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.

I know you may not believe me but I truly didn’t hurt anyone and I would especially never hurt a baby. If I am wrongly executed today then please don’t deprive me of my last

see the uneasiness in his eyes. His jaw clenched as he

James. I was there at your wedding… I was with your mate when she gave birth to your child! Please just grant me five minutes to say goodbye. Please.” Tears began

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

was already waiting for me at the bars, his expression holding a mixture of

wanted to, really I did, but I knew it would be

I knew that 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 you say that you’re on the way to the trial grounds?

 I grimaced at the

was Thea’s baby,” I said. “They all think I poisoned her with some sort of

child? But that’s insane! Why would they accuse

searched my room too. They apparently found the herb in question under my bed, even though I’d never seen

show so much emotion before, so much sadness. Even when mother had

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

Everything I’d done had brought shame to our family.

never disappointed me, nor could you ever.” His voice was so gentle, so quiet, yet filled with so

infertility was announced, I saw

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. I should have

falling 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

cold metal bars to be closer to him. As best as he could, though awkward given the bars between us, he

cleared his throat behind us. “It’s time to go,”

knew this must have been a strange or maybe even difficult sight for him to watch. Not too long ago, he had served under both of us, looked up to us. Yet here

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