Chapter 7: mate

Exalia's POV.

"Hurry to the gates!" 

"Secure the alpha!" 

The guards yelled, rushing towards different directions of the mansion. My heart raced as I tried to understand what was happening.

"The rogues are attacking the clinic! Hurry!" The nurse yelled, running past the prison.

Rogues? Attack?! Father! My heart sank as I followed the guards. Each step filled with terror, as I hoped it wasn't as bad as I thought.

"Where's my father?" I asked a guard who walked past me. He scoffed indifferently, continuing on his way like I never existed. 

"Where's my family? Where's my father?" I asked another guard standing by the corner. He turned to me, his gaze fierce as he rolled his eyes.

Why wasn't anyone listening to me? Why weren't they answering me? I'm not invisible, am I? Maybe it's not as bad as I think.

My father is the beta after all. He's a skilled warrior. Nothing bad will happen to him. Yes, he's safe. He's definitely safe.

But what if he isn't? What if he's injured in battle? He hadn't recovered fully from his last wounds; could he survive an attack? From the multitude of guards running, I could tell it was a fierce one. I really hoped he was okay.

Pacing around my cell, I sat by the corner. Wrapping my arms around my knees, I bowed my head, tears clouding the corner of my eyes.

Dear goddess, please protect my family. Nothing can happen to them. Not right now. I need them.

My breaths slowed down as my heartbeat steadied. I could feel a heavy force cradle me in its arms as my consciousness slipped away. What's going on, I thought to myself.

My breathing seized, the darkness becoming one with me as I fell to the floor. 

"Exalia...." 

A voice called out to me.

Squinting my eyes open, I found myself floating in the abyss. Panting, I turned, drifting my gaze through each corner in search of light. Nope, I was met with total darkness. 

What is this? Where is this? Did I die? What's going on?

"Exalia..." 

The voice echoed through the abyss.

"Who's there?" I asked, narrowing my eyes in search of the figure.

"You know who I am, Exalia," she said, her voice stern.

Know who she is? Is she kidding me? 

"I don't know who you are. How am I supposed to know that if you're in hiding?!" 

"I am the moon goddess," she echoed.

Moon goddess? This must be some sick game. 

"And I must be alpha," I said, rolling my eyes.

"You seek to save your family..."

Hearing her words, I choked on my saliva. How did she know that? Wait, anyone can know that. Even Maria would know that. Ohhh, I get it. This is all some sick game planned by that bitch! I'm sure she's the one behind this damn illusion. 

Why would the moon goddess appear to me? Hell, does she even know I exist?

"Enough of the questions, Exalia! To save your family, you need to be one with your wolf." 

Splash!

"Get up, slut. Alpha Axel has requested your presence," the guard sneered. 

Shuddering, I staggered to my feet as I tried to understand the events of earlier. Was that a dream? What did she mean by becoming one with my wolf?

"Move!" He yelled, pushing me forward.

As we approached the meeting room, he threw me to the floor ruthlessly. 

"Al..." 

Squelch!

His head suddenly rolled to the floor beside me. 

"Ahhh!" I shrieked in horror.

"Who dares touch her?!" Axel asked, his tone deep as his veins sprouted out.

"Alpha, let's hold a trial for her, right here and right now!" 

"Yes, we need to know who murdered Alpha John!"

The atmosphere bellowed with murmurs and jeers. I was innocent; there was no need for a trial.

"Enough!" Axel yelled, silencing the once noisy hall.

"Who's the prime suspect?" He asked, arching his brow.

"She's the murderer!" 

"She should be hanged!" 

"I witnessed her murder him with my own eyes!" The lady I still didn't know yelled.

"She stabbed him in the chest with that silver rod!"

"Pathetic!"

"She was so bent on being his woman; I'm sure he rejected her, and she killed him!"

"I didn't do anything! I'm innocent!" I yelled at the top of my voice. 

"You dare argue? You should be a rogue! I'm sure you're bitter after Alpha Jake's rejection!"

"What did you say?" Axel snarled, his fists clenched as his face grew red with anger.

The hall went into a deafening silence, his heavy breaths echoing through the room.

"Everyone who pointed fingers at my mate will be hanged!" 

Gasp!

Everyone looked at each other, the shock in their faces evident as they covered their mouths with the palm of their hands.

"I'm not your mate. I hate you so much I'd rather die than be bound to you."