The lost mate

Chapter 155: Actions have consequences

Emily and Heather had barely settled into their usual routine when the rumble of engines broke the morning calm. They exchanged puzzled glances as they peered out the window, expecting nothing out of the ordinary—perhaps a delivery truck or a gathering of neighbours. But what they saw made their blood run cold.

A long line of black SUVs and cars rolled up the driveway, filling every inch of space in front of the house. Emily’s stomach twisted as she watched the doors open and a group of burly, stone-faced men climbed out. They were dressed in dark clothes, their powerful builds and unwavering expressions unmistakable. They were pack warriors.

Liana was the last to step out. She was flanked by her guards, her gaze sharp and unyielding. Emily felt a chill crawl down her spine. Something was wrong—terribly wrong.

"Mum," Emily whispered, her voice barely more than a breath, "what’s going on?"

Heather’s wide eyes darted towards the advancing figures. "I don’t know... but this doesn’t look good."

Before they could even process the situation, the door flew open, and Liana stepped inside, her heels echoing ominously on the floor. She didn’t waste a moment, her voice ringing with a tone of authority that brooked no argument.

"Emily. Heather," she said, her gaze cutting between them like a blade. "You are under arrest for treason and conspiracy against the pack."

Emily’s heart dropped, her mind reeling as she struggled to comprehend the words. "Treason? Conspiracy?" She managed, her voice thick with disbelief. "Liana, what are you talking about?"

Liana’s lips twisted into a bitter smile. "Don’t play innocent with me, Emily. I know everything. Your little meetings, your secret alliances—you thought you could scheme against me, against the pack, and go unnoticed?" Her voice was laced with a venomous edge. "Foolish."

Heather’s face flushed, a spark of anger lighting her eyes. "We haven’t done anything. This is insane!"

"Oh, is it?" Liana countered, her gaze narrowing. "I have witnesses, Heather. Evidence that shows exactly where your loyalties lie." She motioned to the warriors behind her. "Take them."

The pack warriors moved forward, seizing Emily and Heather before they could react. Emily struggled against their iron grip, her mind racing. "Liana, please! Whatever you think you know, it’s not true. This has to be some kind of mistake!"

Liana stepped closer, her voice dropping to a whisper only Emily could hear. "The only mistake here was thinking you could cross me and walk away unscathed. You’ve been seen meeting with Elara, plotting against the pack. I warned you once not to trust the wrong people, didn’t I?"

Emily’s eyes widened, realisations crashing over her. Liana had somehow seen her meeting with Elara. But she hadn’t told Elara anything—had barely listened to what Elara had to say. This was all a twisted game, a trap Liana had been waiting to spring.

"Liana, you’re wrong," Emily managed, her voice tight with desperation. "Yes, I met with Elara, but I didn’t plot anything."

Liana’s expression softened just slightly, a glint of amusement flickering in her eyes. "And you think I would believe that? Oh, Emily... You truly are naïve. Trusting Elara, of all people? She’s poison. And now you’re tainted by association."

Heather struggled besides her, her face set with fierce determination. "Liana, you’re out of control. You’re using this as an excuse to get rid of anyone who questions you. This isn’t justice—it’s tyranny."

Liana’s smile vanished, replaced by a steely glare. "Say what you like, Heather. But the fact remains—you’ve both betrayed the pack, and punishment will be swift."

As they were dragged toward the waiting SUVs, Emily’s mind raced, searching for a way out, for any means to prove her innocence. The door closed behind them with a heavy finality, and the world outside seemed to blur as they were forced into the back of the SUV.

**************************

Anne’s heart raced as she hurried down the hall, the news of Emily and Heather’s arrest echoing in her mind like a nightmare. She could still hear Nicky’s rushed words, barely able to believe them. Emily and Heather—arrested for treason? It was absurd.

As she neared the Alpha’s office, she could already hear voices raised in confusion and shock. She pushed open the door and found Chris and Damien standing by the desk, both visibly distressed. Chris looked particularly shaken, his expression a mixture of anger and worry that made him seem on the verge of losing control.

Anne rushed in, glancing between them. "What’s going on?" she asked, her voice breathless. "Emily and Heather... arrested? Why would Liana do this?"

Chris clenched his fists, his jaw tight. "It’s a lie," he ground out. "There’s no way. Emily wouldn’t—she couldn’t do something like this. She’s my mate. I know her. There’s no part of her that would betray the pack."

Damien’s face was set in a frown, his arms crossed as he tried to make sense of it all. "I don’t get it either," he said, shaking his head.

A slow, measured voice interrupted them as Liana strode in, her eyes cold and unreadable. "Believe what you want," she said smoothly, "but I have proof."

With a swift movement, Liana tossed a set of photographs onto the desk in front of them. The room fell silent as everyone stared down at the images.

Anne’s stomach twisted as she saw Emily sitting across Elara. Emily was leaning forward, her expression serious, clearly deep in conversation. The photos captured every angle of their meeting, making it impossible to deny the fact: Emily had been talking with Elara, an enemy of the pack.

Anne looked up, her expression troubled. "But this doesn’t make sense," she argued, her voice laced with worry. "Emily is just a human. What could she possibly do to conspire against us?"

Liana’s eyes narrowed as she met Anne’s gaze. "Humans have always been underestimated," she replied coolly. "And that’s precisely why we must be cautious. Emily may be human, but she was meeting with Elara. She’s been compromised, and I can’t afford to let her jeopardize the pack."

Chris, barely holding himself together, stepped forward, his voice strained with desperation.

"Emily would never knowingly put us at risk. She didn’t even want to get involved with pack politics. There has to be an explanation for this."

Liana scoffed, folding her arms across her chest. "The explanation is right in front of you. She was caught in secret meetings with a known enemy. She’s either too foolish to realize the danger, or she’s a willing participant. Either way, her actions have consequences."

Anne, unwilling to back down, fixed Liana with a fierce look. "Emily deserves a chance to explain herself. She wouldn’t have met with Elara for no reason. Maybe she was just trying to find answers about her family. That’s all she’s ever wanted. Don’t you think this is a bit extreme?"

Liana’s gaze sharpened, her lips thinning as her expression hardened. "Extreme?" she repeated. "Perhaps you’re not taking the safety of this pack seriously enough, Anne. Emily is under suspicion, and that makes her a threat. I am simply taking measures to protect us."

Chris’s patience snapped, and he stepped closer to Liana, his eyes blazing with a mix of fury and desperation. "You’re not protecting us—you’re going after my mate. The person who means the most to me. If you think I’m just going to stand here and let this happen, you’re dead wrong."

Liana raised an eyebrow, her tone turning icy. "I would advise you to control yourself, Chris. You may be her mate, but that doesn’t give her immunity from the consequences of her actions."

Anne felt a surge of defiance welling up within her as she looked around the room, seeing the desperation and disbelief on Chris’s face, the frustration etched into Damien’s, and the unyielding resolve on Liana’s.

"She’s innocent," Anne declared firmly, her voice steady despite the tension in the air.

But Liana merely looked down at the photographs, her expression resolute. "Loyalty is proven through actions, not words," she said coolly. "And her actions speak volumes. She will remain under custody until I decide otherwise."

Anne stood her ground, refusing to look away. Her eyes, normally warm and gentle, were blazing with an uncharacteristic fury. "You’re not protecting anyone, Liana. You’re just afraid—afraid that the truth about you will finally come out."

Damien’s brows knitted in confusion. "What are you talking about, Anne? What truth?"