Chapter Two: The End And The Death

(Annabelle’s POV)

I glanced at Abel with a stiffened gaze, my heart was beating against my chest and when he gazed at me, my eyes glistened as tears started to gather. I shook my head, deepening my frown and standing straight. Abel dragged the woman to the  center of stage as multiple parties began to murmur amongst themselves.

“Annabelle Addison Andromeda has been charged wrongly by this court and the people will not stand for such. She is the only crowned Luna in Highgale and you would have to prove any of these crimes before we allow this.” he yelled, his voice travelling throughout the entire court like fire on dry grass.

The courtroom was thrown into a pandemonium of heavy murmurs and gasps. The judge tried quieting people down but it was to no avail. This was a very big setting and lots of citizens were present to watch the scorned Luna die for her crimes.

However, the crux of that crime… was a lie. The realization only settled amongst them with time and soon enough the court was filled with yells and screams demanding for explanation. Sarah stood in the crowd, fear written across her face.

I felt ashamed as I glanced at Abel’s golden eyes staring back at me with a small smile. I realized that all the choices I made were all wrong. As I stand accused and probably exonerated by the man I’d loved all my life and never really admitted; I realized I changed.

I let the promise of power and riches change me. I surrounded myself with wolves and I abandoned my friends, people who would risk everything for me and instead  I chose emptiness and false promises. I couldn't allow myself to tear up at the moment so I stopped thinking about it and just stared blankly.

The rumble in the One court had died down by now and I watched as one of the officials walked down from his seat. He was a tall and muscular man, he was dressed in a black overcoat and a white shirt matching it all up with white trousers and a white shoe.

Of course I knew who he was. He is called the white wolf. His name is Adrian O’Connor and he is the person that led me down into the trap I am today. He is the elder brother of the Alpha and the one who has been conspiring to usurp that position from him.

Although even now the Alpha is oblivious to his plans and everyone believes him to be an honest and straightforward person. I glanced at him with seething rage, although I have been trying to hide my emotions throughout this charade, however, for someone like him, I can't hide. If there is anyone I hated more than Adrian O’Connor it would be his mother.

He walked down the steps with a smile. “Ladies and Gentlemen, please, can we stop this charade? We are not barbarians now are we? This is an interesting  development and I cease to believe what I am witnessing too but, it is right here in front of us,” he shook his head.in exasperation.

He then stepped forward pointing to me. “I mean, how could I believe this woman can be so insidious, so evil…” he paused, his eyes softened, his brows furrowed and his lips twitched inwardly. “I cannot believe that I even let such a woman into the court with my sworn brother. We have all been misled, but now, her evils have been exposed and we all know now that we should deal with her promptly,” he sighed.

The crowd glanced at each other confused, a few murmurs were heard here and there and even I had a look of confusion on my face and so did Abel. He glanced at Adrian with wide eyes and furrowed brows yet his nose seemed to wrinkle in utter disgust. “What the hell are you talking about, you piece of shit?” He growled.

Adrian feigned innocence, pointing to himself with bulging eyes. “I am a piece of shit? Please, hand over the Luna, I won't allow you to disrespect this kingdom further with your antics,” he ordered.

Even the other officials didn't understand what  was happening, so the judge knocked his desk gently. “Sir Adrian, your graciousness. I am sorry, but I am a bit confused. Annabelle Andromeda has just been provided an alibi, so I am confused as to why you still seem to be persecuting her,” the judge tried to keep a smile on his face

Adrian glanced at him with knitted brows. “What do you mean Alibi? She just revealed that she kidnapped the Luna with her ex-boyfriend instead of killing her. She wanted to make sure she had an escape plan, but we all see through her lies right?” He glanced around.

My eyes bulged at that very moment and I couldn't contain myself. “You liar!” I growled. “You goddamn liar. You will rot in the seven hells for this. I didn't do jackshit and you know it. You greedy bastard!” With every insult, the tone of my voice increased and by the end of it I was yelling and pulling at my shackles, hoping to rip it apart. I could have, if I had my wolf but I don't.

“Oh, so you are screaming now?. You are shocked that I understand all your plans?” He laughed wildly. “I would never let you hurt my brother or this kingdom. I will make sure that the hammer of justice descends upon you and the claws of judgment pierces your soul. I promise you this!”

“You liar!” was all I could yell from my wooden box!

Abel glanced at him and nodded. “There is nothing we can do right? No matter how much she tries to prove her innocence, you all are just going to twist it and turn it into something else right? You already decided her death and all of this is just a means to an end, but I will not allow that!”

“Oh, and what are you going to do about that?” Adrian demanded.

Then right in front of the entire court Abel began to change, to everyone's shock. The crowd murmured as his body began to shift. Even I found it shocking. It was supposed to be impossible for wolves except for the royal class to shift. How the hell is Abel doing it?

My surprise, however, soon turned into utter horror as I watched a clawed fist sink through Abel’s chest. The entire One Court gasped in shock as blood poured from his mouth.  “Abel!!!!” I screamed.

I leapt from the box, crashing through the two guards that were supposed to hold me in place. My eyes had turned red and I wasn't seeing anything or anyone. My heart wanted to leap from my chest and my hands trembled as the blood stained hand of  Sarah pulled out of his chest leaving a gaping hole.

Abel dropped to the ground, his eyes reeled back as he laid lifeless on the ground. I knelt beside him. “No,” I whispered, shaking my head. “No. No. No.” I buried my face on his body as I felt cold hands grab me and start to drag me away from him.

I shrugged my arms off. “Leave me alone!!” I yelped, pushing them away. I could feel rage boiling within me and all I needed to do was to let it go. Something was tying the knot, trying to suppress this emotion, but I was too pissed, too sad, too guilty already; so I gave in to it and from my mouth a guttural roar escaped. I felt the anger blinding me, shielding my eyes but this sense of madness was soon cut short by intense pain.

I checked my chest to find a spear lodging in there peacefully. The rage died down and sadness took over. I slumped to the ground and tears flowed down my cheeks as my visions began to turn blurry.

My life was at its end… a terrible one. My father would never have thought that I would die this way, disgraced, betrayed, preyed upon. My life never amounted to anything. I abandoned my true friends and ended up a pawn in someone else’s game. This was it.

At this point, I remembered the  words of the mad alchemist that spoke to me in prison. “If you give, you can take.” His icy voice rang through my ears

So I decided to give my life and not let it go to waste. I placed my index finger on the floor and traced out an alchemical circle with the pool of my own blood. At least I thought I did, my vision darkened soon enough and there was silence.