Trials and Tribulations

Bambi

As Ekon’s wolf retreated and he returned to normal, his face displayed an expression of pure betrayal.

“You’re…you’re lying to cover for your friend,” he said in disbelief. “There’s no way you’re behind what I saw in that room.”

“I gave Ela the authorization to access the restricted files. I involved her and Victoria and, later, Holly, in my own investigation. None of them should be held responsible. They acted under the Luna’s orders.”

My voice was shaky, but I remained steadfast. I wouldn’t let Ekon punish these girls for my actions.

“That’s not true, Alpha,” Victoria said suddenly, jumping in.

Ryland flinched at Victoria’s words. He was in a terrible position, between his Alpha and his mate, both people that he’d sworn loyalty to.

“I made my own decision. I wasn’t ordered by Luna Bambi to do anything that I didn’t want to do,” she said stubbornly.

“Nor did I,” replied Holly.

“We were in this together,” Ela said in solidarity.

I was touched by my friends’ refusal to let me take all the blame but also angry that they were putting themselves in this position.

I knew whatever punishment Ekon doled out would affect me the least. They didn’t understand that I was just trying to save their skin.

“If that’s the case, then you will all be punished equally,” Ekon growled.

He stormed over to Ela’s shackles, unlocking them, and she tearfully embraced Kalindi.

He ushered in some Delta guards from outside, and they surrounded us like we were cattle being herded out of our pen.

“Ekon, there’s no need for this,” I said angrily. “We can talk about this rationally.”

“What rationale was my mate using when she lied to me and conducted this reckless, foolish investigation without thinking of the consequences?” he asked the room, acting as if I wasn’t even there.

The Deltas led us out of the cell and down the hallway until we reached an almost empty metal room, holding nothing but a rusty table and chairs.

Ekon motioned for me, Victoria, Ela, and Holly to sit.

“Beta Ryland and Gamma Kalindi, you will wait outside as I conduct this interrogation. You’re both too close to this,” Ekon said coldly.

Neither Ryland or Kalindi looked happy about his decision, but they knew better than to question their Alpha when their loved ones were on the line.

They left us alone with Ekon, who stood in silence, likely thinking of all the ways he could pass judgment on us.

But I wasn’t going to be silent anymore. I had held my tongue for too long.

“I did this for you, Ekon. It was for your own safety.”

“I’m the one who is supposed to protect you!” he snarled. “But how can I do that when you’re putting yourself and others in danger behind my back?”

“You wouldn’t listen!” I found myself getting heated. “You never listen. I tried to tell you about Matthias, but your only reaction was anger. I had no choice but to handle it myself.”

Ekon looked furious. “Don’t fucking start up about Matthias again. He’s dead. Do you fucking hear me? HE’S DEAD!”

“He’s the one who attacked me in the woods—I’m sure of it. He must’ve been afraid that we were getting too close to—”

Ekon roared so loud that Victoria and Holly covered their ears.

He picked up the metal table separating us and threw it against the wall. It landed on the floor, a dented mess.

Panting heavily, Ekon turned back to me as sweat dripped down his face. He was putting all his energy into not shifting again.

“You will cease this nonsense immediately. This little game you’ve been playing is over,” Ekon said, trying to keep his composure. “You’ve been exposed to more than you could handle in these past few months, and I take responsibility for that, but I still have to maintain my duty as the Alpha of this pack. I assure you that your punishment will be fair.”

~So, he refuses to listen…~

~Or to take action.~

~I can’t accept that.~

~I know in my heart what’s true, and I have to expose it.~

~Even at the risk of hurting my relationship with my mate.~

What I was about to do might create a gap between us that I couldn’t close back up, but I had to do what was best for the realm.

“I…I want a lawyer,” I said softly. “I want the Royal Council to decide what a fair punishment is.”

“You…you want a trial?” Ekon asked, pain seeping into his voice.

I looked at the girls, and they nodded in agreement.

“Yes,” I replied.

Ekon looked as though I had just shot him in the heart.

It was only hours earlier that we had professed our love for one another, and now I was saying that I didn’t trust him to have the ability to be fair.

But he didn’t have enough trust in me either. He still refused to hear what I had to say about Matthias.

This was the only option.

