A Gift from the Goddess

Chapter 5

Chapter Five

The cells were cold, damp and dingy, with little amenities. Only a bed, toilet and basin were given to me, a single blanket being the only thing to warm myself. There was minimal space, each cell having three stone walls and bars along the wall where the door was.

 

Seven days had now passed and so today, finally, I was set to stand trial before the pack for my alleged murder. I knew the evidence was stacked against me. In fact, it would be almost impossible for me to win this. The only hope I had left was that Sophie was still alive. If she could testify saying she had witnessed firsthand how I’d been inside my chambers all week, therefore making it impossible to have poisoned Thea, then they would be forced to open the floor to the possibility I was not the culprit.

 

“Get up,” a guard gruffly ordered from outside my cell.

 

I recognised him. His name was James and I had visited his family on multiple occasions on behalf of the ranked members over the years.

 

Shakily, I stood up per his request, having not eaten properly the whole week from stress, and made my way to the side.

 

James came in and pushed me up against the stone wall, forcing me to wince from the pain. But I knew the bruises would just blend in with the others I’d received already. Due to anxiety and lack of food, my injuries were not healing as quickly as a werewolf normally would.

 

“Will Sophie be at the trial?” I asked once he had shoved me out of the cell.

 

He didn’t reply, instead choosing to remain completely silent as he continued to push me towards the exit. I couldn’t tell if he had been instructed not to talk to me, or if he just genuinely hated me now.

 

We were walking past the other cells and, as we did so, my eyes checked each one through the bars, desperately searching for Sophie. I needed her to be there. I needed her to prove me innocent.

 

However, once we passed the fifth cell, my eyes glanced across a man with familiar silver hair.

 

“Father!” I cried out, struggling to move towards him against the strength of James.

 

“Aria?!” he gasped. “What are you doing down here?”

 

stronger than mine. He kept trying to shove me towards the door and I realised that I was not going to be able to win this by

 

know you may not believe me but I truly didn’t hurt

 

was stern, trying to be unreadable, but I could see the uneasiness

 

to say goodbye. Please.”

 

conflicted but he finally gave me a stiff nod in agreement. I

 

cell who was already waiting for me at the

 

couldn’t get you out,” I cried to him. “I wanted to, really I did, but

 

there wasn’t anything you could do,” he soothed. “I’m grateful you didn’t try to rescue me. I accepted the consequences and knew what I was doing. But why are you down here anyway?

 

grimaced at the

 

“They all think I poisoned her with some sort of herb to induce

 

lost the child? But that’s

 

apparently found the herb in question under my bed, even though

 

of my tears. I’d never seen him show so much emotion before, so much sadness. Even when mother had died, he had confined himself away

 

to our family,” I cried, looking up to the ceiling to try and stop

 

I’d done had brought shame to our family. I’d seen it on his face all

 

me, nor could you ever.” His voice

 

at him in shock. “But you’ve always looked at me as such. When my infertility was announced, I saw how you were. You looked as though I’d brought shame to our

 

not,” he said, almost offended. “I was disappointed in how the Goddess had given you only more bad luck. I was disappointed in how a deity so great had chosen you for one of our highest ranks, only to let you suffer so much. I knew how Aleric treated you, and I didn’t do anything. I

 

was crying to me, apologising to me about how he

 

be closer to him. As best as he could, though awkward given the bars between us, he then tried to wrap his arms around me and pressed his forehead

 

another minute passed, James then cleared his throat behind us. “It’s

 

maybe even difficult sight for him to watch. Not too long ago, he had served under both

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