Bonded by fate

CHAPTER THREE

“He’s dead!” One of the Lunas exclaimed in pure shock.

I stood there, stunned speechless. Dead? He could not be dead. It was a lie. The Alpha could not have died just like that, he was never sick. In fact, he was healthy until this morning. I walked with slow shaky steps closer to the bed where he had gone to bed last night after eating the meal I’d served him.

All the Lunas had gathered. I observed their faces, some were crying, some were just blank. I wondered if those crying had truly loved him, if they had chosen to marry him out of love, that they were not here, In this manor, because he had snatched them from one pack or family or the other.

“Go get the Alpha prince.” One of the Lunas ordered a guard.

My stunned gaze returned to the cold, lying frame of the man who had treated me nothing like a wife. Who had just used me as some form of s****l satisfaction and personal maid rolled in one. I always wondered why the other Lunas were not given such fate, just me.

The other Lunas did nothing; they had their maids, dressed well and were spoken to with respect. Well, except for Alpha Vaghan who had never respected anyone, not even the wives he forcefully took for himself, me even less. And none carried any child for him, but he had Zukka. I always wondered if he once had a wife before any of us came into the picture, and she was probably the mother of Zukka.

All the Lunas in this room, weeping and mourning the Alpha were too young to birth Zukka. Even the first few wives were just few years older than Zukka, not old enough to even be in their puberty talk more of conceiving and carrying to term a child.

“What’s going on here?” I heard the voice that I’ve come love and anticipate speak from the doorway. Curiosity and bewilderment coated his tone.

The wives were much so I could not really see his face until they parted ways for him to come through. I saw him then and my heart skipped. An involuntary smile played on my lips.

“What’s funny about the death of the Alpha?” Someone snapped.

Fyon. It could only be her. I turned to her, sighed and looked away. I watched Zukka as he went near the bed, pain flitted momentarily before anger took over. When he confirmed his father was dead without doubt, he searched the faces of every wife in the room and the few guards positioned at the door who also were trying to mask their disbelief and shock.

I could only feel shock for Alpha Vaghan but not sorrow. I could not feel myself mourning him, probably because he had never treated me right.

“How did this happen?!” Zukka raged, his grey eyes darkened.

No one said anything. They kept mute, staring at me. I frowned, fear slowly creeping up my spine. Why were they looking at me? What did I do?

Zukka followed their gaze and his landed on me. Disbelief crossed his features, I shook my head.

Fyon crossed to him and held his hand, a conniving smile on her face. “You know Maika is your father’s favorite. She warms his bed more than any of us, she knows more about him than any of us, though she’s the youngest.”

“Get to the point, Fyon.” He urged her quite harshly, his eyes were still on mine. He was trying not to believe what he was hearing.

“She served him his meal last night and once again, spent the night with him. He died this morning, isn’t that too glaringly true to be a mere coincidence.” Fyon maliciously explained.

“Are you sure of what you’re saying?” He asked Fyon, his tone was harsh and sharp.

I saw fear flitted before it vanished. “Yes. You can ask the other wives.”

He searched all of their face. His gaze swept to me, the look in them twisted my nerves. He didn’t want to believe then again, relief flood my insides. But Fyon had noticed it and on tiptoe, she whispered something in his ears. Instantly, his face morphed into great anger.

“Did you kill my father, Maika?” There was a dangerous edge to his tone that warned me not to lie.

I got confused and scared because I was unsure of which to know he was going to accept as the truth. What had Fyon told him? Minutes ago, he had not believe her but suddenly, he was buying into her lies.

“No, I did not. I swear it, Zukka. Please, believe me.” I pleaded, tears already welling and my heart breaking. I met his glare with a pleading stare. I wanted to get to him, hoping the love we had shared was enough to make him believe I was not a murderer.

“You murderess, how can you do this to me?!” He crossed over to me, yelling in my face.

A sob broke out of my throat. “No. I swear, I did not kill him.”

“Who served his dinner?” He asked, his hands fisted beside him, rage trembled his being.

I gulped. Oh my goodness. “It was me, but I did not kill him. His food was not poisoned I swear. What would I gain from killing him?”

But he was no longer seeing me. He was the Zukka I knew. This one scared me greatly, I moved backwards a bit. Even with my blurry vision, I was able to make out his fury.

“Guards!” He called.

“No please, don’t do this. I beg of you, Zukka. Please.” I turned to Fyon. “Fyon please tell him the truth. You know I didn’t do it.”

“Did you not now?” She folded her arms, an evil, victorious smirk crooked her lips.

This was her plan. I had no idea who had killed the Alpha, but this was an opportunity for her to truly deal with me as she’d promised.

The guards were at my side, ready to pull me away.

He took menacing steps closer. “I will make you pay for this.” To the guards, he instructed. “Take her to the

square and tie her to the stake.”