Chapter 49: Chapter 49

CHAPTER FORTY NINE

RYKER

I sat in my office, the weight of regrets heavy on my shoulders. My heart ached with sorrow as I thought about the moments I had ignored Roxanne, consumed by the demands of the pack's work and our fight. If only I had been there for her, if only I had listened to my wolf, she wouldn't be in this dire state now.

I wished I could go back in time to rectify it. I had one sole duty and that was to protect Roxanne, and in that, I had failed miserably. Whoever it was that had written that letter was someone who knew about our fight.

I gulped down the glass of alcohol and flung the bottle across the room. As the somber atmosphere lingered thick in the air, a knock around the door startled me.

Beta Miles entered with a grave expression on his face. He scrutinized the mess in my office and looked at me. His concerned voice broke the silence. “Alpha Ryker, the physician from White Moon is here.”

I nodded solemnly and followed him to Roxanne's bedroom where she lay motionless on the bed. There was a monitor connected which displayed the rate of her heartbeat and an oxygen mask was connected to her nose for breathing. Other medications were being passed into her body through drip and she looked uneasy even in her sleep.

My chest tightened.

“How is she?” I asked, as my worried gaze glazed over hers.

The physician's grim expression said it all as he examined Roxanne. “She's in a critical condition, Alpha,” he said stiffly. “We don't know how long she's going to be in coma but we're re doing everything we can. Although, she's tethering between life and death.”

My hands clenched into fists as I processed the news. “What do you mean, ‘between life and death’?” I demanded, my voice tinged with desperation.

Tears. I could feel them brim in my eyes as I looked at the physician for answers. But I blinked them away. I shouldn’t be caught crying.

“Will she make it?” I asked.

The physician chose his words carefully, yet his voice trembled with fear and uncertainty. “We're doing everything we can, but it's up to her now.”

“Fuck!” I cursed and punched the wall hard with all my strength. My heart clenched with fear as I watched Roxanne's still form. “Hang in there, Roxanne,” I whispered. “Please hang in there.”

***

I ordered Beta Miles to assemble everyone who was present when she went into the woods including the guards. Someone amongst them knew something. I was sure. And they were all going to pay. Roxanne's recovery couldn't be determined and I was fearful. I just couldn't risk losing my mate.

The last person that was brought in was my sister. She smiled sweetly at me so much that it irritated me. At this point I could hit her but I suppressed my anger.

“Which of you spoke to Lady Roxanne this morning?” I demanded.

“I was the first. I took breakfast up to her but she didn't seem like she was in a good mood. She just told me to put the food aside and leave,” Emily, one of the maids explained.

“She didn't step out of the room, Alpha, until this evening,” Xeus said. “We kept watch by the door but when she came outside, she looked excited. She gave a letter to us saying it was from you, Alpha.”

“And we couldn't disagree because it had your writing and insignia,” Axel, my other guard chimed in.

I watched everyone else, flashing them death glares. “Who else saw her?”

“We did see her on our way to the kitchen. She wore these fancy slippers and she did look happy as she skipped out of the pack house.”

I stared at them coldly and my jaw clenched before I retrieved a knitted handkerchief. I waved it in the air. “The letter that was sent to Roxanne said she was to come to the halls of shadows and when we searched, we found blood trails and this handkerchief.”

Selina froze.

“Who does this handkerchief belong to? If it's yours, signify before I force you to.” I said the last words with my eyes fixed on Selina.

There was silence before Selina reluctantly stepped forward. “It's mine.”

Anger coursed through my veins and I stared at her coldly. “Are you responsible for this, selina?”

Selina gasped and stared at me in disbelief. “What!?” She croaked. “You think I did this?”

“This handkerchief smells like morning glory,” I continued. “And the letter that was sent to Roxanne was also scented in morning glory.” I glared at her, “Is it just a coincidence?”

***

SELINA

My brother’s voice was cold with suspicion and amongst all he chose me to settle his eyes upon. I really wished Roxanne would die.

“I…I don't know what you're talking about brother. I wasn't even here when it happened, so no, I didn't do it,” I protested, my voice trembling with indignation.

