Her Mates

Chapter 5

Ella's POV

“I’m not your f*****g mate.”

His first shove sent me flying. I hit the wall, the breath leaving my lungs in a gasp. It didn't end there; a jab to my ribs, a punch to my lips, before he yanked me by the hair.

My body scraped on the floor as he dragged me, leaving a bloody trail in the packhouse.

I cried, begged, my voice a broken whisper lost in the echoes of the hallway.

At the courtyard, he threw me hard onto the packed dirt, the ground already filled with stunned bystanders.

A wave of nausea hit, and I retched, throwing up the blood that had pooled in my mouth. My face contorted in pain as I weakly pushed myself up.

A raw plea tore from my throat as I choked out, 'Please... you know me. You know I'm not a killer.'

“You liar!" he snarled, his face inches from mine. "You came here for him to tell you that he still had your back, that he would protect you! But you were surprised when you got here, and he told you he'd consented to Aria, as my Luna! You were so furious, so mad, you decided to kill him in revenge!"

"No! What are you saying?" I sobbed, shaking my head in disbelief. "That's not what happened!"

"Don't bother denying it," he went on, his voice a low, furious growl. "People overheard your conversation. They heard your desperate pleas to him. As you held a dagger to his throat! His defenses were down, and you used that against him.”

"No! I swear! Father told me Alpha Alaric wanted to see me, that's why I was there!" I cried.

From behind, mother’s voice rang out, sharp and cruel. "You're trying to implicate your father? How far are you willing to lie to save your wretched neck?"

"It's the truth!" I screamed, but Derek was having none of it.

"Guards!" he bellowed. "Lock her up!"

As they hauled me away, my bloodied body scraping against the dirt, I screamed, "No! I didn't do it! I didn't! Daddy! Derek!" I called out their names, but they only turned their backs and disappeared into the house, leaving me to the mercy of the guards.

****

I don't know how long I sat motionless on the cemented floors of the dungeon, staring at the wall, basking in the horrible smell of dry blood on me. Everything that had happened still felt like a twisted daydream. Convinced my mind was playing a cruel trick on me. But this cold, the prickling pain in my abdomen and heart. It was all real.

No one believed me. Not my parents, not Derek. If only Maria… if only I could speak to her alone, convince her to tell Derek the truth, that I had nothing to do with the Alphas death.

But there was no hope, no chance I would be permitted to see Maria. I was all alone. Still lost in my thoughts, a familiar voice cut through the darkness.

"Ella!"

I lifted my head, my heart lurching in relief. I had never been so happy, so utterly desperate, to see my sister.

"Maria!"

I staggered to my feet, holding onto the cellbars like a lifeline. “Thank the moon, you’re here. You have to tell them you were wrong.” I dragged a shaky breath into my lungs. “What you saw earlier wasn't what it seemed to be. I swear on my life. I was as shocked as you are to see him dying. Please, you have to tell Derek and Father. They'll listen to you. They've always listened to you.You're my sister, my blood. You have to help me.”

“Maria? Did you hear me?” I tapped the bars impatiently, when she took long to respond.

"You don't have to explain, Ella.” Maria murmured, her voice dripping with sympathy. "I know you didn't kill him.”

My heart lurched in happiness. “Then… Please tell them.”

However, my happiness was short-lived when a loud chuckle echoed off the prison walls, and a slow sickening smirk curled on Aria's lips.

“Let me rephrase that so your small brain can understand.” Her smile widened. “A wolf-less runt like you could never kill a powerful Alpha. Someone else probably did the job.”

The insult barely registered in my head. It was overridden by my desperate situation. “Exactly, thank you!”

But Maria only laughed harder, and I blinked in confusion. "You really are stupid, aren't you? Thinking I would beg Father or anyone on your behalf. Oh, Ella, you're even dumber than I thought.” She smirked.

"What…?" My voice was barely a whisper.

Maria's hand curled round my hand on the bars. "You know I could help, beg father to talk to Derek, but do you honestly think Father's going to help you, even if he's told the truth? Oh please, he wants you gone more than I do."

My heart slammed against my ribs, my eyes widening. "What are you saying? Father would never… Why are you so cruel, Maria?"

We all have had our differences over the years, but them wanting me gone?

I'm still their daughter! Their flesh and blood.

"Because he's not your father, dumbass. You're not my sister! Use your head, have you ever wondered why you were treated like s**t, while I'm loved like their f*****g eyes?” Maria snapped, her words slicing through me like ice.

“Stop lying.” I screamed, covering my ears to tune out the words.

"Stop hoping for what will never come. I will never help a murderer, and a bastard." Maria continued, rattling the bars. "But I will do you a favour. I'll tell you what's awaiting you tomorrow at the Alphas summit… Execution. You will be killed like a gutless pig."

I stared, numb, as her words burrowed into me like poison.

My heart ached as if someone had stabbed and sprinkled salt on it. A bastard. My whole life... a lie. My knees felt weak, and the room spun, the sounds of her laughing echoing in the background. All the indifference, the cruelty, I've endured all my life... it all made sense now.

“Since when did you know?” I whispered.

"Does it matter? You are about to die anyway.” Maria asked, a cold grin on her face. “Remember you swore you'd fight me for Derek to the death.” She lean

ed closer. “So, fight for him in the grave, because no one’s coming to save you, now.”