Murder most foul

Kayden showed Anabelle all around the packhouse and, much to her embarrassment introduced her to the wolves in the packhouse as his mate. Everyone was elated that their Alpha had found his mate and wished Anabelle good luck on her future position as Luna of the Dark Wood pack.

When they got to the top floor Kayden took her to the end of the hall and opened the door. Anabelle stepped inside and let out a breath she didn't know she had been holding in. The room was massive, easily twice the size of the room in her mother's and her father's houses. In the corner of the room was a massive king bed, decorated in a simple grey duvet set. In the middle of the room was a spacious grey couch on a beautiful white rug, in front of the biggest tv Anabelle had ever seen.

Adjoining the room was a bathroom bigger than she could ever have imagined. It was complete with an enormous bath that had jets installed, and a spacious shower and sink. Kayden informed her the floor tiles were heated. Anabelle felt like she had died and gone to heaven. Then she saw the walk-in wardrobe next to the bathroom. The "wardrobe" as Kayden called it, was the same size as the living room in her mother's house and was filled with designer clothing.

"I'll make room for all of your stuff in there tomorrow, do you like it?" he asked. "Do I like it? This room is amazing", she replied. "good", he smiled at her. "Okay leave your coat and bag there and we'll go get something to eat in the kitchen." "Sounds like a plan", she replied.

Together they descended the many stairs in the packhouse and went to the kitchen, where to her surprise her mother was standing over the cooker with her back to them. The Alpha cleared his throat, and she began to turn around and stopped when she saw Anabelle. "Anabelle what are you doing here, why are you bothering the Alpha? Go home I'll deal with you later" Kayden simply took Anabelle's hand and sat down at the counter and cut them both a slice of pie from the plate in the middle of the table. Her mother looked beyond confused at the sight of her daughter holding hands with the Alpha. "Anabelle is my mate and she will be living here in the packhouse with me from now on" he stated. Geraldine's mouth fell open and she took a step back.

"But, but it can't, you can't, she can't" she started. "Do you dare disobey your Alpha?" he growled. "She is my mate; she will live here this is not a discussion". Right at that moment, Beta Daniel entered the room and both his and Kayden's eyes glossed over. "Perfect thank you, you can take your leave." With that Daniel smiled at Anabelle and left the room. "Anabelle's items have already been removed from your home and brought to the packhouse. It is done".

He started to eat his slice of pie and nudged Anabelle to do the same. As soon as there were finished, he nodded at Geraldine who took the plates to the sink. She looked like she was in a state of shock and Anabelle couldn't figure out why. Surely a mother would be happy their daughter had found their fated mate and with it happiness.

Kayden stood up from the counter and looked at Geraldine. "If you wouldn't mind accompanying us to my office," he said. Geraldine was very pale at this point, but still, she nodded and followed them to the office he had mentioned.

Kayden's office was roughly the same size as his bedroom with two large mahogany desks with identical chairs behind them. Both desks had very expensive computers situated on top with various files stacked neatly beside them. Geraldine took a seat in front of Kayden's desk after he sat down and motioned for Anabelle to stand behind him.

Beta Daniel then entered the room with a file in his hand. He stood next to Kayden and glared distastefully at Anabelle's mother. "What's this about Alpha?" she nervously asked. "I think you already know the answer to that. You've been attempting to poison your daughter, my mate, and future Luna to this pack".

Anabelle gasped in shock when he said this, and Daniel passed her the file he was holding. In it were printouts of bank transactions, order forms, and a picture of a bottle of wolfsbane in her mother's bedside locker. Anabelle paled and felt sick. Why would her brother rescue her, and take her to her mother only for the woman to try and poison her?

Daniel passed the file to Kayden who glanced over it and then silently passed it to Geraldine. When she saw the contents of the file her nervous look changed to a scowl. "Damn I didn't think you'd figure it out so quickly, and I certainly didn't bank on the little wench being your mate"

"Mom why? Why take me in only to try and poison me?" Anabelle asked. "Because you're HIS daughter that's why. Do you honestly think I would let you come back to my home and live? When your father's stupid beta figured out, I was planning to kill you when you were born, he stole you from the hospital and returned you to that stupid pack your brother's idiot father is failing to run. To save my life I told your father you died at birth and the beta affirmed it. I should've hunted you down and killed you then".

"Enough!" Kayden roared. Anabelle began sobbing. It was at that moment she realized she had no real family that loved her. Kayden asked her what she would like done about Geraldine, but she didn't care. She simply looked away. Kayden nodded and turned to face Geraldine. "For the punishment of attempted murder of your Luna, I Alpha Kayden of the Dark Wood pack, sentence you to death"

Anabelle turned and faced the wall but said nothing. She did not care about this woman dying, she was no mother to her. Alpha Kayden extended his claws and with one swift movement, tore Geraldine's heart out. Her body fell to the floor with a thump and still, Anabelle stayed facing the wall. At that moment she realized she was alone, the only family she thought she had, had betrayed her.