Ryker scoffed. “If there's anyone who has always wanted Roxanne dead, it's you. And if there's anyone who could forge my handwriting and also use my insignia, it's still you.”

“Fuck,” I cursed out before I could stop myself. My heart sank as my brother accused me in front of everyone. “I do hate Roxanne. She's an eyesore, but I don't hate her enough to want her killed. I mean she's disgustingly annoying and even if she dies, she deserves it but it wasn't me, I swear.”

There were whispers around and everyone glared at me. I felt like I could die. I looked at my mate for help. “Babe, please, tell him. I could never do that.”

Beta Miles shook his head. “I can't defend you Selina, the handkerchief has the scent of your favorite flower and so does your handwriting. If anything, the picture fits and you're the bigger suspect.”

My heart crumbled at his words. I could hear the disappointment etched in his tone. I stared at him for mercy and then at my brother and I knew no one was going to help.

“You don't get to accuse me alone because of some dumb flower and some fucking letter. Fine I played around with your handwriting and insignia but that was once.”

A loud gasp echoed from the gathering. These stupid retards!

“And when I did, I used it to save Roxanne, not kill her,” I yelled in frustration. “What's so hard to understand?”

“I'm done,” Alpha Ryker said without sparing me a glance. He sent for his guards and when they appeared, he pointed at us all. “Take them away. All the suspects here, throw them in the dungeon and torture then till they speak up.”

What? Was he joking?

But he wasn't. I looked at my brother for mercy. “You're not going to lock me up, are you?”

“You're a suspect,” Beta Miles said flatly.

“Shut the fuck up,” I growled as my claws began to appear. Yes, whenever I was mad, my claws appeared first.

“I wasn't even around,” I say, defensively. “I was on my way to White Moon. I'm not a suspect.”

Alpha Ryker glared at me. “You know how much I hate the whining and the noise Selina.”

Tears welled up in my eyes. Usually I would never do this but I couldn't stand the thought of being tortured and thrown into the dungeon. Tears glistened in my eyes. “Brother, please. You can't do this to your sister.”

It was sick that I was the only one pleading. Everyone else kept silent and watched me like I was pathetic. I threw my hands in exasperation. “Fine, lock me up. That's what you always do anyways. Even to your family. It's not the first time nor will it be the last.”

I saw my brother’s nostril flare and he clenched his fists. “Take them away, now!”

Ignoring my pleas, the guards took us away, to the dungeon. My cheeks burned with humiliation as I was dragged away, my pleas falling on deaf ears. I thought I was going to be given the honor of a personal cell but rather, I was thrown in with some of the dirty people.

Just you wait, Roxanne. If you survive this, I'll make sure you don't survive it next time.

Cold tears rolled down my cheeks as I chose a place in the corner of the cell. It was cold but still, it kept me away from the retards I shared the space with. “Look at my nails. I just got them done this morning and now I have dirt in them,” I whispered.

“That wouldn't matter here,” a woman said. “Nothing matters once you're in the cell. No one cares about your hair or makeup or your dress. All what everyone cares about is freedom.”

“Shut up,” I yelled. “Just because I was thrown in here doesn't make me like you. I'm the Alpha’s sister and I will deal with you when I'm out.”

“Then get out first,” the woman challenged, looking into my eyes daringly.

Alpha Ryker the fucking cunt. It was all him. That was why I wasn't regarded.

“I will–”

“6429 keep it down or we'll have to throw you into the cell of beetles,” the guard said while staring at me.

I giggled and looked around. “Who is 6429? It's a funny title.”

But no one was laughing. The woman pointed at my dress. “It's you. Look at it. Everyone got numbers.”

Wait! This was real? We got numbers like real prisoners? The fuck?

Locked in the cell, my bitterness festered. “I can't believe he'd choose a stranger over his own sister,” I muttered to myself, my voice laced with resentment.

I glanced around and saw everyone itching. Some were snoring and kicking. I growled, my resolve hardening. “I won't stay here for long.”

It was evening or so, but when Kara, the maid, approached my cell, I seized the opportunity to whisper to her quietly.

Her eyes widened. “Ma'am Selina, what are you doing here?”

I shook my head. “It's too long to explain. Kara, I need your help. I didn't do this, but I need to get out of here.”