"Are you certain?" I managed to ask.

"No, but what I am sure of is that I could never feel this way for you if I had another destined mate." he continued.

"What about your father?" Alpha Angus was known for discriminating against omegas. He would never accept me.

"I will convince him," he replied.

"Can you?" I asked him doubtfully.

"I will be the Alpha in just a few months. If I told him about us after I received the title, he could do nothing about it."

I sighed deeply before replying. "Alright."

"Alright? You mean..."

"We're together now," I said.

"Great!" He then proceeded to hug me. "I promise you... I will always protect you no matter what happens. Just remember, we have to be discreet for a while until I receive the title."

"Mmm..." I mumbled.

I didn't know what lies ahead. All I could do is put my faith in him. We could do this! I thought, trying to persuade myself and dispel my worries.

----------------------------------------

After the incident, I brought Alaric to the hospital. Since it was a silver knife that wounded him, his hand was severely injured. Good thing, it wasn't that deep. He was advised to stay in the hospital for at least a week.

Unauthorized tale usage: if you spot this story on Amazon, report the violation.

That same afternoon, a crowd gathered inside the trial hall. On the center of the platform was Martina, being held down by two warriors. Her father Beta Marcus and older brother Samuel were also present. They were seated on the chairs allocated for the families of the victims and the accused.

"How did you teach your daughter?" Alpha Angus asked Beta Marcus. "How dare she try to kill my son? The future alpha of this pack!"

"I didn't teach my child well," Marcus replied. "She will accept whatever punishment you may deem fit for her crime."

"Father, I am innocent," Martina whined. "It was that omega I intend to ki-" Suddenly, Beta Marcus stood up from his seat and jumped to Martina. He clawed her face resulting in deep wounds on her forehead.

"How dare you speak murder of your own pack!" Beta Marcus growled.

Martina cried from pain and disbelief. She grew up spoiled by her father. Everything that she wanted, the Beta gave her. She was the princess of her family. But now, her own father slashed her face. He kneeled in front of the Alpha and continued.

"Alpha, her wounds will heal but her scars will forever remain on her face. From now on my daughter will serve alongside the omegas. Let this be her punishment for attempting to kill the Alpha's son."

The Alpha was in deep thought. This punishment though does not seem equal to the gravity of her offense, it would be totally cruel for a vain wolf like Martina. She was proud of her beauty and she had always flaunted her status as the beta's daughter. Now, she has to serve the pack alongside the Omegas she always bullied.

"Taking into account your father's years of service to the pack, Martina Melendez, this will be your punishment. From now on, you will lose your status as a beta and shall be branded as an Omega. You will serve as a farm slave." the Alpha ordered.

"No! Please, Father, help me! Brother help me!" Martina cried as she was being brought out of the trial hall.

----------------------------------------

After the trial, I decided to visit Alaric in the hospital. When I got there, Ruse was with him. They didn't see me at first. She was peeling an apple for Alaric. She smiled brightly as Alaric talked to her. She seemed happy. She had an expression I failed to recognize before. But now, I knew what it was.

Ruse was in love. With Alaric.