“Very well…if you have no faith in your mate, then I’ll give you your trial,” he responded after he’d composed himself, his words emotionless. “But I hope you understand that not even I can change a decision made by the Royal Council.”

With that warning, he left the room without another word.

***

I stayed the night with Ela, and we met Holly and Victoria at the library in the morning to plan our next move.

The first thing we needed was a lawyer, and luckily Ela had a background in law, so she knew how this was going to work.

“The Royal Council is made up of the king and six alphas, including Ekon. Since he’s involved in the case, he’ll be replaced by someone of the king’s choice. Your brother, Max, is also likely to be replaced, since he’s not in a position to be impartial,” Ela explained.

“Depending on their replacements, that could work against us,” Victoria said, worried.

“It’s true.” Ela nodded. “We won’t have anyone on the council to sway votes to our side, which means our case will have to be foolproof.”

“Then we need a damn good lawyer.” Holly sighed. “And who would be crazy enough to take this case?”

She had a good point. No lawyer was going to put their reputation on the line to defend someone who was trying to prove that Matthias was back and that he presented a real threat to the realm.

Those had been dark times that everyone tried to push out of their memories, including Ekon.

I pulled out my phone and started texting my brother. “Maybe Max will have some kind of sage advice, because I’m at a loss.”

Bambi

Max, please tell me you know a good lawyer

Max

i’ve been calling everyone I can think of…

Bambi

And?

Max

and they’ve all turned me down.

Bambi

What do I do? This feels hopeless…

Max

stay strong, Bambi. i’ll be at your side soon.

Bambi

You’ll be the only one at my side…

Max

i’m always on your side, little doe.

Max

but trust me, I’m not the only one.

Max

there are others that believe the signs

Max

they haven’t forgotten what Matthias has done…

I was suddenly struck by Max’s words, and I remembered something that Ekon had told me.

His friend, Alpha Leonardo Salvatore, had lost his mate at the hands of Matthias.

He’d wanted to kill the monster himself, but Ekon beat him to it, or so they’d thought.

If there was one person that could empathize with what I was trying to do, it was him.

But it was a long shot…

How did I know he wouldn’t just react like Ekon did every time I brought up Matthias?

I had to at least try…

“Ela, do you have Alpha Leonardo’s phone number?”

“Yes, but…why do you want to contact him?” she asked, confused. “He’s on the Royal Council.”

“Because Matthias killed his mate. He may be the only one that will understand what we’re trying to do.”

“Removing him from the Council to represent us would be a risky move. That’s a third question mark for who will be judging our case,” Victoria said cautiously.

“It’s worth the risk,” I said as Ela handed me her ringing phone.

A receptionist picked up. “Alpha Leonardo Salvatore’s office. How may I direct you?”

“Um, I need to speak to Alpha Leonardo,” I responded.

“Is he expecting your call?” she asked with a note of sharpness.

“No, but I—”

“The Alpha is a very busy man. I can schedule a consultation in several weeks if this is a legal matter, but if it’s related to his Council duties, I can redirect you to his Beta—”

Ela grabbed the phone from me and started shouting into it. “You’re speaking to Alpha Supreme Ekon Jedrek’s Luna, and she’ll be connected to Alpha Leonardo this fucking instant!”

My eyes widened, but after a moment of silence, I heard a click and the phone began to ring again.

“Works every time.” Ela grinned. I let out a giggle.

A deep, authoritative voice answered. “Luna Bambi? This is Alpha Salvatore. I must admit this is an unexpected call.”

“And I’m sorry to impose so suddenly, but it’s urgent. I need your help. I need you to represent me against Ekon.”

“I’m well aware of your situation, Bambi, but what makes you think that I’d take on your case? You’re facing charges of stealing intelligence files, usage of restricted data, summoning prohibited supernatural elements, espionage, theft of sensitive data, and ~pack treason~.”

It sounded pretty damn bad when he listed it out like that…

“You’re not aware of the whole situation, Alpha Leonardo. I’m asking you because I know you’re the one person who will understand why I did what I did.”

“And why is that?” he asked, sounding skeptical.

“Because I have evidence that Matthias may still be alive, and I intend to share that evidence with the court,” I said confidently.

There was a moment of silence on the other end, but Leonardo’s deep voice finally returned.

“Well then, Bambi, let’s get to work.”