Being Framed

“Help!” A woman’s cry attracted the pack members around the area. They were terrified to see two figures falling from the high cliff. They recognized the two figures - one of them was Sofia, the former’s Alpha mate, and the other was Charlotte, the current Alpha’s mate. Both of them plunged toward the sea below the cliff. Charlotte felt the cold sea water enveloping her body, and she nearly drowned due to swallowing the seawater. Luckily, pack members began to rescue them. Hayden, who was patrolling around the area, naturally heard the cries too. He quickly went to the scene and saw Sofia, who was bleeding profusely. “Charlotte.. I know you are jealous of my relationship with Hayden, but there really is nothing going on between us. Why did you push me off the cliff?” Sofia's weak voice sounded before she passed out. Hearing Sofia's words, Hayden was furious, and he looked angrily at Charlotte. Charlotte herself had sustained injuries from her fall, her arms were scratched by the rocks on the sea, leaving a long gash, and her forehead was also knocked on a small rock, but Hayden took no notice of her. “That pretentious Bitch! Tell them the truth, Charlotte,” Charlotte’s wolf, Lexi, growled. “Hayden, I can explain..” Charlotte tried hard to say those words despite the pain all over her body. Hayden sneered. “Explain? Everyone saw what had happened and heard Sofia’s words.” “But she pushed-” Charlotte frantically tried to explain what really happened. “Enough! If there’s something wrong with her and her baby, I’ll punish you personally,” Hayden cut her off and said harshly as he picked Sofia in his arms and ran toward the pack’s infirmary. At that time, Charlotte knew there was no use for her to tell the truth. No one would believe her, not even her own mate. Her heart hurt as if it was being stabbed by multiple knives, and yet she couldn't do anything about it. This wasn't the first time she was framed by Sofia and Milla, Hayden’s younger sister. And just like today, he never asked her about what happened; he always listened to their side of the story and blamed her for everything. Three years of being mated and married to him, she always tried her best to make Sofia and Milla happy, knowing how much they meant to Hayden, yet they kept treating her like an Omega. Sometimes even worse. She had to serve them all the time. Charlotte knew the reason for it. They thought she was just an orphan she-wolf and not on par with Hayden, the ruthless Alpha of the third largest pack, the Red Claw Pack. They thought she didn't deserve to be the Luna of the pack due to her background. To be Hayden’s mate, she purposely cut ties with her family to ensure Hayden wouldn't know her real identity. She just wanted to be his mate and serve him like a good Luna. Sometimes she thought, would it make a difference if they knew about her real background? But she didn't want them to know. She wanted Hayden to love her for her, not her as the powerful Alpha-in-line. Because of that, she had endured every insult, humiliation, and abuse from Sofia and Milla, yet she still served them as a good sister-in-law. She didn't tell Hayden about it as they were Hayden’s family, and she always humbled herself in front of them. Hayden became the Red Claw Pack's Alpha when his brother died, leaving Sofia as a widow and pregnant with his child. Charlotte was over the moon when she met him and knew he was her mate. But who would have thought that Sofia, the widow of Hayden’s late brother, was more important than Charlotte? Ever since Hayden claimed Charlotte as his mate and married her, he seldom cared for her. Instead, he spent more time with Sofia. He was even more protective of Sofia. Everyone could see the way he treated Sofia, and there were rumors that Hayden was in love with her. Charlotte's mind was in a mess, and her body was drenched; her arm and forehead were bleeding. It took her every effort just to stand up. Luckily, Noah, the Beta of the Pack, was kind enough to help Charlotte. He supported her to go to the infirmary to treat her wounds. “Thank you, Noah,” Charlotte said with gratitude as they walked slowly toward the infirmary. Charlotte kept thinking if she had told Hayden of her real identity, would he believe her instead of Sofia? Should she tell him the truth? “You need to tell him the truth,” Lexi growled to remind her. Even her wolf hated Sofia and Hayden. But would he believe her? As Hayden said, there were many witnesses. When Sofia jumped back from the cliff, she grabbed her hand to pull her along. But for onlookers, it looked like what Sofia had described. Charlotte's hand was on Sofia's chest, and she had no doubt it looked like she was pushing Sophia, and Sophia was just trying not to fall when she reached for Charlotte's hand, but unfortunately, she was pulled along, and they both fell into the sea. Charlotte had to admit that Sofia was the master of scheming. Thinking of the blood flowing from the bottom part of Sophia’s body, Charlotte knew there might be a huge chance that she would miscarry, and this wouldn't be good for her. “I’m going to punish you personally,” Hayden’s harsh words rang in Charlotte’s mind again. “You still need to try to explain,” Lexi growled. “I wanted to explain, but he didn't want to listen to me,” I told her. “Try explaining again,” she growled. Charlotte knew Lexi was angry with what Sofia had done. Charlotte was hoping that her mate would believe her, but she had little doubt about it. After staggering slowly, with the help of Noah, they finally reached the infirmary. Before she was able to see a doctor about her wounds, she was summoned by Hayden through their mindlink, “Come straight to Sophia’s ward.” His cold voice sent shivers down Charlotte’s spine, yet she had no courage to disobey him. Her legs moved slowly toward Sofia’s ward, and somehow she had a foreboding feeling as she got closer to her destination. If Hayden was always on Sofia’s side all this time, would he believe her just this once? She prayed to the Moon Goddess that he would believe her, at least just this once. Standing in front of Sofia’s ward, Charlotte took a deep breath before pushing the door open, only to be greeted by Hayden’s cold gaze.