Chapter 38 #2
Damian glances at my hand as she takes it, her fingers wrapped tightly around mine, and I grit my teeth at her grip before tucking her hand against the crook of my arm instead.
She can squeeze away there. I prefer to keep my fingers attached to my hand; she is still learning how much stronger she is and often forgets.
Her face blushes when I move her hand and I feel the circulation return to my fingers.
Damian tries to hide his amusement, his lips quirking slightly in the corners.
“Come on, let’s get this over with.” I tell them.
The old council chamber is a small, secluded building far from the castle, hidden deep within the woods.
Its thick stone walls are designed to muffle sound, ensuring nothing said within these walls can be heard outside.
My guards surround the perimeter, armed to the teeth and under strict orders to let no one in or out without my command, including the council at this point.
I don’t trust any of them, I’m not against wiping the council out if needed.
That decision will be made upon whatever verdict is given today.
Because if I have even an ounce of doubt against the rest of them, they won’t be leaving this building, which is why I demanded the hearing be down here, not publicly.
Luckily, they agreed, knowing the shit storm this would cause if we couldn’t control the narration that the media presents if this was public.
Just as my relationship to Aubrey is under scrutiny, the council would be too once word gets out of Clyde’s involvement.
As we step inside, the cold air of the room bites at my skin, but I barely notice. My attention is focused on the three prisoners being escorted in—Rhett, Clyde, and Bianca.
Rhett looks like a shell of the man he once was. His skin is pale, his eyes sunken, and there’s a haunted look in his gaze. The severed mate bond with Aubrey is destroying his health, and though I feel a flicker of satisfaction at his suffering, I push it aside.
Clyde, on the other hand, looks as smug as ever.
Even in silver chains, he carries himself with an air of arrogance, as if he still believes he has some trick up his sleeve and he will come out of this unscathed.
I make a mental note to keep a close eye on him along with the other council members present today.
Bianca… She’s a different story. She’s not shackled like the others, but she might as well be, given the way she cowers between two guards.
Her eyes are wide with fear, darting around the room as if looking for a way out.
She knows her fate is hanging by a thread, and for once, her usual snide attitude is nowhere to be seen.
We take our seats at the front of the hall, and Elder Maverick steps forward.
I cringe knowing he and Clyde were close, as he steps up to the podium, I glance at Clyde, a smug smile on his face like he knows he is going to get off.
Only, instead of taking the head of the table, he moves toward where Aubrey and I are.
Damian rises, ready for anything. Clyde rises, only for my guard to shove his shackled body back in the chair, making his chains rattle and drawing Maverick’s attention.
I’ve never had an issue with Maverick before, and he has always proven helpful, but I am wary of him most. Maverick raises a brow at Clyde.
“Council member Clyde, is there an issue?”
Clyde looks around nervously and then swallows thickly. “Are you not overseeing this trial?”
“I’m an observer, I stood down. I may have been your second, Clyde, but we were never friends.
Instead, I am also testifying against you, even if it means losing my seat on the council.
” I’m shocked to hear this and Aubrey looks at me wondering what is going on.
Clyde’s face falls, and he instantly breaks out in a sweat.
“After going through your office and computer, I have some damning evidence,” he states before glancing at me. He nods once, taking a seat at the front on our side.
Then Elder Magnus walks out; the man is intimidating and not part of the supernatural council anymore.
He retired when my father was ruling, and Clyde took his position when Magnus retired.
By the look on Clyde’s face, he knows he isn’t getting out of this, especially when the other three panelists are from the supernatural council and are all women.
The fact Magnus was called in means the council is taking this very seriously.
“This trial is now in session,” Magnus announces, his voice echoing through the hall. “We are gathered here today to determine the fate of three individuals accused of treason against the council and the crown.”
Magnus turns his gaze toward Bianca, who visibly flinches under his scrutiny. “Bianca, you have been offered a deal. Testify truthfully against Rhett and Clyde, and in exchange, your life will be spared. You will serve a life sentence in prison. Do you understand?”
Bianca swallows hard, her eyes flicking toward Rhett. He glares at her with pure hatred, his lips curling into a sneer. She quickly looks away, nodding jerkily. “I—I understand.”
“Good,” Magnus says. “My King, if you would step forward and order her to answer truthfully, we’ll begin,” Magnus says, and I rise from my seat and move toward her.
She doesn’t flinch, though, like she did with Magnus, knowing my deal with her is the only thing keeping her alive.
Once I have commanded her to answer truthfully, I retake my seat beside Aubrey.
“Elder Monroe, you may begin questioning,” Magnus states.
Elder Monroe, a sharp-eyed woman with iron-gray hair pulled into a tight bun, adjusts her glasses and leans forward.
She shuffles her papers before fixing Bianca with a piercing stare.
“Bianca, let us start at the beginning. When did you first become aware of Rhett’s plans to seize power, and what role did you play in them? ”
Bianca swallows hard, her voice shaky as she begins.
“It started… about five years ago, but plans were not really put into place until a couple of years later. Rhett was angry—furious that his father wouldn’t step down as Alpha of our pack.
He thought it was his right to lead, that his father was holding him back. ”
“And what became of his anger?” Monroe presses, her voice sharp.