One Luna, Three Alphas

Chapter 2 Accused

Olivia's POV

The door creaked open, and I found myself face-to-face with Lennox, his features twisted in seething rage.

His room was an uncharacteristic mess: clothes lay scattered across the floor, shoes littered every corner. The sight threw me off; Lennox was always meticulous, insisting that everything be kept impeccably neat.

The moment his gaze landed on me, a shiver ran down my spine. His hate was palpable, and I struggled to grasp why.

Of the triplets, Lennox had been the kindest to me during my childhood.

Back then, when my father still commanded the respect that came with being a renowned warrior, he would often take me to the pack house to watch their training.

That was where my path often crossed with the triplets.

I was seven, they were twelve, and yet we'd become close friends. I'd return to the pack house often, playing with them while my father supervised other warriors.

But all of that belonged to the past.

Just like Anita, they had cut all ties with me, as though we'd never shared any friendship.

"Who cleaned my room yesterday?" Lennox suddenly demanded, his voice trembling with rage, making my wolf whimper inside me.

I swallowed hard, fear coiling tight in my throat, and managed in a shaky voice, "It was me."

His expression darkened further, and he took another step closer to me. Instinctively, I backed away.

"Then tell me, Omega," he sneered, "where is the diamond necklace I kept in my top drawer?"

My heart lurched. A diamond necklace? I had no idea what he was talking about. My mind frantically searched my memories: had I glimpsed anything like it while cleaning his room? All I could remember was picking up his scattered belongings, folding his clothes, and dusting the surfaces. There was no necklace in that drawer.

"I... I didn't see any necklace," I stammered, my voice trembling as I met his accusing stare.

His eyes narrowed.

"Don't lie to me, Omega," he snarled, his tone thick with rage. "A necklace doesn't just disappear on its own."

"I'm not lying!" I protested, panic creeping into my voice. "I cleaned your room, but I didn't take anything, I swear!"

He closed the distance between us in a flash, his imposing frame towering over me.

"You expect me to believe that?" he spat. "You and your kind, you're all the same: thieves and liars."

His words cut deep. My wolf snarled with fury, but I ignored it. Defending myself against Lennox when he was like this would only make things worse.

"I didn't take it," I repeated, my voice steadier this time. "You can search me if you doubt me. Inspect my room. Search everywhere. I have nothing to hide."

Lennox stared at me for a moment, his jaw clenched. I thought he was going to hit me, but he turned away and began frantically ransacking the room, yanking open drawers, tossing clothes, shoving furniture aside in his hunt for the necklace.

I stood there, lips pressed together, fighting back tears.

The Lennox I knew, the boy who had taught me to climb trees, to swim, to shield me from his brothers' pranks, had vanished. In his place stood a cold, bitter man who saw me only as a thief and a liar.

After several minutes, he stopped, breathing heavily amid the chaos he had created. The necklace was nowhere to be found. He turned to face me, frustration etched into his features.

"I can't find it, Olivia. It's gone. It was a gift for Anita. For her eighteenth birthday. Do you know how much that cost me?"

I swallowed but stood my ground. "I didn't take it..."

"Liar!" he cut me off, furious.

He exhaled, rubbing his temples. "This makes no sense," he murmured. "You cleaned my room. You were the last one here. Don't lie to me, Olivia. Where is it?"

I stayed silent.

His eyes blazed. "You're a thief, just like your father!" he shouted, and I pressed my lips together, holding back the words that might have contradicted him.

The shock of his accusations squeezed my heart.

A thief... like my father.

No matter how hard I tried or how careful I was, this pack would always see me as the daughter of a fallen warrior.

"Only two people entered this room yesterday," he continued, his voice low and sharp, like the growl of his wolf ready to strike. "You and Anita. So tell me, Olivia, who else could have taken it?"

I tensed. The pieces of the puzzle clicked together in my mind.

Anita. Of course. She had been in his room yesterday.

I remembered seeing her near his dresser, pretending to admire a framed photo.

I knew Anita better than anyone. Sly, always reaching for whatever she desired.

I remembered the silver bracelet she had stolen from a pack warrior, then cried her way out of any punishment. Or the time she'd accused a servant of breaking the Alpha's favorite vase, landing the poor girl in the dungeons for a week.

And now, she'd struck again. But this time, I was her scapegoat.

Who else would've dared sneak into Lennox's room to steal something so valuable?

No one.

No one except Anita.

But accusing Anita out loud was impossible. I couldn't. Lennox would never believe me. He'd defend her, just like everyone else.

"I didn't take it," I said again.

Lennox let out a bitter laugh, shaking his head.

"You think I'm stupid, huh?"

I bit my tongue, my wolf growling with frustration. I wanted to scream the truth: Anita wasn't the perfect, innocent girl he imagined. But without proof, my words would be worthless.

And even with proof, she knew how to manipulate the triplets however she pleased.

"You know what, Olivia?" he sneered, stepping toward me again. "I've had enough of wasting my time with you. If that necklace doesn't turn up by the end of the day, I'll make sure you and your mother are severely punished."

A cold chill ran down my spine, but I held my ground, looking him straight in the eye.

"I didn't take it," I said one last time, my voice steady despite the fear coursing through me.

Lennox held my gaze a moment longer before turning away, his shoulders taut with anger.

"You have until the end of the day to make that necklace reappear. Get out," he growled.

I didn't need to be told twice. I left the room, my heart pounding wildly. Once I was far enough away, I leaned back against the wall, my legs trembling.

Anita. She had to be the one who'd taken it. I knew it instinctively. But how could I prove it without putting myself in even more danger? The triplets wouldn't believe me, and Anita would deny everything, turning it all back on me.

"There you are, Olivia," a guard announced, approaching. "Levi's looking for you, and he doesn't look happy."

My heart clenched.

"What happened?" I asked, fear gripping my throat.

The guard shook his head. "I don't know exactly, Olivia, but he's furious and demanding to see you."

Damn! What could it possibly be this time?