Isabella's POV 

"Proceed," Adrian said after he took his seat.

"Long live the alpha." Elder Rowan said and bowed. "We shall now commence the council meeting."

The hall resounded with his voice. I gulp slowly, and I had to remain standing despite the weakness of my legs. 

"Isabella Hart," Elder Rowan said, and stared directly at me. We are told that you gave birth to a child earlier today."

I felt my chest tightening upon hearing the word baby.

"But," he said quickly. "It was a stillborn."

"I would like to see my child," I insisted. "I deserve to see my baby."

None of the elders reacted. The fact that they were not talking increased my frustration.

"I carried that child in my belly for months, he was fine, I stuck to my diets! Even in that cold dungeon!" I said, and my voice shook. "You cannot simply inform me that my baby is dead and not to show me the body. Let me see the body and then I'll believe I have birth to a dead child."

The members of the council looked at each other in a short glance. Then Elder Rowan spoke again.

"The council is already aware of the state of the child. And we did the needful."

"My child is not a condition and one of you oldies have the right to decide what happens to my baby!" I screamed before I could restrain myself.

A number of guards moved a notch higher at my sudden outcry. I didn't care.

"I must see my baby," I said and my voice was breaking. "Please."

For a moment, no one answered.

Then Elder Rowan spoke, in a cold voice.

"The child was born dead, stop insisting on seeing a dead child."

My heart clenched painfully.

"No," I whispered.

"Yes," he said firmly.

Tears filled my eyes. I glanced about the hall, and wished somebody, anybody, would take a little sympathy. But the faces that gazed back upon me wouldn't care if I had shed alongside the son.

I felt completely alone.

Elder Rowan clasped his hands together.

"Your ultimate punishment will be decided by the council soon," he said.

My head lifted slightly.

"Punishment?"

"Yes," he replied. "We are expecting a guest, he added. The final judgement will be given by him."

A guest?

My confusion deepened.

How come that a stranger should determine my destiny?

I turned toward Adrian.

He should be able to do something to prevent this madness.

My voice had softened now, I said, "Adrian. Don't you feel anything? He... was your son... our son.."

"Please," I begged. "Tell them this is a mistake."

Adrian's expression didn't change and he said nothing.

The silence was there between us. "Say something! How can you let them treat me like this! I am your mate! I am your Luna!"

Then Adrian spoke.

"You are neither my mate nor Luna," he said coldly.

The words were an additional blow to my chest.

"What?"

Adrian looked about at Clara, and then his eyes came back to me.

"I have met my mate ," he said.

I was struck by the words as they came.

My breath caught in my throat.

"What... did you say?"

Clara just broke into a little laughter.

"Adrian is speaking the truth," she said.

My eyes slowly moved to her.

She sat back easily in the chair of the Luna.

"You know, Isabella, Adrian and I have found our mate-bond not long after your real self was revealed." 

Her stomach was caressed with her hand.

"The Moon Goddess eventually revealed the truth."

My head shook slowly.

"No."

This couldn't be happening.

"Yes," Clara said to herself, with a little smile. It is rather a shame to you, though. You tried but you could never be the original, the real one. You had spent years by Adrian, and never got his mark."

My heart sank aching.

This was a sensitive topic  between me and Adrian. Even after years of being with me, several nights spent together, he had never maker  me as his mate.

Clara tilted her head slowly to the side revealing her neck.

My breath caught again.

There was a mate mark on her skin.

My stomach knotted in pain.

"Beautiful, isn't it?" Clara said proudly.

The words cut deep. I was like the ground had fallen out of my feet.

"Why?" I whispered.

I looked at her as my voice shook.

"Clara... why would you do this?"

"Reveal your true nature?" Clara mocked.

The room felt suffocating. I couldn't breathe properly. The great doors of the hall burst open once more before I had time to reply. All looked toward the entrance. A man, old, was walking slowly in. His hair was entirely white, and he walked slightly with a wooden staff.

As soon as the elders beheld him they rose all respectfully. Everyone rose,except Adrian. 

"And the judge is here," Elder Rowan said.

The elderly wolf slowly made his way to the hall. His quick eyes examined me keenly. I had never seen him before. But all this changed instantly in the room.

He also appeared to be respected by everyone.

"Is this the accused?" he asked.

"Yes," Elder Rowan replied.

The old wolf nodded once.

