Fake Heiress True Luna (Irina) novel Chapter 36

Chapter 36: Sanctuary

Irina’s POV

The guard’s grip was like iron on my arm, his fingers digging into the flesh still tender from months of labor. My heart hammered against my ribs, a frantic, trapped bird.

“Let me go! I’ve done nothing!” I struggled, but his strength was immense. An immovable force dragged me away from the hallway that led to freedom toward the dark, descending stairs of the dungeon.

“Save your breath, traitor,” the guard grunted, his voice devoid of any sympathy. “The Alpha’s daughter is screaming your name. That’s all the evidence we need.”

No. No, no, no.

If I let them drag me to the dungeon, I’m not going to escape. Julie will get me killed. I have to do something!

I threw my head to the side and bit his hand, sinking my teeth into the grimy, salt-crusted skin until I tasted the metallic tang of blood.

He roared, a sound of pure fury, and his grip loosened for a fraction of a second. It was all I needed. I wrenched my arm free, stumbling backward.

I got free. There was no plan. All I knew was that I had to run.

“Stop her!” the guard bellowed from behind me.

I ducked into a narrow archway, my shoulder scraping against the rock. This was a small passage that maids used to get to the upper floor. Thankfully, the guards wouldn’t be able to

use it.

The passage was a tight, dark squeeze, but I scrambled through it, the rough stone tearing at my thin shift. I could hear the guard’s frustrated shouts fading behind me, his bulk too great for the narrow space. For a moment, a sliver of hope pierced the terror. I burst out into a dimly lit corridor on the upper floor, gasping for air.

I didn’t stop. I ran, my bare feet silent on the cold runner. I just needed to find a place to hide, to think-

A shadow detached itself from an alcove ahead, and a strong arm wrapped around my waist, a hand clamping over my mouth to stifle my scream. I struggled, panic flaring anew.

“Quiet, Irina. It’s me,” a low, familiar voice murmured in my ear.

<Chapter 36: Sanctuary

Derek.

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My body went limp with relief. I’m sure he doesn’ helie Julie’s lies, meaning I was safe with

him.

“What happened?” He asked.

“I-I-I’m not sure,” I said, stuttering. “The guards want to put me in the dungeon, but I’m not sure of what the charges are. All I did was tell Serim I was going to leave the pack.”

“You were going to leave the pack?” His astonishment was evident in his voice. I nodded. ” And where would you go?”

“Anywhere,” I replied instantly. “I was ready to become a rogue if that meant I would be free.”

Derek sighed. “Irina… I told you I was interested in you. I asked you on a date, my pack is ready to welcome you if you decide to leave Blue Moon.”

“I’m not sure if they’ll let me go,” I whispered, my heart still pounding a frantic rhythm. “Julie has always hated me. Now she has a reason to make me disappear for good.”

Derek’s jaw tightened, a muscle feathering in his cheek. “She does. But she won’t get the chance.” He glanced down the hall, his senses on high alert. “You denounced the pack, right? “I nodded. “Then I can take you into my pack.”

“But that means you will get in trouble with Blue Moon-“”

“My pack is stronger than most people think, and I’m sure another Alpha is more than ready to help you as well, even if I hate him for wanting you,” He commented, his voice warm.

Was he talking about Aiden?

“Who cares?! We need to run!” Theia screamed inside my head.

“What did Julie say that I did?” I asked, unsure of what I was being accused of.

I had to know what had happened so I could form a plan.

Derek sighed. “She said you put wolfsbane in her food and her jewelry. She has some nasty burns, that’s all, but she claims you tried to kill her.”

“Theia, we’re dead,” I whispered internally, the terror a cold, solid weight in my stomach.

“No, we’re not! He’s here. He’ll help. We have to move!” my wolf snarled.

“Derek,” I said, my voice trembling but clear. “I didn’t. I swear it on my life. I wouldn’t even know where to get wolfsbane.”

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ter 36: Sanctuary

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eiwith

ow,” he said, his voice steady and sure. “I’m sure everyone knows, which is why I’m going ve you sanctuary. Let’s go.”

rabbed my hand and started guiding me to

ir filled me.

…… hall. I tried to pull my hand away as

of

Bée.”

ielie

hght?

lydy

1. I’m not going to leave you alone, but if you run, they are going to treat you like a inal. Let me handle this, please.” His voice was a soft plea. He wasn’t imposing. He ained the situation and was now letting me choose.

3ded. I’m not sure if I should trust an Alpha I met two days ago, but that’s all I can do.

moment we stepped into view of the guards, they tried to grab me again, but Derek kly stepped in front of me, shielding my body from their hands.

nd down,” Derek commanded using his Alpha voice. It wasn’t a request, it was an order.

Johnson is now under my pack’s protection.”

lead guard, the one whose hand I’d bitten, glared, cradling his injured limb. “Alpha (row, with all due respect, this is Blue Moon business. The Omega is accused of mpted murder against the Alpha’s daughter.”

”

gedly,” Derek countered smoothly, his chocolate eyes hard. “And until there is a fair trial- al one, not a rushed execution in a dungeon-she will remain with me. I am invoking -pack sanctuary. As an Alpha guest, I have the right to offer protection to any pack nber I believe is being unjustly persecuted, pending a formal inquiry.”

breath caught.

ctuary…

ody had given sanctuary in years. It was a law so old you sometimes forgot it existed. amazed Derek knows about it, considering he was a rogue not so long ago.

guards exchanged uncertain glances. They were warriors, trained to follow the orders of

Alpha, not to debate pack law with a visiting dignitary.

ty

at is the meaning of this?”

a Richard’s voice boomed through the hall, laced with a fury that made the very air ible. He stood at the entrance to the main hall, his face a thundercloud. Beside him, m looked grim, and Julie clung to Lancer’s arm, her face pale and streaked with perfect, letic tears. She pointed a trembling finger at me.

tried to kill me! She poisoned me!” she wailed, burying her face in Lancer’s shoulder.

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< Chapter 36: Sanctuary

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Lancer’s eyes met mine over her head. For a split second, I saw it-a flicker of doubt, of the boy I’d once known. Then it was gone, replaced by cold, hard loyalty to the real heir. His jaw tightened, and he looked away, pulling Julie clos

“You see?” Richard snarled, taking a step forward, his Alpha power pressing down on me like a physical weight. I swayed, but Derek’s hand in mine was a steadying force. “Your” sanctuary’ protects a venomous snake, Reigrow. Step aside.”

“I see an accusation with no evidence presented,” Derek replied, his voice still calm, but with an undercurrent of steel. “I see a young woman being dragged to a dungeon without a hearing. This is not justice, Richard. Any Elder would agree with me.”

“She denounced the pack,” Serim spoke up. He was looking at me, his expression unreadable. “She told me she was leaving. Why would she run if she didn’t have anything to hide?”

My heart clenched in pain. I can’t believe Serim is so blinded by Julie. He has known me for years; he knows I can’t hurt a fly!

“Why would she poison Julie if she was going to leave the pack?” A new voice boomed.

It was Aiden.

“Because she hates me! I treated Irina as my sister, but she can’t let go of her resentment. She thinks I took her place when she is the one who stole everything from me.” Julie’s cries could be heard miles away.

Aiden Keaton approached us. Debbie followed, her expression no longer bubbly but sharp and observant. Aiden’s grey eyes swept over the scene, lingering on Derek’s protective stance beside me before landing on Alpha Richard.

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