Sharon stared, convinced that she hadn't heard her clearly, the beating she had received had obviously damaged her hearing.
"I am sorry my Luna," Gaia said softly, "I know it hurts to hear it but Mona Wales is now living with the Alpha. She moved in a day after your arrest."
Sharon felt as if someone had plunged a knife into her own chest, like she was being accused of doing to the Agba Luna. Mona! Her best friend? The woman who's son she had cured of the meningitis that threatened to kill him? How could she do this to her? And Alpha Jerry, the man who claimed to love her and called her the best thing that ever happened to him. Had he forgotten about that love so soon?
"That's not possible, why would the alpha move another woman, especially my best friend, in so quickly. He loves me." Sharon said aloud in her despair.
Gaia looked uncomfortable and Sharon guessed she knew the answer.
"Gaia," she said, her voice trembling. "Is there more you are not telling me?"
Gaia hesitated, then nodded sadly. "Luna I don't want to break your heart but you need to know. On the day of your arrest I overhead Beta Frank telling Mona that this was the time to move in. That the evidence against you was overwhelming and you were not going to escape your punishment, so she should hurry and secure the Luna spot, that it would be easier for her because," she hesitated. "Because Kyle was the Alpha's son."
"What!" Sharon yelled as loudly as she could. Thankfully her voice was so weak it couldn't rise very high.
"Not so loud my Luna." Gaia said fearfully glancing at the door.
"This dosen't make sense. How can Kyle be the Alphs son? Mona had said she had been impregnated by a wolf she didn't know after a drunken one night stand." I asked, my head threatening to explode in confusion.
"She obvious lied Luna." Gaia said firmly.
Suddenly it all made sense. "Obviously she has something to do with the Agba Luna death. It makes sense. Her father is the pack Beta, he is the one supervising my torture. This is all his plan to get rid of me and have his daughter take my place."
"You may be right Luna, Beta Frank could be the killer. But the Alpha would never believe us if we told him." Gaia said gathering the plates and water bottle. "I have to go now my Luna, although I hate leaving you like this, but now that we know who framed you is there anything more I can do to help you regain your freedom?"
Sharon thought quickly. "Aside from you, who else is on my side in the palace?"
"Alpha Jerry's sister, Gamma Judy. She is your strongest supporter she has been raising hell since your arrest. She insists you didn't kill the Agba Luna and wants you released."
"Then we need her," Sharon said urgently. "Get a message to her. But don't sign your name and don't speak to her directly, it's too risky. Leave a note in her room telling her I have discovered who the real killer is and I need to speak to her. Can you do that?"
"I am not her maid so getting to her room will be difficult,"Gaia said in a worried tone. "But if it will help free you, I will do it."
"Thank you Gaia. If I get out of here I must reward you."
"I don't need a reward, my Luna," she said, shaking her head. "You already saved my mother's life. And you have always treated us with kindness and respect. It is a shame others have forgotten." She said sadly.
"Don't worry about it. Just get a message to Judy as quickly as you can."
"Yes my Luna."
She kissed her broken fingers as a sign of respect and hurried out. Alone, Sharon let her head rest back against the wall. The pain in her body throbbed with every breath, but her mind was racing.
Mona had slept with her husband and bore his child? She still couldn't believe it. She was like a sister to her. They had grown up together and Sharon always protected her from bullies mocking her because she was a late bloomer.
They had shared meals, dreams, and laughter. Both of them had apprenticed under the same healer. But while Sharon had excelled and become one of the most favorite healer in the land, Mona had been dismissed after a month for incompetence.
But Sharon made sure the difference never affected thier friendship. When she had married Jerry, Mona had been her maid of honor and was a regular vistor to the palace, until she came crying to her one day that she was pregnant.
"It was a stupid drunken one night stand! I don't know who the father is " She cried. "My dad has ordered me out of the house so I won't bring shame to our family."
"He should temper justice with mercy, we all make mistakes." Sharon said trying to soothe her. "Let me talk to him."
"No. His mind is made up. I have to leave."
"Where will you go? How will you cope alone and pregnant?"
"I will probably die, which is a good end to my miserable life." She said, tears rolling down her cheeks."
"You won't." Sharon had smiled,"Move into the palace, there is enough room. I will give you a job as the palace store keeper. It's easy work and you get to live here, also no one will call you names because your child dosen't have a father."
Mona had hugged her, brimming with gratitude. Sharon had helped her deliver Kyle and cured him of life threatening meningitis. When the former Beta died and Jerry was looking for a new one, Sharon had insisted he pick Mona's father.
"Why bring in someone new when you have a fearless, loyal man here who can serve you as Beta?" She had asked.
Thinking of those words sh smiled bitterly. Loyal my foot! She thought.
After all she had done for Mona, her father, and that ungrateful pack, this was her reward. Betrayal, torture, and humiliation.
Tears filled her eyes but she blinked them back. Thanks to Gaia she now knew who hee enemies were, and they would regret plunging this knife into her back.
The door open and Beta Frank and the Omega walked in. The sight of them made her so angry she couldn't even feel the pain of her wounds.
"Are you ready to confess Sharon?"Frank asked.
It won't be long now you snake. She thought.
"I have nothing to say to you. I am innocent!" She said firmly.
Frank's expression darkened. He gave a short nod to the Omega, who raised his whip and came towards her.