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34Accused 34 Accused Lennox’sPOV Lennox’s POV “Allsheneedsisrest,andshewillbefine,”thehealersaidassheputacryingAnitatosleep.Iexchangedglanceswithmybrothers,butnoneofussaidaword. “ All she needs is rest , and she will be fine ,” the healer said as she put a crying Anita to sleep . I exchanged glances with my brothers , but none of us said a word . “Iwillstaywithher,”Anita’smothersaidsoftly,whileInoddedinacknowledgment.. “ I will stay with her ,” Anita’s mother said softly , while I nodded in acknowledgment .. “I’llbebacktocheckonher,Iaddedbeforesteppingoutof Anita’sroom. “ I’ll be back to check on her , I added before stepping out of Anita’s room . Arrivingbackinmychambers,Ipouredmyselfaglassofwhiskeyandtookalongsipofit.Theharshnessofitburnedmythroat,butIcontinuedsipping. Arriving back in my chambers , I poured myself a glass of whiskey and took a long sip of it . The harshness of it burned my throat , but I continued sipping . movedovertothewindowandstaredintothenight.Icouldn’tbelievethatAnitawaspregnant.withourchildandhadjustlostit.Ididn’tknowwhattofeelaboutit–Ihadjustlostachild,achildIdidn’tgetto know,andmyemotionswerejust…there.Ididn’tfeeltheangerandpainIwassupposedtofeelinlosingachild.PerhapsitwasbecauseIdidn’treallywantachildwith moved over to the window and stared into the night . I couldn’t believe that Anita was pregnant . with our child and had just lost it . I didn’t know what to feel about it – I had just lost a child , a child I didn’t get to know , and my emotions were just … there . I didn’t feel the anger and pain I was supposed to feel in losing a child . Perhaps it was because I didn’t really want a child with Anita. Anita . Thedoorcreakedopen,andmybrothers,LeviandLouis,steppedin.Theysaidnothing,merelypouringthemselvesdrinks. The door creaked open , and my brothers , Levi and Louis , stepped in . They said nothing , merely pouring themselves drinks . / <![CDATA[ / fpm_start( "true" ); / ]]> / Thethreeofusstoodinsilence,waitingforoneanothertospeak first,untilfinally,Louisspoke. The three of us stood in silence , waiting for one another to speak first , until finally , Louis spoke . “WhatdowedoaboutOlivia?”Louisasked,breakingtheheavysilence. “ What do we do about Olivia ? ” Louis asked , breaking the heavy silence . Isighed.Themomenthernamewasspoken,mywolfgrowled,restlessandfurious.Keepingherlockedinthatcellwastearingmeapart. I sighed . The moment her name was spoken , my wolf growled , restless and furious . Keeping her locked in that cell was tearing me apart . “Weshouldgetherout,Levispoke.“SheisourLuna,nomatterwhat.WhatwilltheotherAlphasthinkofusifwekeephercagedlikeacriminal? “ We should get her out , Levi spoke . “ She is our Luna , no matter what . What will the other Alphas think of us if we keep her caged like a criminal ? “Iagree,”Louisadded.“Insteadofkeepingherinthecell,wecanconfinehertoherroom.” “ I agree ,” Louis added . “ Instead of keeping her in the cell , we can confine her to her room . ” InoddedatLouis’ssuggestion,knowinghewasright.OliviawasourLuna,andeventhoughshehadmadeahugemistake,keepingherinthecellwasn’tright.Mywolfsnarledinagreement,demandingthatwebringheroutimmediately. I nodded at Louis’s suggestion , knowing he was right . Olivia was our Luna , and even though she had made a huge mistake , keeping her in the cell wasn’t right . My wolf snarled in agreement , demanding that we bring her out immediately . BeforeIcouldsayanythingelse,thedoorburstopen,andoneoftheguardsrushedin,lookingfrantic.Hebowedhisheadslightlybeforespeaking. Before I could say anything else , the door burst open , and one of the guards rushed in , looking frantic . He bowed his head slightly before speaking . “Alpha Lennox,AlphaLevi,andAlphaLouis!LunaOliviaisyellingforyou,”hereported,barelyabletocatchhisbreath. “ Alpha Lennox , Alpha Levi , and Alpha Louis ! Luna Olivia is yelling for you ,” he reported , barely able to catch his breath . “What?”Levigrowled,immediatelypushingoffthewall,hisdrinkforgotten. “ What ? ” Levi growled , immediately pushing off the wall , his drink forgotten . “She’scausingascene,demandingtoseeallthreeofyou.She…she’sfurious,”theguard “ She’s causing a scene , demanding to see all three of you . She … she’s furious ,” the guard stammered. stammered . 