Chapter Four
1444 Words
STEFAN
“Stefan, you can’t seriously believe Maya killed Sonia. She was devastated by your rejection. She wouldn’t—”
My beta started
But I cut him off, frustration boiling over.
“Don’t even try to defend her, Lucas. This isn’t just about rivalry. Sonia’s dead, and Maya was the last one seen with her”
As I paced around my office in the pack house, Lucas alongside my other pack officials stood across me with air thick with tension.
My office walls, lined with trophies of past victories—gleaming silver and worn leather—seemed to loom over me.
I could still feel the cold weight of Sonia’s lifeless form in his arms, the warmth of her blood staining his hands like a haunting reminder of what had just happened.
“Anyone could have done it. Maya’s not capable of murder, especially not over a petty rivalry.”
Lucas stepped forward, his brow furrowed with concern, the light from the window casting a soft glow on his worried expression.
Other pack members had their expressions a mix of shock and anger
“She threatened Sonia in front of the entire pack. We all heard her!”
“She was clearly humiliated and angry.”
“Let's not forget Sonai was her best friend. That’s a viable motive to murder her.”
Several views in agreement arose against Lucas' defence.
“I understand, but —”
He tried again.
“That’s enough, Lucas!”
My voice thundered, charging the atmosphere with my authority.
I've had enough of his petty protest against something so obvious to the entire pack.
Lucas may be my close friend but I'm still his alpha. Though we've known each other from pups, our mothers were literally the best of friends as well.
“Petty rivalry?”
I shot him a hard glare.
“How could you downplay the death of my mate, your Luna, to a petty rivalry. Sonia is dead and Maya must pay so dearly for it’
The last thing I needed, at that moment, was someone disregarding the tragedy that had unfolded in Maya’s kitchen. The evidence was right there.
“Alpha Stefan, we all know how these things go—she’ll turn the pack against us if we don’t act fast.”
Gavin spoke up, taking his chance at pleasing me.
I clenched my hands, feeling the weight of the pack's expectations on my shoulders. As I moved, the floors groaned beneath my boots.
“Right, she needs to know that I would not condone what she did”.
I agreed with Gavin even if he is an attention seeker.
But Lucas was not ready to give up anyway.
“But locking her up without proof will only breed more chaos. Maya is part of our pack, and she’s been through enough. We need to investigate, not jump to conclusions.
“If we don’t make a decision now, we’ll lose control of this situation. I won’t let that happen.”
My response was low now but still intense.
“What are you suggesting, Alpha? A trial? Public execution?”
Gavin said.
The room fell silent, the weight of such suggestions hanging heavy in the air.
I felt a flicker of doubt, but it was quickly extinguished by my anger and fear.
A part of me wanted to be considerate with Maya, I was in love with her months ago anyways. But I cannot afford to show such weakness, I have a pack to deal with as an alpha. Not now.
“IExecute her tomorrow.”
I announced with my tome laced with authority.
I growled lowly at Lucas to stop him from arguing.
“Let the pack see that we will not tolerate betrayal. There would be no trial, the evidence before us is glaring before us all. That will be her fate, it's decided.”
The room erupted in support. I could feel Lucas’s gaze, disapproving.
“Alpha Stefan, please. This isn’t the way. You know deep down she wouldn’t hurt Sonia.”
“Enough, Lucas. I’m not discussing this any further. I’ll deal with Maya myself.”
Lucas opened his mouth to protest again, but I held up a hand, silencing him.
I couldn’t bear to see the pity in his Beta’s eyes, the disappointment that felt like another dagger to his heart.
As the meeting adjourned, the pack members shuffled out, leaving me to my thoughts. My mind clawed with guilt that Lucas may be right, but I pushed aside.
I choose to remain strong, even if that strength meant turning against someone I once cared for.
I turned to stare out the window at the darker sky; rain was starting to fall in sheets, matching the confusion within me. Sonia’s death was a blow to the pack, and I needed to show them that I could protect them—even if it meant making an impossible choice.
At that moment, I resolved to confront Maya before her execution. I needed to know what she was trying to explain to me earlier.
A nagging voice reminded me that there may be secrets buried deeper than I am aware. And I am ready for whatever darker place such answers will lead to.
MAYA
A few hours ago, I was celebrating my birthday with hopes and life. And within those few hours, my life has crumbled to the barest minimum.
I was first cheated upon by the two closest people in the world to me. Next, I was rejected by my mate and boyfriend. As if that was not enough, my best friend in the world was murdered.
And now, I'm in a stinking and smelling cell underground, awaiting trial for Sonia's case and celebrating my birthday.
My thoughts drifted back to the shattering moment where Stefan turned his back on me, holding Sonia’s lifeless body close to him.
He didn't even take a second glance at me as I begged desperately for him to hear me out.
"Please… I didn’t… I swear, I didn’t do this! Stefan, you know me! I would never—"
But my enforcers drowned my pleas as they dragged me out of the gore scene. Whispers and harsh comments from the members of the pack tailed behind me like ghosts. Making my home, the place I once felt safe, now felt like a graveyard.
"I'm the most unfortunate wolf in the world."
I said to myself coming back to my present demise.
If there is any rank lower than an omega, that is what you can call me right now. I have the most unfortunate luck.
"But who is that person that was speaking to Sonia a few minutes before she died?"
I asked out loud. Is Sonia not who I think she is after all?
This cold and lonely cell scared me because it brought back some childhood memories that I thought I buried a long time ago.
Scared, I crouched to the corner and shivered, hallucinating that one eyed demon crawling slowly to me, saying.
"You are mine."
"Leave me! Leave me alone!"
I mumbled, till I shut my eyes and began to scream long and loud.
"Maya, Maya. It's me."
I heard a familiar voice and I saw that it was Beta Lucas. I embraced him tightly as if I never wanted him to go.
"You are safe, pup. Don't worry, you are safe."
He comforted me as I cried for minutes. When I calmed down, I asked him.
"What are you doing here?"
"I just want to look into your eyes and ask you a question."
He said.
I knew the question he wanted to ask me, so I replied to him.
"I did not kill Sonia. I can never hurt her."
I said.
"Good."
He said, as he went out to check something.
"What do you mean, good?"
I asked him, a little bit confused. He faced me and said,
"I have always been loyal to Alpha Stefan and our pack because I love what we stand for. But now, I am sure that you are being unjustly treated. And judging from Stefan's state right now, you will be killed tomorrow."
"What?!"
I wanted to sob, but he held my hands.
"But, I'm not going to let that happen."
He said.
"What do you mean?"
I asked him.
He went out and opened the cell door for me.
"We are going to escape from here."
He announced.
"Are you f*****g serious?"
I was so scared.
"Yes. We are going to find out who the real killer is."
He assured me.
This is just the beginning of the story.
To be continued…
- Writer
