The Lycan King's Queen

Accusation

Avery’s Pov

I kneel on the cold floor, the hard surface scraping my knees. My lips are swollen, and my right eye throbs in pain. No doubt a bruise has formed.

“Everyone, I’m sorry to have interrupted your sleep, but this is a matter of urgency and deserves to be treated as such.” Alpha Maddox speaks as he walks through the big wooden doors of the hall, held open by guards.

“Tonight, after I retire to my chambers, this lady right here,” he points at me as he sits on his throne, “made attempts to seduce me.”

Murmurs immediately fill the room.

I tug my ripped gown closer to my body, trying to cover myself. I feel exposed.

“And that’s not all. I try to be calm and respectful, but when she sees I’m not giving in, she tries to take advantage of me. This lady tries to force herself on me.”

The murmurs grow louder. Full conversations start. My ears ring, and I move my hands from my dress to press them against my ears.

“I know I cross a line by being physically violent with her,” he says, his voice pretending to sound regretful, “but now the real question is what shall we do with her?”

“Burn her.”

“Banish her.”

“Send her away, she will corrupt our children.”

“She deserves to be flogged.”

“Abomination.”

I shut my eyes as tears run down my cheeks. Pain and despair eat me up from my insides.

Alpha Maddox raises his hand.

“Silence.”

The crowd obeys.

“I have heard you all, but I won’t burn her alive. I would like to assume her behavior is due to the loss of her father. Now, being the merciful man that I am, I’m willing to let her go with only the punishment of becoming a palace slave, on one condition.”

I raise my head and meet his gaze.

“She has to tell the whole pack that she sneaks into my chambers and that these are not false allegations.”

“Speak, you evil child,” an older woman barks, disgust all over her face.

I look at Alpha Maddox. He has a sly smirk on his lips.

“Speak up, Avery. We don’t have all night.”

“I... I,” I stutter for a bit. “I did not try to seduce our Alpha. I am being falsely accused. He is the one who tries to force himself on me.” I yell the last part so everyone hears me.

“If he is the one who tries to force himself on you, how do you get into his private chambers?” the same woman asks.

I shake my head in disbelief. Memories of my father sending me to give her fruits and vegetables flash through my mind.

“One of the servants, Benjamin, told me that the Alpha requests to see me in his private chambers.” I slowly wipe at my tears.

Alpha Maddox runs his fingers across his forehead.

“I hate how this child drags out this act, but we will give fair hearing so justice can be served. Benjamin,” he calls, “step forward and tell us if what she says is true.”

Benjamin walks to the front of the crowd and stands on the raised platform.

“Members of Crescent Moon Pack, I apologize for the disturbance tonight. I stand before you all to clear my name from this accusation.”

My eyebrows draw together in confusion. What accusation is he talking about?

“I never told this lady that the Alpha is requesting for her presence. In fact, I haven’t spoken to her since the death of her traitor father. We all know the Alpha doesn’t like being disturbed once he retires for the night, so it is strange she would say he sent for her. Of what use is she to our Alpha? She accuses him of trying to force himself on her when we all know the Alpha can have any woman in this pack if he wants. Why would he need to force himself on someone as plain as her?”

Some of the pack women who desire the Alpha giggle. I wish the ground would open up and swallow me.

I shake my head hard.

“His son... His son,” I say, pointing at Evans. I’m sure he will say the truth. “Evans saw his father try to force himself on me. Ask him.”

The crowd looks at Evans, who stands beside his father’s throne.

“Evans, your mate claims you see me attempt to have my way with her. Is that so?”

“When I heard noise from my father’s chambers, I ran up, ready to mindlink the guards in case we are under attack. But what I saw broke me.”

He shakes his head.

“My mate has ripped her dress while she begs my father to sleep with her.”

My wolf howls in pain inside my mind. Her mate’s betrayal crushing her.

“You have all heard from the witnesses,” Alpha Maddox says. “My son is deeply hurt by his mate’s actions. But as a future Alpha, he is stronger than his pain. She will be locked in the dungeon. I will decide on her punishment at dawn. You may all return to your homes.”

I stay on the floor as the crowd begins to head toward the exit, still guarded by his guards.

“And let’s not forget,” Alpha Maddox adds, making everyone freeze in place, “Today, the pack will be receiving a very important guest. Business with him means a great deal to me. Let’s be on our best behavior, as the Lycan King will be visiting.”