34Accused 34 Accused Iexchangedaglancewithmybrothers,amixofcuriosityandworrysettlingin.Oliviararely I exchanged a glance with my brothers , a mix of curiosity and worry settling in . Olivia rarely her her showedhertemper,andifshewasthisenraged,somethingmusthavepushedherpast*** showed her temper , and if she was this enraged , something must have pushed her past

limit.Withoutaword,weallstrodeoutofmychambers,makingourwaytothecells. limit . Without a word , we all strode out of my chambers , making our way to the cells . Asweapproachedthecell,hervoicegrewlouder.“Wherearethey?Letmeseethem!”shedemandedinanger. As we approached the cell , her voice grew louder . “ Where are they ? Let me see them ! ” she demanded in anger . Whenwearrived,Oliviastoodatthecellgate,herhandsgrippingthebars.Butitwasn’tjustangerradiatingfromher,itwaspain. When we arrived , Olivia stood at the cell gate , her hands gripping the bars . But it wasn’t just anger radiating from her , it was pain . Shewascrying. She was crying . Themomentshesawus,hergazehardened.“Youmonsters!Youorderedthekillingofmyfather!”shespat,andmybrowfurrowed. The moment she saw us , her gaze hardened . “ You monsters ! You ordered the killing of my father ! ” she spat , and my brow furrowed . Whatwasshetalkingabout? What was she talking about ? “Whatareyoutalkingabout?”Louisasked,voicingmyconfusion. “ What are you talking about ? ” Louis asked , voicing my confusion . Moretearsfelldownhercheeks,andwhereIstood,Ifeltmyheartclenching.Evenaftereverything.hertearsstillhadthepowertobreakme. More tears fell down her cheeks , and where I stood , I felt my heart clenching . Even after everything . her tears still had the power to break me . “Youthreeactlikeyoudon’tknowwhatI’mtalkingabout!”sheshouted,tearsflowingdownhercheeks. “ You three act like you don’t know what I’m talking about ! ” she shouted , tears flowing down her cheeks . “Thatisbecausewedon’tknowwhatyouaretalkingabout,”Levisnapped,soundingfrustrated. “ That is because we don’t know what you are talking about ,” Levi snapped , sounding frustrated . Oliviaglaredatus,hertear–filledeyesholdingbothpainandanger,makingmefeelso Olivia glared at us , her tear – filled eyes holding both pain and anger , making me feel so uncomfortable. uncomfortable . “Ihateyouthree,shespatinanger. “ I hate you three , she spat in anger . Igrowled.“Olivia,whatareyoutalkingabout?” I growled . “ Olivia , what are you talking about ? ” Mywolfgrowledangrily,fightingagainstmyrestraint,desperatetocomfortheranddemandanswersatthesametime.Levilookedjustasshaken,hisfistsclenched,whileLouisnarrowedhiseyes,tryingtopiecetogetherwhatshemeant. My wolf growled angrily , fighting against my restraint , desperate to comfort her and demand answers at the same time . Levi looked just as shaken , his fists clenched , while Louis narrowed his eyes , trying to piece together what she meant . BeforeIcouldsayanything,Oliviamovedsuddenly,catchingusoffguard.Inaswiftmotion,shereachedthroughthecellbars,grabbingthehiltoftheswordstrappedtotheguard’sside.Heyelpedinsurprise,toostunnedtoreact,andshepulleditfree,pressingthebladetoherneckbeforeanyofuscouldtakeastepforward. Before I could say anything , Olivia moved suddenly , catching us off guard . In a swift motion , she reached through the cell bars , grabbing the hilt of the sword strapped to the guard’s side . He yelped in surprise , too stunned to react , and she pulled it free , pressing the blade to her neck before any of us could take a step forward .

