Fated To Be Theirs

Ember's POV

Today was my wedding day.

A soft smile tore across my face as I stirred and could hear the chatters across the hallway; memories of my bachelorette party filled my mind, and I frowned as it suddenly became hazy.

"GET THAT SHAMELESS MURDERER OUT OF THAT BED!".

Murderer?

I groaned in discomfort; the noise was making me increasingly uneasy. I shifted in bed, trying to ease the discomfort, but a smile crept onto my lips as I cleared away those thoughts.

"Murderer! She's a murderer! Get her out of the bed!" The words pierced through my thoughts once more, leaving me in a state of confusion.

Was I hearing things? My eyes slowly fluttered open, and through my blurry vision, I saw a figure standing in front of me.

What is going on? I wondered, sitting up straight. Everyone had gathered around me, their expressions filled with shock as they stared at something beside me.

Confusion and dread swirled inside me as I turned to see what they were staring at. When my eyes landed on it, I screamed in horror and bolted out of bed. My hands were clutching a dagger, its blade stained with blood. I cried again, flinging the weapon away in terror.

On the bed, soaked in blood, was my soon-to-be father-in-law. My hands trembled violently as I stared at them, realizing they were covered in his blood. I screamed once more, collapsing to the ground, my entire body shaking uncontrollably as my heart pounded in my chest. This was a nightmare-what the hell was happening?

"You murdered my father?" Brandon's voice cut through the chaos, seething with anger. His face was filled with rage and betrayal. Tears streamed down my cheeks as I tried to speak, but fear paralyzed me, making it impossible to form any words.

This couldn't be real-it had to be some twisted nightmare. All I could remember from the previous night was my bachelorette party. I danced, laughed, and drank until I blacked out. But now... how did I wake up next to my father-in-law's corpse?

"Brandon," I called his name desperately as I ran toward him, grabbing his hands. But he wouldn't look at me. His eyes were locked on his father's corpse with shock etched deeply into his features.

"I didn't do it, I swear. I don't know what's happening!" I pleaded, my voice shaking as I begged him to believe me.

He finally turned his gaze down at me, and my heart pounded as he barked, "Get away from me, you filthy murderer!" With that, he yanked his hands free, shoving me so hard that I fell to the floor.

Pain shot through my body as I clutched my stomach, instinctively trying to protect my baby.

"How dare you touch me with those filthy hands stained with my father's blood?" he growled, his face twisted in anger. My hands shook violently, my heart racing with fear.

My eyes caught sight of Emily, huddled in the corner, crying. "Emily..." I whispered, crawling frantically toward her. "Emily, please tell them I didn't do it! I was with you all night. You believe me. Please, help me."

"Leave me alone!" Emily screamed, her voice trembling as she stood up, looking at me like I was some monster.

"Why would you do this? Father cared about you. Why would you do something so evil?" I froze, her words cutting through me like a knife. Was Emily doubting me? Did she believe I could commit such a heinous crime?

Emily was my friend, Brandon's adopted sister. She had shown me nothing but kindness since we had known each other, and now hearing her accuse me felt like the ultimate betrayal. Tears streamed down my face as I struggled to comprehend the situation.

"Drag her out of the room! Punish her until the council arrives and passes judgment," Brandon ordered coldly. My heart sank as I realized there was nothing I could say in my defense. I had woken up next to the dead Alpha, his lifeless body beside me, my hands stained with his blood. Nothing made sense anymore.

"She's practically naked, Alpha," a guard pointed out. I had been so overwhelmed by the shock that I hadn't even noticed I was wearing a transparent nightgown that did almost nothing to cover me.

"What use is keeping her shame when she has committed such a heinous crime? Drag her out anyway!" Brandon barked at the guards, who immediately followed his orders, grabbing me roughly by the arms. As they prepared to drag me out of the room, I yelled,

"I promise I didn't do anything!" I struggled against the guards as they hauled me into the hallway. The moment we stepped out, I saw everyone gathered outside. They all stared at me with surprise and disgust, whispering to one another, some loud enough for me to hear.

"Did she murder the great Alpha? How could a lowlife like her do that? She should be killed."

"What a bitch, I never knew she was this stupid!"

"Death is what she deserves, and to think she was about to be out Luna," another spat at me before trying to lunge at me.

"A slut, too; she must have slept with the Alpha's dead body before falling asleep in his hands!"

"I'm pretty sure the Alpha prince isn't responsible for her bastard child," I heard one scoff and a gasp escaped my lips; I was already tired of crying as it wasn't doing me any good.

With my eyes shut, all I prayed for was to wake up from this and continue my life. The chaos around me couldn't let me be. This was happening then.

Panic rushed through me as I broke free from the guards' grip, rushing toward Brandon and pleading desperately.

"Look at that cursed bump; she probably had it all thought through"

"I know what this seems like, but please, let me explain- there has to be some kind of explanation," I begged, rubbing my hands together as tears poured uncontrollably down my face.

"Just give me a chance to prove myself. I swear on our unborn baby that I didn't do anything." I looked up at Brandon, hoping for a sign of understanding, but his expression remained cold.

Suddenly, Emily stormed toward me, shoved me away, and slapped me hard across the face, making me fall to the ground. "Why do you keep lying, Ember? Why do you keep lying?" she barked, her voice filled with fury.