Vivian's POV
My parents lay in a pool of their blood, a dagger plunged into my mother's chest. My eyes widened in shock, as I fell to my knees. My world crashing before me. There was no mistaking it—they had been murdered. But why?
I gripped my hair, screaming in agony as I crawled to my father, shaking him desperately. Tears streaming down my face. I just couldn't accept the fact that he was dead, he had a surprise for me today, he was planning something with mum, and he promised to fulfil.
"An Alpha never goes back on his word. Wake up, father. Please don't leave me." my voice broke, the words barely audible through my sobs.
I heard a faint breath from my mother and I rushed to her.
"Mother…. Mother." I whispered, holding her hand. Her fingers twitched, and she tried to say something, but I couldn't hear her. I leaned closer, my ear a few inches from her lips.
"Bryan..... Run… Run." she gasped, her breath labored, until I could no longer hear her heart beat.
"Mother..... Mother....." I cried out, staring at the dagger still in her chest. I pulled it out, and just then, the door opened.
"Lady Vivian, is arrested for committing treason."
I froze, stunned. What the hell are they saying?
Bryan stepped into the room and I ran to him, tears streaming down my face. But he pushed me away.
"You've committed treason, you killed not only the Alpha And Luna of this pack but also your parents. How could you Vivian? What did they ever do to deserve this?"
"Bryan—
"You are not entitled to call my name!" he glared at me, a cold gaze I had never seen before. "I cannot be with a woman who killed her parents."
The few pack members who followed him joined in, looking at me with disgust. "We cannot accept such a person as our Luna. How heartless can you be?"
" I didn't kill them!" I cried, my voice trembling. "How could I kill my parents? Bryan, you know more than anyone how much I love them! Why would I do this?"
"Then tell us why there is a knife in your hand?" Rachel said, hey voice coming from the crowd.
She stood beside Bryan, and I saw how he wrap his arms around her waist. The realization hit me hard — I had been framed.
"Rachel, what are you talking about? There is no way I will do this." I turned to Bryan, with pleading eyes.
"Just keep quiet, Vivian," Rachel said. "You told me how much you hated the fact that Bryan was becoming Alpha instead of you. You said you didn't mind doing anything to get your way. I never knew this was what you meant." Fake tears trailed down her cheek as she said.
"No, Rachel! I never said anything like that! It was Bryan! I saw him leaving this room, and when I came in, I found them like this, I didn't do it!"
"Enough!" Beta Gideon thundered. "Are you trying to frame Bryan after what you've done? I made a mistake. I should have watched you more closely, especially after Rachel told me about your plans. She told me how you stole Bryan. Bryan is Rachel's mate."
Time stopped. My gaze slowly moved to Bryan and Rachel. My body trembled as the truth crashed over me. All this time, I had been blind to see it.
Bryan and I had never found our mates, so it never mattered. Why hadn't he told me Rachel was his mate?
"Why Bryan? Why? What did I ever do to deserve this? You killed my parents!" I shouted.
"Guards, take her away." Beta Gideon ordered, turning to the men behind me.
I stood up, trembling and quickly backed away. There's no way I'll let them take me.
I looked around. No one was willing to believe me. The pack members had turned against me, and it was obvious that Bryan and Rachel had already conspired to frame me.
What had I done to deserve this?
Why hadn't Bryan told me he had a mate? I would have reconsidered our marriage even if it was going to be hard. I would have respected his wishes.
"Why didn't you tell me, Rachel?" I screamed, pushing the guard who tried to grab me. "Get off me!" I snarled and turned to Rachel. "You should have told me he was your mate, I would have reconsidered."
"I'm sorry, Vivian. I wanted to tell you, but you never wanted to listen. I was also afraid because you told me you'd kill his mate if he ever finds her. So I couldn't say anything."
My mouth dropped open, I never said anything like that.
Bryan's glare at me deepened. He ordered the guards to restrain me and take me to prison. As they closed in, I ran for the open window. The house was a two stories high, but I leaped out onto the first story balcony, then jumped onto the grass below.
I looked up to see them coming after me.
"Go after her! Don't let her escape! She's a traitor." Beta Gideon shouted.
I ran into the woods as fast as my long would carry me. If I could make it to the border, maybe — just maybe - I could escape this nightmare alive.
Everyone had turned against me. Nothing here mattered anymore.
Perhaps Bryan and Rachel had been planning this from the start. Possibly even Beta Gideon.
Why had they waited until my wedding day to destroy everything?
"Mum, dad... I promise, I'll avenge you."