9. Chapter 9

Chapter 9

-Naomi-

I was quietly enjoying a brief respite when Thomas appeared, joining me in the kitchen for a coffee break. Unexpectedly, two imposing figures barged in, fixating their gaze on me. Without a word, they swiftly seized me by the arms, hoisting me from my seat and whisking me away.

“Wait, what’s going on?” I protested, bewildered.

Thomas rose to intervene, but he lacked the prowess to challenge them, left only to witness my forced departure.

“Naomi!” he called out, his expression fraught with confusion as I glanced back before being led away.

Struggling against their firm grip proved futile as they guided me upstairs to the office. There, I found myself confronted by the former Alpha and Reese, the current leader, alongside other pack members, all regarding me with accusing stares. Perplexed, I couldn’t comprehend the gravity of the situation. I hadn’t committed any wrongdoing, yet I was treated as if I were a criminal. Even the former Alpha appeared displeased, adding to my confusion.

“What’s happening?” I murmured, my voice trembling with uncertainty.

The Alpha motioned toward a chair positioned in the room’s center, and the fighters escorted me to it, exerting a forceful pressure as they pushed me down. A sharp gasp escaped me at the rough handling, but they eventually released their grip, allowing me to massage my arms.

“A matter of concern has been brought to my attention,” the former Alpha initiated.

“What?” I uttered, bewildered.

“It appears my son has been influenced by your presence since his return home a few days ago. Do you have anything to say about that?” he inquired sternly.

“Um... no?” I responded uncertainly.

“Naomi, now is not the time for falsehoods. We must ascertain if you’ve been involved in any illegal affairs,” he pressed.

“But I genuinely don’t understand what’s happening. I haven’t done anything,” I confessed earnestly.

The former Alpha sighed, shifting his gaze to his son, who appeared tense yet not as enraged as his father. Perhaps he had been given time to process the situation, unlike me, who remained utterly clueless.

Amidst the confrontation, I noticed a woman lurking in the background, her dark red hair a striking contrast against the room’s dark decor. I had never seen her before, but when our eyes met, I detected a faint glimmer in hers, indicating her status as a witch. She offered a subtle smile in my direction, leaving me uncertain of her intentions.

“Are you certain you’ll stick to that explanation?” the elder Alpha probed.

“What explanation? I’m completely lost,” I admitted, my confusion deepening.

“Have you resorted to magic to manipulate my son’s mind?”

“M-Magic? We’re explicitly instructed to steer clear of such practices,” I protested.

“Yes, but I’m asking if you’ve defied that instruction,” he pressed.

“T-To what end?”

“To enchant my son,” he snapped, his patience waning as I struggled to keep pace. Fear gripped me tightly in the presence of these powerful men, leaving me utterly intimidated.

“I-I haven’t done anything,” I confessed in a barely audible whisper.

“I want to believe you, Naomi, but I’m finding it difficult,” the former Alpha remarked, causing me to lower my gaze in shame. I felt utterly helpless, as if the entire world had turned against me, with no one willing to lend credence to my words. How had everything spiraled so swiftly into darkness? Clutching the fabric of my dark trousers, I fought back tears, feeling utterly isolated.

“You may start,” the elder Alpha declared, signaling the beginning of... what?

Raising my gaze, I watched as the witch approached, a sense of unease creeping over me. Instinctively, I shifted in my seat, a futile attempt to distance myself from her, though I knew fleeing would only fuel suspicions of guilt. Resigned, I remained motionless as she drew nearer.

My heart raced as she reached for a knife at her hip, terror flooding my senses. I attempted to retreat again, but her grip on my arm halted any escape. A surge of her power coursed through me, rendering me immobile. Helpless, I could only watch as she twisted my hand, the blade slicing into my palm with agonizing slowness, accompanied by incantations muttered under her breath. She swiftly collected my blood in a vial before applying a bandage to stem the flow.

Confusion clouded my thoughts as I wondered why they needed my blood. Just when I thought the ordeal was over, she placed her hand on my lower arm, murmuring incomprehensible words. A searing pain erupted, consuming me from within. Tears welled in my eyes, cascading down my cheeks, yet I remained mute, held captive by her control.

Yet as I glanced around the room, I saw the rest allow her to inflict harm upon me while passively observing. Relief flooded over me when, at last, she released her hold, granting me control over my body once more. Collapsing back into the chair, I wept, my gaze fixated on my arm where a swirling symbol now seared into my flesh. Its meaning eluded me, but the pain radiating from the branded mark was unmistakable.

“The branding will prevent her from accepting magical aid. While she may seek assistance to cast spells on others, her own body will reject such help. Only the witch who branded her can undo it,” the witch elucidated, earning a nod of approval from the elder Alpha.

“So if she’s tampered with her scent?”

“It will dissipate soon, ensuring the Alpha remains unaffected. However, it may take a few hours. I suggest keeping them apart.”

“Understood,” the elder Alpha acknowledged.

“Her blood will reveal any substances she might have ingested, excluding those derived from magic. I might even be able to render him immune to her influence,” the witch elaborated.

“Excellent. Let’s proceed. Take her to the old stable,” the elder Alpha commanded.

I recognized the destination all too well. Despite being referred to as “the stable”, it had been repurposed into a makeshift prison. The fighters seized me, and despite my resistance, I found myself powerless to stop the unfolding events. Desperately, I sought reassurance from Reese, only to be met with his avoiding gaze. How could he believe I would resort to magic? I couldn’t afford such assistance, yet he remained convinced I had manipulated him.

Tears streamed down my cheeks as the fighters escorted me outside, thrusting me into the dense woods. The journey was brief, but each tug on my injured arm sent waves of agony coursing through me. Exhaustion weighed heavily upon me as we finally arrived at the dark stable.

With each step, they dragged me closer to my cell, my body protesting against the rough treatment. The cell’s door slammed shut behind me, leaving me alone in the dimly lit enclosure. Peering through the bars, I watched as the fighters disappeared, indifferent to my plight, especially now with the branding on my skin.

I struggled to rise, the persistent pain pulsating through my body as I shuffled toward the nearest wall. Leaning heavily against it, I allowed the anguish to wash over me, succumbing to uncontrollable sobs.

“I don’t understand,” I whispered.

After days of silence, my wolf emerged, offering me solace with gentle whimpers in my mind.

“I-I didn’t do anything,” I whispered.

I know , she reassured.

“Then why is this happening?” I cried out.

I don’t know , she admitted.

“It burns!”

I feel it too , she empathized.

“They believe we’ve harmed Reese. Everyone does!” I exclaimed.

But we haven’t , she affirmed.

“Why does everyone think so? None of it makes sense!”

My wolf remained silent, unable to provide answers. It seemed I had been unjustly branded a traitor to the pack, and I gazed down at the inflamed skin, now blistering. Why must I endure such agony? Such unjust treatment?