The rogue queen
Chapter 1
Benita’s breath came in gasps as she looked back in fright. Her legs moved fast as she ran, breathing heavily.
Suddenly, she was pulled into a corner. A hand clamped over her mouth.
The guards ran past without noticing her. Finally, the hand let go, and Benita turned to see her sister.
“Rina?”
“Shh.” Rina placed a finger on her lips, silencing her, then grabbed Benita’s hand and pulled her along.
“Where are we going?” Benita asked.
“Somewhere away from the guards,” Rina replied without looking at her.
Benita followed her quietly. Seeing her sister calmed her, made her feel safe— unlike moments ago when it felt like the world had ended.
Rina led her into one of the rooms in the mansion.
She looked around, making sure no one was there, then closed the door and turned to Benita.
“I swear I didn’t do it,” Benita said, stepping forward.
Rina smiled. “I believe you.”
Benita’s lips curved into a slow smile. She felt relieved.
“But no one else is going to believe you, Benita. Everyone saw the CCTV footage.”
Benita quivered, then looked up at Rina. “But I swear, I’d never do anything to hurt our father. I never poisoned the apple. I never would.” Her voice started to tremble, and Rina hugged her immediately.
“It’s alright. I know you wouldn’t.”
Benita sniffed, and Rina pulled away from the hug.
“I need to prove I’m innocent. Rina, you’ll help me, right?” Benita asked, hope in her voice.
Rina was silent. Then, they heard noises outside. The guards were searching each room.
“Oh no. What should I do?” Benita asked in fright.
Rina glanced behind her. The voices were getting closer. She looked at Benita and exhaled.
“Take off your clothes,” Rina ordered.
Benita stared at her, confused. “Why?”
“Just do as I say, Benita. Hurry up,” she said, breathless.
Benita quickly pulled off her clothes, and Rina did the same. She handed her clothes to Benita to put on, then started walking toward the door.
“Rina, wait,” Benita called, running to her. “What are you trying to do?”
Rina pressed her lips together. “Do you trust me, Benita?”
Benita glanced back. The guards were already in the next room.
She nodded quickly.
“The CCTV didn’t capture your face clearly, so no one knows who the actual culprit is.”
Benita shook her head. “No. You’re not doing that. No, you aren’t.”
Rina held her shoulders. “Benita, I can’t watch you suffer for something you know nothing about. The guards are already in the next room. Hurry and leave through the window.”
“No, Rina. I won’t let you do this. We’re leaving together.”
Rina gave her a sad smile. The guards were banging on the door now.
“There’s no time, Benita. Don’t be childish. Leave, quickly.”
Tears trickled down Benita’s face. She held Rina’s hand, refusing to go.
All her life, Rina had always taken her punishment. Even though they didn’t share the same father, Rina loved her dearly.
Now, the Alpha was dead, and the last person with him had been Benita. He’d dropped dead after eating the apples Benita had given him.
No one else was there. Her screams had alerted everyone. They checked the CCTV footage, and Benita was accused of poisoning him.
And now, Rina wanted to take the blame.
They’d never spare her, especially the Beta, whose eyes had been on the Alpha throne. He’d use this chance to wipe out their entire family for treason.
“Rina, promise me you’ll stay alive. Promise me you’ll come find me,” Benita said, tears still running down her face.
Rina only smiled.
The guards were close to breaking the door.
Benita climbed out the window and jumped down quickly.
Finally, the guards burst into the room.
“Take her,” their leader said, and Rina was dragged out.
Benita covered her mouth tightly, trying not to make a sound. She cried silently as she knelt by the window.
Two days later, the video of Rina being shot for treason was all over the net.
WHO WOULD BELIEVE ALPHA KILLIAN WOULD BE KILLED BY HIS OWN DAUGHTER?
HOW PITIFUL.
Benita crouched down in a dark inn, crying as she read the comments.
Beta Gideon had carried out the punishment himself.
Her father's burial, the Alpha, was carried out quickly. Benita, dressed in black and well-disguised, attended the burial. She stayed till her father was buried, and then it started to rain.
While everyone was running around to hide their heads, Benita stood drenched in the rain.
Suddenly, an umbrella was over her. She could no longer feel the rain on her, and she turned to see her mother.
Her mother grabbed her arm and dragged her away from the funeral site to her car.
“Mother…. I—
“Silence,” Luna Alice shot her with a hard glare. Then, she started the car engine and left the premises.
The ride was silent. In her mother’s hand was a stick of cigarette. She would repeatedly breathe out the smoke and scratch her head.
Suddenly, she stopped abruptly by the side of the road and ordered Benita to come down.
Benita, though hesitant, did as her mother wanted.
She swallowed hard watching her mother get out of the car. Luna Alice threw away the cigarette in her hand and walked closer to Benita, then slapped her hard right across her face.
Luna Alice exhaled deeply, then opened her eyes. “Why did you let your sister die? Why didn't you die instead?”
“I'm sorry mother. I'm sorry.” Benita quickly went on her knees, trembling.
It was night, and few cars were passing with no people.
“Do you know what you've done? Even after killing my husband, the Alpha, you should have let Rina live. Look at my life now.” She raised her hand dramatically. “I should be next in line, not that stupid Beta. But you destroyed my only chance to get that.”
Benita dragged her knees towards her mother, begging.
Luna Alice kicked her off and called her a sl*t. She looked at her in a disgusted manner and scoffed. “Now that you've taken everything away, you can go to hell. Not like I know who your father is anyway. Don't you ever mention that I'm your mother.”
Benita looked up at her with tears. She gasped, staring at her mother in disbelief.
“From now henceforth, you are no longer my daughter.” She spat, walking back into the car, leaving Benita to her fate by the roadside.
