Chapter 11: The judgment and Punishment: part:1
1498 Words
After eating, Damian and I went downstairs. He was holding my hand, leading me toward the pack exit. As we walked, I could feel curious glances from the pack members around the house. They were all looking at me like I was a different person. I can’t really blame them—I’m looking prettier and hotter, so it’s no surprise. I totally get it.
I felt really confident and proud of myself today. Then Damian looked at me with a smirk on his face and said, "you have always been beautiful, but you look even prettier and hotter now.” I realized he’d heard my thoughts and I quickly looked away, feeling shy. But it still didn’t change the fact that I was really a nervous wreck because of the court hearing.
I’m not sure what’s going to come out of this hearing—whether it’ll favor me or Vanessa. My parents have immense power in the pack, and Vanessa’s their favorite daughter. But if it goes my way, my mother might kill me, and I don’t want her yelling at me. My mother’s always been cold toward me, making me wonder sometimes if she’s even my real mother. When I was fifteen, she made me stop calling her ‘Mum’ and instead address her as ‘Beta female’ or call her ‘Mrs Linda’ which is weird, but I just went along with it.
As we got close to the car, my mind was all over the place, feeling nervous. I didn’t even hear Damian talking to me until he squeezed my hand reassuringly. I snapped out of my thoughts, looked at him, and he asked, “Are you okay? Are you ready to go?” I said yes.
Just as we were about to get into the car, I heard a voice behind us: “Hello, Browning Coils, been a while.” I turned around and saw Josh smiling at me. I was so happy that I pulled my hand from Damian’s and went into Josh’s arms, hugging him tight. I missed him so much.
Josh and Mark have always been my protectors and guardian angels in this pack. They, along with the Luna, made me stand strong and didn’t let me break when everyone else tried to. They protected me in the best way they could, and I’ve always been grateful for that.
While I was hugging Josh, I felt a pat on my back and turned to find Mark smiling at me. I was so happy and hugged him tight too. He whispered in my ear, “We missed you too.”
Josh and Mark have always treated me like a younger sister, but honestly, I’ve always hoped one of them would be my mate. That’s why I was really looking forward to my eighteenth birthday—I hoped either Josh or Mark would be my mate. I was surprised when I ended up mated to Damian, who’s been nothing but cold to me.
The truth is, Damian, Josh, Mark, and I have always been close since we were kids, even though they’re five years older than me. My grandmother was the head warrior, and they always came around for combat training. She trained them in combat and other things, and after training, she’d make muffins and chocolate drinks for us. We’d all drink and have fun together. They were so close to me, always playing with me and teaching me a little self-defense.But shortly after my grandmother died, Damian changed into a different person I didn’t even recognize. Josh and Mark, though, remained true and loyal to me, which I always appreciated.
While I was still hugging them, we heard a throat clear behind us. I turned to find Damian with a hurt and pained expression, which left me confused about why he looked that way.
As we approached the courthouse, the tension in the car was palpable. Damian was clenching his fist tightly, and I could feel the weight of his emotions through the bond. Josh was driving, Mark was in the passenger seat, and Damian and I were in the back. I glanced at Josh and Mark, then at Damian, and realized they were having a mind link.
We stepped out of the car and headed inside. Everyone was bowing their heads in respect for Damian, while some gave me looks of sympathy and curiosity. Others had shocked expressions on their faces when they looked at me, making me wonder if my new look was really that surprising.
Inside the courtroom, I saw the Alpha and Luna sitting at the head table, with my father and mother on the right, and Mark's parents on the left. Empty seats on the other side were for Damian, Josh, Mark, and me. We sat down, with the elders at one end.
One of the elders stood up and said, “Attention, everybody. Get to your seats. Let the offenders be brought in.” We heard the sound of chains and then saw Vanessa, Tracy, Tiffany and Matthew being led in by prison guards. I was shocked to see Matthew, who belongs to the neighboring pack. Damian must've seen my confusion and whispered, “His Alpha is aware of his crimes against my future Luna and permitted judgment to be carried out. His family and pack members have accepted his fate and approved under Werewolf Law, he explained and I nodded.
I looked at Vanessa she looked terrible. Her usually straight, well-packed blonde hair was messy, and she had a haggard look with deep bruises on her body. Tiffany, Tracy, were no better; Matthew had a big gash on her face. I recognized the warriors with them — they'd always tortured me in the dungeon on Vanessa's orders.
The courtroom was quiet with tension as the offenders stood before us.
Elder Michael rose, his voice cutting through the heavy silence of the courtroom. He began to read out Vanessa’s crimes against me, and I felt a shiver run down my spine as I realized just how much I had suffered at her hands. The list of offenses was long and brutal, and I could see the shock on everyone’s faces as they listened.
“Vanessa Valkor is being charged with abusing her sister, Sofia Valkor, and The “Rhi’la” of the pack. When the elder spoke, he called me by my tribal Title, Rhi’la, a Title given to the future Luna of the pack. Hearing it out loud made it real—if I accept Damian, I’m truly meant to be the pack’s future Luna. It hit me hard, and I could feel the weight of that destiny settling on my shoulders.
Elder Michael announced, his eyes scanning the room. “The offenses include: repeated physical torture, where Vanessa would order warriors to drag Sofia to the dungeon and inflict unimaginable pain on her, using various objects to cut into her skin, Injecting wolfsbane into her.
He continued, “Vanessa also subjected Sofia to emotional abuse, constantly belittling her, making her feel worthless and unloved. She would isolate Sofia from the pack, spreading lies and rumors (rumors that she is coursed anyone who goes close to her will be coursed by the goddess) to turn others against her, But the worst of her crimes was when she attacked Sofia in the bathroom with her friends, almost costing her life. It was only through the interference of the “Ulriken” (meaning future alpha), Sofia’s mate, that she was saved.”
As Elder Michael spoke, I could see the reactions of those around me. My mother’s face was twisted in fury, her eyes blazing with anger. But it wasn’t directed at Vanessa; it was at me. She seemed to be blaming me for bringing shame to the family. My father, on the other hand, was expressionless, his face a mask of indifference.
My mother stood up, her voice shrill as she countered, “That’s not true! My daughter Vanessa never did any of that. All these lies are being told by Sofia. Vanessa is a sweet girl and would never hurt her sister like that.”
Elder Michael’s eyes narrowed. “Contain yourself, Beta Linda. Beta Ben please contain your.” My father quickly pulled my mother back down into her seat, his grip firm.
Elder Michael continued, “Sofia didn’t tell us anything about the abuse. We conducted investigations, interrogated the warriors, and when they were alpha-commanded, they spoke the truth. Tiffany and Tracy also confessed everything. And, when the Alpha commanded Vanessa, she admitted to her crimes herself.”
The Alpha stood up, his presence commanding attention. “Vanessa, for the crimes you have committed against your own flesh and blood, judgment will be carried out.” He turned to Elder Philip. “Elder Philip, please read out the punishment for us.”
The room held its breath as Elder Philip prepared to speak, the weight of Vanessa’s fate hanging in the balance.
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