The last sliver of sun clung to the edge of the earth, casting a soft glow over the land. It was the kind of light that made everything look nostalgic, beautiful, but already fading. Just like my life right now—I thought everything was getting better, but that life is fading, and I’m being thrown into a place of darkness, just like how the world is about to plunge into darkness now.
"Move!" one of the soldiers barked at .
We arrived in front of a large black gate with small square spaces ford by the iron. My steps faltered. It seems like I have a strong affinity for dungeons—woke up in one, and now I’m entering another.
As the gate creaked open, I glanced over my shoulder with hope that he would co running after and order to be released. My hope died, as the rustling trees and the howling cold wind stared back at in hopelessness.
I guess I was expecting too much.
The other soldier behind pushed forward. I lost my balance; my knees dug into the ground, blood seeping out from my broken skin. I bit back the urge to cry.
"Don’t push her like that," a voice rang behind us. When I looked back, Beta Alaric strode towards us, his jaws tightened like he was trying to suppress his anger.
When he got to where we were, he stretched his hand to . "Are you okay?"
I nodded.
"Beta," the soldiers greeted. However, he ignored them, his gaze fixated on . I reached out my hand to him; he grasped it before pulling up.
"You are dismissed. I’ll escort her myself," he commanded.
The soldiers looked like they were about to protest, but they quickly bowed their heads before walking away.
Alaric returned his gaze to . "Co with ."
As we were about to enter the dungeon, a worried voice rang from behind us. "Ember! Ember!"
I turned, my eyes welled as I already knew the owner of those voices. And to confirm my instinct, Caroline and Lydia ran towards us.
My lips curved up into a smile. I unknowingly began to walk towards them, but Alaric grasped my arms, pulling into the dungeon. Their expressions turned into a horrified one as the gates slowly shut closed.
I turned to Alaric. "Let see them, please."
"No, let’s get you to your cell," he said, patting my head, his gaze softened.
I sighed. I looked back—the soldiers held them back from getting any closer. I know they must be worried right now. I don’t even know what my future holds.
The stench of rotten blood and the damp air almost made throw up. The strong sll of rusted iron filled the air, followed by a blood-chilling wail. I flinched, as I could already see myself in that position.
"You don’t have to be scared, Ember," Alaric said, as his large fra strode further into the dungeon.
"Who wouldn’t be scared if they are suddenly thrown into a dungeon for sothing they didn’t do?"
"So you’re saying you’re innocent?" he mused.
"Of course I am innocent!" My shoulders trembled. "I am innocent." This ti, my voice lowered like the fading sound of a piano.
"But all the evidence is pointing to you," he arched his brows.
"Doesn’t that make that strange? Who would steal and leave evidence to be caught?" I sounded desperate.
"A dumb person," he deadpanned.
I closed my eyes. ’This guy.’
"Do I look like a dumb person to you?"
He stopped and turned to face . His green eyes swept over like a printer scanning a paper. He tilted his head to one side. "You don’t look that dumb to ."
"Exactly! I don’t. So why was my scent left there? And why couldn’t you guys—the big bad wolves—trace my scent to find where I went?"
I just threw a bait at him, and I hoped he would bite into it. If I can make him see the flaws in this trap, then he would for sure let Damon know. And then I would be free.
Alaric’s brows knitted together in deep thought. "Your scent disappeared at the entrance to Damon’s room," he drawled. He leaned closer to . "It might be possible that you were frad..." he smiled at .
Hearing his words, I sighed in relief. At least soone finally understood and knew I didn’t do it.
"...But as you said earlier, you are very smart. What if you did this maybe not only to steal his locket, but to also cause an uproar in the pack? Because now you look guilty but at the sa ti innocent. You are smart enough to plan this, so what must be your goal to do all of this?"
At his words, the hope in my eyes died. My heart sunk in my chest. My fists tightened. "Now that you’ve put it like that, I don’t know what to say, Beta Alaric." I drawled his na.
He pressed his lips into a thin line, his eyes fixated on my neck. "That must have hurt."
"That you just conjured a baseless fact? Of course it hurts. I thought you were finally on my side and you could see through the sches. Although I don’t know why that locket ans so much to Master, I would never steal his things." A single tear rolled down my cheek.
Alaric bit his lower lip, a little taken aback by my words. "I was referring to the angry marks on your neck." He scratched the back of his neck.
"Oh." I shakily raised my hand to touch my neck. My fingers brushed against it like feathers, but I groaned from the pain that shot through . I hadn’t realized that my throat was hurting that bad.
Alaric resud walking again. He stopped at a cell just a few steps away from where he was standing. "We are here, Ember."
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