Arabella's POVThe dungeon was dark and I could hear water dripping from somewhere. I didn't remember how long I had been here. Hours? Days?"She killed my cousin! She should be executed now.""That isn't how I do things in my pack. First, there will be a trial.""A trial? She killed him. What the hell do you need a trial for? I am the future Luna of this pack. Surely I have a say in these affairs."His voice turned frosty. "No, you don't. Take her to the dungeons."How long had it been since then? I had no idea. I looked at my hands. I had taken a person's life. Because of me, the person would no longer draw breath. I looked at my hands. I hadn't meant to. No, that was a lie. I'd fully meant to. I had chosen myself and had no regrets. I would make the same choice again if I had to. I heard the slam of a door and the sound of footsteps on a staircase then light at the periphery of my vision.It was Anastasia, her mouth twisted with intense dislike. Suddenly I felt very grateful for
Alpha Luciano's POVThe pressure was mounting on me."What on earth are you waiting for to execute her? And don't give me that cock and bull story you gave Anastasia about the law of this pack. Do you know what the Espositos will do to this pack if they think we had a hand in Alec's death? If they think you used Arabella as an assassin to get to them?""Uncle Tommaso lower your voice when you speak to me. This is my last warning to you. More than anyone I care about this pack, its welfare and the rules that govern it. Be it the Espositos or whoever, the rules will not be changed. Yes, she killed him but until I ascertain the truth behind the matter in front of the entire pack, there will be no execution. If the Espositos want her dead so bad, they can spring her from the dungeons and kill her themselves.""Luciano, you can't let your pride come into a matter such as this–" He attempted to push forward again but I cut him off."I think I will be the judge of when and where to let my pr
Arabella's POVAs I walked towards what was possibly my execution, I was calm. It was the sort of calm that came from accepting one's helplessness rather than the one that came from assurance.I was barefoot - my footwear had been confiscated almost immediately I had been incarcerated by the guards on Anastasia's orders- my feet were injured but a bit stronger due to the little food Margaret had been able to give me. I limped, escorted by a guard on either side. My pulse thundered and my mouth was dry. I swallowed. I couldn't even ask for water because Anastasia had forbidden it. At this point, I was more scared of Alpha Luciano marrying her than I was of her marrying him. They took me to a part of the pack house that had been out of bounds for me before. It was like an amphitheatre only smaller. It was teeming with wolves that I could hear way before I reached it. When I entered the baying increased and I averted my gaze choosing to look at my panel of judges. Emery had explain
Alpha Luciano's POVI smelt fear.Pure unadulterated fear. Since the day I lost my parents, I knew the scent well. Initially, I disregarded Arabella's claims as a ploy to extend the decision time. I approved. I wanted a stay on her execution as well and a few white lies here or there never hurt anyone.The moment Anastasia's scent had changed, I had grown wary. It was subtle like she was actively trying to calm her body's reaction down. I had never seen that level of mastery over one's body before. Especially not from an airhead that was supposed to become my trophy wife.That was when my suspicion kicked in. Uncle Tommaso hadn't noticed yet that Anastasia was beginning to crack under the pressure. Meanwhile, I was waiting on Mikah's report. He was supposed to give me a detailed rundown on Anastasia any minute now. That was why I had given Arabella an opportunity to speak. I had no idea that she was even more informed than me about the affairs going down in my pack.If everything th
Natasha's POVI was enjoying this a little bit too much honestly speaking. While Luciano was distracted with his wedding and a murder trial, I would screw him over. Arabella was resourceful. She could get herself out of that situation and if she didn't, more money for me. A win-win regardless of the situation.I waited for the call patiently. When it finally came, I smiled. I knew the call would come in."Tell me.""We took everything."Let the games begin.*******Arabella's POVI winced and shifted my feet or at least I tried to. Alpha Luciano didn't let me. After carrying me up to his room, he had taken me into the bathroom and left me alone to take a shower. Immediately I'd stepped out wrapped in his voluminous towel, he had handed me one of his shirts to change into. He didn't look away for a second as I changed. It felt surprisingly intimate and I felt my cheeks burning which was strange because he had seen me naked so many times now that I should be immune to embarrassment
Alpha Luciano's POVThe announcement brought on a range of reactions from shock to outrage. I had thought about it hard. It was the sensible thing to do. If I couldn't protect them, what was the point?"Those who want to remain are free to do so and those who want to leave will also be compensated for their time, efforts and sacrifices they made…"The women looked between themselves. "If you wish to leave, I will not judge you. You have all tried your best and I am humbled by your sacrifices. Now if you wish to leave, simply move to this side and Mikah will take down your information and discuss your settlement plan with you. If you wish to leave this pack so that you will be able to start your life afresh, I will foot the bill."Giulia stood up first and walked straight to Mikah without a backwards glance at me. I looked at the remaining eight of them and one by one they stood up and left until they were just four left sitting. The other five chose to leave instead.I should have do
Arabella's POV. I walked to my room in the harem feeling a twinge of guilt. I couldn't go back to his room and lie on his bed acting like I hadn't betrayed him because that was what I had done. I had betrayed him. But he wasn't worth my loyalty anyways. An image of him treating my injuries popped into my head. The way he had bandaged my feet so softly. His slight smile when I had reminded him of the doctor's visit. His kiss that had seared its way into my soul. I had to balance myself on the wall of the corridor, suddenly weak in the knees because of the onslaught of emotions I felt instantly. I forced myself to enter my room. It felt so confined and empty now without him in it. I felt utterly disgusted with myself. Had I really fallen for him despite all the wicked things he had done to me because of the scraps of kindness he threw my way?I was so stupid and my heart was even more stupid. I couldn't place when exactly it was that this thing, this feeling had started up. Was it
Arabella's POVTime lost value and blurred together. I didn't know if it was minutes, hours or days since my torture had begun. I could no longer scream, my throat was hoarse and my voice was gone. I held on to consciousness by a thin rope. Or more appropriately consciousness held onto me. Anytime I was on the brink of losing consciousness, he made sure to bring me back. To stimulate my senses again. To make sure I was aware and fully cognizant as the pain threshold mounted.He had a lot of experience with this it would seem. Because he continually kept me on the brink, I lost all sense of self. I think I would have told him all I knew already if I didn't hate him as much as I loved him.The little food in me came up as I projectile puked. Some still got on my clothes soiling them.The pain soared and lulled. Rising in waves and carrying me along as an unwilling passenger.The pain stopped and the absence of pain seemed like a different pain on its own because I knew the relief was o