Chapter 17 Denounced #2
“It’s all lies!” Hunter cried out once more.
“This filthy Omega tried to seduce me, and when our Alpha appeared he pretended I was forcing myself on him, so I fled, barely escaping for my life.” He cast a glance my way, and had the audacity to look pained.
“I was always planning on coming back for my mate, I just didn’t think that he’d manage to sink his fangs into my brother before I got back! ”
Cold sweat dripped down my back. Was it possible that they’d believe him? It certainly sounded convincing, at least to the me that cringed away from every threat and bowed my head to obey every command.
However, to the me that had just spent two months finding my place at the Redrow house and learning how to stand up for myself, the scene before me looked very different.
I saw a barely sober drunk that was saying the first thing that came into his head as loudly and dramatically as possible, desperately pleading for anyone to believe him.
I saw the seeds of self-doubt that I recognized so well in myself, and they were on the precipice of sprouting into a spiral of self-destruction.
“Lies, you say?” Mooneater asked, stroking his wispy beard. Beside him, the other members of the council spoke quickly, in barely hushed whispers. I couldn’t make out individual words, so I could only guess at which way the winds were blowing.
I dared a look over at Hunter, who stood triumphant with his arms folded before him.
However, I knew better. It was nothing more than a display of pride and arrogance calculated to convince.
Above and beyond my fear, I felt a sense of nauseating disgust that I was beginning to understand how Hunter’s mind worked.
“And there’s more!” Hunter cried out. “Do you think this little creature has just been satisfied with ensnaring our Alpha and forcing me from the pack? No! That was just the first step. He won’t rest until he’s managed to trick the entire pack into serving his every whim!”
Beside me, Felix was absolutely rigid. He desperately wanted to speak, I could sense that much, but still he kept his silence. Did he really trust me so completely? It was a staggering revelation.
“Hm, I see,” Mooneater said at last. “Perhaps this matter will not be resolved tonight after all. We have no choice but to thoroughly investigate these charges and see if there is any weight to them.”
My knees buckled, but Felix was quick to steady me. I was vaguely aware of Hunter grinning in triumph and Jared looking extremely relieved.
This was going to get dragged out, then. I wasn’t free of the shadow of suspicion. I was about to be interrogated and who knew how long that would last. Felix would certainly try to protect me, but that would only convince people that he really was under my spell.
“No,” a new voice called out. A very annoyed and very familiar voice.
A hush fell over the chamber, to the point where we could all make out the steady beat of footsteps as a member of the audience crossed the shadows and made their way to the light of the council.
Wyatt moved to stand between us and Hunter, all his attention on the council.
When he did flick a glance our way, his face was twisted in a distasteful grimace that filled me with renewed fear.
I’d thought a prolonged investigation would be awful, but if Wyatt testified against me, then things could get a whole lot worse a whole lot faster.
“And what do we have here? A witness?” Mooneater asked. “If so, present yourself and get on with it.”
“I am Wyatt, Beta of the Redrow pack and faithful servant of our Alpha.” His voice rang out loud and clear, which just made the blood pound even harder in my ears.
It certainly sounded like what someone would say before driving the knife in. After all, if he was painting himself as a loyal follower and then corroborated Hunter’s claims, everyone present would be all the more ready to believe him.
“I was not going to speak when the accusations were limited to whether the Omega has bewitched our Alpha,” Wyatt continued. “However, now that the scope of the matter has expanded, I feel compelled to testify.”
A murmur ran through the crowd, and Mooneater leaned forward. Beneath his watery gaze, there was a gleam of predatory curiosity that made even Felix stiffen.
“Oh? Then by all means, do continue.”
“As you will,” Wyatt said with a bow. “The Alpha charged me with monitoring the Omega and ensuring that he didn’t come to any harm. Much to my irritation, Monte SanGraal refused to abide by our security measures and constantly sought ways to elude our protection.”
The murmurs grew more heated, but not nearly as heated as my face. Was this how it was going to end? With a humiliation that surpassed all expectations?
“See?” Hunter crowed. “I told you! Is it not exactly as I said? What do you think the Omega was doing when he snuck out? He was obviously trying to sabotage the pack even further!”
