A Name ZAIA.
Her face pales and her lips quiver as she stares at me, terror plastered on her face. What is she so afraid of? “I… can’t say.”
“Why not?” I ask. Annette is frowning as she watches her daughter, but she does not look as scared but rather… confused.
Does she not know? Annalise shakes her head as she drops onto her seat, her heart thumping. “I won’t. Just don’t ask me!” (1
“Then I’m afraid there’s nothing I can do but demand your imprisonment. With the witnesses present, who also heard your admittance. That you, Annalise Toussaint, did in fact lie about your abduction and”-
“Please stop it, Zaia! Please, we are sisters, aren’t we? I’m pregnant. How can you throw me into prison?! Please have mercy, I am carrying your nephew!”
I frown. We have never been raised as sisters…
“Who is the real father of your child, Annalise?” I ask quietly. “We both know that it is not Sebastian. Drop the act or you will be the one suffering, regardless of who is pulling the strings from behind.”
Annette stands up suddenly “This child IS Sebastion’s! How can you try to force her to lie! It is Sebastian’s child!”
“Mom… please…” Annalise mutters, tugging at her mother’s sleeve to sit down again.
“No! I will not tolerate this injustice. You are carrying Sebastian’s pup, this child deserves its right! He cast you aside so easily! After everything they have done, they must suffer the consequences!”
“Enough!” One of the court members thunders and Annette mumbles something, sitting down with a huff.
“I’m waiting, Annalise,” I say coldly. Her jaw clenches, and she looks at me, realising I am not going to budge. “Fine. Sebastian is not the father! Happy?”
The court members exchange looks, but I’m not surprised by her answer and simply look at her.
“I see… Thank you for telling the truth. Now, I understand that you won’t share the ones who put you up to the kidnapping, but Annalise, remember right now, you are at my mercy. Your safety and punishment is in my hands… so the choice is yours. Will you protect those who put you up to this, or yourself and your unborn child?”
Our eyes meet and there’s anger in hers, but beyond that, I can see the fear that she’s trying so desperately to hide. When she doesn’t speak, I sigh, strumming my fingers on the arm of my chair.
My patience has worn thin, and I can’t afford for her not to answer. I stand up, sighing as I walk over to where she’s sitting, motioning for Annette to move back.
“Alpha Zaia, please-”
“Stand back,” I command, my eyes blazing. Instantly, two guards step forward and Annette obeys much quicker, stepping away and glaring at the guards.
A wave of unease rushes through the room and I bend down, placing my hands on the arms of Annalise’s seat. I reach within me for the strength I know I hold. I feel my eyes blaze, knowing they are burning orange.
“Annalise, as your Alpha, I command you to answer the question. Who is the father of your child?” I ask, my voice powerful, and I feel the power simmer around me.
Her eyes widen, and for a moment I see her confusion before her mouth opens. “Gaspard Durand!” She bursts out, gasping for air, her heart pounding as she realises she just told me the truth.
My eyes widen slightly, but I mask my surprise quickly. Gaspard?
“That was… a true Alpha command.” I hear someone whisper.
“I never thought it existed…”
I stand up straight, ignoring their awe.” Gaspard is a member of the Crystal Shadow Pack … you have been a part of…”
Is he involved? I look back at Annalise, frowning deeply. “And does he know you are pregnant with his child?” I ask.
“Yes,” she answers sullenly. “And does he know that you have been parading it around as Sebastian?” I ask sharply. She tenses before her head snaps up to me, and she glares at me.
“Stop it! Just stop it!” she screams, but how do I do that when she has lied? I take out my phone, texting Jai.
Zaia: Gaspard Durand, the member of my security from the Crystal Shadow Pack, needs to be brought in for questioning immediately.
I hit send and turn back to Annalise, who looks pale. “And now, back to who put you up to lying about being kidnapped?”
“I don’t know! I just did what I had to!” she screeches.
“For who?!” I snarl.
“I can’t! It’ll kill me and my baby!” she screams as she jumps up, gripping her stomach.
“What will?”
“The magic!” she begins sobbing, covering her face with her hands. “What lies!” someone scoffs but I frown, something mom had said…
“Magic does not exist,” one of the court members sneers.
“It does… or elements of it do…” I say quietly. “Very well, since you cannot say, that will be enough. You have admitted to lying, causing distress and trouble. You will be punished for your crimes after your child is born… but for now you will be kept in isolation with someone to take care of you. However, I don’t trust you Annalise, and I can’t be lenient.” I say, trying to control my anger.
She is pregnant, and the baby is not at fault in this. I have pushed her enough for one day.
Annalise gasps covering her mouth. “No! How can you do this? She’s pregnant! What about her baby!” Annette shouts.
“That is enough,” I say quietly. “No! I refuse to allow you to take her!” Annette rushes to me, grabbing my arm.
“Enough Annette! I was pregnant when Sebastian and I rejected one another! No one cared for my children then! Enough is enough! If the court has no objection or questions, then we may proceed. Does anyone?” I glance at the members, who shake their heads.
“Your decision is perfect, Alpha.”
I nod, turning to the guards. “Then please have Annalise secured in a cell, immediately.” “No objection.” The court members say in unison.
I look at my phone when it beeps with an incoming message notification. Unlocking it, look at the message from Jai. Jai: Understood.
Perfect, I will question him. I’m sure I’ll get I more answers.
“You may bid your mother goodbye,” I say to Annalise, who looks panicked. “Please Zaia, don’t do this! Please!”
“It’s too late to ask for forgiveness,” I say quietly.
“I will have your father free you, don’t worry.” I hear Annette whisper as she hugs her tightly, but I don’t say anything, allowing them to have their goodbye.
“Take her,” I order, turning to Justin, Sebastian’s current chosen Beta.
“Yes, Alpha.” He’s a good man, but I do plan to make Jai my Beta officially, I also think I can use Justin’s help. Sebastian did say he was a good man. Trusting anyone has become difficult.
Once her shouting and screams fade away, I mull over what I learned. Gaspard… what game have you been playing, I thought I could trust you…
Now, more than ever, I feel the Sable team were behind that false kidnapping back then. I just need to know how to get to them. Perhaps Gaspard might be the answer to that…
Once Annalise is taken away, I turn to Annette.
“Annette. I have a few questions for you. Can everyone please leave? I wish to ask them when we are alone.”
“Why! Why not here in front of all?” She sneers. “Besides, you cannot question me when there is nothing you have on me! And don’t forget I am a Luna! Your father will hear of this!”
I cock a brow. “It’s your choice, Annette. You are not on trial. I simply wish to ask a few questions. Don’t make this harder?” I warn.
My phone beeps and I look down at it. Unlocking it, I read the message on the screen.
JAI: Gaspard is nowhere to be found, and his phone is switched off. Someone said when he heard about the hearing today, he had said he wasn’t feeling good. What’s going on, Zaia?
Fuck! I close my eyes.
Another traitor…
“Gaspard has disappeared, Annette, Clearly, he will not stick around to protect Annalise or her child. He has abandoned her and if you love your daughter, then it’s in your best interest to talk to me.” I say quietly.
She frowns, hesitating before she sighs heavily. and nods.
“Very well then.” She says, crossing her arms.
We wait for the room to empty, and when the door shuts, she looks at me defiantly.
“Before I even answer anything, you have to promise me Annalise will be taken care of no matter what. Can you honour that?” There’s a determination in her eyes, a resilience that I rarely see. She is an awful woman, but she has always taken care of her daughter.
We look at one another and I realise the one thing we have in common is our determination to protect our children.
“You have my word.”
