Healing Hearts

C H A P T E R | 21

Despite the negative effects it would have against her in court, Marley struggled against Jasmine's hands. "Let me go!" Marley twisted her arms, trying to free herself from her cruel injustice, but the Head Trainer was too strong for her.

Marley pleaded with wolves around her, but no pack member would go out of their way — especially with finding out that Marley was responsible for Gabby's injuries. The young she-wolf recognized some of the higher ranks from the time she was injured.

Luke, the other Head Gaurd, stepped forward, "Head Trainer Jasmine, what is the meaning of this?" He noticed the blood on Jasmine's hands, "Do you need to see a Doctor?"

"I'll be fine," Jasmine answered.

Marley cut her off, "Sir, please."

Marley whimpered when her arm got twisted behind her back. Jasmine snarled, "Silent, rouge!" She turned to Luke again, "Caught her running towards the border, trying to escape."

Luke shook his head, "Escape what? Layla, her mate?"

"Haven't you heard?" She questioned, her voice going soft. "She attacked Gabby. She's in critical condition. It'll be a miracle if she survived," she whimpered, sadden by the death of a packmate.

Only Marley heard the false sense of empathy in her voice.

Marley shook her head, tears in her eyes. What if Gabby didn't make it? Other than Layla, Gabby had been her best friend. She always kept her entertained, joking around with her as if she actually belongs.

"No," she whimpered, "please. I can save her."

Jasmine yanked her back, cutting her off once again. "Marley here is lucky I didn't lay a hand on her. If she wasn't Layla's mate, she would be dead," she hissed in the young she-wolf's ear.

Luke nodded his head, "I'll get the other Heads for the meeting." He gave a good stare at Marley, watching her carefully before he sighed, claiming she was the villain before leaving to get the others.

Marley screamed at his back, "I can save Gabby. Please, please don't let her die."

"Shut it, pup," Jasmine started to shove her through the hallway, deeply enjoying the panic and distrust look on Marley's face. "Your destiny has been sealed for a long time now," she laughed as she shoved her into the courtroom, where Luna Denice and Layla were already waiting. "I always had a bad feeling about you," Jasmine added, staring at Layla, "some people didn't believe me."

Layla barred her teeth.

Alpha Joey growled, gaining everyone's attention, "Bring Marley up to the stands, Head Trainer Jasmine. Then, we will wait for the other Heads to join us."

Marley looked at Joey as she was brought forward, her eyes pleading. "Alpha Joey," she whispered, "please. Gabby."

"Don't speak her name," Jasmine snarled, baring her teeth. With one shove, Marley was sitting in her seat. When Alpha Joey didn't glance at her, she turned towards Layla, wondering what her mate thought about all of this.

Could Layla believe Marley was truly guilty? She opened her mouth, but only a sob came out. Marley kept her eyes on Layla begging for her mate to say or do something, but instead, she watched as Luna Denice grabbed her mate's hand.

Marley gasped, her eyes widening even further.

Layla made no movement to pull away.

Her own mate thought she was a criminal. Her own mate thought she killed her best friend. She was doomed, and there was nothing to fix, nothing in her power at least.