Chapter 2

ADELE STARK'S P.O.V

My mind was racing, trying to figure out how to get out of this situation. I knew I was in big trouble but what happened? Eleanor was supposed to be on the lookout.

"Explain yourself!" my father's voice was like thunder, filling the room. This was the first time he was speaking so harshly to me. He looked so disappointed in me. Like he never expected me to do this.

I took a deep breath, trying to calm myself. I knew I had to speak carefully, or I would only make things worse.

"I…I can explain," I stammered, my voice shaking in fear.

"Then explain, and make it good!" my father's voice was stern, and I knew I had to convince him.

"It's just that I…"

"I told you your highness.." Eleanor's fake cries suddenly filled the room and I turned to look at her in surprise.

"She's been having an affair with the enemy and she wanted to steal the map to give to him!" Eleanor's words were like a dagger to my heart. I couldn't believe she would lie like that, especially about something so serious.

"That's not true!" I exclaimed, my voice full of desperation. But I could see that my father was already convinced.

"Please, you have to believe me!" I begged, my eyes pleading with him. But it was no use. He had already made up his mind.

"Eleanor what are you saying? You asked me to do this?" I turned to her. I looked so lost. What was happening?

Everyone stared at me with contempt.

"What are you saying Adele? Are you going to drag me into this. Just confess already, I'm your best friend, I care for you a lot…" she faked a sob as she dramatically wiped off a ball of tears at the corner of her eyes.

"You're lying!" I shouted, my voice full of anger and disbelief. I couldn't believe she would stoop so low, and accuse me of something I didn't do.

"Stop this at once!" my father ordered, his voice full of authority and I could feel myself shaking with fear and anger.

"Please, you have to listen to me!" I begged, but it was no use. They had already decided that I was guilty and seeing it with the map proved it all.

"Alpha Stark. Believe me I tried to talk Adele out of it. I even asked Malcolm to talk to her. But she was so stubborn and head over heels for her lover. I had no choice but to come tell you before she expected her evil plans.." I froze as I finally understood it all.

I was being framed and Malcolm…why was he silent?

Malcolm stood there, a smug look on his face. He was enjoying seeing me squirm, and he was getting away with it all. My heart sank, and I felt like the world was collapsing around me.

"Malcolm! How could you?" I whispered, my voice barely audible.

He just smiled, a cold, cruel smile that sent shivers down my spine.

"Father please believe me it's a set up…" I cried falling on my knees.

"I have no lover and I was not going to hand the map to anyone. Its just Eleanor that…"

"Adele, I can't believe you're this shallow minded. Eleanor is your best friend why drag her into this.." Malcolm interuppted as I looked down.

Their hands were entwined together, which only meant one thing, they were together.

It was like a punch to the gut. They were together, and they had set me up. I was being framed, and there was nothing I could do about it. I felt like a fool, for trusting them.

My mind racing. I was trapped, with no way out. I was at their mercy, and they had none.

"Take her away!!!!" My father ordered turning his back on me and my shoulders fell instantly as the guards grabbed me.

I was dragged out of the room, my mind reeling. I tried to scream, to fight, but it was no use. They were stronger than me, and they had the upper hand. I was being taken away, and I didn't know what would happen to me.

I was so scared, my whole body trembling. I felt like I was going to pass out, the world spinning around me. I wanted to wake up from this nightmare, but I knew it was real. This was my life now, and I had to face it.

******

I was dragged helplessly to the Tower of stones. The Tower of stones was notorious for its harsh conditions and was considered one of the most feared places in our pack. It was where traitors we're executed and I never believed I was going to be taken there as a traitor some day.

As I entered the room, the door slammed shut behind me. The room was lit brightly, with different torches burning in the corner.

I could see the silhouette of different people standing in the room including Eleanor and Malcolm.

Then a man stepped forward, and I felt my heart sink. It was my father, the Alpha, and he looked at me with disbelief and disappointment in his eyes.

"I cannot believe you would betray me like this," he said, his voice cold and hard.

"You have betrayed your family, your pack, and everything we stand for. You are a traitor, and you must be punished."

"Father believe me" I uttered softly.

"I'm your only daughter and you know I would never do such.." I felt his gaze soften but then a voice broke out.

"Alpha, this is a great crime and the accused should be executed!!" The vice said coldly.

I turned to see the pack's adviser standing by the door, his eyes full of malice. He hated me, I knew that, and he would do anything to see me punished. I turned back to my father, pleading with my eyes for him to believe me. But I could see the doubt in his eyes, and I knew I had to convince him, or I would lose everything.

"Please, let me explain," I said, my voice shaking with emotion. "It's not what it looks like."

"Then explain the child you're carrying in your womb. The child of your lover?" Eleanor asked and I frowned in disbelief.

The child was Malcolm's.

"Father believe me, Malcolm is the father of my child…" I tried to sound convincing and everyone turned to face Malcolm.

Malcolm's eyes widened in shock and he feigned surprise.

"It's not true!" he exclaimed. "I never touched her, I swear!"

"Malcolm!!" I yelled in trears.

"Believe Alpha. Adele never allowed me to touch her…." He raised his hands up as of swearing to prove his innocence.

But I knew it was a lie, Malcolm was the father.

"Lies!" I screamed, unable to contain my anger any longer. "He's lying, he's the father of my child!"

I pointed an accusing finger at Malcolm.

"You would really accuse me of this?" he asked, his voice breaking in pretence.

I didn't know what to say. I knew the truth and I couldn't let him get away with this, not when he was going to ruin my life.

"Malcolm you…"

"Enough!!!" The pack's adviser. Roberts yelled.

"No more word from you treacherous woman. Not only did you try to sell the pack out. You're also carrying a bastard child. Alpha she should be executed this minute and you have to pass the judgement even though she's your daughter. She's not fit to live!" She stated in a firm voice and I could only cry uncontrollably.

I turned to my father. He was the only one I had. But it looked like he had made up his mind as he signaled a guard who stepped forward with a sword.

I watched my father walk away from the room, did he just pass the judgement to kill his only child without investigating?

Malcolm and Eleanor looked happy.

Two guards grabbed me and placed my head on a stone.

I shit my eyes closed as I cried silently. My unborn baby, everything was over.

I silently wished I could turn the hands of time and rewrite my mistakes.

I cried helplessly when I felt a fold metal steel on my neck and my world went blank.