Then he looked directly at me.

"Isabella Hart," he said.

His voice was old but strong.

"You are guilty of killing Helena Blackwood, mother of Alpha Adrian." 

My stomach twisted.

"According to the testimony of a credible witness, the last punishment has been determined," he went on, very calmly.

The hall was as quiet as death.

My breathing was too loud even to me.

The old wolf raised his staff a little, and spoke again.

"The sentence for your crimes..."

He paused briefly.

"...is death."

My heart stopped.

"You will be burnt before the pack tomorrow at sunrise," he answered.

Isabella's pov 

"Move it!" A guard hissed as he pushed me forward, leading me back to the dungeon.

I stumbled, but I was able to hold myself together.

The other inmates were already staring at me.

"No fighting." The guards said as they locked the cell door behind me.

"Well, well," a familiar rude voice said.

I did not have to look far to know who it was.

Scar gradually came forward with a broad smile on her face.

"Looks like the Luna is back."

The other woman  laughed.

"Not for long," Scar's friend added. "Her guardian has been sent to solitary." 

Gradually I went over to the same rock bench where I was sitting. I was still aching in my body due to the birth. My heart ached even more.

"So," Scar went on,folding her arms. "We heard the news."

 The other rogue chuckled.

"Oh yes, the guards were discussing it." 

I kept my head down , not responding.

"What a poor little baby," said Scar in a fake  sympathetic voice.

"Born dead, right?" Scar added.

The duo broke into laughter.

"Imagine that one is bearing a child all these months just to see it born dead." She mocked.

My chest pained at aching.

I gritted my teeth and remained quiet.

"Perhaps the baby was aware that its mother was a murderer," sneered the other  woman.

It was at this moment that Scar  burst out into a clap.

"Oh!" she said excitedly. "We should celebrate."

 I raised my head, shocked by the sudden mood swing.

"Celebrate what?" Scar's friend asked.

She grinned wider.

"The Luna's funeral."

"Oh, that is excellent," her friend said.

Scar lifted an empty metal bowl, which lay on the floor, and  she put it in the centre of the cell.

"There," she said dramatically. "Our coffin."

The other lady started taking bits and bits of cloth and throwing them into the bowl.

"Goodbye , Luna Isabella, goodbye," said Scar.

I felt my throat tighten.

"A tragic tale," Scar said. "She killed the Alpha's mother..."

"And then her baby died. And tomorrow morning she is going to be burnt to death."  Scar put her hand over her heart. "So sad."

The duo  broke into a fresh outburst of laughter.

My hands began shaking.

I tried to ignore them, and their words, tried  to focus on breathing. But all the words seemed like a knife that was stabbing further into my chest. I had lost my child. My mate had abandoned me. My closest friend had ruined my life. And tomorrow...

I was going to die tomorrow.

"Hey, Scar," said, and tossed a piece of clothe at me. .

I slowly lifted my eyes.

"Have a nice funeral," she said with a smile. "You are the one going into the fire tomorrow morning, you see. You should enjoy your funeral, not everyone is lucky to attend their funeral you see."

Before I had time to answer, a great bang was heard outside the dungeon.

Boom. The women suddenly ceased laughing.

"What the hell was that," one of them said.

Another loud crash followed. Then shouting. Far distant shouting was the order of the day.

"Attack!"

"We are under attack, keep an eyes on them, not one should get out. I'll go get reinforcements!"i heard a dungeon guard shout.

The noise of combat soon became known on the land. My heart skipped. The dungeon guards started yelling commands out. Metal clashed against metal. Someone screamed.

"What did you do this time Luna?" Scar hissed.

"Nothing, I swear it." Came my shaky reply. 

The noise grew louder. Footsteps crashed along the passage.

Then suddenly-

The dungeon doors burst open. A number of armed men came rushing in. But they weren't pack guards. They differed in their clothing.

Darker.

More dangerous.

"Seize the prisoners!" one of them said.

The doors of the cells were hastened opened. The rogues  about me started to their feet.

"What is going on?" Scar demanded.

"Move," one of the attackers said, roughly shoving her aside, that exact second, an arrow flew right into her eye socket.

"No!" A screamed clawed its way out of my throat.

"Ensure she does not die!" One of the attackers said and immediately, four other men grabbed me. 

In a few seconds the dungeon was in pandemonium. Inmates were ripped off the cell and forced to go to the door. The men  pulled me along out of the others.

