Chapter 3 Victim Or A Criminal

Curious but worried, I asked, "Why are you here?"

"What happened to you?" she finally said, her voice full of concern.

Amara steadied herself as she looked over my injuries. I stayed quiet, meeting her eyes, feeling the weight of her worry.

"Untreated wounds can cause problems," she said, clearly worried.

"But I'm still alive," I replied softly, with determination in my voice.

Amara took out a piece of meat wrapped in a napkin, keeping it hidden from anyone watching. She offered it to me, her face full of sadness.

"You'll need strength," she said softly, knowing the hard journey ahead would be full of challenges I'd have to face alone.

She was the only person I saw after three long days in the dungeon, a small comfort in an otherwise dark and lonely place.

I had thought I would die there, left to suffer alone. I didn't realize it was only a small part of the trials I would face.

When Amara offered me the piece of meat, I grabbed it quickly and ate it hungrily, like a starving animal. I didn't care about choking-I just needed to eat. Put yourself in my place-what would you have done?

I finished the steak in an instant, finally quieting my hungry stomach.

"I'm sorry," Amara said, her voice filled with worry.

"This is my cruel fate," I replied, my voice heavy with sadness. "No matter where I go, it's always the same."

Amara's heart ached when she saw me. My body was covered in scars, my nails dirty, and my feet caked in mud. Even so, I tried to appear strong, pretending that I was okay.

"Did they hurt you?" Amara asked, clearly concerned.

"Not more than my life already has," I said, my words weighed down by everything I'd endured.

"You should never have come back here," Amara said.

"Are you scared? I've heard the Oak Pack doesn't hesitate to punish people," I asked, trying to understand her worry.

"You don't know how desperate they are to get rid of you. Every single one of them. You're not safe here," Amara said, her voice urgent.

"At least I have my husband. He'll be the judge," I said, a small spark of confidence in my voice. "He'll protect me."

Amara stayed silent, and I could tell she was holding something back. My curiosity pushed me to ask, "Does Xavier really think I'm guilty?"

"It doesn't matter what he thinks. He has to follow the Oak rules. It's never happened before that a husband serves as judge in his wife's trial," Amara said, her voice serious.

As I accepted the uncertain path ahead, a small smirk appeared on my lips. I whispered, "Then this trial shall become history," my words full of confidence and a hint of defiance.

Amara took a deep breath and asked, "Are you afraid?"

Fear ran through me, but my desire for justice was stronger, leaving me unsure how to answer her.

"Please tell Xavier I never meant to hurt him," I murmured, my voice trembling with pain, carrying the weight of my own deep wounds.

Then, in a soft voice, Amara asked the question that had been on her mind, "Did you kill Levine?"

Her curiosity was like everyone else's, but there was a gentle plea in her eyes, hoping I wouldn't judge her.

With a hopeful look, I asked, "Would you believe me if I told you?"

Amara nodded firmly. "I trust you completely."

"Why?" I asked, my voice filled with genuine curiosity.

"Because you are my friend," she said simply, her words full of loyalty and support.

Amara had always been by my side through every storm. She was the first true female friend I had ever had, and through her unwavering support, I finally understood the real value of friendship.

Amara quietly slipped a small knife into my pocket as the sound of approaching footsteps reached us.

"In case you need this," she whispered, her eyes filled with a knowing look. She then turned her attention to two Omegas walking toward us.

Why had she given me the knife? The Oak Pack was supposed to be fair and just. Did she not trust her packmates? Shouldn't I trust that justice would be done?

I braced myself for what was coming-the trial. It felt like the pack wanted my downfall more than the truth. I was filled with uncertainty, not knowing what would happen next.

Martin and Eric, two Omegas, approached us with purpose. They put on protective gloves and cuffed my wrists and ankles with silver-coated steel shackles. As they tightened the cuffs, a tingling sensation spread across my skin.

Martin motioned for me to follow behind them. "You'll be fine as long as you don't resist," he said.

"That's easier said than done, but do what you can to protect yourself," Eric added, his voice showing concern.

Curious, I asked, "What do you mean?"

Martin only smiled mysteriously. "You'll find out soon enough," he said, leaving me with more questions than answers.

When I stepped out of the dungeon, a bright rainbow stretched across the evening sky, showing that it had rained. Its colors were beautiful, standing in sharp contrast to the grim situation I was in.

Every step of the fifteen-minute walk, shackled and chained, felt like the hardest I had ever taken. The werewolves around me shouted and cursed, showing their anger clearly. I had no chance to explain myself or prove my innocence-their minds were closed.

In the chaos, some werewolves tried to hurt me, driven by their hatred. But other Omegas, like Eric and Martin, formed a protective barrier around me, keeping me safe from their attacks.

"Stay inside the circle," Martin said urgently, aware of the danger outside it.

The path was full of pain and fear, like walking through fire. Each step toward what felt like certain doom made my heart and soul ache even more.