Chapter 1

Amanda's Pov:

"Laura, just say it!" My patience thinned as I watched her fidget, sweat glistening on her forehead.

Her trembling hands clutched the printer beside her, her lips parting hesitantly. Something was terribly wrong.

"It's about your parents, Princess," she stammered, her voice barely above a whisper. Each syllable seemed to catch in her throat, like she was afraid of saying the words aloud.

My heart slammed against my ribs. I shot up from my chair so fast that the edges of my vision blurred. My fingers gripped the desk, seeking stability as my legs threatened to give out beneath me.

"I—I don't understand," I choked out, my voice barely more than a breath. "I was with them this morning. How…?"

"Princess!" Laura, my assistant rushed towards me, her eyes wide in fear.

I held out a palm to stop her, clutching my office table for support as I took a shaky breath. "WHERE ARE MY PARENTS LAURA?".

The words seemed too heavy for her lips. She took a deep breath, "They've just been rushed to the royal infirmary and your attention is needed".

My heart sank into the pit of my stomach, and my head suddenly felt light.

The grey walls of my office seemed to close in on me, and my chest felt tighter.

I didn't give it much thought, damn, I wasn't thinking at all. I rushed out of my office and straight to my car

No! Nothing can happen to my parents. Not today, not ever.

"Driver, can't you go faster" My pale fingers tightened on the car armrest.

I remember buying this lemon air freshener a week ago because I liked the scent, now that same scent upset my stomach and I felt like throwing up.

"I can't ma" He answered in a small voice.

My silver necklace suddenly felt too tight for my neck. It was a wedding gift from the Alpha and his Luna, and now they lay in the hospital, today of all days, their anniversary!

The music from the radio constantly disrupting my thoughts. Worse, I couldn't connect with my husband through the mind link.

"I think you should call him" Didi my wolf suggested.

Within a few seconds, Xavier my husband picked up.

"How is my beautiful Wife doing this wonderful afternoon" Xavier's checky voice flowed into my ears.

"Xavier, I'm on my way to the Royal Infirmary. I don't know what happened. Laura said they are there, and I'm just so...."

"Woah, slow down babe, please" Xavier interrupted.

"I'm just so scared right now, I don't know....." I couldn't hold back my tears any more, they broke out and flowed freely.

"Calm down, babe" Xavier's voice softened, "Breathe" A stark contrast to the storm raging inside me. "Who exactly are you going to see at the Infirmary?".

I sniffled, "My parents, something about them being rushed there, and..." I burst into tears again.

"Okay, so I'm driving to my office right now but I'll take a turn and....."

A sudden, deafening crash echoed through the phone, followed by static. Then—silence. The call had cut off.

"Xavier? Hello? Xavier!"

I pressed the phone harder against my ear as if that would bring him back. But the only response was the hollow void of a disconnected call. My breath hitched, panic clawing at my throat.

"What could have happened?" The bitter taste in my tongue heightened.

"If anything, I need Xavier here!" My chest tightened, afraid and at the same time confused of what might have caused the crashing sound.

"We are here ma'am" The driver stopped the car.

I took a deep breath, and pushed the door open. I half-walked and half-sprinted towards the hospital doors.

Every step felt like a lifetime as I darted through the hospital halls, my parents' faces flashing in my mind.

"Calm down princess, please slow down" Vaguely registering voices as they breezed in and out of my ears.

The dense smell of antiseptic welcomed me at the hospital doors; my stomach tightened, and the harsh smell made me nauseous.

My mind was racing. The sounds of tyres rolling, heels clicking against the ground, babies crying and other distinct sounds washed through my ears, as I paced the hospital searching for the doctor.

I kept trying to connect with Xavier through the mind link but I couldn't, it seemed like I was blocked off or something.

I don't know why I couldn't connect with my husband. Him not being here right now and not being able to mind link with him increased my tension.

I didn't know which way to turn or what door to open, I panicked, looking left, right and left again.

Until I sighted a doctor, "My parents! Take me to my parents!", I demanded not thinking anything through.