I was still a weak body after giving birth to a child.

I struggled to keep up. The clatter of fighting resounded all around us as we were precipitated out of the dungeon. Fire was blazing in a distance. The wolves were fighting throughout the pack territory. I had just time to think what is happening when all turned dark.

My eyes slowly opened again, hours later or so I thought. I for  a moment thought that I was in a dream. The room in which I was was not much like a dungeon. The bed on which I lay was big and comfortable. The stone walls were neat, furniture dark and the light cozy.

It was more of a royal chamber than a prison. At a loss, I gradually forced  myself up. That was when I noticed him. One man was seated by the bed with calmness. He was a long, dark-haired, sharp-featured man. His eyes however, I found most remarkable.

They were golden. Not the usual amber color of the most wolves. They were brighter. More intense. He sat and stared at me as I sat up.

"Where... am I?" I asked weakly.

The man sat back a little in his chair.

"In my territory,"he said coolly.

His voice was deep and steady. My confusion deepened.

"Who are you?" I asked.

The man looked me over a little, and then replied.

"My name is Lucian Varek."

He paused slightly.

My breath caught. I had heard that name, he was the lycan King of the rogues.

"What...how did I get here? Why am I not in the dungeon?" I asked slowly.

The golden eyes of Lucian were still upon me.

"During the raid on Shadowfang Pack you were taken," he explained.

My mind raced.

"You attacked the pack?" I asked.

"Yes."

Anger flared inside me.

"You have ruined a whole land to take prisoners?" I demanded.

Lucian lifted one eyebrow. "I have my reasons."

My heart pounded.

"Then why am I here?" I asked. "You kidnapped me to become your servant?" I asked.

Lucian burst out into a little laugh.

The sound surprised me.

"You do not understand," he said, calmly. "I did not bring  you here as a slave."

He leaned forward slightly. "I brought  you here to be my companion.

My confusion deepened.

"A partner... for what?"

Lucian became more serious.

"I am aware of all that has happened to you," he said.

My stomach tightened.

"I know about the accusation."

He paused.

"The trial."

Another pause.

"The stillborn child."

I felt my heart throb in my chest.

lAnd your lover," continued Lucian. "Adrian Blackwood, and his Luna, your best friend, sorry-ex best friend, Clara wells."

My hands clenched.

Lucian examined my response.

"You have been betrayed," he said plainly.

"By those whom you trusted, blindly."

I didn't respond.

Because he was right.  "How do you know all these?" I asked. 

Lucian tilted his head back in his chair. "I can know the color of your underwear if I want." 

"Jerk." I hissed under my breath and he burst into laughter.

"Revenge." He said, turning serious as though he was not the same man laughing seconds ago. "I brought you here for revenge."

Isabella's POV

I didn't respond to him right away.

Between us lay the word revenge, still and enticing.

He was seated across from me, patient and quiet, as if he knew what I was thinking.

I tried to avert my gaze from him.

This was wrong.

This was all wrong.

Only a few hours ago I was a prisoner awaiting to be burnt alive. Now I'm in a warm room, talking to a Lycan king who says he's helping me kill my own pack.

It didn't add up to anyone.

"Do you think I can believe you? I finally said.

I was not as loud as I wanted to be, but it was not shaky.

Lucian didn't look offended.

In fact, he seemed like he was almost laughing.

"Don't expect my trust," he said in his calm tone. "Not yet."

I frowned slightly.

"Then what do you expect?" I asked.

That you hear," he said.

I instinctively raised my arms and covered them with my arms, as if to block out the dull pain that remained in my body.

"And why would I do that?" I asked.

Lucian sat back in his chair and his golden eyes never left mine.

"You can't go any other way."

He didn't sound aggressive.

It was matter-of-fact.

"You were found guilty of your crime and sentenced to death," he continued. "You would be ready to burn at sunrise if I hadn't taken you."

The pressure on my chest grew somewhat.

I didn't like the fact that he was right.

"Oh, no, you are no longer the Luna of Shadowfang Pack," he continued. "To them, you are a criminal."

I clenched my jaw.

I am innocent," I said, "I am innocent."

Lucian nodded once.

"I know."

I stopped short at that one.

"You know?" I repeated.

"Yes," he replied matter-of-factly.

My eyes tightened up a bit.

