Chapter 7

~Eira POV~

Ashley approached me cautiously, bending down to pick up my hand. She looked at me with searching eyes and asked if I had truly stolen the bracelet. "Eira, I know we barely know each other but, are you the one that stole the golden bracelet?" I vehemently denied the accusation, emphasizing that I had no knowledge of any stolen bracelet. "What! I did not steal any bracelet!" But Ashley expressed doubt, citing our recent acquaintance as a reason for her skepticism. She suggested that, "Luna Emilia's family, had being long-time friend with my family, and they would not fabricate such accusations against a slave without cause! It better you give back the bracelet."

Frustration and anger surged within me, and I pushed Ashley away from my side. I told her that, "I did not need your belief or validation, particularly since you're a stranger to me as well. The truth remained that I had not stolen any bracelet!"

Luna Emilia, infuriated by my defiance, swiftly slapped me, reminding me of my place as a slave and warning me not to overstep my boundaries. "You are nothing but a slave, do not forget that!"

I scoffed at her remark, declaring that some slaves were still more honorable than certain prominent people. Luna Emilia's anger intensified, and she ordered Ashley to leave the wretched dungeon, proclaiming that they did not belong there. The two of them departed, leaving me seething with anger. I felt betrayed by Ashley, who had portrayed herself as a kind hearted soul at Emma's birthday party, pretending to befriend a lowly slave like me. It turned out to be nothing more than an act. I should not have been surprised, considering her parents' own bullying tendencies.

Unable to contain my rage, I lashed out, hitting my leg against the hard stone wall and screaming in a futile attempt to release my pent-up emotions. The dungeon echoed with my cries, a testament to the depths of my frustration and the injustice I faced.

As the echoes of my anger subsided, I was left alone in the confines of the dungeon, consumed by a mix of resentment, hurt, and determination. I vowed to withstand their cruelty, refusing to let their words and actions define my worth. Deep within me, a flicker of resilience ignited, fueling my determination to rise above the chains that bound me and prove my innocence, even if it meant facing further hardships along the way.

In the darkness of the dungeon, I held onto a sliver of hope, knowing that the truth would eventually prevail, and justice would find its way to me.

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~ Ashley Pov~

As I left the dungeon with a conflicted mind, the image of Luna Emilia's hand striking Eira lingered in my thoughts. It didn't sit well with me, despite my initial doubts about Eira's innocence. However, there was little I could do in that moment to rectify the situation. I turned to Luna Emilia and expressed my need to depart before darkness fell upon us. "It getting late already, I'll love to leave now."

Luna Emilia, concerned for my safety, offered to have her guards escort me back to my village. "What if I ordered some rogues to see you off?"

I declined her offer, feeling a strong desire to return unnoticed. "No Luna Emilia, I will be fine." I swiftly claimed my horse and urged it forward, desperate to outride the fading daylight and reach the safety of my castle.

As I spurred my horse on, the wind whipped against my face, and the rhythmic galloping filled my ears. The urgency propelled me forward until, unexpectedly, a group of cloaked figures emerged in my path. My horse came to an abrupt halt, sensing the potential danger ahead. Panic surged through me, uncertain of their intentions.

One of the figures stepped forward, pulling back his hood to reveal his face. His warm smile contrasted with the foreboding atmosphere. "Hello, my lady," he greeted me with an air of familiarity. "Apologies for interrupting your journey. My name is Alpha Michael from Oia village."

I eyed him cautiously, suspicion tugging at my thoughts. Who was this Alpha Michael? And why was he among these rogues? I hesitated to extend my hand in return, unsure of his true intentions. "I appreciate the introduction, but I must continue my journey to my village before nightfall," I asserted, attempting to regain control of my horse.

Alpha Michael reassured me, his voice calm and persuasive. "Fear not, my lady, for I mean you no harm. I merely propose that you make a detour to Oia village and witness its beauty for yourself. I am more than willing to guide you on your way back to your own village."

My initial reluctance wavered slightly at the prospect of exploring a new place, and perhaps an opportunity to escape the monotony of my own existence. I weighed the risks against the potential rewards. "Very well," I conceded with a hint of caution. "Lead the way to Oia village, but know this, I will not stay long."

A sense of relief washed over Alpha Michael's face as he motioned for me to follow. I had a nagging feeling that I had just made a decision that would have consequences beyond my imagination. I couldn't help but wonder what awaited me in this unknown village and whether I would regret venturing into the realm of the mysterious Alpha Michael and his rogues.

With a mixture of apprehension and curiosity, I set forth on this unexpected detour, the clatter of hooves mingling with the whispers of uncertainty in my mind.

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~ Alpha Mondragon Pov~

I stormed into my wife's chambers, Luna Isabella, finding her in the midst of being attended to by the maids, who were diligently beautifying her nails. Interrupting their work, I questioned Luna Isabella if she had sent any of our guards on an errand. She responded with a puzzled expression and asked why.

"There's an issue," I began, "one of the royal horses has gone missing." Concern furrowed her brow as she contemplated the possible thief. I assured her that I would investigate and find out who had taken the horse. However, before leaving, I remembered something else and turned back to Luna Isabella.

"Have you seen Ashley today?" I inquired, the absence of our daughter weighing heavily on my mind. Luna Isabella paused for a moment, thinking, before responding, "Ashley tends to stay in her room on occasion. She may be there."

Nodding in acknowledgment, I swiftly made my way to Ashley's room, my footsteps echoing through the corridors. I couldn't understand why she would refuse to leave her room, and a sense of unease settled within me. Upon reaching her door, I pushed it open and entered the room.

There, on the bed, lay a figure covered by a blanket. "Ashley, my daughter," I called out softly, moving closer to the bed. However, there was no response, and a wave of concern washed over me. Perhaps she was sleeping, I thought, contemplating letting her be. But something felt amiss, and my intuition pushed me to investigate further.

With a determined resolve, I pulled back the blanket, revealing a shocking sight. It wasn't Ashley lying there, but rather her maid, Miranda. Anger and confusion surged within me, and I let out a furious scream, demanding to know the whereabouts of my daughter. Miranda dropped to her knees, trembling in fear.

"Please, Alpha Mondragon," Miranda pleaded, her voice quivering, "I swear I don't know where she is. I last saw her in the castle, but she must have disappeared."

"Then why did you have her bed!" My voice filled with anger. Miranda couldn't speak, then I realized that she must be lying, I shouted and call on the guards to take her away.

They'll rush in, grabbed Miranda by her arms and dragged her out.

My heart pounded in my chest as the realization sunk in. My daughter, Ashley, was missing, and I was filled with a mix of desperation and anger. I needed answers, and I needed them immediately.

"Where are you Ashley?" I muttered to myself, steeling my resolve. "I will find her, no matter the cost."

With determination in my eyes, I left Ashley's room, my mind racing with thoughts of where she could be and who could be responsible. The search for my daughter would consume me, and those who dared to stand in my way would face the wrath of I, Alpha Mondragon.