ACCUSED
1329 Words
"Stella stands accused of murdering in the named Alpha heir by use of poisonous herbs," Richard continued.
"In doing so, she also endangered the life of one of our fellow pack member, here is Thea Millandres, in my right. The trial today will look at the evidence to determine whether she is guilty of this crime."
A cold sweat formed, and flows at the back of Stella's neck. She discreetly scanned her eyes around, to see if she could spot Sophie, but she couldn't find her familiar face anywhere. She can't even smell her. It made her now, more nervous.
"Do you swear on the Goddess' name, Stella Ortega, that you will tell the whole truth during this trial?" Richard asked, bringing her attention back to him.
Stella met his piercing eyes, like a blinding light, as reflection of sword in her eyes.Those looks, hunted her that ready to kill.
"I do," Stella replied loudly and confidently.
"And how do you plead?" Richard added. Stella held her breath, her heart racing in her chest.
"I.. Stella Ortega, from the very beginning, I swore loyalty and love to the pack. So I plead... "NOT GUILTY!"
A murmur went through the pack in hushed voices but she ignored it. Surely, they hadn't actually expected Stella, to admit guilt to such a heinous act.
"Very well," Richard replied.
"We'll start by hearing the witness testimonies of those involved and any supporting evidence. Once done the ranked members, elders and I, shall vote and your sentence will be set."
Stella swallowed hard, her throat feeling was so dry. The trial started after, without further investigation and the pack doctor was called first, to give a medical opinion and an overview of his involvement.
Stella didn't know the doctor well, having only met him once the previous pack doctor had passed away.
"The herb in question is calendula," Doctor Andrews started.
"I believe, it is mixed with food or drinks. in which Thea having it digested in her body. She lost the baby at three months but given her bad fortitude, her health was also a concern. It took three days for her bed-rest before she was stabilized, and after that, I allowed her to be discharged from the hospital. The evidence found inside Miss Ortega's room, was brought to me in order to confirm its formula. I inspected the herb in our lab, and confirm that it was the same herb that Thea ingested."
Another murmur went through the crowd as they heard the Doctor's testimony. Stella gritted her teeth against their voices.
"How quickly you were ready to kill me from one testimony.?" Stella said. A questionable face she raised by looking at the doctor. But it wasn't just one testimony. Several came forward to discuss the evidence found. The warrior who had found the evidence was called upon next, to recount his steps during the search to Stella's office, the head quarter of Luna.
"I found the herbs in which the doctor mentioned under Miss Ortega's bed. I believe, she had hide it there carefully, to conceal the location. There was also a letter, from her bed. It was addressed to her Aunt, Miss Marie Ortega. I believe this shows her true character, someone who would sympathize with a criminal that attempted to murder the Alpha."
He read the contents of the letter aloud to the crowd to which they all began to chatter again.
"Silence!" Richard yelled to all, ordering instantly, to making them low-down their voces. He then turned to Stella. "Is this your handwriting, Stella?"
Stella bit her cheek. Richard would know if she was lying, as he had seen her handwriting many times before.
"Yes," she strongly admitted.
It was humiliating to have something so personal read out to the entire pack, a letter where she express her love and admiration for a man she believed had been disappointed by her whole entire life.
The warrior continued with his recount. "In addition to the items recovered, we also found the former Luna by the door as we entered. She was in possession of a backpack with supplies and clothing. It is believed she had intended to run away that night. We also have several witnesses who can attest to her admitting to trying to run when we took her into custody."
"Thank you, Josh," Richard said, gesturing for him to step down.
"We'll hear from Bryan now, our Gamma."
Bryan took to the podium next, his face stern. Stella knew whatever he was going to say about her wouldn't be positive.
"The morning Thea's pregnancy was announced, there was an incident inside the pack house that several members witnessed. It was between Thea and the former Luna. I believe the conversation went that Thea was requesting forgiveness. However, the former Luna was unnecessarily cruel to her, saying horrible things. I witnessed Thea being so overwhelmed that her legs gave out. I believe this may have been a deliberate attempt to put stress on Thea and the baby, an act motivated by jealousy."
Stella's mouth hung open. She couldn't believe they'd actually brought that conversation into evidence. So, she dare to asked in the front,
"Did no one care to see things from perspective?"
She would like to see them act so calmly when their mates impregnated other women. In a certain, most of them would have ripped their throats out without hesitation, yet Stella was being chastised for speaking harshly.
It was true though, she couldn't deny what was Bryan saying. She was angry and jealous of her. But to kill her child is a different subject, an abomination. His testimony painted Stella in a horrible room, with a shadow of scary monster and liars.
"Thank you, Gamma," Richard said.
"We have one final testimony for you all today, for this one, I believe and will determine the fate of this trial. This is Sophie the old and trusted maid, as Stella's attendant."
Hearing the next name, Stella felt being numb all over, every breath she takes, catched her throat. They had Sophie the only key, to clear her name. She knew Stella better than anyone else.Sophie walked up to the podium and looked physically fine, healthy even.
Stella was glad they had been keeping her safe during the time leading up to trial. She was worried, they had roughed her up or treated her harshly for helping her. However, she obviously looked nervous this time. Her hands were balled, her face showing a slight furrow. Stella wondered if they had been pressuring Sophie to convict her during this witch hunt for Stella's head.
"I am Sophie Magdalaya. I have been Stella's attendant for four years now. Over these years I believed Stella to be a sweet girl who had only been dealt misfortune in her life. I treated her as my own daughter, caring for her and consoling her through difficult times. So I can confirm that I know her better than anyone else."
A smiled at her face, but she wouldn't meet Stella's eyes.
"Therefore it is with a heavy heart that I stand before everyone today, bound by my oath to the Goddess, to inform you all of the atrocity she had me perform whilst under her command."
Her smile faltered and fell quickly.
"No, this wasn't right. Something was wrong! I'd never committed anything of the sort. How could you say something like that? I was with you all week, "
Stella insist.
"Behave yourself Stella!" Richard yell at her. Stella greeted her teeth. She felt sick watching Sophie stand at the podium, refusing to meet her eyes as a feeling of impending doom washed over her. It was clogging her thoughts, nothing was making sense. All she could hear is a short breaths of anticipation over the loud beating of her heart.
"Stella, the former Luna, ordered me to present Miss Thea a herbal tea. A tea I believe caused her miscarriage."
- Writer
