A Gift from the Goddess

Chapter 5

The cells were cold, damp and dingy, with little amenities. Only a bed, toilet and basin were given to me, a single blanket being the only thing to warm myself. There was minimal space, each cell having three stone walls and bars along the wall where the door was.

 Seven days had now passed and so today, finally, I was set to stand trial before the pack for my alleged murder. I knew the evidence was stacked against me. In fact, it would be almost impossible for me to win this. The only hope I had left was that Sophie was still alive. If she could testify saying she had witnessed firsthand how I’d been inside my chambers all week, therefore making it impossible to have poisoned Thea, then they would be forced to open the floor to the possibility I was not the culprit.

 “Get up,” a guard gruffly ordered from outside my cell.

 I recognised him. His name was James and I had visited his family on multiple occasions on behalf of the ranked members over the years.

 Shakily, I stood up per his request, having not eaten properly the whole week from stress, and made my way to the side.

 James came in and pushed me up against the stone wall, forcing me to wince from the pain. But I knew the bruises would just blend in with the others I’d received already. Due to anxiety and lack of food, my injuries were not healing as quickly as a werewolf normally would.

 “Will Sophie be at the trial?” I asked once he had shoved me out of the cell.

 He didn’t reply, instead choosing to remain completely silent as he continued to push me towards the exit. I couldn’t tell if he had been instructed not to talk to me, or if he just genuinely hated me now.

 We were walking past the other cells and, as we did so, my eyes checked each one through the bars, desperately searching for Sophie. I needed her to be there. I needed her to prove me innocent.

 However, once we passed the fifth cell, my eyes glanced across a man with familiar silver hair.

 “Father!” I cried out, struggling to move towards him against the strength of James.

 “Aria?!” he gasped. “What are you doing down here?”

 I struggled some more against James, but his grip was far stronger than mine. He kept trying to shove me towards the door and I realised that I was not going to be able to win this by strength alone.

to my father one last time. I know you may not believe me but I truly didn’t hurt anyone and I would especially never hurt a baby. If

unreadable, but I could see the uneasiness in

your child! Please just grant me five minutes to say goodbye. Please.” Tears

still looked conflicted but he finally gave me a stiff nod in agreement. I sighed in relief, eternally grateful for his compassion. “Thank

already waiting for me

you out,” I cried to him. “I wanted to, really I did, but

there wasn’t anything you could do,” he soothed. “I’m grateful you didn’t try to rescue me. I accepted the consequences and knew what I was doing. But why are you down here anyway? Did

grimaced at the

I poisoned her with some sort of herb to induce a

the child? But that’s insane! Why would

They searched my room too. They apparently found the herb in question under my bed, even though I’d never seen it before in my life. I have no idea how it was planted

His eyes were watering at the sight of my tears. I’d never seen him show so much emotion before, so much sadness.

I was such a disappointment to you, to our family,” I cried, looking up to

brought shame

disappointed me, nor could you ever.” His voice was so gentle, so quiet,

me as such. When my infertility was announced, I saw how you were.

 “No! Of course not,” he said, almost offended. “I was disappointed in how the Goddess had given you only more bad luck. I was disappointed in how a deity so great had chosen you for one of our highest ranks, only to let you suffer so much. I knew how Aleric treated you, and I didn’t do anything. I should be the one apologising, not you.

down his face heavily. My father, the Beta of the country’s largest pack, so strong and powerful, was crying to me, apologising to me about how he didn’t commit treason sooner by helping me escape. It was overwhelming to hear, causing

could, though awkward given the bars between us, he then tried to wrap his arms

then cleared his throat behind

sight for him to watch. Not too long ago, he had served under both of us,

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