Tasting All My Mates by Alexis Dee

375-Against The World

Author's POV:

Years Ago:

"I can't remember anything. I don't even remember my mother's face," Thiago said to his

father, who had been suffering for the past two days after realizing he couldn't remember what

his mother looked like.

Shepard initially thought Thiago was having trouble remembering that night's incident because

of the trauma. But forgetting his mother entirely was something that was not supposed to

happen.

"I don't understand one thing. Trauma can make his brain block some memories, but not being

able to see his mother's picture—that has never happened before," Makenzie told Shepard, who

walked ahead of him with his head down.

"I told you, there is more to the story than what we are being told. When Thiago started

complaining about not remembering anything, I felt a little weird. And now, with all this, don't

you think something is going on that we are not aware of? Even the morgue burning down. It all

seems like a big plan to save whoever the culprit is," Shepard said, sitting outside on the front

porch and sighing in exhaustion.

"I just miss her. It feels so wrong that she got snatched away from me and I couldn't do

anything. I couldn’t even rest her body." He buried his face in his hands and sobbed.

"Hey! You need to stay strong for your son. We will find her culprit and give him the worst

punishment anyone has ever imagined," Makenzie sat down with him and patted his back.

The two had been best friends for a very long time. They have faced many troubles together. However, they lost

one member of their group, Mrs. Shepard.

"Your highness! There is something that needs your attention," a guard interrupted them. He looked agitated as if it

were a serious matter.

"What is up?" Makenzie asked while Shepard stared at the royal garden, missing his beautiful Luna walking around

with a perfect smile on her lips.

"Ther—e has been a rumor," he paused when staring at his distressed alpha, "I feel guilty for even talking about it

but I felt like it needed attention before it grows out of hand." The guard added, just to make sure they know he is

not believing it.

"Tell me what it is about?" Makenzie asked again, and the guard prepared himself to tell the bitter tale of nasty

rumors.

"There is a rumor that— alpha Shepard killed his Luna that night." the instant he said those words, Shepard's eyes

traveled to him. He watched him in sheer terror for a moment before he got up and gasped.

"Who started this bullshit?" he screamed, tearing up at the thought of people believing he could do such a

disgusting thing to his precious Luna.

"I don't know. But the rumor is getting a little wild because the council might be— they are talking about putting you

on trial." The guard had to lower his eyes and show remorse over repeating those words.

"That's nonsense," Makenzie growled angrily.

"You don't worry. I will have a meeting with the council and talk about this in detail. You are the only one who keeps

talking about this case and justice. They cannot believe you are the — Don't worry, I will go have a word with them,"

Makenzie eyed the guard to help Shepard to his room.

Shepard had lost so much confidence that he could barely move around without breaking down.

The guard took him to his room, where he opened a fresh bottle of wine to chug it down.

Nothing seemed to be working for him. His heart was in constant pain.

'What if the news reaches my son? He will think so little of me. I can never hurt anyone. And her? Why wou—,’ He

was breaking down before his wolf, who had been very silent after finding out they lost their mate.

Shepard spoke to the sleeping wolf for hours, crying his heart out, but there was nothing that could comfort him at

this point. He had to keep drinking in order to hide the pain.

Makenzie had an hours-long conversation with the councils as they discussed the case in detail.

He then returned to the mansion, but with no good news. He went straight to the alpha's room, where he found him

drunk and crying.

"Makenzie!" Shepard got up from his seat and rushed his way to hold his hand and smile at him.

"Tell me they know I didn't do it." He asked him, trying to carry hope in his eyes when,

somewhere deep down, he just wasn't sure what could make him happy again.

"So! I spoke to them," Makenzie murmured, "and they are going to put you on trial because

some people have come forward to testify against you. These people said they have seen you

with some woman that you wanted to make your Luna and for that to happen, you had to kill

your own Luna." Makenzie cringed because he knew it was a lie.

"What? That's a lie. I never— what is going on? Why is the world against me so much?" Shepard

sobbed, slowly stepping away from Makenzie and dropping onto the couch after losing his

balance.

"Hey!" Makenzie helped him sit up and sat beside him, saying, "Somebody is definitely behind

this whole mess. And sadly, the entire world seems to be keeping him safe. But there is a way to

avoid this trial," Makenzie mumbled, but the way he stole eyes from Shepard was a sign that

whatever he was about to tell him was not going to be well received by Shepard.

"What? tell me, what is the way?" Shepard asked in curiosity. They knew if the trial happened, he

would be convicted.

Because whoever did it has the power to make his own version of the story.

This was not a trial but a rigged case to get Shepard in trouble. Once he goes to trial, they will

convict him and not continue the case.

"They said in order to stop this trial, you will have to step back from this case and not talk about

the investigation again," Makenzie remembered the exact words of the council. It was a hint,

more like a chance for Shepard to stand back before they punish him for forcing everyone to

investigate this case.

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What are your thoughts on this backstory so far?