HIS NEMESIS, HER SALVATION

CHAPTER ONE: WHISPERS OF THE COURT

AYDAE POV

Life can be so cruel, even to those who fight hard and deserve better. I have worked very hard to get to this point. Lost a lot just to finally get to where I am only for it to come crumbling right before my eyes.

Ever since I first woke up in that cold, dark room eight years ago; with no memories of my previous life, along with ten others my age. We were slaves to an aristocrat slave merchant who dealt in war-affected children.

I was among the so-called lucky ones, so I was told, because I was among the few who survived the harsh conditions and got sold to this current werewolf pack. I was still a slave but I fought my way into joining the pack army as it was the only way to escape the horrible life of slavery.

And that's where I met the man I finally fell in love with. It's funny because I thought I was incapable of such an emotion, love. He was a young prince I saved during a rogue raid.

Ever since then, he feels he owes me everything. He liberated me from the army and brought me into his household under the authority of his father who is the Alpha of the pack. He made me his personal guard just so that we could be together. It caused an uproar in the whole pack when he chose me as his mate. He didn't mind.

He loved me and I loved him. Probably he loved me more than I could ever show. He proudly paraded me as his mate even though we weren't fated. Our mating ceremony was supposed to occur tomorrow, preparations are currently underway.

It should have been me. I should have gone with him. I may have protected him better. The breaking news report froze me. There are no survivors. It can't be. It must be a nightmare. I know I will wake up and see him lying beside me with those beautiful eyes of his staring at me as he has been doing for the past two years.

The sound of my ringtone brings me back to the present. Am I crying? I sniffle while wiping the tears that run down my cheeks before swiping the answer icon on my screen. I hold the phone up to my ear.

“Thank Goddess you finally answered, Ayd,” Kiera's voice is almost a whisper. “They are coming for you, don't resist. Jaden is arguing with the council on your behalf but I fear they will still blame you for it.”

“Blame me for what?” My voice cracks.

She exhales deeply. “...His death. I am sorry, Ayd. Just stay calm. Bye.” The line disconnects.

They can't be serious.

The door immediately bursts open and my room suddenly floods with pack warriors and Palace guards. Jonathan, the head of the Palace guard approaches me, “you are under arrest for the murder of the Alpha Roosevelt Mikhail and his son, Stanley Mikhail. The council commands your immediate presence in court.”

“You know this is crap, Jay,” my chest heaves as I fight the tears that threaten to spill. Jonathan was once our head trainer back when I was in the pack military academy. Aside from the late Alpha Roosevelt, Jay, as we call him, is the closest I have to a second father figure. How can they possibly think I killed the love of my life?

“I am sorry, Ayd. I hate to do this as well but orders are orders. Comply first, a swift investigation is going on,” his voice is calm.

His eyes drop to my hands, “Withdraw your claws, little one.”

My claws? I glance at my hands and I realize my wolf has autonomously put me on attack mode. Stanley would want me to stay clear-headed in these situations and not overreact. I can easily defeat the pack warriors but the Palace guards will prove to be harder as they are elite warriors of the Beta ranks, and Jay will be the hardest to defeat.

Still heaving, I exhale deeply and feel my body calm down and my claws return to normal.

“I didn't do this, Jay,” I say calmly.

“The council will decide that, little one,” He replies softly. He nods at some palace guards and they approach me with handcuffs. I follow them like a lost sheep.

The courtroom, this will be the second time in my life I'm here. The first was as a young soldier escorting a high-ranking officer who was charged with the crime of selling the pack's military insider news to rogues. I never knew I would come back one day as an offender, and worst of all as a murder suspect.

The courtroom door swings open. As I step in, eyes turn in my direction, some are filled with hatred while some are filled with shock. I am shocked as well by the size of the crowd gathered here. This is a public trial. I suddenly feel uneasy about this. No matter, I take deep breaths to calm my nerves. I begin hearing whispers, ones that nearly shatter me like glass.

“Murderer”

“That's her?”

“Ungrateful wench.”

I swallow hard. Honestly I am not even gonna lie, their words hurt. I have spilled my blood on numerous occasions for these ungrateful bastards, but I know it means nothing to them because of my status, a war slave with no family name. I keep my head straight. Stan wouldn't want me to appear weak and broken.

The guards guide me to the center of the courtroom which is a raised platform surrounded by wooden rails, the stand. I quickly scan the room and my eyes fall on Kiera who gives me a half smile. I inhale, then exhale deeply.

I already know how this will go. They will charge me with murder accusations because I am an easy target, but they don't have any evidence whatsoever to prove these accusations. I will probably be locked up for a couple of days and then I will be released. Jay mentioned earlier that investigations were ongoing. I hope they catch the motherfuckers responsible so I can kill them myself.

Stan, why did you have to leave me with these f*****g wolves? The council elders sit above, their faces are cold. One of the council elders stands up and the room instantly goes silent. He leans forward a little and looks straight into my eyes.

“Aydae of no family name, you stand accused of the murder of the former Alpha Roosevelt Mikhail and his son, the late Stanley Mikhail,” his voice echoes around the courtroom. “Do you understand the charges brought against you?”

Tears threaten to spill but I blink them back quickly. They won't see me break, I will give them no such satisfaction. I inhale deeply to settle the rage burning inside me and make my voice as clear as possible.

“Yes, I understand the charges. But I didn't do it. I am not guilty of the murder of the Alpha and…Stanley.” My voice cracks as I call his name. I exhale sharply. At this point I am shaking but not from fear, just from the sudden realisation that the man I have always loved is really gone. The council elder blurs in front of me.

Fuck, Aydae, pull yourself together.

“There's a survivor who can testify that you were present at the scene of the accident. There's also a very disturbing image and video of you being in the scene.” The gasps and whispers increase.

I furrow my brows as he says this. The f**k? Now without doubt, I am certain these council elders are really delirious. What survivor? Didn't they announce on the news that there were none. But most importantly, what image and video?

He motions to the guards at the door with his hand. The courtroom door opens again, I turn my head to it and someone escorted by the Palace guards walks in. My eyes widen when I see the survivor.