Chapter 7

Irene’s POV “Princess, are you okay?” Dad asked as he cupped my face. He pulled me into a hug. “I sensed that you were in danger and I came right away. Did they hurt you?” I took my time trying to sturdy my breathing. I won’t lie, for a moment there I thought I had lost. I thought I would be thrown into the dungeon. Thank Goddess my father came right on time. Was this what was going on in the pack now? What if I had been a low ranked pack member, I would have been unjustly arrested. This is crap. I was a bit shaken. Only goddess know what the people have been through since I left. “Irene, child?” Dad called me out of my thoughts. “Are you fine?” I drew a deep breath. “Dad, I was almost arrested.” “What?!” Dad flared up. “Who dared to arrest my daughter?” A couple of gasps filled the air. Why were they shocked, when I had been screaming at the top of my lungs that I was the Alpha’s daughter, but they wouldn’t believe me because I had a weak wolf. Pathetic. I turned and pointed at Bella, who was on my knees, with her head bowed in shame. “She did, Dad. She called me a thief and ordered my arrest, without letting me prove myself.” “Bella, what is the meaning of all this?” Dad snapped at her. She jumped to her feet, wearing a fake smile as she walked up to Dad. She tried to touch his hand, but he shifted from her as he stared at her coldly. “Alpha Gavin, you know I was just doing my duties. I was only protecting the pack’s interests, I want it to be safe for all.” I pursed my lips as I glared at her, she was lying. If she had protected the pack’s interest, she would have at least listened to me. Dad arched his brows, he was boiling in rage. “And you decided that accusing my daughter of theft was your way of protecting the pack’s interest?” Bella turned pale as she looked down. She had realized that she wouldn’t come out of this by lying, so she rushed to me. “You should have made it clear to me that you are the Alpha’s daughter.” My jaw dropped as I watched her act. The way she switched expressions and twisted words, it was no short of a professional. I raised my top lip as my face twisted in disgust. She reminded me of Ryan. “I am sorry, Ir–” she was about to touch my arm, I was already sick of her drama, she’d better not touch me. I slapped her across her face as she touched me. “That was for disrespecting me.” Bella held her face as she stared at me with wide eyes. She staggered back, with tears filled eyes as she faced my Dad. “Alpha, what was my crime? I only thought I was doing the pack a favor,” she sobbed as tears rolled down her cheek. Dad was indifferent. “I will only spare you this time. Don’t you ever mess with Irene again, is that understood?” She flinched, staring at Dad in shock. Why was she finding it hard to believe that Dad was defending me? Her eyes were teary and in the eyes of others, she was vulnerable and remorseful. But not to me. I have spent so much time with Ryan that I could see through her every act. Knowing her type, she would be plotting her next revenge, a way to get back at me, or even dad for scolding her. Dad shoved her to the side and stormed toward the warriors that had come to arrest me, they were still on their knees with their heads down. “You all are relieved of your–” “Dad,” I breathed as I rushed to him and held his arm, cutting him off. “Please, Dad. They were as much of a victim as I was, seeing they were only following orders. I know they had families back home to feed and if they didn’t do as Bella commanded, they could have lost their jobs.” Dad growled through gritted teeth. “They are going to lose their jobs, anyways.” “No, Dad , you know they didn’t recognize me either. For my sake, spare them,” I pleaded on their behalf. Dad paused, he balled his fist and nodded. “Fine, but you should go home and rest. Cassie you too.” Cassie and I got into the car and drove off. “Could you tell me more about her? That Bella,” I said, breaking the silence in the car. Cassie sighed. “Just as you know, she is Amanda’s mother. They came to our pack, a year ago. Bella was always seen doing charitable work, she was kind to all and would help the children in school. Everyone was talking about her until one day she caught Alpha's attention while he was taking a walk.” I gulped and shifted in my seat. Bella reminded me of Ryan so much and it was giving me this unsettled feeling in my stomach. I tightened my grip on the steering wheel as I kept listening to Cassie. “She was going to the pack house quite often and then it was rumored that she was dating the Alpha. I didn’t know what to believe, but when she was nominated as Luna, I started to believe that there might be a chance.” I gulped. “What then?” “Since then, she has changed. She became even more evil than she was good. Since she became Luna's candidate, both she and Amanda sharted to act arrogantly and untouchable.” I nodded my head. “Cool. But I would never allow a shewolf like that to be Luna of this pack.” Cassie sighed and sank into her seat. She must have been overwhelmed by today’s event. I know the right thing to cheer her up. I drove the car and stopped in front of our favourite restaurant. “Want some Sushi?” Her eyes lit up and she jumped out of the car. “Irene, you are such a sweetie.” We went inside and we ordered amazing dishes. “Did you see Bella’s face when Alpha Gavin called you his daughter.” Cassie burst out in laughter. “She looked even more defected, after that slap.” I ate in silence as I listened to Cassie’s laughter, though my mind had drifted away. I was worried about how I was going to have the talk with my father. The pack needed fixing and even without my wolf, I needed to do something.