Chapter 6: Framed for Murder

Evelyn’s POV

The whispers started before sunrise.

At first, they were nothing more than murmurs in the corridors, hushed voices carrying fragments of doubt and suspicion. But by mid-morning, the whispers had sharpened into accusations.

By noon, I was no longer just Kieran’s unwanted mate.

I was a murderer.

As Serena's voice echoed through the great hall of the pack, her lovely face contorted with righteous rage, I stood motionless in the middle of the room.

"She killed him!" she exclaimed, gesturing to me with a manicured finger.  "She deceived Marcus after he trusted her!  His poisoning came immediately after he stood up for her and told Kieran to be grateful for her!  You all see the pattern, don't you?

Among the assembled wolves, there was a murmur.  There were too many eyes on me.  Some were doubtful.  Others with icy, unflinching confidence.

When Serena noticed how the pack was turning against me, a smirk formed on her lips.

I forced myself to remain composed as I swallowed.  "That is a grave charge."

Serena laughed.  "And you're really at fault."

After remaining silent all morning, Kieran finally said something.  His voice was icy and menacing.  "Serena, you need to be more selective about what you say."

Serena turned to face him, worry evident in her voice.  "Kieran, I'm picking my words carefully.  You ought to as well.  This goes beyond a simple case of jealousy.  Justice is at issue here.

I balled my fists up.  "And what evidence do you possess?"

As Serena turned to face Beta Cedric, her green eyes shone brightly.  "Tell them about your discovery."

Reluctantly, Cedric moved forward and held up a tiny glass vial.  I felt sick to my stomach when I saw it.

"That was discovered in your room, Luna," Cedric uttered in a sorrowful tone.  "The same poison that killed Marcus is in it."

The room exploded.

Shocks.  Fury.  There was a growl.  Another person spat on the ground.

Kieran's dark, unreadable eyes darted to me.

The blood in my face started to run out.

"No," I muttered.  "That isn't feasible."

Serena grinned more broadly.  "Not just feasible.  It's a fact.

A Few Hours Before

I had a nagging feeling when I woke up.

I anticipated a restless night's sleep following Kieran's warning.  However, I could not have imagined waking up to warriors storming into my rooms and searching every inch of my room without cause.

Then they discovered it.

The vial had been hiding under my clothes, barely noticeable enough to give the impression that I had made an effort to hide it, but not sufficiently so to keep it safe.

A piece of evidence that was planted.

I should have known that this kind of thing would occur.

Whoever was responsible for Marcus's death wasn't merely after him; it wasn't an accident.  Kieran was their target. Following power.

I had recently turned into the ideal scapegoat.

Now

"I was framed," I said, maintaining my composure despite the panic gnawing at my gut.

Serena gave an eye roll.  "How practical."

Kieran let out a slow breath.  The war was visible in his face.  I couldn't do this, logic told him.  But he refrained from outright defending me because of years of control and the knowledge that he was difficult to trust.

Serena was aware of it.

Serena stepped closer to him and pressed, "The poison was in her room."  "Kieran, you cannot overlook this.  You were friends with Marcus.  Will you truly spare his killer simply because she goes by the name Luna?

My heart raced.

He was being pushed by her.  He is being tested.

And the ever-calculating Alpha, Kieran, was allowing her.

At last, he faced me, his voice unintelligible.  "What brought it into your room?"

I balled my fists up.  "I'm not sure."

"That isn't a response."

"I'm not sure!"  As my frustration boiled over, I raised my voice.  "If I had done this, do you think I'd be foolish enough to keep the poison in my room?"

He saw something flicker in his eyes, but Serena jumped before he could react.

She sneered, "Or perhaps you're playing the long game."  Marcus was the only one attempting to persuade Kieran to accept you, so perhaps you poisoned him.  Perhaps you believed Kieran would have to rely on you in his absence.

I nearly burst out laughing at the absurdity of the accusation.

My silence seemed like guilt to Serena.  "Kieran, she wants power.  That is the sole purpose of this.  And you—  She reached for his arm and lowered her voice.  "Being with someone who genuinely cares about you is something you deserve."

Something broke inside of me.

"You mean you?"  Coolly, I asked.

For a brief moment, Serena's grin wavered before she recovered.  "Evelyn, stop acting like such a baby."

"Young?"  I moved in her direction.  "No, framing an innocent person out of desperation for Kieran's attention is childish."

Serena's face grew serious.  "Be mindful of what you say."

"Or what?"  I lifted my chin.  "You'll fabricate more evidence?"

Serena's throat rumbled with a low growl.  "You little—"

"Enough."

The tension broke with Kieran's voice.

Both of us looked at him.

He had turned away from Serena.  He was observing me.

I realized then that he was allowing me to defend myself.

He was waiting for me to show that I wasn't guilty.

Serena must have understood, too, because she added right away, "Kieran, there's no need for a trial.  They caught her red-handed—

Kieran snapped, "We don't execute pack members without proof."  "And we don't make assumptions before making accusations."

Serena winced.  "But—"

"Enough," he said again.

There was a heavy silence.

Kieran turned to Cedric at last.  "Watch her closely."

I tensed up.  "You intend to place me under house arrest?"

Kieran's eyes were icy.  "Until we resolve this."

Serena appeared arrogant.  "A sensible choice."

Kieran looked at her abruptly.  "Serena, you should be careful.  I would like to know why you were so quick to accuse her if she is innocent.

Serena's face ran out of color.

And I noticed the glimmer of uncertainty behind her mask for the first time all day.

I sat by myself in my chambers that night.

I was more than just Kieran's mate, and the guards outside my door served as a continual reminder of that.  I was more than just a Luna.

I was a prisoner now.

With a shaky exhale, I tried to think.  Who would set me up?  Why?

More importantly, what did they do next?

There was a gentle knock on the door.

I tensed up.  "Who is it?"

Quiet.

Then—

Beneath the door was a folded note.

I hurried over and grabbed it.  As I unfolded the paper, my hands were shaking.

The handwriting was sloppy and hurried.

"You're up next."

With my heart thumping, I gasped.

Down the hall came the sound of footsteps.  The note's leaver had already left.

Fear gripped me as I held onto the paper.

I had been correct.

Marcus wasn't the final victim.

Kieran wasn't either now.

They were pursuing me.