The Alpha's Forgotten Heir

The Accusation

My knees hit the hardwood floor, but I kept my spine straight. I refused to bow my head.

The air in the pack hall burned cold. Heavy stone pillars loomed over us, casting long dark shadows across the marble floor. Dozens of high-ranking wolves lined the perimeter. Their harsh eyes weighed down on me like iron bars.

At the center stood Alpha Lucas Bloodmoon.

He looked imposing in his dark coat. His shoulders locked tight with rage. Those dark eyes, the ones that watched me with fierce intensity two nights ago, now glared at me like I was sludge on his boot.

"Explain this, Elena," Lucas said. His voice echoed off the walls.

He tossed a small glass vial onto the floor. It rolled across the polished wood and bumped against my knee. Dried herbs dusted the bottom of the glass. Moonshade root. An illicit drug used to confuse a wolf's senses and force a bond response.

"It is not mine," I said clearly. I did not stutter.

Tanya stepped forward from Lucas's side. She wore a silk dress the color of fresh blood. Her hand rested on Lucas's forearm with easy ownership. She gave me a quiet glance that carried pure spite.

"I found it under her mattress myself, Alpha," Tanya told the crowd. Her voice sounded soft and sweet, carrying perfectly across the silent hall. "She knew you were passing through the lower territory. She planted the herbal blend in your tea so you would lose control."

"That is a complete lie," I snapped. My chest heaved. "I was working the night shift in the kitchen. I washed dishes until midnight. Half the omega crew saw me there."

"Omegas protect their own kind," Tanya replied smoothly. She looked toward the elders with fake pity. "We all know how desperate an omega can get when she wants to elevate her status. She trapped our Alpha."

I glared straight at Lucas. "Do you truly believe her over me? Look at me, Lucas."

He flinched when I spoke his name without his title. The pack elders muttered in disapproval. Lucas stepped closer to me, his heavy boots thudding against the wood. The power in his chest pressed down on my lungs, demanding my submission. My wolf shivered inside me, wanting to bow, but I forced my gaze to stay locked on his.

"You lay in my bed," Lucas growled, his voice dropping low. "You took advantage of a moment when my guard was down. Now the entire pack talks about an omega tricking the Alpha."

"I took advantage?" A bitter chuckle escaped my throat. "You came to my quarters. You pulled me into that room. I never asked for your touch."

"Silence!" Elder Vane shouted from the front row. The old wolf slammed his heavy wooden cane against the floorboards. "You will address the Alpha with respect, girl!"

Anyway, respect was clearly a one-way street in the Bloodmoon Pack. High-ranking wolves got honor. Omegas got blamed.

Lucas leaned down, his face inches from mine. "You played a dangerous game, Elena. Tanya's father commands our northern borders. Our alliance secures the safety of three packs. Your foolish scheme threatens everything."

My hands clenched into tight fists against my thighs. My fingernails bit into my palms, leaving deep red crescents. The physical sting was clean. It was real. It cleared away the foggy shock in my brain.

He thought I tricked him. He believed I plotted to steal his position, when in reality, I spent the entire morning staring at a positive pregnancy test in my tiny bathroom. I carried his child inside me right now. A tiny life took root beneath my ribs, completely unaware that its father considered its mother a scheming criminal.

Should I tell him right here? Should I scream the truth in front of all these proud, arrogant warriors?

No.

If I told him now, Tanya would ensure my baby never drew its first breath. A baby from a disgraced omega would threaten her future position as Luna. They would lock me in the dungeons or worse.

"I have nothing more to say," I stated. My voice stayed firm and flat.

Lucas stared at me, his eyes searching my face for panic or tears. He found neither. I swallowed my grief and locked it behind a thick wall.

"You leave me no choice," Lucas said. His tone went dead cold, stripping away every trace of warmth we shared two nights ago. "You will remain in the holding cells until sunrise. Tomorrow morning, the council will decide your punishment."

Two guards stepped up and grabbed my arms, yanking me to my feet. I did not struggle. I kept my head high as they dragged me toward the iron doors.

By the way, as they pulled me into the dark hallway, I looked back one last time. Tanya leaned her head against Lucas's shoulder, wearing a satisfied smile. Lucas did not look at her, though. His dark eyes stayed glued to me until the heavy door shut between us.