Chapter 77: The Court and Freedom
Killian’s POV
The grand hall of the Sundrench Kingdom’s daytime court was thick with an atmosphere so tense it was nearly suffocating for anyone present. Towering stone pillars loomed over the gathered crowd, casting long shadows beneath the high- hanging chandeliers. The trial had finally arrived.
I sat upon my throne as was fitting. With a mere glance, all the noise vanished as if swallowed by the earth. I had no need for the unpleasant buzzing in my head. Ruby stood beside me, graceful and composed, clad in a pale yellow gown that shimmered beautifully under the chandelier’s glow. She was mesmerizing, a stark contrast to the filth that would soon face judgment before us. To my left stood Leonidas, his ever–reliable stoic mask firmly in place, and to my right, Jake Smith, the unfortunate Beta who had dared step into my kingdom to claim his right to be here.
I felt Ruby’s fingers tighten around my right hand. I turned to her. When our eyes met in silent inquiry, she flinched and immediately murmured an apology.
My free hand rested on the back of hers.
“Are you nervous?” I whispered into her ear.
“T–to be honest, I don’t know. Maybe more of a panic.”
I watched as Ruby’s chest rose and fell unevenly. I recognized it instantly: she was having a panic attack. Ten minutes remained before the trial began. Ignoring those around me, I quietly chanted a white magic spell, hoping it would be enough to ease the attack.
Slowly, Ruby began to calm down. I wiped the sweat from her face with the back of my hand, and at last, some color returned to her delicate features.
“Thank you…”
I dismissed her gratitude. “Tell me if you start feeling any symptoms again. Do not take this lightly.”
“I understand.”
As I resumed my rightful posture, I caught sight of a few guests casting lingering glances in our direction. I shot them a deadly glare, silently warning them to mind their own business. It worked. Not a single one dared look Ruby’s way again. Moments later, the accused were dragged forward by my men, bound in chains and forced to their knees at the center of the hall, their faces marred by despair and terror. Nathaniel and his wife trembled, yet they still clung to the last remnants of their dignity.
Camila Lucienne, her face streaked with tears, and Dominic, seething with rage, his pride still burning despite the iron grip on his wrists. It was almost amusing.
“As a kingdom that upholds the law, the Sundrench Kingdom declares that we are assuming full authority over the sentencing of the four criminals today,” Leonidas announced, unrolling the parchment in his hands.
“The Winterdawn Pack is no longer in a condition to function as a unified pack. Based on multiple cases that have surfaced in public media, we hereby place The Winterdawn Pack under strict supervision until the designated period expires.”
With the opening statement delivered, the focus shifted toward today’s main stars. A quiet fun playing within me. It had been far too long since I had witnessed such a spectacular trial.
Gently, I squeezed Ruby’s hand, hoping she understood that she was never alone in this that I would stand by her side through the trial of her false family and wicked ex–husband.
Beta Leonidas‘ voice rang out once more.
“Nathaniel Lucienne and Evelyn Lucienne, you are charged with orchestrating the murder of Alpha Lucienne and his Luna, child exploitation, seizing the pack through deception, and conspiring with enemies of the crown. Your sentence is death.”
Nathaniel thrashed against his restraints, his eyes wide with panic. “Your Majesty! THIS IS UNFAIR!”
“You are a king! Grant us a fair trial under the law. We weren’t even given two trials for appeal and verification!” the wretched Nathaniel rasped, his voice raw with desperation.
Then, his beloved wife fell to her knees, both fists clenched in supplication. “Have mercy on us! We did what was best for this pack! The past must remain buried!”
“Buried, you say?”
Successfully unlocked!
I arched a brow, fingers tapping idly against the armrest of my throne. “How easily such sinful words slip from your tongue. Your crimes have been exposed, and forgiveness is not a privilege granted to traitors.”
Evelyn let out a choked sob as she threw herself around Nathaniel, trembling. “Please, we only wanted the best for our
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Chapter 77: The Court and Freedom
daughter!”
Her pleading gaze shifted desperately toward Ruby. “Ruby, tell him! Tell him that we are still your parents!”
Ruby’s expression hardened, her blue eyes turning cold as ice. Oh, how I loved that look.
“My parents are dead, fake mother. You and your husband are their murderers.”
Her words sent the entire hall into an uproar. The crowd finally pieced together the tragic history of The Winterdawn Pack, the only daughter of the wise Alpha and Luna had been alive all this time, standing before them.