But Mooneater was still focused on Wyatt, and sure enough, Wyatt wasn’t done.
Without taking his attention from the council, the Beta gestured to the gathered wolves in the darkness.
“Day after day, without fail, the Omega left the safety and security of the estate to visit the elderly and ailing members of the pack. He personally visited every house within a day’s journey of our stronghold, delivering groceries, fulfilling requests, and familiarizing himself with as many members of the pack as he could find.
Every able-bodied wolf in Redrow has at least one relative that has been visited by our Alpha’s Omega. ”
A chorus of howls rang out from the audience. I had no idea whether that meant strong agreement or condemnation until I felt Felix relax at my side.
Even so, it still didn’t seem real. I was beyond belief that all these wolves were really on my side and the howls started to form words.
One voice rose above the rest. “He brought my grandfather medicine when he was ailing!”
“And he learned my grandma had a sweet tooth, then brought her treats with her usual deliveries,” another called out, even louder.
In no time at all, the council chamber had devolved into the echoing roars of wolves trying to outdo one another with overblown tales of my generosity. My heart skipped, shock and awe swelling in my chest as I drank in every kind word. I couldn’t believe this!
Before it all, Wyatt finally looked our way and gave me a curt nod. To Felix, he gave a much more respectful and grave bow.
Hunter visibly bristled as the tide completely turned against him. All his proud arrogance was draining away, and he was quaking in what could only be a combination of fear and fury. In comparison, Jared just looked annoyed, though he did a good job of hiding it.
“I can’t believe it,” Felix murmured at my side.
Drunk on heady relief, I couldn’t help but tease him. “What, did you think that I’d been completely useless these last few months?” I asked, giving him a little nudge with my elbow.
“I…” Felix trailed off and let a scoff of a laugh slip.
“In the beginning, I’d thought that keeping you protected in the pack house was the best choice, and today, I worried that maybe I’d made a terrible strategic mistake.
But it seems I was wrong. In spite of all my efforts, you have managed to show everyone just how pure and loving you are. ”
Fortunately, I was saved from having to choke out an embarrassed reply by the thunder of the council striking their table.
“Silence!” Mooneater called out. “We have heard enough. The hour grows late, and since it seems this matter can be resolved after all, let us get it over with as quickly as possible.”
Hunter stepped forward and raised his arms beseechingly, but before he could speak, Jared clamped a hand around his mouth and dragged him back. It ended so quickly that I heard the hissed exhales of relief before I even realized that everyone had recoiled at Hunter’s audacity.
“You are lucky to have such a loyal retainer by your side,” Mooneater said.
“He alone has saved you from the swiftest solution here.” His claws tapped on his table.
“But perhaps he has only delayed the inevitable. Hunter Redrow, the council has heard the arguments here today and conferred. We are in agreement that you have violated the marriage pact under the treaty, and now we are merely left to decide on the exact nature of your punishment.”
A keening whine echoed through the room. This time, Jared didn’t bother to stifle the pitiful noises coming from Hunter.
“Setting aside your faithless testimony while before the council, we must determine the most severe of your crimes,” Mooneater continued mercilessly. “Tell me, Alpha, what transpired last night? What exactly did your brother do when he returned to the pack house after his long absence?”
“I’m sorry,” Felix whispered, then stepped forward and raised his voice. “Hunter Redrow attacked my mate while he slept. It was only by my intervention that the worst was prevented.”
Surely many had already suspected something like this, but hearing it so boldly declared set the wolves in attendance into a flurry of hisses and growls.
“A most serious crime,” Mooneater declared. “Assaulting any is a crime, but a Beta forcing himself onto an Omega? And a married Omega, at that!”
The low thrum of discontent rose higher and higher, until the baying made my head spin.
“But this false marriage was to be annulled,” Jared shouted over the clamor, speaking up for the first time. “Surely that is a mitigating circumstance. Felix Redrow was planning to hand the Omega over anyway!”
Felix went completely rigid beside me. I could feel the shame and rage washing over him. All I could do was squeeze his hand and hope it was enough to convey my deepest feelings to him, forgiveness first and foremost.
“But the marriage was not annulled, was it?” Mooneater asked.
It took several moments for everyone to realize that this was not a rhetorical question.