FREYA'S POV

"What?" Eric groaned, his gaze trickling from Chloe and then moving to me.

"What did you do to her?" he demanded.

My mouth was dry, devoid of the right words to say. I swallowed.

"I... I didn't do anything."

"Lies. You can't have pups so you kill mine out of jealousy. Is that what this is?"

The tears fell freely. "Eric... is that how you truly see me? As a monster? I'm your mate. Those years we spent together don't mean anything to you..."

Eric panted, his eyes starting to soften. Then Alyssa let out a whimper. "It hurts. My pup, oh..."

The crimson spread slowly, soaking the pale fabric. Eric's eyes welled up with tears.

"Guards!" he growled. In less than a moment, guards were already circling around us.

He didn't say anything. We just stared at each other, letting the breeze break through the silence.

"Alpha, we are waiting for your command," one of the guards asked swiftly.

Alyssa was panting, breathing fast against his neck, holding on to him like her life depended on it.

"Eric, our pup. It's gone," she cried softly.

Eric's lips tightened. "Arrest this traitor. Starting now, she is no longer the Luna of Moon Howl Pack."

I gasped, holding my chest for air. Tears dripped from my face.

Raven and Chloe fell to their knees. "Alpha, Luna Freya is innocent. Lady Alyssa was the one trying to frame her."

Eric narrowed. "For what you took from me you deserve this. Apologize to Alyssa for what you did."

My heart felt like it had been ripped from my chest as it twisted painfully. "I, Freya of the Moon Howl Pack, will never admit to a crime I didn't commit... so save your breathe."

Eric swept Alyssa off her feet; I couldn't miss the subtle, victorious grin on her face.

They turned and Eric halted. "Take her away. Her execution is by midnight."

My eyes widened, hearing his words. A guard grabbed me harshly. I yanked my hands away. "Eric! Eric!" I called out.

*****

As I sat on the cold floor of my cell I asked myself, would my life turn out this way if I had my fated mate?

I wondered what kind of life I had before I came to Moon Howl. Was there someone out there searching through the ends of the earth for me?

Even if they were, it didn't matter because I was going to be executed.

Chloe and Raven were banished from the pack because they tried to plead my innocence.

My eyes hovered toward the moonlight streaming from the window, and I realized it was only a matter of time before they came for me.

I buried my face onto my knees.

"Moon Goddess, help me... please," I sobbed.

The doors creaked open and two guards came inside and tossed something. It slapped hard against my face.

"Take your clothes off," one of them hissed impatiently.

A cold chill ran down my spine. My wolf growled inside my head and I turned toward them.

Red eyes, with disheveled hair.

They flinched for a moment.

From their stance, they had no intention of turning away.

"Alpha Eric doesn't want you wearing a Luna's dress, since you have been demoted."

I stared at the gown and then at the guard.

Eric wanted to humiliate me but I refused to be broken. Even if I died today, it would be with my head held high.

A few steps into the trial ground, I could barely keep my head up.

The same pack I gave everything for had turned against me.

"Pup murderer!"

"Blood for blood! Justice for Lady Alyssa!"

Their hostile chants were accompanied by spits, rotten eggs, and tomatoes smashed against my face as they led me.

Tears filled my eyes and I let them fall.

When I got to the center of the trial, one of the guards kicked my knee. They buckled and crashed against the earth.

My wolf flared up inside my chest as I whipped my head, growling at the guards.

"Enough!"

Eric roared in his Alpha command.

It tore through the air, silencing my wolf, and she recoiled.

Slowly I lifted my eyes toward Eric but my heart dropped when they met Lord Zaynx sitting amongst the elders of our pack, watching me with no expression.

The hair on my arms stood up and my head fell downward. Why did he have to see me like this?

"Former Luna Freya, do you admit to your crime of infanticide?" Eric said harshly.

My chest heaved. "I already told you. I didn't do it."

"Even now you still dare lie. Because of your anger and jealousy. The healers said Alyssa might never be able to give birth," Eric groaned.

I tilted my chin defiantly. "Then it's good. A sinister wolf like her doesn't deserve to be a mother. The Moon Goddess did you a favor."

"Freya!" Eric roared but I didn't flinch.

He nodded with a faint smile. "Good. Since you don't want to admit your crime, don't blame me for what happens next."

I blinked, feeling my heart drum when Eric signaled a guard with his hand.

Chains clinked as some betas brought my adoptive father, bound in chains.

My eyes widened, whipping my head toward Eric. "How can you treat an elder like this because of that witch?"

Eric let out a cruel scoff as he accepted the gun from a guard, its metal glinting under the cold moonlight. He leveled it at my father. My blood froze.

"Right now he's just your father. Accept your crime and beg or I'll punish him on your behalf," Eric said firmly.

I swallowed hard, trembling, narrowing my gaze to my adoptive father. "Dad..."

My father frowned, raising his head. "I've lived a very long and sad life, Freya, but you became my light." He smiled softly. "That light can never hurt anyone. So don't you dare beg him for mercy because blood or not, you are my daughter."

Hot tears flowed as I took a deep breath, lips trembling.

"Accept your crime," Eric said.

Blood rushed to my head as my adoptive father gave a soft smile, muttering, "I love you."

I shut my eyes as the loud sound of the trigger blasted through my ears. My body slumped, letting out a fiery scream.

When I opened my eyes, Eric was already standing a few paces in front of me with red eyes.

"That's what happens when you defy your Alpha," he said smoothly.

I spat right on his face. "You are not my Alpha."

My wolf shimmered and I felt her come alive within me. My chest moved up and down uncontrollably.

Eric didn't like to be defied. His pride would never let this act of defiance slide so he pointed the gun at me.

"Say that again," he dared.

My claws dug into my palm, forcing the words from my lips. "I, Freya Regale, reject you as my mate and Alpha. I swear this day I will destroy everything you hold dear. Until there's nothing left of you."

Eric gasped, clutching his chest.

Bang!

My ears perked at the shot and Eric's eyes widened as he coughed out blood.

I closed my eyes, ready for my end but...

A hand pressed on my shoulder as a thick shadow covered mine. A rich scent twirled inside my nostrils.

A sudden impact hit, something pushing against my body, and I opened my eyes.

Was I dead? No.

My eyes met his as they searched mine, glowing with rage.

Lord Zaynx's lips dripped with blood but he wiped them off with the back of his palm.

I couldn't breathe.

He protected me? But why?

Lord Zaynx grabbed my hand, slowly pulling me upward. His other free hand held onto the place where he took the bullet.

Footsteps approached. Eric rushed forward toward me, panting. "Freya..."

Lord Zaynx stepped in front of me, raising his head. "Touch her and I'll raise your entire pack to the ground.”