Skylar's world crumbled around her as the weight of the devastating news settled in. Her beloved children had been killed, and she was the prime suspect. It was a possible situation since she was the one to prepare their food last night, feed them, and tuck them into bed.
Tears streamed down Skylar's face as she struggled to understand how she could have ended up in such a terrible predicament. She recalled losing consciousness after drinking her usual nighttime tea in the kitchen in the early hours of the day, unaware the tea had been drugged.
Skylar desperately racked her brain for a way to convince Alpha Asher of her innocence, she knew she needed to talk to him but knowing he was grieving and might not be willing to listen, she took a deep breath of sorrow.
As the hours dragged on, Skylar remained lost in thought, the cold dungeon floor not adding any good to her situation.
The possibility of being unjustly killed for a crime she didn't commit was unbearable, and she was also at a loss on how to prove her innocence. She knew she couldn't give up; there had to be a way out of this nightmare.
As the darkness of midnight settled over the palace, Skylar's despair deepened, cold finding their way to her.
Suddenly, a creaking sound broke through the silence as her dungeon door slowly opened. A masked man entered, causing Skylar to recoil in fear.
"Who are you?" She asked, her voice trembling.
The man remained calm, his voice steady as he replied. "I'm here to help you, Skylar."
Skylar's eyes widened with surprise, but suspicion quickly crept in. "How do I know I can trust you? When I know I have no one who would think of saving me,"
The masked man took a step forward, keeping his hands visible. "Because I know you didn't kill your children or betray your husband."
At his reply, Skylar's heart skipped a beat, someone definitely knew the truth. "How could you possibly know that?" she asked him, still in doubt.
He shook his head. "There's no time to explain. If you want to live, they are going to kill you so you must come with me now."
Skylar hesitated, her thoughts racing. "But... I need to speak to Alpha Asher. I have to explain-"
The man cut her off, his tone urgent.
"There's no time for that. Asher is consumed by grief and changed his mind about your banishment. He decided to kill you. The pack elders have all agreed to his new decision. You must leave now if you wish to survive."
Tears welled up in Skylar's eyes as she considered his words. Leaving without clearing her name would mean giving up any chance of reconciling with Alpha Asher who now wants her dead but staying would certainly mean dying by his hands.
The man sensed her hesitation and spoke softly. "I understand this is difficult, Skylar, but you must make a choice." He extended his hand. "Come with me, and I can ensure your safety."
Skylar looked at the outstretched hand, her mind spinning. Was it better to risk her life and fight for her innocence, or to accept the man's offer and flee? The dungeon walls seemed to close in around her, as quickly got lost in thought.
She took a deep, shuddering breath, her gaze meeting the man's. "I... I don't know if I can do this."
"I'm here to help you, Skylar. Trust me, and together we can find a way to clear your name." the man assured, his words full of kindness.
Skylar swallowed hard, tears spilling down her cheeks. With trembling fingers, she reached out towards the man's hand, her heart pounding in her chest. As their hands touched, she knew her life would never be the same.
Skylar's heart raced as she followed the masked man through the dungeon. She couldn't help but gasp as they passed some unconscious guards sprawled on the floor. Fear and confusion swirled within her, but she pressed on, clinging to the hope that she might one day clear her name after leaving. She would investigate everything that happened and find who killed her children and set her up.
As they emerged from the dungeon, Skylar turned to the man, her voice was shaky.
"Please, I need to see my children's grave."
The man hesitated, his eyes filled with concern. "It's too risky, Skylar. We must leave before they realize you're gone."
Tears streamed down Skylar's face, her voice pleading. "I beg of you, please. I need to say goodbye to them,"
The man's gaze softened, and he reluctantly nodded. "Very well, but we must be quick."
They made their way to the secluded clearing where the children's grave lay.
Overwhelmed with emotion, Skylar fell to her knees, her hands trembling as she reached out to touch the cold earth.
"I'm so sorry," she whispered, her voice raw with grief. "I should have protected you."
As she wept, the sound of approaching footsteps reached her ears. Glancing up, Skylar's heart stopped as Alpha Asher entered the clearing, his eyes red and swollen from grief.
He froze when he saw their figures, disbelief and confusion etched on his face. "Who's there?"
The masked man quickly pulled Skylar to her feet, and they began to run. Asher, realizing it was that of a male figure and a female figure, he called out for his guards as he gave them a chase suspecting his Luna and Brown had escaped the dungeon.
Skylar's breath came in ragged gasps as they fled through the darkened forest, her heart pounding in her chest.
She could hear Asher's furious shouts echoing behind them, driving them to run faster. Alpha Asher tried to catch up with them but never did. The man who helped Skylar was faster- he seemed like he was an Alpha or something higher.
Back at the palace, when Alpha Asher returned, the other Palace guards discovered the unconscious guards lying around Skylar's cell.
To their horror, Brown had also gone missing as well. Asher, overcome with rage and sorrow, ordered a search party, convinced that Skylar had conspired with Brown to escape.
As the guards fanned out across the territory, Asher followed the faint scent of his Luna, his mind reeling with betrayal and pain.