A chance at redemption (Annabelle)

Beta Gaius held a torch, and its rays blinded me when Alpha Zach took it from him and flashed it in my face. I lifted my head, using my hand to shield my eyes from the harsh light, unable to see their expressions clearly in the darkness.

"Who sent you?" Alpha Zach's voice carried a hint of pain, but I was confused. "I beg your pardon?"

His dark gaze was intense, sending shivers down my spine. Before he could speak further, Beta Gaius interjected, "Alpha, may I say something?" Alpha Zach nodded and stepped back, his eyes filled with disgust.

"Annabelle, you need to understand that you just killed the Alpha's favorite sister. You pushed her," he showed me the footage, his voice devoid of anger but tinged with concern.

"I didn't," I protested, seeing disappointment flicker in his eyes. "It would be in your best interest to confess. Alpha Zach might show leniency if you reveal who sent you," Beta Gaius suggested.

So, they believed I was a pawn in someone else's game, a means to uncover the one targeting them. His voice interrupted my thoughts. "Even better, tell him where you hid his sister's body. He deserves to mourn her properly."

Despite the chaos in my mind, I managed to focus on his words and eventually smiled.

"You don't believe me, so why bother asking? I'm just a foolish omega, constantly monitored. How could I possibly carry out the tasks you're suggesting?"

My response was directed solely at Alpha Zach. When we were captured, many omegas who hadn't experienced what I had were frightened. However, one of the warriors reassured us that Alpha Zach was different and would offer us a chance to improve.

Yet, his wrath was formidable when provoked, and the prevailing belief was that Alpha Zach never made mistakes.

"The evidence is all on camera, yet you continue to lie," Beta Gaius expressed with disappointment before stepping back. "I did my best."

As soon as they both left, warriors rushed into the dungeon, and the grills lifted as they began to drag me out. I didn't resist, but when we reached the omega's arena and I saw the pack born and all the ranks of omegas present, my heart sank.

It felt like I was about to be executed. A high table was set up, and the gargantuan, terrifying brazen bull sat ominously on it. Roughly thrown to the ground, Alpha Zach crouched down in front of me, his expression unreadable.

"This is your last chance. Where did you hide my sister's body?" Ivy was crying inconsolably, being comforted by Kari as the hate comments flooded in.

"I knew her attitude was going to get the best of her. Now she's going to be roasted," someone remarked, but Beta Gaius quickly silenced them.

"Enough! The Alpha values peace and quiet."

A heavy silence fell, and Alpha Zach's gaze remained fixed on me. I realized that no one, including him, would believe anything I said, so it was pointless to try.

With a smile, I provocatively stated, "I ate it." Alpha Zach's fingers clenched, indicating his impending action, but Kari intervened and whispered something to him.

He gave a cold glare and then nodded, while Kari exchanged a smile with Gamma Reid. I was confused about what was happening until Alpha Zach issued a command, "Hold her firmly and draw her blood."

A painful headache gripped me, signaling the need for sleep, but my blood demanded otherwise. As they approached, I chuckled derisively.

Kari frowned and attempted to retreat, but I seized the back of her neck and snatched the syringe from Gamma Reid.

"How dare you? Let her go!" Alpha Zach bellowed, but I smirked at him. "Or what? I'm going to die anyway, so she must come with me. This whole setup was orchestrated by her, Alpha Zach, you have to believe me."

A flicker of emotion crossed his eyes, and his expression softened. He leaned in, as if about to speak, but instead, he merely inhaled my scent and shook his head. I wondered about his reaction.

"Zach, she's hurting me," Kari sobbed, drawing Alpha Zach's attention back, his gaze hardening. He grabbed her other arm to pull her away, but I stabbed her in the eyes with the syringe, eliciting gruesome screams before allowing Alpha Zach to reclaim his fiancée.

A slap landed on my face from Gamma Reid, but I shrugged, maintaining my smile. "You are going to kill me anyway, but you will never forget me because her eyes will never be replaced."

My control over the syringe was a great one so I was sure of it. No one believed me and yet, the real traitor was being groveled over.

Everyone stared at me like they wanted to kill me for what I'd done to Kari, but I'm not a saint. Until my last breath, I will fight for justice.

"Open the brazen bull," Alpha Zach's angry voice echoed as healers gathered around Kari. I scanned the area for Ivy, wondering where she was hiding. If I could exact revenge on her as well, I wouldn't mind dying, but she had managed to conceal herself effectively.

The warriors approached me, but I swiftly incapacitated them, much to Alpha Zach's displeasure. His kick knocked me unconscious.

When I awoke, I found myself in a cold, confined space, my mind racing to understand the situation. Voices outside caught my attention.

"Are you certain all the evidence is accurate?"

Though my hands and feet were free, I was unable to move in the cramped space. It dawned on me that I was inside the brazen bull.

"Yes, Alpha. Her fellow omegas reported her erratic behavior and aggression. After drugging you that night, she vanished for a period, likely in contact with her accomplices," Gamma Reid explained, making me chuckle bitterly, though I couldn't see their faces.

Everyone praised the Crimson Moon Tribe, but little did they know they were actually filled with hypocrites.

"No, Alpha Zach, please believe me," I pleaded, knowing my voice could be heard, though I couldn't be seen. Gamma Reid retorted, "Your actions against Kari speak for themselves. You deserve punishment."

"You talk like you value Kari more than Iris, Gamma Reid," I pointed out, wishing to see his facial expression but was met with silence.

Why was he only mentioning Kari and not even Iris, whose corpse was still not found?

Dying without a chance to see my parents again and the Alpha my mother said would come for me? Perhaps I should drop strength and appear vulnerable.

"Alpha Zach, please search your conscience," I said, there was silence as I heard Beta Gaius's voice. "Should we give it time to investigate more?"

"No!" The sound of multiple voices sounded in unison, I knew that all hope was lost. As much as Alpha Zach might still try to hold his dignity of not making mistakes, will he be able to go against his pack?

"Alpha, we shall bear the consequences of your mistakes," I heard Jack say, my hopes dwindled, as all voices echoed in support of him.

Jack, all he ever wanted was power, and now he was trying to gain favor with the Alpha by sacrificing me. A tear slid down my cheek for the first time in a long time, and I knew it was over.

"Start the fire," Alpha Zach's cold voice rang out. I went numb, not with regret but only with the pain of betrayal. Being just a month old here, I never troubled anyone, but it turned out that even my presence irritated them.

The cold bronze was fast turning warm, and I knew very soon I would die from the heat. "Please, help me," I pleaded, but Alpha Zach's determined voice cut through,

"Too late for that. You won't let me see my sister's corpse, so no one will see yours, and your ashes will be thrown inside the lake. No afterlife for you, Annabelle."

The hate resonating in his voice was palpable, and I could guess Kari and Ivy were victorious. Good doesn't triumph over evil; if it did, they wouldn't win, right?

The heat was unbearable, and my flesh was burning, I felt like I was going to die at any moment when I heard Alpha Zach exclaim, "Impossible."

"What's going on?" Some asked. Pain was sweeping through me, and I was losing consciousness when the unexpected happened.