Chapter 3

Chapter 3

Aaliyah

Olivia lay on the ground, bleeding. Just hours ago, she'd been sitting in this room, watching me and Jack argue. Now, here she was—lifeless. What happened?

"Olivia?" I whispered, my voice trembling as I struggled to comprehend what I was seeing. Where was Jack?

A dagger protruded from her chest, a pool of blood spreading around her still body.

I frantically turned her over, laying her on her back. My breath hitched at the sight of her pale lips and ashen skin. Olivia was always tan—why was she so pale now? My hands shook as I reached for the dagger, pulling it out of her chest.

Closing my eyes, I focused, trying to take away her pain. But I felt nothing. My heart sank, and my eyes flew open in disbelief. I tried again. Still, nothing. Olivia was dead. No, she had been dead for hours.

Who could have done this? Questions flooded my mind as I stared at her body, the color draining until her skin turned blue.

Just then, the door burst open, and a maid rushed in. She froze, her eyes wide, hand flying to her mouth.

"What have you done?" the maid gasped.

"I... I... Please, help me! Let's take her to the hospital!" I pleaded.

"You killed her!" the maid wailed.

"W-what?" I stammered, scrambling to my feet.

"You killed her!" she repeated, her voice trembling with accusation.

"No, wait! It wasn't me. I—"

"Someone help!" the maid screamed as she bolted out of the room.

I looked between Olivia's lifeless body and the open door, torn on what to do. Why would she think I killed Olivia? I had just arrived!

Before I could move, Jack stormed in with two guards behind him.

"Jack, I just found—"

"What have you done?" Jack bellowed, closing the distance between us. Before I could explain, a stinging slap landed across my cheek.

"I... I found her like this!"

"Like what?" Jack demanded, his voice dripping with fury. "Don't lie to me when the evidence is right there. There's blood on your shirt!"

I looked down at my dress, my heart dropping. Blood smeared across the fabric. "No... no... What?"

"You killed her," Jack growled.

"Why would you think that?" I asked, my voice cracking.

"The Beta told me you never showed up at his house. You must've waited until I left to kill Olivia."

"No!" I shook my head, tears blurring my vision.

"Is this payback for what I said to you this morning?" Jack's voice was cold and biting. "Why, Aaliyah?"

"Jack, I didn't do anything," I sobbed, taking a step back. Too late, I realized I should've noticed the blood on my dress before going near Olivia.

"Guards!" Jack shouted.

Time slowed as the weight of his accusation hit me. I was being blamed for something I didn't do. The guards grabbed my arms, dragging me from the room.

They hauled me down the hallway, past rows of maids whispering to one another. Their judgmental gazes followed as I was led outside.

I glanced up at the sky, silently questioning what I had done to deserve this. Was this punishment from the Moon Goddess? Should I have healed that man?

The guards shoved me to my knees in the middle of the courtyard, and I cursed under my breath as the crowd's accusing stares bore into me.

"Bind her," Jack commanded.

The guards clasped heavy chains around my wrists, their cold metal biting into my skin. My heart raced as panic set in.

"It wasn't me," I choked out.

"Why lie when the evidence is right here?" Jack spat. "Your dress is soaked in blood, Aaliyah."

"I... I..." My voice faltered. No one would believe me, no matter what I said.

"Why did you take her away from me?" Jack's voice cracked as he stared at me with unbridled hatred.

Tears streamed down my face.

"That's why I'm going to make sure you die a slow death," Jack hissed. "A very slow, painful death—just like you gave Olivia."

My blood ran cold. He was serious. He was going to kill me.

A guard emerged from the pack house, handing Jack a long cane. My heart thundered in my chest. No. He wouldn't.

"You'll learn today," Jack sneered, gripping the cane tightly. "In your next life, maybe you won't bring bad luck."

The crowd fell silent, save for Jack's heavy breathing. The cane whistled through the air, and then pain exploded across my back.

I gasped, my body jerking as fire seemed to scorch my skin.

"Look at you," Jack snarled. "If I'd known this was your plan all along, I would've killed you this morning."

I turned my head to the side, my hair falling across my tear-streaked face.

"Jack," I gritted out. "Olivia was my best friend. I would never harm her."

"You think I believe your lies?" Jack shouted. "Start talking!"

"I didn't kill her," I whispered, my voice weak.

The cane struck again, sharp pain slicing through me. I bit my lip so hard I tasted blood.

"Please," I begged, my voice breaking as I struggled against the chains.

"Stupid girl," Jack spat, striking me once more. The agony was unbearable as my back burned and bled.

When the next blow landed, I couldn't hold back my scream. Something warm and wet trickled down my spine. My skin had broken.

Head drooping, I struggled to draw in breath.

The cane clattered to the ground, and Jack stumbled back. What was happening?

Someone cried out. Footsteps pounded against the earth.

Every hair on my body stood on end as I sensed another presence. Prying my eyes open, I caught sight of black shoes.