intentions?"

The accusation sent a jolt of

pain through me. “What are you talking about?” I whispered.

Eamon leaned closer, his breath cold against my ear. “Did you think I wouldn't know? Everyone you’ve loved is dead, Hannah.

Your parents, your friends—anyone foolish enough to care for you. They even have a name for you. The destroyer. Bad luck. I guess they were right.”

“No!”

His words struck like a blow, and I screamed, a raw sound of anguish. Eamons laughter filled the room as he walked out, leaving me to wallow in my pain.

As hours passed all I could think to do was to pray that Maya was safe, unaffected by my decisions.

When the cell door creaked open, I barely flinched. “What now?” I muttered, expecting more pain.

Instead, a soft giggle met my ears. My head whipped up, and I froze. “Luna Ivy?” My voice cracked with disbelief.

She stepped forward, her gentle smile a balm to my battered soul. “Oh, my sweet child,” she cooed, her voice soft.

Tears welled in my eyes. “Please, Luna. You have to help me. They’re going to hang me tomorrow! Tell them I’m innocent—that Vivian’s the real culprit!”

Her expression hardened, and my heart sank. “You stupid girl,” she hissed. “You had one simple task, and you failed. Do you realize how much you’ve ruined?”

“Task?” I echoed, confusion swirling in my mind. “Luna Ivy, I don’t understand. What did I do wrong?”

“You’re truly clueless, aren’t you?” Her smile turned cruel. “I trusted you to carry out a plan, and you botched it. Years of careful preparation, ruined in a single moment.”

I shook my head, tears streaming down my face. “I didn’t mean to fail. Please, Luna, help me. I’ll do anything—just don’t let them kill me!”

My eyes flicked to the knife she held, and fear coiled in my stomach. “You poor thing,” she said mockingly. “I’m not here to kill you. This knife is for you.”

“What?” My voice trembled.

“You’ll be hanged tomorrow, stripped of everything, humiliated in front of the pack. This”—she gestured to the blade—“is my final kindness. A quick, painless death.”

“No,” I whispered, shaking my head. “I’m not a witch! I’m innocent! You know I’m innocent!”

Her cold laugh echoed in the cell. “And who would believe you? Certainly not Eamon. He’d rather see you dead than question his precious Vivian.”

The pieces began to fall into place. “The potion,” I murmured. “You gave it to me. You lied about Eamon being bewitched. Why, Luna? Why would you do this to me?”

Her smile widened a predator’s grin. “Because you were useful. A desperate, loveless girl willing to do anything for scraps of affection. You were the perfect pawn.”

Bile rose in my throat. “You manipulated me,” I whispered, horror dawning. “You never cared about me. All those years—was it all a lie?”

“Of course it was,” she said smoothly. “But don’t take it personally. I don’t care about anyone, least of all that brat, Eamon.”

My breath hitched. “You wanted me to kill him?”

“He should’ve died years ago,” she said, her voice sharp. “But like you, he has a knack for survival. Annoying, really.”

Anger surged within me, drowning out my fear. “You won’t get away with this,” I spat. “Eamon will find out the truth. The Alpha—someone will stop you!”

She laughed again, the sound cold and hollow. “Oh, sweet child. I’ve already won. All that’s left is for you to die. Quietly, if you’re smart.”

Her words struck like daggers, but I tried to hold steady, refusing to let it hurt me “I’m not cursed,” I said, my voice trembling.

“We’ll see about that” she laughed, As she turned to leave.

“You won't get away with this Luna, you can't” I scream after her.

Her laughter echoed around the room “Oh sweet dumb child, I have already gotten away with it.”