Chapter 5 THE NEW ALPHA'S SLAVE

The journey to the palace felt like an eternity to Lyla. Each passing minute seemed to intensify the weight of impending doom that hung over her head. As the carriage rattled along the dusty road, her mind raced with thoughts of the consequences awaiting her at the hands of the elders. Would they simply punish her, or would they choose a harsher fate? The uncertainty gnawed at her insides, reminding her that she was in a mess. There was no hope of coming out unscathed.

Beside her, Lyla's mother sat in silence, her face a mirror of Lyla's own anxiety. The normally stoic woman betrayed her fear with every furtive glance and tense movement. Her mother's distress only served to amplify Lyla's own, adding another layer of guilt to her already heavy conscience.

Lyla's involvement with Dranco, the supposed heir to the Alpha throne, had nothing short of a whirlwind. Something meant to be nothing, but a breeze grew into a yet destructive moment of her life. She hadn't planned on getting caught up in the royal family's troubles, let alone aiding in Dranco's escape from Reeds. But fate had a way of entangling even the most reluctant participants, and Lyla found herself swept into a dangerous game of politics and power struggles.

As the carriage finally rolled to a stop outside the palace gates, Lyla's heart plummeted to her stomach. The sight of the imposing structure only served to underscore the gravity of her situation. This was where her fate would be decided, where she would face judgment for her actions.

Stepping out of the carriage, Lyla was greeted by a sea of familiar faces, members of the pack who had come to witness her trial.

"Is that her?"

"Pfft. I hope she rots in hell."

"After all that treatment we gave them, they decided to turn against us!"

Their murmurs and whispers were washed over her like a wave, a mix of anticipation and judgment. Lyla squared her shoulders and forced herself to meet their gaze, refusing to show any sign of weakness.

The courtroom was filled to the brim, every available space occupied by onlookers eager to witness the proceedings. Lyla felt a knot form in her throat as she made her way to the center of the room, where a wooden box awaited her. Turaq, the Beta, stood at the high table, his stern expression leaving no doubt as to the gravity of the situation.

Taking her place in the box, Lyla felt a shiver run down her spine. This was it, the moment of truth. She glanced around the room, meeting the eyes of her accusers and supporters alike. But it was the weight of Turaq's gaze that sent a chill through her bones, his stare like a dagger poised to strike.

As Lyla stood in the box, facing Turaq, the Beta, she braced herself for the onslaught of questions she knew was coming. The murmurs of the crowd filled the courtroom, adding to the tension that hung heavy in the air.

Turaq's voice cut through the noise, sharp and commanding. "Lyla of the Woodscrew pack," he began, his gaze piercing. "You stand accused of aiding Prince Dranco in his escape from Reeds. How do you plead?"

Lyla met Turaq's gaze head-on, her expression resolute. "I plead innocent," she replied firmly. "I never knew the man you called Prince Dranco until the day he introduced himself to me."

Gasps rippled through the crowd at her words, disbelief evident on many faces. Turaq's brow furrowed in skepticism as he continued his questioning. "And yet, witnesses claim to have seen you in the company of Prince Dranco on multiple occasions. How do you explain that?"

Lyla's mind raced as she carefully chose her words. "I can only assume that they must be mistaken," she said evenly. "As I mentioned before, I had no knowledge of Dranco's identity until he told me himself."

"That is a lie from the pit of hell, Lyla!" Sanjo yelled from the back of the room, struggling to get off the guards as though lurching towards Lyla.

"What would you say to that, Lyla? It appears other people seem to disagree with your claim."

Lyla scoffed, her eyes meeting Turaq's with plea. "I wouldn't believe him if I were you. I mean, the wounds on his face are a testament to how crazy he is. He tried to assault me."

The people gasped. Turaq's eyes narrowed, his scrutiny unwavering. "I remember you, Lyla," he said suddenly, his tone cold. "The last time I visited your pack to collect Reeds' yearly tribute, you confronted me with accusations and sharp words. You have always been too sharp-mouthed for your own good."

Lyla's jaw clenched at the reminder, but she kept her composure. "I speak my mind when I see injustice," she retorted defiantly. "That does not make me guilty of the crimes you accuse me of."

Turaq's questioning continued, and each inquiry was more pointed than the last. But Lyla answered carefully, sticking to her story and refusing to waver under pressure. Yet, despite her best efforts, Turaq seemed determined to paint her as a traitor.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity, Turaq spoke again, his voice heavy with accusation. "It is clear to me, Lyla, that you and Prince Dranco have known each other for far longer than you care to admit. You conspired together to hijack the throne, and when your plans failed, you helped him escape."

Lyla's heart sank at Turaq's words, the weight of his accusation crushing her spirit. She wanted to protest, to defend herself against the false accusations, but she knew it would be futile. Instead, she remained silent, her gaze fixed on the floor as the crowd murmured in agreement with Turaq's assessment.

As the verdict was handed down, Lyla felt a sense of resignation wash over her. She had known the outcome long before Turaq had spoken the words aloud. And as Diane, her mother, approached her with tears in her eyes, Lyla braced herself for the inevitable.

"Look at what you have caused our pack and our family, Lyla. I should have known you will be nothing but trouble." Her mother spat, tears streaming down her cheeks.

"I can't even trust my own child."

"You should trust me, mother. I would never hurt you."

The slap across her face stung, both physically and emotionally. But Lyla endured it in silence, knowing that her punishment was far from over.

"I'm sorry," was all she could mutter as she sobbed. Out there, Dranco had probably escaped death, but what waited for her right there in Reeds, she could not predict.

Turaq's mercy, if it could be called that, meant that she would serve as a slave in the palace, forced to serve Franco, Dranco's twin and the new King.

As she was led away from the courtroom, Lyla couldn't help but wonder what fate had in store for Reeds and Woodscrew. Only time would tell what would become of their once-proud packs, now torn apart by betrayal and greed. Her eyes locked with Sanjo for the last time and she didn't miss the evil smirk curling his lips.