"Calm down my princess, they....." The exact words I didn't want to hear.

"Now! Just take me to them!" I panicked, hot streaks of tears rushing down my eyes.

I suddenly felt a tight grip around my right arm, and when I turned it was Kara, my best friend.

"Kara" I fell into her arms, but they felt cold,

Her eyes were icy and her grip on me got tighter.

"Kara how.....".

"Come with me" Just like that Kara pulled me away from the doctor and into a dark room at the right corner of the hall.

My senses heightened, my heart beating even faster and I was surprised at this strange behaviour.

"Ouch" I winced as she let go of my arm.

"Kara why did.....",

"Amanda" she spat, her voice venomous. "Your parents are dead. And it's all because of you!." Her eyes burning with rage.

The words hit me like a tidal wave, knocking the breath from my lungs.

I blinked in disbelief, taking a step back. My heart sank into my stomach. I didn't know I let go of my phone until I heard it crack and bounce against the floor.

"What" I uttered breathlessly, a burning sensation rising in my chest.

The weight of her confession sent me crumbling to the ground, my whole body shaking in disbelief.

"Stand up! The Alpha and the Luna are dead because of you". Kara's expression only hardened

I don't know if it's the confession or the way she delivered it that was heavier, I was still trying to wrap my head around what she just said, but I don't think she was done talking.

"They died from the so-called anniversary cake you baked for them today".

My throat went dry. Heat raising from the pit of my stomach.

My knees came back up, my head shaking, still trying to understand what Kara was going on.

"I don't...I...". I reached out but she recoiled.

"Stop lying, Amanda! The lab results don't lie. They tested the vomit, it all traces back to your cake!" The anger and hatred in her eyes intensified.

She came closer and pulled me by my arm. "You're so evil, Amanda".

"No, please....." I tried to explain, my tears taking my breath.

"Look, you have two options" Her eyes and fingers dug deep into my skin.

"It's either you leave this pack, get out and never return, or you stay and I'll expose you to the elders" And she pushed me back.

Nothing made sense nothing at all.

"Kara, why..."

"Shut up! Don't call my name" That was a warning.

"The audacity you even have, coming here pretending to care after poisoning your parents" She kissed her teeth.

Kara pushed me against the wall and walked away, leaving me to dissect the warning that still echoed in the silence.

I felt like I was set on fire. Nothing made sense. How can my best friend believe I killed my parents.

The Goddess knows I'm innocent, how can I poison my parents anniversary cake?

And Kara didn't even want to listen to me, if she tells the elders this, they'll burn me alive.

I still couldn't link with Xavier, and I know Kara isn't one to make empty threats.

"I don't want to die." I cried to myself.

"You should leave. You can't remain here" My wolf whispered to me.

Why? How could this be happening to me?

I remained in the dark corner, for another four hours waiting for the day to get darker, trying to calm my thoughts and hiding from the people looking for me, shouting my name throughout the hallway.

The minute the hall cleared up, I ran!

The darkness of the forest served as a wonderful camouflage for my dark brown wolf; I shifted to enable me to run faster. The smell of wet wood tingled my nose.

I ran, as fast as four legs could go through the deep forest. No one was allowed to go through the border, but I had no choice; not that I had any place in mind, but anywhere was safer than the Crimson pack, at least for me.

The serenity and calmness of the night soon gave way to fear and tension, my left paw was caught in a spiky twig, and I tumbled and fell.

Didi was hurt, so I shifted. I could feel the stinging all over my body, I was in pain, the only thing I felt throughout the day.

"We've caught something over here" A loud masculine voice yelled out.

I'd been caught.

The strange voice sent chills all over my body. I hate to think I ran into Rouges.

"Well well well, what do we have here" A black wolf shifted into a tall man and walked closer to me.

"Please, I'm not who you think I am", I pleaded.

Right before my eyes, the men multiplied, my senses heightened, but there was no way I could beat them all.

"Tie her, she looks weak and is definitely not one of them" The tall man who seemed to be their leader ordered.

"Please I'm..." I received a mighty blow on my head and passed out