Chapter 5 Chapter five

The sound of the heartbeat still echoed in my ears as I ran out of the courtroom, tears blurring my vision. I could hear Claus’s voice behind me—desperate, broken—but I couldn’t bear to listen. The pain inside me drowned everything else out.

We had known each other for six years, courted for two, and been married for four. Yet after all his promises of honesty, Claus still kept something this big from me.

I didn’t look back. Not once.

With my hoodie pulled over my head to hide my tear-streaked face, I kept running—anywhere, just away from this crushing heartbreak and betrayal. I ran until my legs gave out beneath me, my knees trembling as I collapsed to the ground.

Memories of my late parents flooded my mind, and an ache for them tightened my chest. If only they were here—someone to hold me, someone to lean on.

The tears I’d been holding back for so long finally broke free. I wept harder than I had in years—first for the pain Claus caused me today, and then for the emptiness left by my parents’ absence.

I always knew there was something off about him, Mali’s voice whispered in my head. She always showed up when Claus and I fought, never hiding her disdain for him. Still, I was grateful she was here now—at least I had someone to talk to.

“Mali… what am I going to do?” I whispered.

How was I supposed to know? You chose him as your mate despite my warning. Now, you’ll bear the consequences alone, she snapped.

“Mali, please stop this. This isn’t the time to be selfish,” I cried, begging her for help.

Selfish? Girl, have you even looked around to see what you’ve dragged us into? she smirked.

For a moment, all I could hear was my own sobbing. But when I finally lifted my head, the world around me came alive—the chirping of birds, the cries of small creatures, the shrill song of crickets, and the soft rustle of leaves dancing with the wind.

The forest stretched endlessly in every direction, cloaked in mist and shadows. My heart began to pound again, not from the running this time, but from the creeping awareness that I was utterly, hopelessly in danger.

I wrapped my arms around myself, shivering as the chill seeped into my bones. The tears that had once burned hot now ran cold against my cheeks. Each tree looked the same, gnarled and ancient, watching me like silent.

“Mali, where are we?” I asked, my voice sharp with alarm as my eyes darted across every corner of the forest.

How should I know? You’re the one who brought us here! she snapped. Now move, before we end up as prey for shifters or werewolf hunters!

She was right. I needed to get out of here. I wouldn’t stand a chance defending myself—especially if I transformed while under attack.

Pushing myself up from the damp soil, I realized the trail behind me had disappeared, swallowed by thick undergrowth and fallen leaves. I had to find a way out before darkness fell.

The courtroom doors slammed open, echoing through the grand hall.

Sylvia stormed in, eyes blazing with fury, each strike of his boots against the marble floor sounding like thunder. Heads turned. Whispers spread among the onlookers.

“Who dares provoke Alpha Sylvia to this extent?” one council elder murmured.

“Whoever it is must have a death wish,” another whispered.

Claus lifted his head from the documents before him, his Adam’s apple bobbing as his eyes met Sylvia’s.

“What have you done, Claus?” Sylvia’s voice boomed, sharp and charged with emotion.

“I should be asking you that,” Claus shot back coldly. “What are you doing here, Sylvia? Shouldn’t you be training?”

Ignoring the jab, Sylvia took a step forward. “Did you have to treat her like that? You accused her in front of the whole council. You know Ellie would never cheat, she loves you more than anything.”

Claus’s expression hardened, but a flicker of guilt crossed his face. “How did you find out?” he asked through clenched teeth. “This is between me and Ellie.”

He was certain Sylvia had been away from the palace when it all happened. Was someone feeding him information?

“Between you and Ellie?” Sylvia scoffed, voice rising. “No, Claus. When you humiliated your mate before the entire council, when everyone saw her crying and running out. It stopped being just between you two. What you did was cowardly!”

Gasps filled the chamber. The elders exchanged uneasy looks, but no one dared to intervene.

Claus’s tone dropped low, edged with warning. “Careful, Sylvia. You’re crossing a line.”

“Am I?” Sylvia shot back, chest heaving. “Because I seem to be the only one who remembers who Ellie truly is! She’s fought for you, sacrificed for you and how did you repay her? You hid things from her, accused her of betrayal. She’s your mate, Claus!”

Claus opened his mouth, but no words came. The silence that followed was thick and suffocating.

Sylvia’s voice softened, though pain trembled beneath his anger. “She looked to you for protection, Claus, hoping you’d defend her. But you didn’t. You broke her instead.”

Claus clenched his jaw, fists shaking, yet still said nothing.

“You call yourself her mate?” Sylvia’s voice cracked, heavy with emotion. “A true mate trusts. But you...” he pointed at him, trembling “....you shattered her heart because of your pride and insecurity.”

Claus suddenly rose, his aura dark and fierce. “You don’t understand, Sylvia! There were things that didn’t make sense. Nothing add up,”

“Then you ask her!” Sylvia thundered. “You don’t accuse her like she’s some criminal!”

Sylvia chest rise and fall. Seeing his brother is adding to his anger. Sylvia turned and strode out, the echo of his steps fading into the stunned silence that followed.

The courtroom fell still. Even the guards averted their eyes.

Claus sank back onto his seat, the weight of regret pressing down on him. The fury inside had burned away, leaving only emptiness.

A lingering, poisonous doubt whispering in his mind: What if she really lied?

What if.....

He stand up from throne.

Ellie.

Where is Ellie? His mind Wondered