But how do you know that? I asked.

Lucian didn't reply right away.

Rather, he bent his body forward a little, placing his elbows on his knees.

"But I know what took place in the council hall," he said.

My heart skipped.

"You were called up on a dime," he went on. No warning and no preparation."

My fingers slowly tightened against my arms.

"The charges were brought on speedy basis," he continued. "Helena Blackwood was murdered, you were accused of it."

I stared at him.

He was still calm.

"They did use the herbs in your private garden as evidence," he added. "Hard to find, rare ones."

There was a coldness that passed through me.

How does he know that?

Lucian went on without a break.

Clara Wells intervened before you could defend yourself properly.

My breathing slowed.

"She has testified against you," he replied. "You said you were trying out a new drug on the Alpha's mother."

I felt a tightness in my chest once more.

Lucian's eyes turned a darker shade.

"And your mate... he added..."

My heart dropped.

"He said nothing."

The room was deathly quiet.

I looked at him, but couldn't talk for a while.

All the things he said were true.

Every detail.

"How can you know this?" I finally asked.

My voice was quieter now.

More cautious.

Lucian locked his eyes on me.

"Watch I do," he said simply.

The reply did not help any.

It made me uneasy.

"You were there?" I asked slowly.

No, not in the hall, he said. "But close enough."

My stomach twisted.

That meant he had been spying on the pack.

Observing me.

"For how long?" I asked.

Lucian didn't hesitate.

"Long enough."

It made my skin tingle when I heard that answer.

I didn't like that.

I didn't like it at all.

You think that I'm just supposed to believe that you were there? I asked.

He replied quietly, "No. "Your trial was never fair to you, I expect."

I froze.

"What do you mean?" I asked.

Lucian leaned back again.

He said that was a decision that was made before he even set foot in that hall."

My heart began to beat rapidly.

"No," I replied reflexively, "that's not true."

As I said, though, my doubts seeped in.

Lucian gave the slightest nod of his head.

"You weren't allowed to provide evidence," he continued. "When you attempted to speak, you were cut off. And the only witness that they had depended on..."

His gaze sharpened.

"...he was the one who gained the most from your demise"

Clara.

My throat was constricted.

"That doesn't prove anything," I said, but not very confidently.

Lucian studied me for a while.

"Do you need some proof?" he said.

I focused my gaze back on his.

"You have proof?" I asked.

"I do," he replied.

There was a glimmer of hope in me.

Then let me see," I quickly said.

Lucian shook his head.

"Not yet."

My expression hardened.

"Why not?" I demanded.

"You're not ready to see it," he said coolly.

But that's not something you have to do, I snapped.

Lucian didn't take offense at my tone.

"Yes, it is," he said. "It's a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity; if you see it, you can't miss it."

I stared at him.

My heart was pounding once more.

What was he referring to?

You want answers," he went on. "You want the truth," said the old man.

"Yes," I replied right away.

Then you will hear first," he replied.

I hesitated.

My whole body was saying, "Beware.My whole body was telling me to be careful.

This was a man to be feared.

A Lycan king.

An assailant who attacked my pack with no trouble.

And yet...

Only he had answers for me.

Only one person who appeared to think I was innocent.

"No options," I said slowly.

Lucian nodded.

"That's right."

I took my gaze off of her for a moment.

If I were to leave this...

Where would I go?

I had no pack.

No protection.

No allies.

And I was still considered a criminal.

If I escaped I would be hunted anyway.

Captured again.

Killed.

I closed my eyes for a brief moment.

I opened them back up and gazed at him again.

"No, I'm not saying that I accept anything," I said firmly.

Lucian didn't interrupt.

"But..." I continued, "I'll listen to your plan."

That was as much as I could contribute.

For now.

Lucian nodded once.

"That is enough."

"Talking," I said, "let's get started."

Lucian didn't say anything for a couple of seconds.

His gaze didn't leave my face.

Then he spoke.

"When we talk about revenge," he said, "you have to realize what has been stolen from you."

My chest constricted a little.

I was angry, "I already know what has taken from me," I said. "My position. My mate. My child-"

"Do you?" he interrupted.

I froze.

His voice had gone all wrong.

It was sharper now.

More serious.

"What do you mean?" I asked.

Lucian bent his head forward slightly.

His golden eyes were fixed on mine.

"Well, let me tell you the truth about your child."