Lie or Lie

"We believe Hazel is an assassin sent by the rogues that have been causing trouble lately."

Another wave of shocked gasps erupted, and the crowd began to chatter wildly. Everyone was nervous about the sudden arrival of the rogue that ruined every pack they attacked. The rogue's intentions weren't known, but from their actions, one could only tell chaos and destruction were part of their goals. Now Malcolm was saying the Nightshade Pack had gotten their attention, and they had sent someone to kill their alpha. If that was the case, then why wasn't this assassin dead already? Why is a trial being held at all?

Hazel's body went completely still, her thoughts blank as she questioned what she had just heard. She remembered Brandon telling her rogues would attack during the trial, meaning one of them was here at this moment. Hazel couldn't help but shook her head; the real rogues were amongst them, yet they were pointing fingers at her—it was just ridiculous.

"Tell me if what I just said is false, Hazel Whitman?" Malcolm asked with a gleam in his eyes, expecting Hazel to crumble under the accusations he stacked. However, Hazel appeared unfazed, much to his dissatisfaction.

"It's definitely not true."

Hazel replied firmly, but a feminine voice suddenly came from the crowd.

"Lies!" A female shifter with a slight frame walked out of the crowd with captivating grace.

Hazel wondered who this was and why was she interrupting and she wasn't the only one, as the pack members stared at her with curiosity.

"We call on Everly, a shifter from an allying pack, with a blessing that enables her to tell whether or not someone is lying or telling the truth."

Hazel watched as Everly walked up the platform, noting her looks. What stood out the most was her silver eyes, which had a mesmerizing shade, and her dark hair cascaded in loose waves around her shoulders.

As their eyes met, Hazel's entire body shook, and she hurriedly withdrew her gaze. It felt like Everly was staring into her soul.

"Tell me, Hazel Whitman, have you ever had thoughts of killing the alpha?" she asked in a soft voice, but the question made Hazel frown.

'Does having thoughts of murder make me a killer?'

A psychopath maybe but killer?

"Why don't you ask me directly if I killed him or not?"

"Just answer the damn question,"

Everly said, and Hazel slightly tilted her head. Now that bitchy tone was quite opposite to the delicate vibe Everly had initially given, and it stunned Hazel from a second.

Hazel knew she was in trouble. If she said 'No', then Everly would be able to tell she was lying, which would make her situation worse, and if she said 'Yes', she would only be seen as more of a murderer.

So Hazel decided to give an indirect answer.

"Which omega hasn't? I lost everything to him—my family, my friends, my home. But I didn't kill Alpha Levi. Tell me whether I'm actually lying or not?"

Everly remained quiet and continued with more question, totally ignoring Hazel's statement. Why was she asking more questions instead of telling everyone I was speaking the truth?

"Did you plan to kill the alpha on the night he called you to his room?"

"I didn't kill Alpha Levi! Tell me, is that a li?" Hazel demanded, but Everly ignored her and repeated her question in a cold manner.

"Did you plan to kill the alpha that night, with the hairpin you took?"

At this Hazel let out a heavy sigh.

'Why did I see her as some sort of hope? It was obvious the guest Malcolm invited would be in on it.'

"What was your intention in wearing the hairpin in the first place?"

...

Hazel didn't speak.

"Answer the question, slave. Was it to kill Alpha Levi?"

"No!"

Hazel yelled, tired of the questions but more pissed Everly had called her a slave.

"That is a lie!"

Everly said each word slowly, but it was loud enough for everyone to hear. And the result was the eruption of the crowd.

"He tried to rape me."

Hazel said in a silent voice, but it was enough for Everly to hear.

"Is that why you killed him?"

"I didn't kill him."

"Lies."

Everly spat, and Hazel could hear amusement in her tone.

Hazel, at this point, was unsure if Everly really posessed a blessing like Malcolm said she did. She just had to call out her truth as lies; anyone could do that.

The crowd began to yell, even more aggressively, raining more things on Hazel. A rock hit Hazel hard on the head, but she didn't wince, almost like she was immune to the pain. Blood dripped down her face as she watched everyone with a void expression on her face. She wanted it to end.

"I think it's time to bring the trial to an close. All the evidence points to Hazel, and I believe no one has any objections to the judgment I'm about to make?"

Malcolm asked all the high-ranking members of the pack, and they all nodded in agreement.

They all felt disdain and hatred towards Hazel, not believing a mere omega slave could cause such chaos to the pack at a desperate time. It was better to deal with her quickly and focus on what truly mattered.

"Then it's settled."

Malcolm said, declaring in a powerful tone his verdict.

"Hazel White, for the murder of the alpha of the pack, you have been sentenced to death by boiling."

"Yes!"

The crowd began to cheer, pleased with Malcolm's judgment.

"Death by boiling seemed like a fitting death for her crime."

"She had to suffer a slow death for killing Alpha Levi in such a torturous manner."

Meanwhile, Hazel was filled with trepidation, the sound of her heartbeat thrashing in her ears.

"Death by boiling?" Hazel muttered, biting her lips. Even when they knew she was innocent, they wanted to torment her in such a cruel manner.

Hazel turned towards Helen and Kayle, and they both looked away, not a single trace of care on their faces.

They were monsters... They were all monsters.

"The execution will take place in the next three days. Await in despair and regret your vile act during that time. Though none of it will make the pain you feel before you die any less bearable."

...

At Malcolm words, Hazel chuckled, and soon it turned to manic laughter. The murmur and chatter ceased, and everyone watched Hazel like she was some deranged lunatic.

"How naive I've been."

Before Hazel became a slave, she had been shielded by her parents from the pain and injustice of the world. If they had showed her the evil it possessed, she would have been more prepared, it would've hurt less.

'Well, there's no point crying over spilled milk. My death is pretty much certain.'

Hazel stopped laughing as she raised her head, glaring at Malcolm with her wolfish eyes, her voice chilly.

"Despair... over what? What did I do that was so wrong?"

...

Dead silence.

But then one person responded, and it was not Malcolm.

"Your crime is the same as that of the beta. You both need to simply die for existing."