Chapter 6: Restless Shadows Anna POV

While pacing on the cold stone floor of my little, dim chamber, I whispered to myself, "He's not guilty." The words reverberated quietly in the quiet, but they had no effect on the knot of anxiety in my chest. I kept thinking about Leo's face, how exhausted he had been, and how he had reached through those bars as though it might be our final touch.

I had barely slept. Every time I closed my eyes, I saw the stranger's accusing look and the bloodstains on Leo's hands and clothing from being dragged through the pack's common area. My mind would not let me rest; all I wanted to do was close my eyes and forget, if only for a short while.

Pale light filled my chamber as morning broke, and I made myself sit up. Another day to live—another day in the pack. However, the idea of doing my regular tasks today was intolerable. Oliver's derisive tone and the sneer on his face as he ordered Leo to be cast into the cells were still audible to me. I clenched my fists at the vision, but what could I do? Here, I was nothing. However, it also didn't feel right to do nothing.

My thoughts were interrupted by a harsh knock, and I straightened as the door opened. Two guards entered, their expressions stern and uncaring.

Without even looking at me, one of them said, "You're wanted in the dungeons."

My heart fell. Another day of grueling work in the dank, filthy depths of the pack’s prison—a punishment they reserved for omegas and traitors. Silently, I followed them out, bringing my thoughts back to the here and now as we made our way down the winding stone stairs into the dim hallways of the dungeon.

The familiar smell of damp stone and something stale that I tried not to think about filled the air. With rows of iron bars creating shadows on the floor, the cells extended in both directions.

With my fingers already hurting from the notion, I headed to the dungeon's corner where I normally scrubbed down the walls. I heard someone shuffle closer from the other cell as I was picking up a brush.

“Hey, you made it back.”

Startled, I looked up to see another omega, Maia, standing across the bars. Despite everything the pack threw at her, she was a wiry girl with keen eyes and an unyielding spirit. We weren’t exactly friends—wolves like us didn’t have the luxury of friendship—but she was as close to one as I’d ever had.

I lowered myself to start cleaning the rough stone floor after nodding. “Barely. It's been a long evening."

Leaning against the bars, she looked at me intently as usual. “You’re worried about him, aren’t you?”

I swallowed while continuing to look at the ground. “Of course I am. Leo’s all I’ve got.”

Maia whistled quietly. “They’re saying he was caught red-handed with that kid. Everything was covered in blood. I heard the stranger even saw it himself.”

Even though her comments hurt, I clung to what Leo had taught me. "He didn't do it. I don’t care what they say; I know him better than anyone. He would never harm anyone, particularly a child." A fire flickered in the pit of my stomach as I spoke more firmly than I had anticipated.

Maia gave a slow nod. "Well, no one will believe a couple of omegas like us, whether he did or not."

I bit my lip in an attempt to suppress the dread that was swelling in my chest as the reality hit me hard. She was correct; our voices meant nothing in this group. Silently, I scrubbed the floor, allowing the rough strokes to divert my attention.

Hours slipped by as I worked, my mind drifting between memories of Leo’s gentle words and the dark possibilities that lay ahead. What if he was not believed by the pack? What if the stranger's charge was sufficient grounds for his condemnation? The stress was eating away at me until my hands started to shake, making it difficult for me to concentrate on my task.

"Anna."

I was startled out of my reverie by Maia's whisper. She was cautiously looking around before bending down closer. "You should do it if you do have the opportunity to speak on his behalf. Don't allow them to silence you."

I nodded despite the dreadful concept. If I could, I would talk. I owed it to Leo to fight, if there was any possibility at all.

By evening, I was worn out from scrubbing the cold stone floors, my arms heavy. The gloom was heavy, and the walls of the dungeon closed in about me. Because anxiety was eating away at my gut, I had hardly eaten all day. I just wanted to get out, to dash back to my room and pass out. But as I stood, I was obstructed by a shadow.

There stood one of the guards, his face unreadable. "You. It’s time.”

I blinked, momentarily perplexed. “Time for… what?”

He simply motioned his head for me to follow, without responding. A feeling of dread sank in my gut, and my pulse raced. Was the trial already underway? I knew I couldn't hesitate, but I hadn't been ready for it to happen so quickly. Leo's life was on the line.

I followed the guard out of the dungeon, giving Maia one last look. Her eyes were filled with what appeared to be both encouragement and sympathy as she watched me leave. I was hoping to see her again.

Tension was in the air when we arrived in the hall. The lofty stone walls echoed with the whispers of a huge number of pack members. From a distance, I could make out Oliver standing in the front, his erect, powerful stance. As I was led forward, his eyes didn't even dart toward me.

Realizing that the judgment was about to start made my heart rush. The high-ranking wolves who would determine Leo's destiny were already sitting in the council.