A Silent Plea
1212 Words
[Araya's POV]
Araya's hand trembles on the door handle. She cannot leave. Not like this. Not with those words hanging between them like a death sentence.
"That child will never be mine."
She turns back to face Jasper. He stands at the window, his back rigid, his hands clasped behind him. He does not look at her. Does not acknowledge her presence.
"Please," Araya says, her voice breaking. "Please, Jasper. Just listen to me."
"There's nothing to listen to," Jasper says flatly. "You've already said enough."
"No, I haven't." Araya takes a step toward him, then another. "You're wrong. The child is yours. I swear it."
Jasper's shoulders tense, but he does not turn around. "Your word means nothing to me."
Araya's chest tightens. She moves closer, her hands reaching out as if to touch him, then falling back to her sides. "What do I have to do? How can I make you believe me?"
"You can't," Jasper says coldly.
"There has to be something," Araya says desperately. "Some way to prove it. I'll do anything. Anything you ask."
Jasper turns slowly, his storm-gray eyes fixing on her. The coldness in them makes her breath catch. "Anything?"
"Yes," Araya says without hesitation. "I'll do whatever it takes."
Jasper crosses the room toward her with slow, deliberate steps. Each footfall echoes against the stone floor. He stops in front of her, close enough that Araya has to tilt her head back to meet his gaze.
"You're pathetic," Jasper says quietly.
The word cuts deep, but Araya forces herself to stay standing. "I don't care what you think of me. I care about this child. Your child."
"It's not my child," Jasper says.
"It is," Araya insists, her voice rising. "You know it is. You were there. You know what happened between us."
"What happened was a mistake," Jasper says. "One I should have avoided."
Araya's hands curl into fists. "A mistake? Is that what you call it? You married me. You took me to your bed. You bound yourself to me before the moon."
"Because I had no choice," Jasper snaps. "Because your father sold you to me like cattle to pay his debts. Don't pretend this was anything more than a transaction."
The words land like blows, each one stripping away another piece of Araya's hope.
"I never wanted this either," Araya says, tears streaming down her face. "But we're here now. We're bound. And this child exists whether you accept it or not."
"Then it exists as your burden, not mine," Jasper says.
"How can you say that?" Araya's voice cracks. "How can you turn your back on your own blood?"
"Because I don't believe it's my blood," Jasper says coldly.
Araya shakes her head, desperation clawing at her chest. "I've been loyal to you. Even when you treated me like nothing. Even when you humiliated me. I stayed. I endured. I never betrayed you."
"Loyalty?" Jasper's lip curls. "You call spying on me in the corridors loyalty? You call questioning me in front of others loyalty?"
"I questioned you because you were with my sister," Araya says, her voice shaking. "Because you gave her everything you denied me. I had a right to know why."
"You have no rights," Jasper says sharply. "You're Luna in name only. You have what I allow you to have, and nothing more."
Araya's breath comes in short gasps. She feels like she is drowning, like the walls of the room are closing in around her. "Then give me a chance. Let me prove myself. Tell me what I need to do."
Jasper studies her for a long moment, his expression unreadable. Then his hand shoots out, gripping her chin roughly. His fingers dig into her skin, forcing her to meet his gaze.
"You want a chance?" Jasper asks, his voice low and dangerous.
Araya nods as much as his grip will allow. "Yes."
Jasper's eyes burn into hers, cold and merciless. "Then prove yourself before the pack."
Araya's heart hammers in her chest. "How?"
"The trial of purity," Jasper says. "Stand before the pack at the next full moon. Let them judge you. Let them decide if your words hold truth."
Araya's blood runs cold. The trial of purity is ancient, brutal. A wolf accused of betrayal must stand before the entire pack and submit to their judgment. If the pack finds them guilty, they are cast out. Branded. Left to die in the wilderness as a rogue.
"Jasper, please," Araya whispers. "Don't make me do this."
"You said you'd do anything," Jasper says. "Prove it."
Araya's chest heaves. She wants to pull away, to run, but his grip on her chin holds her in place. "And if I do this? If I stand before the pack and they find me innocent? Will you believe me then?"
Jasper's expression does not change. "If the pack accepts your claim, I'll consider it."
"Consider it?" Araya's voice breaks. "That's all? After everything?"
"That's all you'll get from me," Jasper says coldly.
Araya's eyes search his face, looking for any sign of softness, any hint of the bond they are supposed to share. But there is nothing. Only cold indifference.
"And if I refuse?" Araya asks quietly.
Jasper's grip tightens, his fingers digging harder into her skin. "Then you prove my suspicions correct. And I'll have no choice but to cast you out. Immediately. Without trial. Without ceremony. You'll be packless, homeless, carrying a bastard child that no wolf will claim."
Araya's vision blurs. The room spins around her. She tries to breathe, but her chest feels like it is being crushed.
"You're giving me no choice," Araya whispers.
"I'm giving you exactly what you asked for," Jasper says. "A chance to prove yourself."
He releases her chin abruptly, stepping back. Araya stumbles, catching herself against the desk.
Jasper turns away, moving back to the window. "The full moon is in two weeks. You have until then to prepare yourself. After that, the pack will decide your fate."
Araya stares at his back, her body trembling. "And what if they don't believe me? What if they side with you?"
Jasper does not turn around. "Then you'll be cast out. And the child with you."
Araya's hands press against her stomach, protective and desperate. "The child is innocent. Whatever you think of me, the child has done nothing wrong."
"The child is a lie," Jasper says flatly. "Until proven otherwise."
Araya's throat tightens. She wants to scream. She wants to tear the room apart. But she forces herself to stay calm, to hold onto the last shred of dignity she has left.
"I'll do it," Araya says quietly. "I'll stand before the pack."
Jasper's shoulders tense, but he does not respond.
Araya takes a step toward the door, her legs unsteady. She pauses, looking back at him one last time. "You're making a mistake, Jasper. One day, you'll regret this."
Jasper's voice is cold when he finally speaks. "The only mistake I made was marrying you in the first place."
Araya's chest aches, the bond between them fraying with every cruel word. She turns and walks to the door, her hand gripping the handle.
"Prove yourself before the pack," Jasper says without turning around. "Or be cast out."
- Writer
