el

r end sat Alphonso on his carved throne, enveloped in a suffocating Alpha aura. A tribunal of stone-faced e

teady, unhurried rhythm. Hundreds of eyes bore into my back, heavy with judgment

er my eyes. I

ace, dripping with authority meant to make my knees buckle. "Trina

wouldn't play their game. I wouldn't be the trembling accused. Instead o

offer my plea, I have a question of pack law. Which is the greater offense: a lowly servant's public, m

elders exchanged scandalized whispers, outrag

"Answer the question, Ariel," he growl

ifting my chin. "I did

snapping up. Her face was a twisted mask of fake

m my throat with the sharp,

her mouth shut as if she'

ts, deliberately blocked my path. She insulted my name, and she dared to lay her hands on me," I said, letting the righteous

his fist against his armrest. "Dispensing punish

rd the elder, a bitter, humo

ere, exactly, was the Alpha when I was being cornered in the corridors of this very pack house? Tell me, Elder

n their own words. Alphonso's eyes darkened, a storm brewing in their depths. I d

ned my attention back to the

ce. I gestured toward her kneeling form. "Then let us see this horrif

all the color drai

ftly, stepping closer. "Unless, of c

dy m