Soraya's POV
I froze, my ear buzzing at Faye's words.
"It hurts…" She whispered, her voice strained with sadness.
The world around me narrowed to nothing but her, playing her words on repeat.
Fire.
The same word that had plagued my existence for years.
Unconsciously, tears slipped past my eyes, and I didn't even realise it till I felt it drop on my palm.
"The alphas are here." A guard said, fear laced in his voice. "Quick, everyone move back."
"What's going on?" Kael's voice sounded from behind, as I turned slowly to meet his gaze.
Briefly, our eyes clicked, a frown marring his gentle features at the sight of my tears, until they left mine, landing on Faye and instantly, I saw his expression collapse.
"Faye!" He rushed towards us, almost shoving me to the side as he crouched over his trembling sister. "What happened?!"
His voice was harsh, directed at no one, but I had a hunch it was aimed at me.
I had no idea what to say, so I stayed silent, bowing my head.
The pressure in the room shot with my silence.
"Someone explain what happened this instant!" Kael growled, causing the guards to tremble in fright.
"We—" one guard choked, speaking up. "we have no idea your highness, we only came in here after we heard a scream."
From the corner of my eyes, I watched Kael's face darken, his eyes flickering back to me with a scowl that made my heart pound.
I lowered my head further, avoiding eye contact.
I didn't want him to see me crying.
Why can't he just take his sister and leave?
I thought, Faye's low painful moans filling the air.
"Did you do something to her?" He suddenly asked, the question taking me off guard.
My eyes widened at the accusation though, blurting out a quick high pitched "no."
I am innocent. Moon goddess knows I am.
"I didn't touch her. She just fell and started doing this." I tried explaining, my voice low, like that would make him believe me.
If he did, he didn't say a word, neither did he show it.
He only stared unblinking, thin lips pursed into a straight line, that had my heart pounding like a five year old kid facing the principal for being naughty.
My wolf whined in my head, wanting us to wipe the suspicion on our mate's face, but I pushed it down.
What can I do?
Even though I wanted to explain, how could he believe me?
There won't be any witness to confirm my words anyway, so I didn't bother, however, it still stung.
Just as the tension increased, the doors opened again, Lucen and Draven rushing in.
"What happened?" Lucen spoke first, his eyes instantly landing on Faye's cradled form in Kael's embrace.
Unlike Lucen, Draven walked towards Kael, looking intently at their little sister, then Kael. "Brother, explain. Why is Faye in pain? Who hurt her?"
At his last question, he glared at me, clenching his fists, the direct blame making me cower from the amount of hate I saw in them.
Of course he would assume it was me.
After all, I was here based on their assumption that I was guilty.
To them I was a criminal. A heartless one who was capable of harming her own parents.
My wolf whined pitifully, but I blocked her away.
I felt Kael's stare linger slightly before it finally left my form, his expression one of utmost calm, as he stood to his feet, carrying his sister.
"I'll take Faye to the pack's healer. You both should stay here and investigate what happened."
"What do you mean to investigate?" Draven snapped, scowling. "Isn't it this Omega's fault our sister is in this condition?"
"She claims she didn't touch Faye." Kael coolly answered, his pace steady as he headed to the door.
"And you believe her?" Draven asked incredulously. Like his brother had just said the most bizarre thing ever. "I mean look at her! Instead of defending herself, she just sits there acting pitiful."
At that, all six gazes land on me, each with different expressions. Lucen's was calm, Kael was always unreadable, but Draven's disgust for me was blatant.
If I wasn't his mate and they needed me, I don't doubt being dead.
The thought made me squirm.
Is it that hard to believe I was innocent?
Kael turned his attention back to his brothers. "Until proven guilty, she's innocent."
"Brother…" Lucen trailed off, a hint of worry leaking through.
However, he didn't say more. It was like he was speechless.
Why was Kael speaking up for me?
Didn't he hate me like the rest of his brothers? Or was he now having a change of heart?
I wondered looking at the back of the eldest triplet.
Draven however wasn't done. "You know what that means right?" He pushed further, stopping Kael from moving. "It means you choose to side with this criminal over getting justice for your sister. This omega did something to her!"
Kael's lips moved smoothly."We rule our people fairly. Criminal or not. I do not want anyone being convicted unjustly. You can question her. I allow it, but condemning her right away isn't fair to anyone." His tone was fair. Final, cutting whatever fantasy or hope I had left. "Now if you'll excuse me, Faye needs to see the healer."
So that's why he decided to help. It's not that he cared, but it's because he wanted to retain their image.
Somehow, his reasons went well with his brothers. They nodded, letting him leave.
So many words I wanted to say at that moment, and I just wanted to cry. To have someone to hold me, but all I got was this.
Who did I offend?
Why did the moon goddess hate me so much that I even have to suffer like this?
With Kael and Faye fine, Lucen and Draven's presence suddenly pressed painfully in the back of my head making me fully aware of what's to come.
Kael said they could interrogate me, so what are they going to do to me?
All too soon, it happened.
"Leave us." Draven ordered, the guards rushing out at once, their fading footsteps increasing my heart race.
The air went completely silent, none of them talking. Their stares bore down on me, piercing every clothing into my skin.
Slowly. Painfully slowly, Draven moved, coming to my side and crouching.
His scent hit me square on, the tantalizing scent of spice causing my brain to turn too much, and my omega wolf preening at the closeness.
Involuntarily, my core clenched along with it and for the first time in my life, I felt so much hate for my body.
Just his presence was making me swoon. How much of a whore can I possibly be?
This bond!
I hated it so damn much.
Like he could feel my reaction, Draven smirked, carefully taking a lock of my hair, and twirling it playfully.
I shivered, my core clenching even more.
"Now that we are finally alone, are you willing to tell the truth about what happened, or do you want this the hard way?"