Chapter 8: Chapter 8

Chapter 8

"Move it, miss! You dare not keep the Alpha waiting!"

Miranda trembled with each step she took closer to the Silver Pack-house court, where her fate would be decided for intruding on the pack's territory. Her head hung low as she walked in chains, passing the city gates where most of the Silver wolves lived. As she passed, she could feel their gaze on her. The strange prisoner that was being taken into the court to meet with Alpha Damian. She was a she-wolf, and she looked so small and innocent. Mixed glances of worry and pity overshadowed her as they took her in.

"On your knees!" The guards behind her did not wait before pushing her mercilessly and her knees hit the ground with such painful force once they entered the court. She had heard a lot of stories, but she never thought it would be that intense. Why were the Silver wolves so cold to strangers entering their lands in such a manner? And why the hell did she not check properly before wandering into unfamiliar territory?

"The Alpha has arrived!"

As soon as it was announced, all the wolves gathered in the court stood up. Atmosphere suddenly became silent and not even breathing sound was heard, until the only thing audible was the sound of the Alpha's footsteps as he entered the court, followed by the guard behind him.

Miranda remained on her knees as she trembled and hoped that Alpha Damian would recognize her as someone who was not an enemy. She had known him in the past, when the wolf tribes were still together. They had joined the training as the young cubs, but that was a very long time ago, before the rogue war.

She was only about three years old then, but her senses were as sharp as that of a strong middle-aged man. The only reason she could still remember Damian was because of the many stories shared amongst the wolf tribes about the triumphant Silver Pack and the mighty Alpha that ruled over them. But for an infamous Lotus Princess, she had no reasons to doubt that he would not know her at all.

The footsteps became louder as Alpha Damian approached her. His steps seemed in sync with her heartbeats. She could hear him perfectly until he stood in front of her. Miranda still had her head down facing the ground, but then his shoes entered her view and the fear radiated her heart. His dominance urged her to find the nearest hole and to crawl into it. She felt his hand lift her chin, raising her head to meet his gaze. Both of them shared eye contact as all the wolves in the court remained silent and watched.

He was handsome, even more handsome than when she had known him before. He had grown up into a man with a well-built rock-hard body, green eyes, and dangling black hair that gave his face a perfect shape. His lips curved into a smirk that sent her tripping.

She heard Lily's voice cheering her on, 'Nice one. Keep tripping for the man who's about to send you to your early grave!' Her wolf snapped her back into reality, with the fear gripping her heart again. They had been looking at each other for a few minutes now. He did not say a word but only had a strange look on his face she could not decipher. Of course he did not recognize her. It took a few more minutes before he let go of her face and then spoke, turning his back to her.

"Who are you and what is your mission here?"

Her hands were shaking as sweat dripped from her palm, wetting the chains that bound her. She dared not keep quiet, as it might probably be her only chance to save her life.

"My name is Miranda. I am the daughter of Alpha Luther and Princess of the Lotus tribe."

He turned to face her. Alpha Damian's face hardly showed any emotions, but at that moment, no one missed the hint of surprise he revealed.

"Princess Miranda? You're Alpha Luther's cub?"

Miranda nodded her head confidently, as Alpha Damian came close to her, "Yes."

"So Princess? Can I know what you were doing by trespassing on the lands that your pack wolves had no right to?"

"I'm sorry. It was a mistake. I swear, I didn't realize trespassing in here."

He let out an empty laugh at her statement, "You didn't know? You didn't notice the change in atmosphere? You didn't notice the barriers placed at the borders and the difference in vegetation or any other signs that even a blind man would see? You didn't know?"

Miranda sighed at her own foolishness. "I know it sounds crazy. But I swear, it's the truth. I was overwhelmed by something that happened earlier and I didn't realize until I found myself here."

Rather than feeling pity, Alpha Damian seemed disgusted by the petty excuses she was giving. He decided to give her one chance. "Give me one good reason why I shouldn't kill you right now, Princess?"

She did not realize that boldness in her voice when she sounded a pitch higher. Maybe it was the need to defend herself because she knew she did not deserve any of that treatment. She wanted Alpha Damian to know that she was telling the truth.

"Because I am not the enemy. Yes. I came here, I trespassed, I stepped on lands I shouldn't! But it was a mistake! I don't have any ulterior motive apart from the fact that I am a victim of circumstance. Please! You have to believe me!"

He stood in front of her and lifted her chin to meet his gaze. His words were gentle but without any form of compassion. "I don't believe you. And not just that, I don't believe you're the Lotus Princess either. No princess would do what you did, not when she values her life."

She closed her eyes as a tear rolled down her cheek. She had tried all she could but Alpha Damian did not seem to be moved by anything she did or said.

He smirked as he let go off her face and went to sit on the throne in the center of the court. As he sat down, he ordered the guard, "Kill her!"