Under The Moonlight : Alpha's Bride

My face pressed into the wet, muddy ground, my fingers sinking into the muck. I was in a desperate situation. The monster holding my leg was far stronger than I could handle.

But even in fear, a small spark of determination stayed inside me. I fought back, twisting my body with all my strength to roll onto my back. Seizing the chance, I threw handfuls of mud at his face, which stunned him for a moment.

The stakes were high, and my life hung by a thread. Survival seemed unlikely, and there was no time to pause or catch my breath. I ran against the relentless clock, forcing my aching legs to carry me along the dangerous path in search of safety.

I pushed through the murky waters and navigated debris left by the storm. Every part of my body ached, but I kept moving, aiming for the shelter of a massive tree where I could finally catch my breath and gather my strength.

Suddenly, I heard it-the sound of footsteps getting closer. Each step echoed through the quiet forest, making my heart pound with fear. Panic gripped me-I could feel that something terrible was about to happen. My life felt like it was hanging by a thread.

"We both know you're out of options. Do you really think you can escape me?" he sneered, his voice full of mockery as his eyes scanned the area.

I struggled to catch my breath, hiding behind the thick trunk of an old tree. He was only a few feet away, and I kept moving from one tree to another, trying not to be seen.

His attention shifted when a bird suddenly flew to a different tree.

"Don't test my patience, Sansa," he growled, his voice sharp and threatening.

In that moment, it was clear that Edward Elijah enjoyed seeing me struggle, taking pleasure in my hopeless attempts to escape. He seemed determined to end my life just before the trial, planning to hide the truth with my dead body.

I had never trusted the Oak Pack or their old, strict rules-they felt like a dangerous poison that kept their loyalty in check for generations. Even with Xavier's efforts, the Oak Pack never fully accepted me as one of their own.

Every part of me was bruised, and fresh drops of blood ran down, showing the pain he had caused. Most of the pack didn't know I had escaped or seen the terrible things he had done.

My heart pounded as Edward moved closer, each step bringing him nearer to where I was hiding. I tried to move slowly and quietly, slipping behind a tree, hoping to stay hidden and change my position.

A sharp crack broke the silence as I stepped into the thick underbrush-a mistake I instantly regretted. Edward's sharp eyes found me immediately. Before I could react, his hand shot out and grabbed my neck, lifting me off the ground with ease. Panic washed over me, leaving me unable to even cry out.

"Where do you think you're going?" he growled, his voice full of anger.

My eyes flashed a fierce green, my fangs grew longer, and my claws stretched out-a painful change that showed my life between being human and wolf. But I could never fully shift, always stuck between the two worlds.

"Oh, you weak little bird, you're not one of us," he sneered, enjoying my pain. He wanted my blood and saw me only as his prey and enemy.

"The Oak Pack never lets an enemy escape; that's our first rule," he said, his voice firm.

A desperate urge to scream for help rose in my throat, spreading through my body. But no sound came out as Edward Elijah, the Oak Pack's powerful beta, kept hurting me. The pack was known for being cruel and merciless, and now I was completely at the mercy of their harsh enforcer.

"Isn't it really sad?" Edward shouted, his anger rising. "We accepted you even though you were never truly one of us. And what did you do? You betrayed us!"

My life felt like it was slipping away, every second leaving me struggling for breath. Edward's anger wasn't just against me-it was a betrayal of his Alpha, Xavier. He wanted revenge for the death of his best friend, Levine Ronan, who he believed I had killed-my true mate.

"The guilty will not escape punishment," he muttered, clearly enjoying the thought of hurting me.

Suddenly, a voice cut through the chaos. "Enough," said Adam.

Adam Nigel, another beta, appeared just in time. Edward released his hold on me, giving me a brief moment of relief. I fell to the ground, coughing and struggling to catch my breath.

"What were you doing, Edward?" Adam asked, clearly confused.

"She was trying to run," Edward said stubbornly.

Adam's eyes narrowed. "We're not here to kill anyone."

I watched as Adam knelt down and gently lifted my chin so I could look at him, still struggling to breathe.

"Look at you," Adam said, his voice filled with genuine concern.

Adam looked over my battered body, noticing every bruise and my dirty, bare feet. He seemed to take in everything, trying to understand my pain.

"Why are you doing this to yourself, Sansa? Why are you running if you've done nothing wrong?" Adam asked, his voice full of both confusion and care.

He truly cared about me. He was the only werewolf who had never hurt me, always offering protection from Edward Elijah's attacks.

"Why did you kill him?" Edward's voice broke through the silence, full of anger and curiosity.

Fear surged through me, but I refused to let it control me. I quickly found the courage to respond, using my skill in deception. "Go to hell, Edward," I said, my voice strong.

Even though I was terrified, I kept my brave front. I pushed myself up, leaning on the tree behind me for support.

Edward, full of anger, stepped in front of me, demanding, "Why did you do it?" His voice was sharp and furious.

I ignored his questions, avoiding his intense gaze. Suddenly, he grabbed my hand tightly, stopping me in my tracks. In anger, I pushed his hand away, and he bared his teeth, ready to attack.

Adam quickly stepped in between us, sensing trouble. "Enough, "We're not here to take matters into our own hands, " he said firmly, his voice serious but urgent.

Edward stepped closer, his voice sharp with urgency. "Do you really think Xavier would punish her for her crime? Adam, we need to end this here and now."

"What are you trying to say?" Adam asked, sounding unsure and worried.

