Payment To the Alpha
Chapter 42

Sofia's POV

"HELLO!" I screamed, banging and pulling at the bars. The silver burning into my skin. My ankles and my wrists were restrained with silver cuffs, and cell bars were of silver as well.

I knew that there was at least one guard standing at the end of the corridor. But there was no reaction to my screams. My pleas.

How the hell did I even end up here?

I went to sit on the concrete floor, bringing my legs up to my chest. I stared blankly down at my feet. I turn eighteen in three weeks; that's when I gain my wolf. I had planned my celebration and what I was going to wear. I imagined what it would be like when I met my mate. A werewolf can't replace their mate until they have their wolf. But I remember in the office when I got dragged off. She was trying to surface. Sometimes we can feel them slightly even though were not of age.

It was a powerful feeling.

However, if I get charged with espionage and treason, I'm as good as dead. A death I don't deserve.

I was torn from my thoughts when the door to the dungeon opened, and footsteps echoed through the empty hall and cells.

"Open the cell." I looked up only to see the witch, Natasha standing there.

Emilio, the guard, unlocked my cell, and Natasha stepped in.

I moved over to the wall, pressing myself against it.

What does this bitch want? I have never known her to have a nice side.

She scanned the room, and then me. Her eyes were showing her amusement, and so was the smug grin on her face.

Oh, how I want to beat that smile away.

"I must confess. There is something quite joyful in seeing you like this." Natasha said as she tilted her head to the side.

"What do you want?" I said, emphasizing every word.

"I want to talk." She said as she leaned against the wall.

"Well, I don't. You can leave now." I turned my head and broke eye contact. I was on the verge of tears and would rather die than have anyone see me cry.

Natasha came and kneeled in front of me, grabbing my chin and turning me to face her.

I looked into her eyes, and she no longer looked amused. She looked caring. Natasha wasn't looking at me like someone would a werewolf who was accused of treason.

I pushed back the tears and gulped down the lump in my throat.

"I didn't do it." I said. My voice was weak and trembling. Natasha looked deep into my eyes and pushed back the hairs that were falling onto my face.

"I know." She said, and my eyes opened widely. Did she believe me? She knows I'm innocent.

"You do?" I asked in shock, and the first tear fell. I quickly wiped it off and grabbed her hand. She believed me. A sense of joy filled my body, giving me the energy I haven't felt since I was brought down here. I thought that everybody saw me as a traitor, as someone who would work against them only because she wanted to be with the Alpha.

"I do. That's why I want to talk." I nodded my head fast, and Natasha sat down. She tried taking her hand away, but I wouldn't let her. I don't know why, but I need her to hold my hand. I needed the comfort more than I realized.

She smiled and left her hand in mine. Taking a seat where she was kneeling.

"What's going on?" I asked her.

"You do have a traitor within the pack. That much is clear and true. However, this person has framed you so as to not shine light upon themselves. The Alpha doesn't know who it is, and neither does anyone else, but they are all fairly certain that it isn't you."

"Fairly? So they still believe I'm guilty?" I said, sounding exasperated. I removed my hands and placed them on my lap.

"Yes and no. They don't believe it's you but seeing as nobody else has been known to have contact with the wizard, it looks very much like you're guilty. What can you tell me about your contact with him?" I looked at Natasha dumbfounded.

"What wizard?" I asked her.

"You were talking to him on the phone the day you were captured," Natasha stated. She looked at me as if she was searching for something.

"You truly don't know him, do you?" She asked, and I shook my head. I tried to regain my composure.

"No, I don't know any wizard. The man I was talking to on the phone, his name was Cross or crisis or something,"

"Crow." Natasha said.

"Yes! His name was Crow. And I didn't call him. I have never heard of him before. He called me, saying he wanted to schedule a meeting for some event. He said that he needed the name of my Alpha, and I told him his name. Then he proceeded to talk about Avery, saying they knew each other and that he needed my help getting in contact with her. He referred to her as the Luna. I told him that I didn't have a way for him to contact her and that if he needs to talk to them, he should come...here."

I realized my mistake. I talked to him about the Alpha and Avery. I invited him to our pack, I told him the Alphas name.

Natasha sighed and looked at me.

"I fucked up," I admitted.

"You did, but the thing is, Sofia, that is not all you said." I looked at Natasha, waiting for her to continue.

"You also told him who Avery is, where she came from and how the pack feels about her. You told him everything you knew, and that is why the Gamma believed you to be guilty. Because you shared information regarding the future Luna that isn't yours to share." I felt another tear roll down.

"I'm so sorry. I know now that I shouldn't have, but I- I don't know why I did." I said, shaking my head. How could I have been so stupid? Of course, it sounds like I'm a traitor, even I hear it now.

"You didn't know who he is, but you did know not to speak of the pack to an outsider."

