The Alpha's Protection
393 Words
Chapter 1: Framed.
The crystal champagne flute shattered, the sound swallowed by the manic buzz of the party. Celebrations, a perfect launch for my latest event, abruptly slammed to a sudden pause. I, Zoe Walker, professional event planner, was living the dream. Until the dream broke.
“Zoe Walker, you’re under arrest!”
The world turned gray. Police with stony faces stormed into my apartment. I fought for reality, the pungent smell of designer perfumes mingling with the bitter taste of fear. Fraud. Embezzlement. The accusations cut through me like splinters. There was evidence against me, presented with greasy smoothness: forged invoices, forged documents, and a trail of money skillfully laid to trap me.
"This has to be a mistake," I whispered, my voice shaking. "I did none of this!"
The lead detective, a woman with eyes as hard and cold as steel that had been polished to shine, didn't even blink. "The evidence speaks for itself, Ms. Walker."
My lawyer, Ruben, a man with a ferocity and loyalty to rival the greatest warriors, said nothing. Phone calls went unanswered. Messages were left unread. My carefully constructed life was disintegrating and I was utterly alone.
Days were a never-ending nightmare of questioning, accusation, and the crushing weight of betrayal. The world, once a kaleidoscope of color and possibility, was a cell. I was being framed, and had no concept as to why.
The reality slapped me in the face: someone, someone important, needed me out of the way.
I reeled, reaching for a lifeline. There had been whispers, dark portent I'd written off as city myth. The dark forces. The underworld realm where favors are traded and fates determined. I had to survive, to fight.
And into my head flashed a memory, a cryptic conversation, a name. Axel.
Axel. Alpha. Werewolf. He ruled the local pack. Ruthless, enigmatic, and utterly. powerful. My sole connection was through a favor, a debt paid in a previous adventure. It was a gamble, but the growling in my belly outweighed the fear.
When I was able to regain control of myself, I knew I required aid. And I knew, I had no option.
My phone tight in my hand, my hands trembling, I made the call.
The phone rang once, twice…
"Axel?" I was able to grunt out, the word like a croaked noise. "I need…your help."
- Writer