"I don't trust Xavier in this," Edward said, his tone full of doubt.

"He is the Alpha," Adam replied firmly.

"He is also her husband," Edward said bitterly.

"He was an Oak's Alpha before he became her husband," Adam said calmly.

Edward growled low, his frustration clear as he wanted to end my life, but Adam stayed in his way, stopping him from acting on his violent urges.

Adam turned to me, speaking sincerely, hoping to earn my trust. "Believe me, Sansa, the Oak Pack would never hurt an innocent person."

But I knew there was no way back. Even if I went back, I wouldn't find safety. I had burned all bridges behind me and chosen the only path forward.

"Isn't it interesting? Xavier will be the judge in your trial. I wonder what he'll do-cut off your hands, lock you in the dungeon forever, or make you a pack slave so that everyone can have you for pleasure,," Edward said, laughing and imagining his cruel wishes.

"You have no idea how dangerous it is out here alone," Adam said, his voice full of real concern.

I kept staring at the fence just a few feet away, curious about what was beyond it. Since Adam arrived, he kept glancing over it, but the darkness made it hard to see.

"I'm not going back," I said firmly, standing my ground.

"You must, or you'll die here," Edward warned, his threats looming over me.

While I focused on Adam, Edward didn't stop trying to grab my attention, constantly reminding me of the danger I was in.

I looked at Adam with a mix of determination and sadness. "My answer hasn't changed," I said firmly.

"Try to understand how serious your situation is. If you run, they will hunt you down mercilessly. Going to the trial is your best chance to show your innocence," Adam said, his voice full of concern.

"I don't trust anyone," I admitted, my heartbreak clear.

"You can only trust yourself. Prove that you didn't kill Levine. Come with me. Running only makes you look guilty before the trial even begins," Adam said calmly, his words making sense.

Adam's words struck a chord in me. I had run away in fear, forgetting that I should have stood my ground and fought back against Edward and his followers.

"Don't worry," Adam said gently. "Justice will be done."

His words gave me courage. I decided to go back, feeling a little stronger knowing Adam was by my side. The road ahead seemed hard, but I started walking with him, ready to face whatever came next.

As I went back to the mansion with Adam and Edward-the pack's home where other members lived-I faced a dangerous situation.

Ruth Lane, a silver-haired woman with a cold heart, grabbed my neck tightly, trying to hurt me. She had always wanted Levine for herself, but he had never given her the chance. To her, I was just a threat.

"I will end you!" Ruth shouted, her anger clear.

"Show some control, at least until the truth comes out," Adam said, stepping forward to keep her back.

"There's nothing left to find out-everyone already knows the truth," Ruth said, mocking.

She wasn't the only one angry. Other pack members glared at me, their looks burning like arrows through my heart. I avoided making eye contact with anyone. Seeing this, Adam moved in front of me, standing between me and the angry crowd.

"Remain calm. This is not the way," Adam warned the group as a whole.

My husband, Xavier, should have been there to defend me in all the chaos. But he had been missing for the past two days. Everyone else wanted my blood, yet he was nowhere in sight. He had always promised to protect me, but his absence showed that he couldn't.

"How can you even take her side?" Ruth asked, her voice full of doubt.

"I'm not picking sides. I just want everyone to have a fair chance to speak. Patience is important," Adam said calmly, standing firm to protect me from the angry pack around us.

"Why would she run if she's innocent?" Ruth asked sharply, her voice full of anger.

I looked up at my room's window as Ruth's words echoed in my ears and saw the curtain move slightly. I could still smell him in the air, a reminder that my husband, Xavier, had been watching me just moments ago.

"Now that she's back, let's end this trouble," Adam said, trying to calm everyone down.

"Trouble? This awful creature has been causing chaos since she arrived, and this time I won't let her go without punishment," Ruth said, her voice full of hate.

The wolves around us grew more aggressive, making the place even more dangerous. Fearing for my safety, Adam guided me to the basement, where a few dim candles cast eerie shadows, giving us a small sense of safety amid the chaos.

I knew exactly what I had to do next, so I headed to the prison cell. Adam looked worried, his sad expression showing how much he cared, and he couldn't bring himself to meet my eyes. With a heavy sigh, he locked the door after checking the dimly lit cell.

"You'll be safe here, unlike outside. I'm sorry," Adam said seriously, his voice full of concern.

I whispered, "Thank you, but don't trouble yourself for me. I can't bear seeing you suffer because of what I did," my voice full of regret.

"You'll be fine," Adam said kindly, his words full of hope and encouragement. With that, he walked away, leaving me alone in the prison cell.

The sound of dripping water echoed through the damp, quiet room, breaking the silence. Every breath I took seemed loud, the only sign that I was still alive.

I lay still on the cold, hard floor, feeling the presence of rats nearby. They seemed to sense my weakness, waiting for the moment they could feed on me.

Three days passed in complete darkness. I had no way of knowing if it was day or night. The only thing I could smell was the fresh, earthy scent of rain outside my prison walls.

A cold breeze entered the prison cell as the door slowly opened. I gathered my strength and managed to sit up, feeling the presence of someone approaching.

My blurry vision cleared as footsteps came closer. A faint candlelight revealed Amara, a close friend and pack member.

"You shouldn't be here," I whispered, my voice weak and trembling.

Amara stayed where she was, looking at me with deep sadness. She seemed at a loss for words and remained silent for a moment.

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.