"Yes, but he told me that he knew Avery from before!" I tried defending myself.

"Even if he did, why wouldn't he know where she came from? If they knew each other, shouldn't he already have that information?" Natasha made some very valid points. I can't believe how badly I fucked up.

"Nonetheless, right now, the most important thing is to replace the actual traitor. Do you have any idea who it could be?" I thought long and hard but came up blank. I couldn't think of anyone that would betray the pack, let alone the Alpha.

I shook my head after coming up empty. In some way, it makes me glad to not be able to think of anyone who would do such a thing.

"I'm sorry, but no.

39

"That's okay. Sooner or later, they will show themselves. I just hope for sooner rather than later. But, for now, you need to stay down here, I'm afraid. Whoever it was that framed you need to believe that they succeeded." Staying down here didn't sound like much of an option, but I did understand the reasons. I nodded my head, and Natasha stood up, helping me up as well. She gave me a warm hug and then called for the guard to let her out.

I watched as she left and then went back to take a seat on my usual spot by the wall. Having someone believe in my innocence and knowing that the Alpha and the others somewhat see it too is enough to bear this out.

James' POV

I slammed open the door to my office. All the ranked members were waiting for me.

"Any news?" It had only been a day, but I was hoping it was enough.

"Sorry, Alpha, the warriors haven't found a trace." Jackson said, not meeting my gaze. I felt the uneasiness stir up in the pit of my stomach.

"Well, what have they found?" I wanted something, anything.

Jackson and Alex shared a look, and Amber was looking at me with pity.

"ANSWER ME!" I roared, making everyone wince.

"Alpha, they haven't found anything." Alvin said this time. My patience was non-existent, and my mood was foul and not at all easygoing at the moment. I turned around and looked out through the window.

"Leave." I said.

"Alpha, there is one other thing," Jackson spoke. I walked over to the bar, ready to pour myself a drink, but opted against it and pulled out a bottle of water. Drinking when I'm in this state leads to a downward spiral that I don't have time for.

I went back to sit on my chair at my desk and looked at Jackson.

"What?" I asked.

"Natasha is here. I got a mind link from Emilio. She visited Sofia." A frown quickly spread on my face, and my nostrils started flaring.

"Bring her to me." I growled. My eyes turning black. Jackson's eyes dimmed over, and I knew he was mind-linking one of the warriors.

"No need, I'm right here." The door to my office opened up, and Natasha took the liberty to step in.

"What is this thing about you just barging in here without knocking first? You do know the doors are there for a reason, right?" Alex snapped at her. Before Natasha had a chance to give a snarky comeback, I used my speed and was in front of her within a millisecond. Pushing her up against the wall with one hand around her throat.

"WHERE IS SHE?!" I roared loudly. Alex and Alvin were behind me, pulling at me to let her go. However, I had no intention of doing so.

"James, let her go!"

"LET HER GO, MAN!" They were shouting, but I could barely hear them. My focus was on not killing Natasha too soon.

"THAT IS ENOUGH!" A loud voice roared from the door.

"You let her go this instant, Mr!" It was Alice. She was scowling with her arms crossed over her chest. She took quick steps towards me, and my eyes went from hers to Natasha's.

I growled and stared into Natasha's eyes, slowly loosening my grip around her throat before removing it.

Natasha wasn't mad. She didn't look bothered at all. This bitch was getting on my last nerve.

"Where. The fuck. Is she." I said as Natasha massaged her throat with her hand and looked bored.

"She's in town. That's all I can tell you. For now, Alpha, there are more important matters at hand."

"MORE IMPORTANT THAN MY MATE?!" I was prepared to lunge at her, but Alice got in my way. She stepped in front of Natasha and gripped my shoulders.

"Breath, sweetheart," She said. My heart was racing, and my breathing was ragged. One more misstep, and somebody will die.

"James, breath." Alice said again more sternly. I tore my eyes from Natasha and looked at Alice, mimicking her breathing like I did when I was younger. I was starting to calm down.

After a few more breaths, I felt a little more at ease. However, the thought of killing Natasha was still appealing. She has been dishonest and deceiving. Why did I ever agree to have her here as much as I have?

I stepped back, and Alice's hands dropped to her sides. I went over to my desk once again, but the frustration inside me wouldn't rest. I lifted my hand and slammed it down on my desk with all my power, breaking the thick oak table in half. That somewhat calmed me, but not enough.

'We'll go for a run later. But, for now, don't break anymore shit.'

Shut your fucking trap.

Blade growled at me.

'I want to kill Natasha as badly as you do but she is the only one who knows where Avery is. And she wants to help, let her. At least see what she has to say.'

I turned around and faced everyone. I then locked eyes with Natasha and when she saw that she had my attention, she spoke.

"Sofia is innocent. You have another traitor within your pack."