Chapter 17

"It's your ex-mate's sister," Liam explained, his voice low but firm. "The Werewolf King's guard has Angela Landon in custody. She believes you're the one who tried to kill her brother."

I frowned, feeling a knot tighten in my stomach. "Why would I want to kill Alpha Carson?"

"Asher's right," Liam continued. "Alpha Carson didn't try to kill himself. Someone else did. That's what the guards believe, especially since they found his body near his estate."

Mom pulled me into a tight hug, her warmth soothing my tense body. "Sweetheart, the truth will come out. Liam and Asher are doing everything they can to clear your name. These accusations are lies."

"Mom, "

Before I could say more, two guards entered the hospital room, their presence sending an icy chill through the air.

"What's going on?" Mom demanded, her tone sharp.

"We're here to take Ella Hansen to Werewolf City on charges of attempting to kill the Alpha of the Wayvere pack," one of the guards stated. The words hit me like a punch to the gut, sending waves of fear through me.

Dad tensed, ready to fight, but I knew it would only make things worse. I couldn't let this escalate and put my family, or our pack, in danger. So, I resigned myself to the situation, allowing them to take me into custody.

In the prison cell, my family visited often, and Liam promised he would get me out. But one day, I was blindsided by Angela Landon's visit. She stormed in, her face twisted in hatred, her voice dripping with venom.

"I'll make sure you pay for what you did to my brother," she spat. "You'll regret ever crossing me."

How could I have known about Angela or even Alpha Carson's family? Carson never introduced me to them. And now, they hated me, accusing me of something I hadn't done.

The second time Angela visited, she leaned in close, her eyes cold as she sneered, "One day, I'll watch your execution, Ella. Maybe then my brother will finally have peace, even if he never wakes up."

No matter how much I tried to explain, she refused to listen. Her mind was set on her hatred for me.

A week later, to my surprise, I was finally released. Tears welled up in my eyes as I saw my family waiting for me. They embraced me tightly, their relief palpable. I hadn't realized how much I'd missed them until I was finally back in their arms.

But where was Liam?

"He's meeting with the Werewolf King," my brother said, his voice tinged with relief. "The truth's finally come out, Princess."

I looked at him, confused. "What truth?"

"It was Anna Wesley who tried to kill Carson," he explained. "She couldn't stand the thought of him still having feelings for you. If she couldn't have him, she'd rather see him dead."

I remembered that night, Carson had called me, his voice strained, not knowing he was lying in the snow, bleeding, close to death.

The revelation hit me like a tidal wave. Anna had orchestrated the attack at the annual ball, targeting me to ensure she could claim Carson's love and attention for herself. And it was her actions that led to the loss of my unborn twins.

Rage boiled inside me, and when I saw Anna in court, I couldn't hold back. I slapped her hard across the face, watching her crumble to the ground in a heap of sobs, begging for forgiveness. But it didn't matter. The Werewolf King had already decreed her execution. In their world, attempting to kill or killing an Alpha was punishable by death.

As much as I despised Anna for what she had done, a small part of me still felt pity for her. All because of a love that could never be returned.

"What's on your mind, Princess?" My brother's voice broke through my thoughts, pulling me back to the present. I blinked, realizing we'd stopped in front of the Lancaster pack's territory. I was wearing my wedding gown.

"Nothing, just excited to get married," I said, offering a smile as I took his hand and stepped out of the car.

My parents were waiting for us in the pack hall, where the ceremony was set up. As we walked toward them, my brother raised an eyebrow. "You having second thoughts about marrying Liam?"

I laughed. "Never."

He kissed my forehead, his voice full of warmth. "He'll love you and protect you forever, Princess."

"I know, brother," I said, smiling as he led me down the aisle.

At the altar, Liam stood waiting for me, his eyes full of emotion, a wide smile spread across his face. I couldn't help but feel my heart swell with love for him.

But then, my gaze shifted to one of the seats. It was Alpha Carson. I didn't expect him to be awake, but there he was, sitting up, looking thin but alert. His eyes met mine, sadness flickering in them, though he managed a small smile.

Seeing him again, I felt nothing. No anger, no resentment, just emptiness. Carson was a part of my past, and I wouldn't let him drag me back into it. If he came to cause trouble, I wouldn't hesitate to deal with him.