"That lying—" Viola roared. "Tell them the truth!"
Emerald shook her head. It was no use.
Not only Alia had sustained injuries. She did, too. Blood streamed down her back and thighs.
She could barely feel her lower back, but her mate never noticed a thing.
Emerald swallowed, seeing the disgust and hatred in Rick's eyes. No. It wasn't meant to be like this.
She watched him lean down and scoop Alia up in his arms, turning his back to her. This was her chance, she thought. One last chance to plead her case. "Rick, I can explain."
"Explain what?!" he roared, his cold gaze locking on her. "That your jealousy controlled your actions as a Luna and you tried to hurt a pack member? Not just any pack member, but a previous Luna, my brother's mate?!"
Emerald trembled. "I didn't…" His gaze darkened, silencing her further, as his deadly aura spread around. There was no use anymore. He was blinded—blinded by Alia's lies.
"The only explanation I need is for you to rethink your actions because I will be back, and there shall be consequences."
With a speed that left dust in its wake, Rick hurried towards the pack's house to have Alia treated, leaving Emerald alone.
Emerald lifted her head, her eyes taking in the hatred in everyone's eyes, but none hurt as much as seeing that hate in Rick's.
Her heart clenched. She felt as though it had been torn apart and eaten up by beasts. Her stomach tightened, forming a knot.
She was alone. No one believed or cared about her.
It may not have been the first time such a thing had happened. She had always been framed by Rick's cousin, Rhiannon, and Alia, who had been best friends for years. As usual, Rick never cared about her side of the story and believed them.
"Urrghh…" she groaned, feeling pain course through her body, but no one cared.
Ignoring everyone, she managed to climb back up and walk away from everyone. Although her healing was slow, thanks to masking her true strength as an alpha wolf, Emerald felt more pain in her heart than her body.
How had it come to this? How had she sacrificed everything, only to be left abandoned and disgraced? She had given up her birthright, her kingdom, her true power—all for the promise of love.
She left her kingdom, masking her true power and identity just to live as an ordinary she-wolf, all for the chance to find the one meant for her. And she had found him—Rick.
She thought fate had blessed her with the perfect mate, a love that would be worth the sacrifice. But love had never been kind to her.
She gave it all up. And for what? To be cast aside like she was nothing. To be framed and humiliated by the very people she had tried to love.
Emerald avoided the packhouse to avoid Alia and Rick, fearing Viola might lose control and attack. After thirty minutes of walking, weakness set in her knees.
With no choice, she chose to get her wounds treated before heading to the hospital when she sensed someone's presence beside her.
She hadn't meant to fall like a scared cat when she saw him, but her ankle twisted as she turned. Just before she fell, a pair of hands caught her and steadied her.
Looking up, she met the pack's beta, Darren.
"Thanks."
In response, he only hummed. She couldn't tell if he believed her or helped out of pity, but she was grateful. Darren had always been less talkative with her.
Thoughts raced through her mind, from the so-called accident to Rick's hateful words because of Alia's plan.
"You should have explained, Em."
"I did, Vi, but Rick wouldn't listen. I'm alone now to face his wrath," she communicated back.
"Check again, Em. You are not alone. You have me and Darren."
Emerald rolled her eyes. "Tsk, I wouldn't count on him."
"Even if he doesn't support you. You are Rick's mate. His wolf, Killian should feel our hurt and…"
"The alpha wants you in the pack house." Emerald froze when Darren conveyed those words.
'So that's why he came? For a moment, I thought he actually cared. And Rick…'
"He wants you there within the next two minutes."
"Are you kidding me? We are very far from the pack house and…"
"Alpha's orders, not mine, Luna." He lowered his eyes, a last sign of respect. "But I am here to help you get there."
"More like take me to my doom," Emerald spat before she could control her words. A small scoff left his lips.
"I do not know what to believe, but if you did it, I suggest you tell Rick the truth for your good." A shiver ran down her spine, and goosebumps appeared on her skin at the coldness of his voice.
But soon, she pulled away from him, her calm face now marred with anger.
"If you think I did, then I'd rather not accept your help. I did not."
Darren did not utter a word. With that, he took a bow and left. Emerald blinked. There went her hope of a last support.
She sighed, her shoulders slouching as she steeled herself for what was to come next.
Rather than seeing a doctor first, she walked back the distance to the pack's house. The moment she entered, several hateful glares were sent in her direction.
How quickly people changed.
Some of which Emerald recognises are gammas and omegas.
"She did it, didn't she?" Prisca, a gamma muttered, but her ears were sharp enough.
"Are you still doubting it?" An unfamiliar voice asked.
"She clearly did it. Didn't you hear what our previous Luna said. Luna Emerald did it out of jealousy."
"But pushing her that way was ruthless, especially taking her condition into consideration. She's pregnant."
"The poor lady has suffered already," another female added.
Emerald's ears perked. She recognized that voice too. It was Stella, the omega she had taken under her wings.
"Ingrate."
"Ungrateful soul," Viola chimed.
Stella added again. "It is obvious how Luna Emerald is jealous of Lady Alia. Alpha Rick favours and cares for her more. She must have felt Lady Alia would steal her position and wanted to get rid of the opposition."
Several sounds carried the agreement of the pack members. She felt a pang of pain in her heart. How could people she cared for easily turn their backs on her?
Her head spun. This was too much. She had loved them as she loved her pack members and never expected this.
Emerald attempted to visit Alia's room but halted in her tracks when she felt something strong coming from the opposite direction.
Following Alia's scent, she arrived in Rick's room and looked at the door.
'So… the witch has succeeded in climbing into your bed, Rick.' Emerald's gaze darkened.
Staring at the door which protected her from her enemy, she bawled her fingers at her side. It was now or never.
"You're late." Rick's voice boomed from inside.