h4Chapter 329: The Trial/h4

    strongNatalie~/strong

    I woke to the first rays of dawn filtering through the heavy drapes of our royal chambers, my body still wrapped in Zane’s strong arms. His steady breathing against my neck was a reminder that the night had passed peacefully, but the memory of whaty ahead pressed on my chest like an iron w. Jasmine stirred in my mind, her voice a yful growl. strongi"Rise and shine, Mara. Time to make that bastard Darius regret every breath he’s taken."/i/strong

    I turned in Zane’s embrace, tracing the sharp line of his jaw with my fingertips. His eyes fluttered open, those piercing blue depths locking onto mine with that possessive intensity that always made my heart race. "Morning, my queen," he murmured, his voice husky from sleep. He pulled me closer, his lips brushing mine in a soft, lingering kiss that sent sparks through my veins.

    "Morning, handsome," I whispered back, unable to resist teasing him even in the middle of all this tension. "So—are we still on track to conquer the past, like you so dramatically promisedst night?"

    He chuckled, the sound rumbling through his chest like the purr of arge cat. "Always, Nat. But first, let’s get you armored up—figuratively speaking." He sat up, his muscles rippling under his skin as he reached for my robe, draping it over my shoulders with a tenderness that belied his fearsome reputation.

    As we dressed in our royal finery—me in a flowing gown of silver silk embroidered with crescent moons, him in a tailored ck suit that screamed power—we shared quiet words. "Zane, what if Darius tries something to get himself free? He’s unrepentant, I can feel it."

    His hand cupped my cheek, thumb stroking gently. "He won’t. No one in this continent can stand up to us, let alone Darius. Red and I would tear him apart first. And Jasmine? She’d probably eat him whole." We bothughed, the moment lightening the air, but his eyes darkened with protectiveness. "You’re mine, Natalie. And Darius is going to regret everying his filthy hands on you."

    By mid-morning, the grand hall of the Lycan pce was packed to bursting. Sunlight streamed through towering arched windows, making the hall bright and lively. Banners of deep crimson and silver hung from the vaulted ceilings, fluttering slightly in the breeze from open doors. The air hummed with anticipation, a mix of whispers, shuffling feet, and the asional growl from shifted wolves in the crowd.

    I stood on the elevated dais at the front, my hand intertwined with Zane’s, feeling the warmth of his palm grounding me. To my left was King Emeritus Anderson Moor—Zane’s father, a towering figure with silver-streaked hair and eyes that held the wisdom of centuries. His presence was regal, yet he shot me a warm, paternal smile. "Natalie, my lovely daughter-inw, today we right the wrongs. Stand tall."

    "I will, Father," I replied, squeezing Zane’s hand tighter. Jacob, stood rigidly beside him, his face beautiful as always but today he wore a mask of stern resolve. Elders and council members nked us in their embroidered robes, their expressions a blend of solemnity and eagerness. Below, the crowd swelled: families of the victims huddled together, their eyes hollow but hopeful; members of the Silverfang Pack shifted uneasily; and curious citizens from across the kingdom filled every seat and standing space, their murmurs like a building storm.

    Zane stepped forward, his voice booming through the hall like amand from the gods themselves. "People of the Lycan Kingdom, honored guests, and those seeking justice—today marks a pivotal moment in our history. We gather for the trial and judgment of six criminals who have stained our packs with betrayal, violence, and unspeakable cruelty. Each will be given a fair hearing, their crimesid bare for all to witness. Then, sentences will be passed by myself, Queen Natalie, Mist, the Wolf Spirit, King Emeritus Anderson Moor, and our esteemed elders. Let truth prevail, and may the moon guide our decisions."

    The crowd erupted in cheers, a thunderous roar that shook the very foundations of the pce. Fists pumped in the air, wolves howled in approval, and I felt a surge of energy ripple through the hall. Jasmine yipped excitedly in my mind.strongi "That’s our man, Mara! Look at them eating it up."/i/strong

    As the cheers died down, Zane raised his hand for silence, his gaze sweeping the assembly like a predator assessing prey. "Guards! Bring forth the first three criminals: Alpha Darius, Beta Timothy, and Luna Gabrie."

    The massive oak doors at the far end groaned open, and a hush fell over the crowd. Chains nked ominously as the guards dragged the trio forward. Darius led the way, his once-imposing frame now gaunt and filthy, his dark hair matted, eyes zing with defiance despite the iron manacles binding his wrists and ankles. Timothy shuffled behind, his head bowed, shoulders slumped in what looked like defeat. Gabrie brought up the rear, her face streaked with tears, her elegant features twisted in despair as she stumbled in her restraints.

    They were forced to kneel before the dais, the chains rattling against the marble. The crowd’s murmurs turned to growls and hisses, especially from the victims’ families. I locked eyes with Darius, and a chill ran down my spine—his sneer was still there, unbowed.

    Zane nodded to the Royal Herald, a tall, robed figure with a scroll in hand. The herald stepped forward, unrolling the parchment with a flourish, his voice clear and resonant as it echoed through the hall.

    "Hear ye, citizens of the Lycan Kingdom! The crimes of Alpha Darius of the Silverfang Pack are as follows: When the used Natalie Cross—now our beloved Queen Natalie—was but thirteen years old and unknown as the Celestial Princess, Darius orchestrated the murder of her parents. He framed Evan Cross, his own Beta and Natalie’s father, for treason, executing him publicly before the entire pack. In the same brutal act, he slew I Cross—also known as Princess Katrina of the royal bloodline—Natalie’s mother. On that fateful day, he also ughtered young Marcus and his entire family, loyal friends who had aided Evan in protecting Natalie during his search for his mate.

