A HARSH VERDICT
1100 Words
Hazel walked back to her room, she was still scared of the earlier encounter and her mind raced with fear.
Opening the door, a surprised emotion was seen on her face as she found out that Avery was waiting for her.
“Hazel what is going on?” Avery asked as her voice was laced with concern.
“I heard the council was investigating you, what's the matter?” She added
Hazel expression was a mixture of tiredness and despair.
“I don't know,” she replied.
“They are accusing me of making acquaintances with humans,” She continued.
“But it's not true, I don't know what is going on or who is behind this,” Hazel finalized.
Avery had a determined expression on her face.
“We will figure it out, Hazel” She said.
“We will get to the root of this, and clear your name. Don't worry, I am here for you,” She added.
Hazel looked at Avery, an expression filled with gratitude was seen on her face. She was lucky to have such a loyal friend.
“Thanks Avery,” Hazel said, smiling weakly.
“Just knowing that you are here for me makes me feel a little bit better” She added.
Avery smiled back, her eyes flickered with determination.
“We'll get through this together, Hazel,” She said.
“I promise,” She added.
As they sat down there, trying to make sense of the situation, Hazel couldn't help but wonder what would happen next.
“Would I be able to clear my name or would I be punished for a crime that I did not commit?” Hazel pondered to herself.
The unknown was too hard for her to bear. But with Avery on her side, Hazel felt a sense of hope that she had not felt in a long time.
“We will figure this out Hazel,” Avery said, Hazel looked at her in shock as she felt that Avery had just read her mind.
Avery smirked then she continued.
“We will get to the root of this, and we will make sure justice is served” She added.
Hazel nodded, determined expression was seen on her face, she was going to clear her name, no matter what it took.
But as she stood up, ready to face the battle ahead, Hazel couldn't shake off the feeling that she was being watched. She scanned the room with her eyes but there was no one there.
“Is it my imagination,” She pondered.
She tried to shake off the feeling but the feeling persisted, and Hazel couldn't help but wondered if she was in much danger than she realized.
A knock was heard from the door, interrupting her thoughts.
“Come in,” She said.
A guard came in and bowed his head.
“You are being summoned by the council,” The guard reported.
Hazel's heart skipped a bit as Hazel and Avery's eyes met.
“Stay calm, I will be rooting for you,” Avery said.
Hazel took a deep breath, and followed the guard, heading to the execution grounds.
Hazel stood before the council, her heart racing with anxiety. She had been accused of making acquaintances with the human race and she knew that the consequences would be devastating.
The Council leader's expression was grim.
“Hazel you have been found guilty of treason against the pack,” He said.
“Your actions have put our entire pack in danger, and we cannot tolerate such behaviour,” He added.
Hazel was afraid as sweats began to pour from her forehead, her heart tightened as she realized that the punishment that would be meted on her would be very severe.
“What is my punishment?” She asked, her voice trembling as she speaks.
The Council leader's expression was unyielding.
“You are hereby banished from the pack,” he said.
“She is the betrothed of Alpha Damien,” One of the council members whispered in his ear.
The Council leader's expression turned solemn.
“You will leave the territory after the mating ceremony, never to return back,” He added.
Hazel shivered as it was as if her body was pierced with needles. She had expected that she would be punished but she never knew that it would be this extreme.
“Banishment?? How could they do this to me?” She pondered.
She had always been a loyal member of the pack.
“But why?” Her voice trembling as she spoke.
“I don't understand, what have I done to deserve this?” She added.
A cold expression could be seen on the council leader's face.
“You have placed our pack in danger,” He said.
“Your actions have caused stagnation in our pack and not growth. We cannot have a member of our pack who is willing to betray us for the sake of humans,” He added.
Hazel was angry as she heard the accusation leveled against her. She had never betrayed the pack and she never would.
“This is not fair,” Hazel said, her voice rising with indignation.
“I have done nothing wrong, I am innocent” She asked.
The Council leader's expression was unyielding.
“You have been found guilty, Hazel,” He said.
“And you will accept your punishment, the mating ceremony is a few moons away, the only way you would be free from the verdict is the Alpha's takes pity on you and plead your cause,” He added.
His expression became stern.
“Since the mating ceremony is several moons away, you would be placed under house arrest, your communication will be limited to your close ones, you are not allowed to step a feet outside the castle,” The council leader added.
Hazel was dumbfounded at the spot, it was better for them to lock her up in a den than confining her to a space.
She looked at the council leader who had given such statement and wondered if he can ever be appeased.
The council leader gave her two guards as she went into her room with the guard on standby, she shook her head and wondered how she ended up this way.
Avery entered the room, Hazel hugged her, tears was dropping down her cheeks.
“I’m so sorry, can't believe we would be sharing this burden together,” Hazel said.
“Not to worry, I am here, we will scale through this together,” Avery responded, patting her back gently.
- Writer