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googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-1746729984974-0'); }); “Don’tmove!”sheshouted,hervoicecrackingbutauthoritative.Theguardstumbledback,terrified,whilemywolfthrashedviolentlywithinme,howlingatthethreattoourmate. “ Don’t move ! ” she shouted , her voice cracking but authoritative . The guard stumbled back , terrified , while my wolf thrashed violently within me , howling at the threat to our mate . “Olivia!”Ibarked,butsheonlypressedtheswordharderagainstherskin,athinlineofbloodappearing.Ifeltmybreathhitch,andLouistookacautiousstepforward,butsheglaredathim,hergazewildandthreatening. “ Olivia ! ” I barked , but she only pressed the sword harder against her skin , a thin line of blood appearing . I felt my breath hitch , and Louis took a cautious step forward , but she glared at him , her gaze wild and threatening . 34Accused 34 Accused “Stayback!Iswear,I’lldoit!”shewarned,herhandstrembling. “ Stay back ! I swear , I’ll do it ! ” she warned , her hands trembling . “Olivia,putthesworddown,”Levisaidcautiously,hisvoicesurprisinglygentledespitethetensioncoilinginhismuscles.“Justtalktous.” “ Olivia , put the sword down , ” Levi said cautiously , his voice surprisingly gentle despite the tension coiling in his muscles . “ Just talk to us . ” “Youkilledmyfather!”shescreamed,tearsspillingfreely,herknuckleswhiteagainstthehilt.“Youorderedhisdeath!Why?Whywouldyoudothat?Hewasinnocent!” “ You killed my father ! ” she screamed , tears spilling freely , her knuckles white against the hilt . “ You ordered his death ! Why ? Why would you do that ? He was innocent ! ” Shockshotthroughmelikealightningbolt.Herfather?Executed?Noneofusgavethatorder.IexchangedaquicklookwithLouis,whosefacewasamaskofconfusion,andthenLevi,wholookedequallylost. Shock shot through me like a lightning bolt . Her father ? Executed ? None of us gave that order . I exchanged a quick look with Louis , whose face was a mask of confusion , and then Levi , who looked equally lost . “Olivia,”Istarted,keepingmytonesteadydespitethetightnessinmythroat.“Wedidn’torderanyonetokillyourfather.Whotoldyouthat?” “ Olivia ,” I started , keeping my tone steady despite the tightness in my throat . “ We didn’t order anyone to kill your father . Who told you that ? ” Hergripfalteredjustalittle,uncertaintyflickeringinhereyesbeforethefuryreturned.“Stoplying!Iheardit!Myfatherwasloyaltothispack,andyoukilledhimlikehewasnothing!” Her grip faltered just a little , uncertainty flickering in her eyes before the fury returned . “ Stop lying ! I heard it ! My father was loyal to this pack , and you killed him like he was nothing ! ” 1tookacarefulstepcloser,butsheimmediatelypressedthebladedeeper,andIfroze,myheartpoundingsohardIthoughtitwouldbreakmyribs. 1 took a careful step closer , but she immediately pressed the blade deeper , and I froze , my heart pounding so hard I thought it would break my ribs . “Please,Olivia,”Levispokeagain,histonealmostpleading.“Someonemusthaveliedtoyou.Wedidn’tdoit.Wewouldneverkillyourfather-” “ Please , Olivia ,” Levi spoke again , his tone almost pleading . “ Someone must have lied to you . We didn’t do it . We would never kill your father- ” “Youexpectmetobelievethat?”shehissed.“Youthreearemonsters!Ihateyou!Youtookeverythingfromme!” “ You expect me to believe that ? ” she hissed . “ You three are monsters ! I hate you ! You took everything from me ! ” “Olivia!”Igrowled,feargrippingme,myheartpoundingrapidlyinsideme. “ Olivia ! ” I growled , fear gripping me , my heart pounding rapidly inside me . “Dropthatsword,andlet’stalk,Ipleaded. “ Drop that sword , and let’s talk , I pleaded . “No!”Sheshookherhead,moretearsflowingrapidly. “ No ! ” She shook her head , more tears flowing rapidly . “Ihateyouthree…Ihateyouthreesomuch!”shespatinanger,andmyheartclenched.Iknewshehatedme,buthearinghersayitwithsomuchpainmademerealizehowmuchwemusthavehurther. “ I hate you three … I hate you three so much ! ” she spat in anger , and my heart clenched . I knew she hated me , but hearing her say