Chapter 135
Gideon’s POV
(74)
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I’d been in a courthouse before. I even had my own in my own pack. But nothing I had previously experienced prepared me for the decadence and intimidation that the Alpha King’s courthouse wrought.
Two long tables sat facing a tall podium, behind which the Alpha King sat. My lawyer and I were at one table, while Justin, Daphne, and their council were sitting at the other table across an aisle. Behind us were a slew of individual seats, which were all totally filled now with members of the Royal Pack who had come to watch the proceedings.
At this moment, Justin’s lawyer was standing, walking back and forth in front of the two tables as he presented what flimsy evidence their side had against me. Unfortunately, one of the pieces of evidence was a recent picture of Darius.
Because Darius had been refusing to eat, he had lost a lot of weight. The photo showed him lifting his shirt up, and his ribcage was clearly visible under his skin.
My annoyance flared. Darius was only that skinny because he refused to eat, not because he had been mistreated. My lawyer placed his arm in front of me, reminding me not to talk or shout or show any reaction.
“They are trying to goad you,” my lawyer whispered. “If you lose your temper, it will only benefit them.”
It was difficult, but for now, I held my tongue.
“It’s clear from these photos that Darius has been underfed while in Gideon’s care. This is paramount to
torture –”
“Objection,” my lawyer said, standing. “We have video that shows we have been trying to feed the prisoner, but he has refused to eat. We cannot force him to do this.”
“The video is only one piece of evidence showing only one day,” their lawyer said. “And if you listen, you will hear that Darius was worried about being poisoned. Given what we suspect about Alpha Gideon, this isn’t an outrageous accusation.”
I grit my teeth hard enough to hurt. I had never poisoned anyone. Daphne was the poisoner in this room.
“The video shows Alpha Gideon himself testing the food,” my lawyer countered. “This clearly shows it was not poisoned.”
“That video was staged!” Daphne snapped, standing.
The Alpha King glared at her. “Sit, and do not interrupt these proceedings, Luna Daphne. Your behavior could alter my judgment in a negative light.”
Daphne immediately sat back down. Justin’s arm went around her supportively.
“My apologies for my Luna, Alpha King,” their lawyer said. “She is very passionate about her father’s care, only because she loves him so much.”
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Chapter 135
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“I can be understanding. But this is still a formal procedure. She will not make an outburst like that again, understood?” the Alpha King said.
Their lawyer cast a warning look to his table. “Yes, Alpha King.”
Before I could feel any sense of victory, the Alpha King turned his gaze to me. “Offer Darius more food. Perhaps a different variety. Give him a way to test the food for poison himself. No one should starve in any prison in my realm.”
I was frustrated, but I had just seen how attempting to argue with the King resulted in only more issues. For now, I lowered my head, wordlessly showing my acceptance.
During a break in the proceedings, all of us flooded out into the hallway. I saw Daphne there, near the water fountain. My annoyance was rampant, so I approached her.
“You could just give up,” I said. “This isn’t going your way, and you are running out of evidence. Give up, go back to Justin’s pack, and live out your life without bothering me again. That’s all I want. We could have peace.”
Maybe she knew I had evidence she attacked my pack with rogues, maybe she didn’t.
I was inclined to think she didn’t care either way as she glared at me and said, “Go to hell, Gideon.”
That was that. She turned away from me then, and I was done giving her chances.
Returning to my lawyer, I nodded at him. “It’s time to turn things.”
“I’m ready,” the lawyer said.
Back in the courtyard, my lawyer presented the letter from Daphne directing the rogues to attack my pack. At the same time, he also showed that those same rogues kidnapped and attempted to kill my son.
The evidence was brutal and brought a hush over the room.
Justin and his lawyer went pale. Daphne glared at me from across the aisle.
Daphne’s POV
The King looked through the evidence, and I knew what was going to happen next.
Rage was building up inside of me like a storm. This case hadn’t worked out as I had hoped from the beginning, and now this.
“I’m dismissing this case,” the Alpha King said. “Darius and Daphne… This entire family clearly has motives against Alpha Gideon, and his entire pack. Alpha Justin, I encourage you to bring your mate in line, or these actions will reflect on you and your pack. A future trial might be necessary.”
I held my tongue as we were reprimanded. I held my tongue as we were escorted from the courthouse. But the moment we were outside, I turned on Justin and shouted, “You useless mate. My father suffers and you have done nothing to help me!”
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Chapter 135
20 vouchers
Justin glared back at me, more sharply as he had ever done in the past. “Stop embarrassing me,” he growled, roughly grabbing my arm. He dragged me toward our car, and I was so shocked by his sudden shift that I couldn’t find my voice, even as my anger remained, simmering inside of me.
When we were back in our own pack, Justin left, needing time to calm down.
I didn’t want to calm down.
Instead, I sneaked out of the pack house and met with my rogue contacts. They were my only allies now. They supported my father, and wanted him to be Alpha. I wanted that too.
But I also wanted revenge.
“The trial failed,” one of the rogues said. “We are running out of options.”
“We aren’t,” I said. “But what options we have left are more extreme.”
“Whatever it is, we are willing to do it,” said one of the rogues.
I was glad that we were in agreement here. “Good. We are done playing nice.”
Gideon’s POV
“Alpha,” said one of my guards, hurrying into the room. I had been enjoying a celebration dinner with my lawyer, as we reviewed the Alpha King’s ruling. But my guard seemed alarmed which put me on edge at once, ruining the more relaxed atmosphere. “We’ve uncovered a secret communication between the rogue factions.”
“And?” I prompted.
“They are going to try to kill Leo in the hospital,” the guard said. “They are targeting healers to take their place and get inside to hurt him.”
I cursed. “Call Xavier at once and warn him.”
I was already planning on leaving, to get to my son’s side and protect him from harm. But in my head, I was calculating distance.
If they were sending a message…
If the rogues were already in my pack…
I’d never make it in time.
I cursed again, louder. Then, reaching for my phone, I called someone I hoped would help, despite our recent disagreements.
Leo needed Raven.
So I called Ivan.
- 06. Thu, Jan 20
Chapter 136
