Chapter Five

Murder in the Fort

~Freya~

I sat on my nuptial bed, contemplating the whirlwind of events that had unfolded in my life over the past two weeks. It felt as if I had been swept away in a dream, where everything had transpired at a breathtaking pace. From that fateful encounter with Alpha Orion at the tavern to his subsequent visit to my humble home, and now, here I was, wedded to him.

I am his wife, his mate.

The ceremony had been grand, a joyful celebration attended by Papa, Emelda, and Klaus, who genuinely reveled in my happiness. However, the presence of my stepmother and Sophia was a mere obligation, their disapproval of our union unmistakable.

But they could no longer hold sway over me. I was finally free, unshackled like a bird. Uncertain as I was about what awaited me in this new life, I couldn't help but feel it would be a vast improvement from the torments I endured at home.

Despite the apprehension that gripped me, I couldn't deny the flicker of hope within my heart. Alpha Orion's behavior at the tavern and his unwavering support against my stepmother's objections had shown glimpses of a good man hidden beneath his fearsome reputation. Inexplicably, he had chosen me, a self-perceived nobody, over others. While I remained unaware of his reasons, I cherished his decision.

Yet, a lingering worry gnawed at me—the acceptance of our union by the people of Moonstone Haven. Would they embrace me as their Luna? Even if Alpha Orion did, could I win over the hearts of his subjects?

Lost in contemplation, I marveled at the beauty of the Fort, our new home. Until now, I had only admired it from afar, but now, I owned a room within its ancient walls. Fate had intervened, leading me to Orion's ancestral abode, where countless Lycan kings before him had resided and governed their people.

"My dear Luna, you look radiant today," Alpha Orion's mother entered the room, her warm smile lighting up the space.

"Greetings, Luna," a young maiden named Hannah curtsied respectfully before me.

"She is your maid, Hannah. She shall attend to your needs and accompany you on any errands," Alpha Orion's mother informed me.

"Thank you. Hello, Hannah. It's nice to meet you," I greeted her warmly.

"Freya, make sure to rest well. Orion wasn't here yesterday, and he won't be with you today either. Something important has come up that requires his attention," Orion's mother expressed her disappointment.

"Oh," I replied, looking up at her before casting my gaze downward, shyly.

"I'll leave Hannah here so you can get to know each other better. I'm glad you're here with us," she said, giving me a quick hug and a bright smile before departing.

Hannah, a calm and innocent maiden of fourteen, seemed like someone I could easily befriend. Instructing her to fetch more firewood for the fireplace, I entrusted her with the task and turned my attention back to the room.

A gentle knock on the door interrupted my thoughts.

"Hannah, please check who it is," I requested.

Hannah opened the door, revealing Sofia's smiling face as she rushed forward to embrace me.

"I'm so happy for you, sister. I can't believe my sister is married," Sofia exclaimed. Her sudden show of compassion raised suspicion within me. Did she think I was oblivious to her ulterior motives? Nevertheless, I played along, returning her embrace.

"We will be leaving tomorrow. Can I come to visit you whenever I want, Freya?" she asked.

Was she out of her mind? I had long prayed for an escape from her and her wicked mother. Her newfound friendliness wouldn't change how I perceived them—they were forever branded as selfish and malevolent in my eyes.

"Of course, why not? You're welcome to visit anytime," I replied, my words laced with false enthusiasm.

During the wedding preparations, my family had been provided accommodations within the Fort. However, now that the wedding was behind us, Papa had returned home to prepare for his next journey. Sofia, Klaus, and my stepmother were the only ones remaining with me. Thankfully, as Sofia informed me, they would depart tomorrow. It was a relief to hear.

"Mother, send her regards," she conveyed while about to depart.

I couldn't help but find the notion amusing. "Oh, how sweet. Please tell her that I already miss her," I responded, feigning sentimentality.

If Sofia wished to play pretend, I would meet her halfway.

"Take care of yourself," I bid her farewell as she exited the room.

****

Eight hours had passed, and midnight had descended upon the Fort. The moon cast its radiant glow upon the land, and I found myself awakening from an unknowing slumber. Exhaustion must have overtaken me. Stepping out of my room, I sensed a faint hum of activity within the Fort's walls.

Curiosity sparked within me, and I made my way to the maid's quarters. Having instructed Hannah to rest for the day after fetching firewood, I sought her presence. However, my exploration went beyond my initial purpose—I yearned for a stroll, for something to dispel my boredom. I recalled hearing rumors of a zoo within the Fort's confines. Perhaps it would satiate my curiosity.

I went to the maid section first to look for Hannah where another maid replied to me.

"Greetings, Luna. Hannah mentioned she wanted to bring dinner to you so that you would have something to eat when you woke up. She said you had fallen asleep very early," the maid addressed me with the utmost respect, a glimmer of acceptance apparent in her eyes.

It seemed the people were gradually embracing the choices of their Alpha.

"Thank you," I replied, genuinely touched by her kindness.

Hannah had proven herself to be sweet and considerate. Satisfied, I decided to return to my room. Surely, she would be waiting, assuming she hadn't noticed my absence.

As I entered my chamber, however, Hannah was nowhere to be seen. Instead, my eyes fixated on a tray placed upon the table, laden with food and an assortment of fruits. Hunger gnawed at me, and I was eager to partake in the meal. Yet, a haunting sight caught my attention—a motionless figure lying on the floor, near the corner of the room.

My breath caught in my throat. It was Hannah!

A wooden stake protruded from her chest, crimson blood staining the floor. The scene was unfathomable. I felt a surge of panic, collapsing to my knees. Was this a cruel hallucination?

But as I knelt before her lifeless body, reaching out to touch it, the reality became undeniable. Hannah had been murdered. Questions raced through my mind—who could have done this? And why?

Before I could recover from the shock, the door to my room swung open.

The guards had arrived! Relief washed over me. Were they here to protect me and warn me of the lurking danger within the Fort's walls?

I tried to speak, to convey the tragedy that had befallen Hannah, but to my astonishment, I found myself surrounded by the guards. Sofia barged in, her voice accusingly pointing in my direction.

"She had a fight with her maid. She killed her!" Sofia's voice rang out, venom dripping from her words.

Confusion clouded my thoughts. I struggled to find my voice, but the weight of the accusation silenced me.

To make matters worse, blood stains from my encounter with Hannah tainted my hands, leaving me defenseless against Sofia's incriminations.