it with so much pain made me realize how much we must have hurt her . “I…OliviaParker,rejectyouthreeasmymates.” “ I … Olivia Parker , reject you three as my mates .” “Werejectyourrejection,wesaidinunison,withouthavingasecondthoughtaboutit. “ We reject your rejection , we said in unison , without having a second thought about it . Olivia’swords hungheavyintheair,andIfeltapainIcouldn’tdescribe–likeclawsdiggingintomysoul.Rejection.Shewantedtorejectus.Mywolfhowledinanguish,clawingatmyinsidesasiftryingtoripouttheagonyIfelt.IcouldseeLeviandLouistensebesideme,theirfacespaleandtheireyescloudedwithpain. Olivia’s words hung heavy in the air , and I felt a pain I couldn’t describe – like claws digging into my soul . Rejection . She wanted to reject us . My wolf howled in anguish , clawing at my insides as if trying to rip out the agony I felt . I could see Levi and Louis tense beside me , their faces pale and their eyes clouded with pain . “Olivia…”Leviwhispered,hisvoiceshaking. “ Olivia … ” Levi whispered , his voice shaking . Sheglaredatus,theswordstillpressedtoherneck,morebloodtricklingdownherskin.Hereyeswerehollow,lost,filledwithnothingbutagonyandhatred. She glared at us , the sword still pressed to her neck , more blood trickling down her skin . Her eyes were hollow , lost , filled with nothing but agony and hatred . 34Accused 34 Accused “Maybe…maybedeathistheonlywayIcanbefreefromyouthree,shemuttered,hervoiceraw “ Maybe … maybe death is the only way I can be free from you three , she muttered , her voice raw andbroken. and broken . Myeyeswidened,andIsurgedforwardwithoutthinking.“Olivia,no!” My eyes widened , and I surged forward without thinking . “ Olivia , no ! ” Butitwastoolate.Inoneswiftmotion,she slicedthebladeacrossherthroat,bloodbloominginstantlyagainstherpaleskin. But it was too late . In one swift motion , she sliced the blade across her throat , blood blooming instantly against her pale skin . “NO!”Louisshouted,dartingforward,butthecellbarsstoppedhim. “ NO ! ” Louis shouted , darting forward , but the cell bars stopped him . MykneeshitthegroundasIwatchedhercollapse,bloodpouringfromherwound,herbodytremblingandeyesfluttering.Myhandsgrippedthebarssotightlythattheyhurt,andmywolfletoutamournfulhowlthatechoedthroughthehalls. My knees hit the ground as I watched her collapse , blood pouring from her wound , her body trembling and eyes fluttering . My hands gripped the bars so tightly that they hurt , and my wolf let out a mournful howl that echoed through the halls . “Open thecell!Now!”Levibarkedatthestunned guards,hisvoicefilledwithfear. “ Open the cell ! Now ! ” Levi barked at the stunned guards , his voice filled with fear . “Maybe…maybedeathistheonlywayIcanbefreefromyouthree,shemuttered,hervoiceraw “ Maybe … maybe death is the only way I can be free from you three , she muttered , her voice raw andbroken. and broken . Myeyeswidened,andIsurgedforwardwithoutthinking.“Olivia,no!” My eyes widened , and I surged forward without thinking . “ Olivia , no ! ” Butitwastoolate.Inoneswiftmotion,sheslicedthebladeacrossherthroat,bloodbloominginstantlyagainstherpaleskin. But it was too late . In one swift motion , she sliced the blade across her throat , blood blooming instantly against her pale skin . “NO!”Louisshouted,darting forward,butthecellbarsstoppedhim. “ NO ! ” Louis shouted , darting forward , but the cell bars stopped him . MykneeshitthegroundasIwatchedhercollapse,bloodpouringfromherwound,herbodytremblingandeyesfluttering.Myhandsgrippedthebarssotightlythattheyhurt,andmywolfletoutamournfulhowlthatechoedthroughthehalls. My knees hit the ground as I watched her collapse , blood pouring from her wound , her body trembling and eyes fluttering . My hands gripped the bars so tightly that they hurt , and my wolf let out a mournful howl that echoed through the halls . “Openthecell!Now!”Levibarkedatthestunnedguards,hisvoicefilledwithfear. “ Open the cell ! Now ! ” Levi barked at the stunned guards , his voice filled with fear . Comment14 Comment 14

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