Chapter 6 Accused And Condemned

Mira grabbed me roughly, her hands digging into my arms as she dragged me to the center of the hall. The other maids gathered around, their faces full of disdain and curiosity.

They ripped through my clothes, yanking at my pockets, tearing my worn dress as they searched for the bracelet. I stood there, humiliated and exposed, my body trembling with fear and shame.

"Nothing," Mira muttered, throwing my clothes to the floor.

"She doesn't have it." Lila's eyes narrowed, her lips curling in a cruel smile.

"Check her room." I shook my head desperately.

"No, please! I didn't take it! I swear!" But they didn't listen.

Two guards dragged me to my tiny room, throwing me to the floor as they tore through my belongings. There was nothing to find-just my old blanket and the rags I wore each day.

But then one of the guards let out a triumphant shout.

"Found it!" He held up the delicate gold bracelet, the ruby stones gleaming in the dim light. My heart stopped, my blood turning to ice.

How? How did it get here? Lila's eyes flashed with satisfaction as she stepped into the room, her voice dripping with false sweetness.

"Oh, Ella... I trusted you. I gave you a chance to serve me, and this is how you repay me? By stealing from me?"

"I didn't!" I screamed, tears streaming down my face.

"I didn't take it! I don't know how it got here!" Lila's face hardened, her voice cold and merciless.

"Liar. Thief. You've always been jealous of me. Always trying to take what's mine. First Kaden, and now my bracelet?" I shook my head, sobbing.

"I swear, I didn't-" She slapped me hard, the force knocking me to the ground.

"Enough! You've disgraced this pack long enough. Guards, teach her a lesson." The guards advanced, their faces blank and merciless.

I scrambled back, my heart racing with terror.

"No! Please!" But they didn't listen. One of them kicked me hard in the stomach, the air rushing out of my lungs as pain exploded through me.

I curled into a ball, my body shaking as they kicked me again and again, their boots slamming into my ribs, my back, my legs. I tasted blood, my vision blurring as the world spun around me. I heard Lila's laughter, cold and cruel.

"Make sure she remembers this lesson. Thieves are not welcome in this pack." Pain shot through my head as one of the guards grabbed my hair, yanking me to my knees. He punched me hard, his fist slamming into my face, my nose breaking with a sickening crunch.

Blood poured down my face, staining my torn clothes. I was too weak to fight back, too broken to resist. I could only curl up on the floor, shielding my head as they continued to beat me, their fists and boots raining down on me without mercy.

I don't know how long it lasted. Time lost all meaning as pain consumed me, my body broken and bleeding. My ribs felt shattered, every breath a sharp, agonizing stab.

My face was swollen, my vision blurry and distorted. Finally, the beating stopped, and I lay there on the cold, hard floor, my body shaking with pain and fear.

I could hear Lila's voice, cold and mocking. "Take her to the dungeons. Let her rot there until she learns her place." Strong hands grabbed me, dragging me down the dark, winding corridors.

I was too weak to fight, too broken to resist. They threw me into the cold, damp cell, the door slamming shut behind me. I lay there in the darkness, my body bruised and battered, my heart shattered.

How could they believe I would steal? How could Kaden let this happen? But deep down, I knew the truth. Lila had framed me.

She had planted the bracelet in my room, knowing no one would believe me. Knowing that Kaden's hatred for me was strong enough to blind him to the truth.

A broken sob escaped my lips as I curled up on the cold stone floor, my body trembling with pain and grief. No one would come to save me. No one would believe me. I was completely and utterly alone.

Days blurred together after they dragged me out of the dungeons. My body was broken, bruises covering my skin, my ribs aching with every breath.

But they didn't let me rest. Mira made sure of that.

"You think you can just lay around because you got a few scratches?" she sneered, kicking my leg as I struggled to stand.

"You're a slave. You don't get days off." I bit back a cry of pain, forcing myself to get up. My body screamed in protest, my vision swimming as I swayed on my feet. But I couldn't fall. If I did, she would beat me again.

"Get to the kitchen. There are dishes to wash," Mira ordered, her voice cold and merciless.

"And if I see even a speck of dirt, you'll be back in the dungeons." I stumbled to the kitchen, my body trembling with pain and exhaustion.

My hands were swollen and bruised, my fingers aching as I scrubbed the dirty pots and pans. The other maids watched me with disgust, whispering and laughing as they passed by.

"She deserves it," one of them muttered, her voice dripping with disdain.

"Stealing from the Luna. What a filthy rat." Another one sneered,

"I heard she's cursed. That's why her wolf is so weak. No wonder the Alpha rejected her." I kept my head down, my shoulders hunched as their words cut through me like knives.

I wanted to scream, to shout that I was innocent. That Lila had framed me. But no one would believe me. No one would ever believe me...

As the days passed, I felt my wolf growing weaker. I could barely feel her presence anymore, just a faint whisper at the back of my mind.

She used to comfort me, to lend me strength when I was afraid. But now, she was slipping away, retreating deeper and deeper into the shadows.

I could feel her pain, her sorrow. She was dying inside me, her light fading with every cruel word, every beating, every humiliation.

"I'm sorry," I whispered, my heart breaking. "I'm sorry I'm so weak." But my wolf didn't answer. She didn't even stir. I was truly alone....