CHAPTER 07. Nothing like freedom

— VITA.

[…] Three years later.

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When Derek said that I would stand trial for a crime I didn’t commit, I knew that my fate was inevitable. Just as he said, the thugs really did point me out as the mastermind of such a horrendous crime. I had never seen any of them, and yet, they swore by the Moon Goddess that I paid dearly for a full service… that I had specified that they should rape Alice and make sure she suffered greatly.

Normally, the sentence for murder would be ten years at least. Considering the victim is the Alpha's sister, it was certain that I would face the death penalty. That's what the Black Pack lawyers requested: a death for the sake of a death. However, my lawyers got to reduce my sentence and reach a deal. My father may have disowned me, but my family lawyers couldn't leave the Virginia name in the mud. And simply like that, my sentence came: ten years for ordering the murder of Alice Black, three of them in prison, and seven on parole if I had good behavior.

Of course, this decision angered many people, and there were protests outside the court. It was the best outcome for me but the worst for everyone who actually saw me as guilty. And I understand why there's so much commotion; this was only possible because of my heritage, my blood that's considered noble. But what infuriated everyone is that, throughout the trial, I couldn’t shed a single tear.

I know that people around me thought I was cold, but I couldn’t feel those words reverberating inside me. I know in my heart that I would never hurt Alice, but someone did. Someone wanted her to suffer until the last moment, and this person will get away with it, putting an innocent person to suffer the consequences in their place.

And for the last three years, I’ve been in Wolf Jail, most of the time in a separate cell because my life was threatened daily. It was a real hell…

But now, I’m free... Ready to bring true justice.

The one I will now seek with my own hands.

However, I can’t help but feel odd. Now that I’m standing beside this blue sky, looking at the barbed wire behind me that no longer restricts my freedom… tears water my eyes.

I’m still wearing the same clothes they gave me for the trial three years ago. From there, I went straight to the Wolf Jail and spent the next few years wearing the orange uniform. And I confess, even though it’s my clothes, I can’t wait to get home, take a nice long hot bath, and almost melt in the tub. I miss sinking my body into the water, being enveloped in comfort and the smell of roses. I really miss the small, mundane things.

All the time I was in that lonely cell, I had too much time to think and come up with a good plan... But to put it in order, I need to re-establish myself. And the first step is to find a home.

Fortunately, there are some properties that my father couldn’t control, those that were given to me when my mother was still alive. At the time, he tried to get them back, but the family lawyer said it wasn’t possible. I think deep down, my mother knew that I couldn’t count on anyone but myself.

One of these properties is in the great center of the capital. Wolf Jail is away from the big city, but it’s surrounded by a small town, which is why I can see cars passing by and people going about their lives without paying me a single glance.

Honestly, it’s refreshing not to be the center of attention at once.

I look up at the sky again, at the blue stretch above my head, and inflate my lungs to the max, making sure it’s not a dream... I really am free.

I approach the gutter and wave my hand, asking for a cab to stop, but it passes me without stopping. I continue for a few more minutes, waving my hand with some desperation, but no one stops.

Then I give up, with withered shoulders, and sigh... Well, maybe I can find a ride on the way or perhaps a phone to call my lawyer... Unfortunately, I don’t have my phone with me since I was dragged to Wolf Jail before the trial when they took me away with only my nightgown on. What’s more, my phone was confiscated and used as evidence because of my text with the address of the room where Alice was killed. It was one of the most critical pieces of evidence, apart from the thugs’ testimony.

I breathe deeply again, trying not to think about it, and hurry to cross the street when no cars are coming. My eyes stay fixed on my destination, on the other side, when I hear a motorcycle suddenly speeding up. The sound of the tire scraping on the ground alarms me, and I turn my head to the side, noticing that someone is driving fast towards me.

I close my eyes tightly, waiting for the inevitable impact... But everything unfolds as quickly as a blink.

A firm arm wraps around my waist and pulls me to the side as the motorcycle horn catches my ears. I grab the person holding me, feeling a soft fur on my fingers, finally opening my eyes fearfully… Only to recognize the wolf shape before me.

His fur is as black as night, and his yellow eyes shine with disconcerting intensity. Not only that… He has such strong arms that he could easily hold two of me… And my heart skips a beat.

