"It's you. Alpha Zach said you are dead." My heart stopped instantly as the she-wolf accused me.
She was a member of the Crimson Moon Tribe, but we had never spoken before. That night when I was condemned to die, she was there. What was she doing here now?
This was my only chance at survival, to find that Alpha and hopefully clear my name to live a normal life. But with something like this, I couldn't help but fear the worst.
"Apphia, what are you talking about?" Beta Madai wrapped his arms protectively around the shivering she-wolf, and I began to connect the dots.
She must be his mate, the one they mistook me for, perhaps because of her long blonde hair. If only they knew that mine was dyed with herbs by Dina.
"She's Annabelle, the omega with attitude, even as a wolfless. She killed Alpha Zach's sister, Iris," she claimed. I countered, "I didn't," but that only earned screams from her. "Yes, you did."
The investigation reports were read, and you were found guilty. You even tried to drug the Alpha, but his fiancé caught you, and you later stabbed her in the eyes."
The headaches I thought had been gone for good suddenly resurfaced as soon as Beta Madai stared at me with a look of disdain. "You did all that?"
My tongue was tied as I doubted he would believe me over his mate. Apphia did not make it easy for me. "Don't you believe me? She was condemned to die by the brazen bull and was saved by the appearance of the crimson moon."
"It was you?" Beta Madai glared at me with fury, and I was afraid of being thrown out. No pack would accept me, as they all seemed afraid of Alpha Zach.
"I can explain…" I was saying when Apphia interrupted. "Telegram Beta Gaius or Gamma Reid. They will confirm everything," she hammered.
As a member of the Crimson Moon tribe, I wasn't surprised that she loathed me so much.
"After the crimson moon passed, Alpha Zach dispatched the crimson warriors to find her, and they returned with news of her death. Alpha Zack confirmed this through the mark he had given her, so how could she still be alive?"
Beta Madai examined my neck closely, and his gaze shifted. "There are two marks." I silently prayed not to be questioned about the second mark.
It was faint, and the fact that Dina hadn't noticed it made me believe no one else would either. Perhaps she had seen it but chose to remain silent because it didn't concern her.
Unlike the herb I used for my hair, the mark posed no threat to my health, making it easy for her to overlook.
Before I could speak, Apphia interjected sharply, "Just contact Beta Gaius or send her back to the Crimson Moon tribe. Alpha Zach had intended to return her to the brazen bull."
The mention of the brazen bull made my knees weak, but Beta Madai's eyes rolled back. "Alpha is on his way."
Apphia stiffened slightly at the mention of the Alpha but that didn't stop her from digging a bigger hole for me.
"She's a witch too. You have to be careful of her. I heard she moves at great speed and can vanish."
I couldn't help but chuckle at the rumors circulating about me and that only infuriated Beta Madai.
"Do you think this is a joke?" He scolded, as another familiar voice interrupted. "What's going on?" Alpha Zion arrived, his gaze shifting between me and Apphia.
"Weren't you taken along by your parents when they left with Zach? What are you doing here?" The sight of her seemed to unsettle him, and I couldn't discern if it was a good or bad sign for me.
So, she was also a former member of this pack? Apphia suddenly composed herself upon seeing him, until Beta Madai pulled her close and disclosed, "She's my mate, Alpha. I met her at a food joint on my way back from the inspections."
Alpha Zion's brows raised, but there was no smile on his face. "I hate traitors, but with her being your mate, I'll have to endure her presence." Apphia visibly relaxed and her lips stretched into a thin smile.
"Thank you, Alpha," Madai said with a boyish grin before Apphia interrupted, "Alpha, she's a witch." She pointed at me before repeating everything she had told her mate before, and although I had summarized it for Alpha Zion, her report was more detailed.
Alpha Zion's response stunned me. "I already know all that. If you dare inform Zach about her presence, I won't care about your being mated here when I banish you."
"What?" Both she and Beta Madai said simultaneously. Guilt swelled up in my heart, and the next moment, Alpha Zion instructed, "Madai, send the message across. The name of our new pack member is Bella Ann. No one must know she's from the Crimson Moon tribe. Do you understand?"
Warmth filled my heart because this was the first time anyone had ever stood up for me like this. He even made an alteration to my name to hide my identity without wiping it completely.
Madai hesitated to share the information, but as soon as his eyes rolled back, I knew he was ready. "Done, Alpha," he finally reported.
Alpha Zion smiled, "Good." His attention shifted to me, and unease washed over me, especially under Apphia's intense gaze.
"We need to discuss my conditions," he stated, causing discomfort to churn in my stomach. I replied softly, "Of course." As he reached out his hand towards me, I hesitated before finally joining my hand with his. However, before our hands could touch, Beta Madai interjected.
"Alpha, are you aware of the two marks on her neck? It appears she is claimed by two werewolves." Alpha Zion's hand, which was reaching for mine, dropped, and his expression shifted uncomfortably. "Which marks are you referring to?"