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FRAMED

CIERRA

It’s late at night and I have become a victim to dehydration so I decided to get a glass of water from the kitchen, however, I’m standing still at the front of Xander’s study overhearing the conversation between him and his fiancée who sounds agitated.

“Tell me Xander are you in love with her?!” The questions leave me stunned. My brows furrowed as I try grasp the question Selene just asked but I’m not given enough time to wrap my head around it as Xander retorts.

“You seem to forget this relationship is based on business and nothing more” Xander’s voice is cold and harsh.

But my heart skips a beat, a mix of disbelief and relief washing over me. It feels as though a heavy weight I didn't realize I was carrying has been lifted from my chest, allowing me to breathe again. My mind races to process the revelation, however, the door swings open and my breath is caught in my throat, my heart skipping a beat with my eyes widening as I’m faced with Selene standing before me, she closes the door quickly as if stopping Xander from noticing my presence.

“You must be Cierra” She begins with a sly tone while her eyes bores into mine as she takes a step towards me.

With fear kicking in I can barely stand still or walk away instead I take steps backward trying to create a distance between Selene and I. With her eyes boring into mine this way, I can tell I’m not on her good not on her good note and I should walk away before something bad happens.

However, just as I turn she speaks up, her authoritative voice with the words she spits out pierces my heart causing me to halt in my steps.

“I’m sure you don’t want me screaming that you’ve eaves dropping on I and the Alpha’s conversation, that would certainly prove that you truly are a spy” Selene states.

My heart is pounding against my chest while my palm has become sweaty.

“I was wrong ma, please pardon me” I bow my head in desperation, my voice barely above a whisper as I fear Xander would hear me.

“Atleast, you are respectful” Selene hisses and I try to take a breath to calm my anxiety down. I shut my eyes wishing she lets me go…but she doesn’t.

“We need to talk, follow me” She orders, voice cold and harsh, just her speaking already makes me feel belittled. She has so much confidence laced with her tone, and just her looks alone gives out enough information about her background. She certainly is an Alpha from a prestigious family. Her aura is strong and I can’t help but be timid.

Suddenly, I feel small, like I’m shrinking into myself, swallowed by insecurity. Every glance at the Selene as I follow her like a dog, she’s like a picture of effortless beauty—and I’m reminded of everything I’m not. The comparison runs on a loop in my mind, unbidden yet relentless. Her silky dark brown hair falls to her lower back, her walking steps are so powerful, and yet feminine and elegant.

I’m too lost in my thoughts to realize we are at the kitchen and now Selene has turned back to me and my eyes are widened because her fingers are wrapped around a knife.

My heart is beating with fear as I’m unsure of what she’s about to do, but she has a smile on her cheek.

“You don’t know how much I hate you” She begins taking steps towards me with her fingers still wrapped around the sharp object.

I swallow nothing but my saliva as I walk backwards slowly, scared if I dare turn away she will do something.

“Since the day you came to this pack, you’ve stolen Xander’s attention I HATE that, I hate how he has totally removed his attention from me, I’m sure you would understand if you are in my shoes” She continues and I’m shaking my head trying to convince her to put down the knife but she has deafened her ear to my pleads and before I can act the knife has been lifted, stabbing into her own abdomen.

I rush to her without thinking, guilt and shame heavy on my shoulders. But she’s already on the floor, blooding soaking her dress as she lays on the floor.

“No no” I cry out, the burning sensation increasing as I try to stop the wound from bleeding, I’m too lost in guilt and shock to understand why she’s wrapping my arms around the knife handle until a scream comes from behind and a smirk creeps unto Selene’s face.

Dread engulfs me as I push myself off her, butt on the floor as I watch her lay unconsciously on the floor.

“Murderer, the spy has murdered Princess Selene”

The maid by the door keeps screaming and I’m frozen with shock, unable to move, unable to defend myself and before I can blink everyone has arrived the kitchen including Elizabeth and Xander.

Xander quickly orders the guards to take Selene to the pack hospital while the maid that has been screaming doesn’t stop and now everyone has their gaze on me, all glaring at me. I can feel a knot tightening in my throat, breathing is becoming a difficult task and the minute Xander turns to me, I knew it was all over.

“I trusted you, you told me you are not a spy but…”

I can hear the betrayal in his voice while Elizabeth is staring at me with pity.

I quickly go on my knees, rubbing my palms together as I plead with Xander.

“You have to believe me, I did nothing, I’m not a spy” I cry out. But Xander is not listening.

He throws his gaze away from me and orders the guards to lock me in the dungeon. I cry out, louder than I cried when Ashton kicked me out of the Blue Moon Pack, louder than any other day, but Xander doesn’t listen, neither does he listen to my pleads nor the truth I try to tell him.

I have been framed but no one believes me, not even Xander.

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