A cruel smile curled at my lips. I reveled in the sight of Ruby finally sinking her claws into every vile creature who dared to speak ill of her or feed her lies.
That’s my woman. A fast learner.
Leonidas continued, “Camila Lucienne, you are charged with aiding in fraud, conspiring against the rightful Luna, and attempting to produce an illegitimate heir to the pack. Your sentence is ten years of servitude before your scheduled execution. As for your child, once born, they will be placed under the legal custody of their biological father.” “WHAT?!” Camila’s shrill scream echoed through the hall. “No, no! You can’t do this! Dominic, say something!”
was consumed by a fury as fierce as volcanic lava. His blazing
Dominic’s face was blank for a fleeting moment before it
eyes snapped toward her.
“Biological father? What is the meaning of this?!”
A parchment containing the DNA test results was handed to him. He snatched it, his hands trembling as he read the words inscribed on it. His breathing turned shallow, and the feral roar of his wolf split through the air of the courtroom.
“You… you lying whore!”
Camila whimpered. “Dominic, please! It was only once! I thought-”
“You thought what?! That you could fool me? That you could pass off another man’s bastard as mine?!”
Dominic lunged at her, but the chains binding him held him in place.
“You will die by my hands, Camila Lucienne!”
Camila screamed, collapsing to her knees as Dominic managed to kick her. She instinctively cradled her swollen belly, while on the other side, Jake Smith tensed, fearing that the unborn child might suffer complications. Dominic continued to hurl curses at Camila, his rage unrelenting as he spat at her. The abuse sent Camila into hysteria.
And then, she turned her gaze toward my throne. She knelt, rubbing her hands together in a desperate plea.
“Your Majesty, please, I beg you! I will do anything! Just don’t take my baby away!”
“Your pleas mean nothing,” I said coldly. “Your child deserves better than to be raised by a deceiver.”
Jake, who had remained silent until now, finally stepped forward, his fists clenched.
“As stated in today’s ruling, I will take my child. I will raise them away from all of this.”
Camila sobbed harder, unable to fight back or defend herself any longer. A wise choice–because she would find no mercy from me.
Leonidas read the final charges.
“Dominic Foster, you are charged with attempting to seize the crown’s power, defiling the legacy of the Winterdawn Pack, and conspiring with enemies to weaken the kingdom. Your sentence is ten years of forced labor before execution.”
“DAMN YOU, THE CURSED TYRANT! You think I will bow to you? I’d rather die than serve your kind!” Dominic roared, struggling wildly against his chains.
I rose from my throne, descending the steps until I towered over him.
“Oh, what a shame. Reality is such a painful thing, isn’t it, Dominic?” I murmured, lazily wiggling two fingers toward my feet. ” You will kneel. You will serve. And you will break long before I grant you the mercy of death.”
His jaw clenched, muscles twitching as every vein in his body strained under the weight of his seething hatred.
“You bastard! I hope one day you-”
I grabbed his throat before he could finish, lifting him slightly as his body convulsed in a desperate struggle for air. “Accept your fate. Ten years is more than enough time for repentance,” I said, smiling as sweetly as artificial saccharin. His eyes flickered toward Ruby before shifting back to me, and realization dawned upon him.
“I see now. You did all of this… for her? You conspired together!”
I tightened my grip, claws digging into his strained neck.
“How foolish can you be? We have been together ever since you tossed her aside for sweet little Ruby’s fake sister.”
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Chapter 77: The Court and Freedom
His body sagged in my grasp, and I let him fall to the floor, coughing and gasping for breath. Turning my back on him, I faced Ruby. Her eyes were on me, unreadable.
“Are you satisfied with the outcome, love?”
“Yes,”
A hushed murmur rippled through the hall at my words. Nathaniel and Evelyn’s faces contorted with horror as the weight of their mistakes crushed them. Camila sobbed on the floor, while Dominic remained the loudest prisoner, spewing nonsense about justice and tossing out empty death threats easily the worst joke of the new year.
“Then let justice be served. Take them away!”
The hall erupted into chaos as the traitors were dragged from our sight. Camila screamed, Dominic cursed, and Nathaniel and Evelyn wailed over the imminent end of their pathetic lives.
“Thank you, Killian.”
I closed my eyes, savoring the softness of her voice, a slow smile curving my lips as I kept my hand securely at her side. Ruby rested her forehead against my shoulder, her body trembling slightly.
“I’m finally free of them.”
I pressed a kiss to her temple. “Yes, my Ruby. Spread your wings and soar high to the happiness that awaits you.”
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