    "Prior to these atrocities, a royal visit to the Silverfang Pack was nned, an honor meant to unite our realms. Darius assigned Evan to oversee preparations, only to sabotage them. He conspired with his new Beta, Timothy, to kidnap I Cross, knowing Evan would abandon his duties to rescue his mate. This allowed Darius to use Evan of neglect and dishonor, justifying the public killings.

    "Darius spared young Natalie but subjected her to years of torment. He sexually harassed her, marked her against her will in a vition of sacred bonds, and upon discovering she was mated to his nephew Griffin,plicated matters further. Griffin rejected Natalie due to the forced mark, leading Darius to banish her—a young werewolf without her wolf—from the pack. She endured hardship, homelessness, and rejection, all while Darius remained ignorant that Natalie was the Celestial Princess destined to be our queen, and that I was royal kin, making her murder a crime against the throne.

    "Furthermore, Darius habitually raped and molested young girls within the Silverfang Pack, with his mate Gabrie procuring victims for him. Beta Timothy aided in these horrors and sexually harassed Natalie during her time in the pack, matching Darius in ruthlessness."

    The herald paused, letting the words sink in. Gasps and outraged cries filled the hall. A mother from the victims’ families sobbed openly, clutching her daughter. I felt tears prick my eyes, the memories crashing over me like waves—Darius’s fangs piercing my skin, his mockingughter as he cast me out. Zane’s grip on my hand tightened, his thumb rubbing soothing circles. "Breathe, love," he whispered. "We’re ending this."

    The herald continued, detailing Timothy’splicity in the kidnappings, harassments, and cover-ups, and Gabrie’s role in supplying the girls, her fear no excuse for enabling such evil. The crowd’s fury built, a palpable tension thickening the air.

    Zane raised his voice once more,manding attention. "Alpha Darius, Beta Timothy, Luna Gabrie—you have heard the charges. This is your chance to speak in defense. Timothy, you first."

    Timothy lifted his head, his voice trembling as chains clinked with his gestures. "Your Majesties... elders... everyone... I... I didn’t want any of this. It was Darius—he ordered me! As his Beta, I had to obey, or he’d kill me too. The kidnapping of I, framing Evan... all his ns. I harassed Natalie because he demanded it, to break her spirit. I’m sorry... so deeply sorry. Please, have mercy. I was just following orders."

    Murmurs rippled through the crowd, some skeptical growls, but we remained silent—Zane, me, Jacob, King Anderson, the elders—all of us stone-faced, letting the words hang. Gabrie went next, her sobs choking her words as tears streamed down her face. "I... I never wanted to hurt those girls. No woman—no mate—wants to share her bond like that. But Darius... he threatened me every day. ’Obey or die,’ he’d say, his eyes cold as ice. I’d wake to his rages, bruises hidden under my clothes. I supplied the girls to survive, to protect myself. Please... understand. I was terrified. Forgive me..."

    Her pleas echoed, drawing sympathetic whispers from some in the crowd, but others shouted "Traitor!" and "Enabler!" Still, we said nothing, our silence a heavy judgment in itself. Jasmine snarled in my mind. strongi"Oh, please. Fear doesn’t excuse handing innocents to a monster."/i/strong

    Finally, it was Darius’s turn. He rose as much as his chains allowed, his voice a venomous snarl that cut through the hall like a dry ice. "Defend myself? Why bother with this farce? You all know the truth—I’m the victim here! That little bitch Natalie?" He jabbed a chained finger toward me, his eyes zing with hate. "She was nothing—a wolf-less whelp, worthless trash I should’ve killed with her traitor parents. Framing Evan? Ha! He was weak, mooning over that royal whore I—or Katrina, whatever. I built Silverfang into something fearsome, and they threatened that. Killing them? A necessity. Marcus and his family? Coteral. They knew too much.

    "And marking her?" Heughed, a chilling, unhinged sound. "She begged for it with those pathetic eyes. Banishing her after Griffin rejected the marked slut? Mercy! She wandered like the stray she is, ending up in some filthy shelter. Rejected by her mate—poetic, isn’t it? But oh, look at her now. Queen Natalie." He spat the title like poison. "Lucky bitch, stumbling into stupid Zane’s arms. What a fool you are, ’King’ Zane—falling for damaged goods, making her your queen. And this gullible kingdom? Bowing to a homeless reject? Pathetic! You think you’re powerful? I ruled with fear, real power. Rape those girls? They were offerings, keeping the pack in line. Gabrie knew her ce—supply or suffer. Timothy? Loyal dog.

    "You think this trial changes anything? I’ll dieughing at how you elevated trash to royalty. Natalie’s no queen—she’s a marked whore ying dress-up. Zane, you’re blind, possessive over scraps. The kingdom’s doomed under idiots like you!"

    His words struck like whips, igniting fury in the crowd. Roars erupted, objects hurled toward him—guarded back by shields. My blood boiled, tears of rage burning my eyes, but Zane’s arm wrapped around my waist, pulling me close. "He’s done, Nat. His words are his noose."

    King Anderson leaned in, his voice low but thunderous. "The wretch seals his fate with every breath."

    Jacob nodded grimly. "Justice will be swift."

    I met Darius’s re, my voice steady despite the storm inside. But no—we let his tirade end the moment, the hall electric with tension, the Chapter of his defiance closing as the weight of his unrepentance hung heavy, promising the storm of judgment toe.