Chapter 12
The trial date was set: three weeks out.
In the interim, I threw myself into Council work. Brokered a ceasefire between two warring western packs. Established a new protocol for protecting dormant bloodlines—so no wolf like me would ever be dismissed as "defective" again.
I was in a Council strategy session when the doors burst open.
Not Alaric this time.
A woman—ancient, regal, ice in her veins—strode in like she owned the cathedral.
Helena Black. Alaric's mother. The former Luna Regent who'd spent five years making my life a masterpiece of subtle cruelty.
"How dare you." Her voice echoed off vaulted ceilings. "You ungrateful little—"
Two Council guards stepped forward. She waved them off like gnats.
"My son gave you everything. Elevated you from nothing—a packless orphan—"
"Helena." Dominic's voice cut like steel. "You are addressing the Lycan Queen. Mind your tongue or lose it."
She faltered. For the first time, I saw fear crack her imperious mask.
I rose from my seat. Slowly.
"Let her speak, Councilor."
Helena straightened. But the fire had dimmed.
"This trial will ruin our family. Three hundred years of Black legacy—"
"Your son ruined your legacy when he broke his sacred bond." I descended the dais steps until I stood before her. Close enough to see the terror she couldn't fully hide.
"I didn't seek this, Helena. I sought only peace. Your son denied me that. His actions triggered the inquiry. His choices led here."
"He made a mistake—"
"He made a choice. Every night, for eight months. He chose." I held her gaze. "And you? You chose to demean me at every turn. Called me barren. Pushed for annulment. Celebrated when Vanessa appeared."
Her lips pressed white.
"You knew," I said softly. "About the affair. You encouraged it."
No denial. Just the faintest tremor in her clasped hands.
"Didn't you wonder why I never fought back? Why I simply... vanished?"
She said nothing.
"Because I knew something none of you did." I smiled—and it was not kind. "I knew what I was. And I knew that time was my ally. Not his."
I returned to my seat.
"The trial proceeds as scheduled. You may leave."
Helena Black—who'd lorded over me for five years—turned and walked out without another word.
Her shoulders shook.
---
In the interim, I threw myself into Council work. Brokered a ceasefire between two warring western packs. Established a new protocol for protecting dormant bloodlines—so no wolf like me would ever be dismissed as "defective" again.
I was in a Council strategy session when the doors burst open.
Not Alaric this time.
A woman—ancient, regal, ice in her veins—strode in like she owned the cathedral.
Helena Black. Alaric's mother. The former Luna Regent who'd spent five years making my life a masterpiece of subtle cruelty.
"How dare you." Her voice echoed off vaulted ceilings. "You ungrateful little—"
Two Council guards stepped forward. She waved them off like gnats.
"My son gave you everything. Elevated you from nothing—a packless orphan—"
"Helena." Dominic's voice cut like steel. "You are addressing the Lycan Queen. Mind your tongue or lose it."
She faltered. For the first time, I saw fear crack her imperious mask.
I rose from my seat. Slowly.
"Let her speak, Councilor."
Helena straightened. But the fire had dimmed.
"This trial will ruin our family. Three hundred years of Black legacy—"
"Your son ruined your legacy when he broke his sacred bond." I descended the dais steps until I stood before her. Close enough to see the terror she couldn't fully hide.
"I didn't seek this, Helena. I sought only peace. Your son denied me that. His actions triggered the inquiry. His choices led here."
"He made a mistake—"
"He made a choice. Every night, for eight months. He chose." I held her gaze. "And you? You chose to demean me at every turn. Called me barren. Pushed for annulment. Celebrated when Vanessa appeared."
Her lips pressed white.
"You knew," I said softly. "About the affair. You encouraged it."
No denial. Just the faintest tremor in her clasped hands.
"Didn't you wonder why I never fought back? Why I simply... vanished?"
She said nothing.
"Because I knew something none of you did." I smiled—and it was not kind. "I knew what I was. And I knew that time was my ally. Not his."
I returned to my seat.
"The trial proceeds as scheduled. You may leave."
Helena Black—who'd lorded over me for five years—turned and walked out without another word.
Her shoulders shook.
---