Slowly, he begins to return to human form, and even though his muscles gradually shrink, I stay trapped in his arms, with his hand firmly around my waist.

I slide my hand down, no longer feeling the fur but a shirt and a solid chest that has certainly become stronger since the last time I touched it. In fact, it feels much bigger and more threatening. Three years have passed, and the changes in his appearance stun me because, heavens... he manages to become even more handsome.

“Derek.” The name escapes my lips slowly, and I feel my heart race as I can now see his blue eyes rest on my lips as if spellbound by the sound of my voice.

Suddenly, a black car speeds past us, and this enchantment is broken because Derek retracts his hand, turning away from me almost like I were a plague that could infect him.

He grits his teeth, attracting my eyes to his unshaven beard. Really, three years is too much time. I can’t believe the Alpha has become an even more attractive, strong, and powerful man — I know just by smelling him when he shifts to save me.

Save me...

Wait, Derek saved me?

He seems to understand the confusion in my mind because he clears his throat and crosses his arms, making the muscles jump.

“Don’t get me wrong, I didn’t save you because I feel sorry for you. I just don’t want you to die at someone else’s hands, especially in something as easy as a car accident.”

Of course... Derek would never save me out of the goodness of his heart, especially when he made sure that my life really was a living hell.

I could never forget how he left me kneeling at his feet in the cemetery, clutching his legs, begging for his trust.

I could never forget how he took me to that damn bar, that damn room, and almost allowed me to suffer the same fate as Alice.

And much less how Derek kept me in a cage like an animal, with no dignity whatsoever, hungry, thirsty, and cold… He had no mercy for me — his intention had always been to torture me, to make me know despair so that he could finally take my life with his big hands that used to touch me tenderly.

But this man in front of me... He’s proof that the Derek I loved is gone forever.

Just as he made sure of breaking the Vita that we both knew.

I’m no longer the silly, innocent girl who humiliated herself for trust and cried at being betrayed by everyone. I will seek justice for Alice, whatever the cost be.

“What are you doing here?” I cross my arms as well, trying to sound confident, but my voice comes out thinner than I planned.

Derek raises an eyebrow and says with a sarcastic smile, “I wanted to welcome you back.”

I frown, and he adds, still with his pretentious expression, “I told you... Your penalty may have been softened by your surname, my love, but I’m the devil in your hell.”

I hold his eyes, feeling dragged by the blue depths within them. It’s no longer like a universe full of stars... it’s a deep, cold ocean that I can’t see anything, absolutely nothing.

“Have it your way, Derek,” I say firmly this time because the Vita I used to be three years ago before I was arrested and humiliated and betrayed is really gone.

Derek has already killed me.

And he can kill the rest just by snapping his fingers.

But I will fight for Alice, for the truth, until my last breath of life, whether it’s holding Alpha’s eyes as death approaches or putting my plan into action to find out what really happened that night.

Either way, Derek is no longer in my plans... And I don’t intend to suffer one second more for his resentful words.

But of course, my answer surprises him, so much so that his eyes widen slightly.

I sigh harshly and cross the street again, stomping my feet hard and fast as the cars stop and honk frantically, but I don’t dare look back.

When I’m finally on the other side, I feel a firm hand on my waist again, pulling me in and turning my body so that my breasts bump into the wall of muscle that I hate to recognize and be affected by.

Derek’s scent is stronger and more intimidating, and when I raise my eyes to look at him, I notice that they glow an intense yellow.

“Don’t play games with me, Vita.” He says with a growl. “Don’t turn your back on your Alpha-”

“Don’t mind my attitude, Alpha...” I interrupt him, frowning. “I almost got in a car accident. My mind’s not in the right place, and I don’t mean to be rude. Please, give me a break...”

“Break?” He says with a sarcastic laugh. “Have you lost your mind?”

“If my sharp tongue and attitude offend you, you should give me a break. I mean, the last three years haven’t been easy.” I retort, noticing his eyes flicker for a moment and his grip on my waist tighten.

Derek growls, releasing me slowly, and I feel a relieved sigh threaten to escape... However, his arm around my body pulls me in again as his hand grips my shoulder painfully.

“Well, Vita, you convinced me. I’m going to give you a break...” He brings his face close to mine, mixing our breaths. “After all… There’s no fun in stepping on something that’s already broken, don’t you think?”