The Alpha's Fated Outcast: Rise Of The Moonsinger. - Chapter 219

Chapter 219: The trial…
Lyla

My heart pounded against my ribcage as I stepped into the grand hall of the council building. The first time I was here, Mother Liora had been here too and that was when I was announced as the Moonsinger.

Now a few months later, I was back to the same people who had looked at me in disdain and had scoffed when Mother Liora had announced me as the Moonsinger and this time, they were larger than before.

The heavy doors shut behind me the moment I crossed the threshold. Dozens of pairs of eyes locked onto me – cold, judgemental stares from the Lycans – most of them were older. Their expressions were a mixture of disdain and scepticism and something I couldn’t decipher.

First, I was a werewolf. Although they were a hybrid of our species, they treated us like outcasts. To an average, Lycan, a werewolf was a stain, something that never should have been created in the first place.

I lifted my chin, refusing to be cowed by their obvious contempt. Keeping my head high, I continued walking, only stopping when a young Lycan appeared at my side, his formal attrite marking him as one of the council’s assistants. Without a word, he guided me through the hostility toward a wooden structure – a small, open booth with a low stool inside. My stomach twisted at the sight. This was a trail stand, used for criminals.

My heart pounded as my eyes darted around the hall desperately, searching for any friendly, familiar face, an ally, someone – anyone who could stand with me and offer even the smallest reassurance. But the only familiar faces I could spot were those of my tormentors – Elders from White Moon Pack. Their smug expressions were evidence that they were enjoying every second of my discomfort.

I turned back again, searching for Lenny but he was nowhere to be seen. There was no sign of Ramsey either – he had promised we were in this together and he would have my back yet now when I needed him most, he was nowhere to be seen.

Another young Lycan dressed in a similar outfit as the first one that had guided me to the booth approached him, only he had a sash across his shoulder. He was the truth keeper.

“Place your right hand over your heart,” he instructed his voice carrying across the silent hall.

I stared at him in surprise. Why did they want me to swear? No one had mentioned a trial. There were protocols for these things. Trials were always preceded by formal notices, weren’t they? It was one of the few protections offered to the accused. I scanned the hall again, searching for Lenny, but there was no sign of him.

I wanted to protest but it was useless. One look at the stern faces of the Elders, made me realize this was no ordinary trial. This was a trap and I had walked right into it.

“Okay!” I finally nodded pushing back tears.

The young Lycan murmured. “Do you swear by the sacred laws of the Moon Goddess and the protection of the White Moon throne to speak nothing but the truth?”

I placed my hand over my heart, hoping my voice was still strong. “I swear.”

After that, an older Lycan came forward. He was dressed in elaborate robes marking him as one of the senior council members. His eyes were cold as winter frost as he regarded me and his voice carried authority.

“I will now ask you several questions. Remember your oath and answer truthfully.”

I inclined my head, my fingers tightening at my sides and my throat tight with anxiety.

His gaze bore into me. “Why did you attempt to murder Cassidy Thorne – Elder Thorne’s daughter and Lycan to the White Lake Pack?”

The question struck me like a lightning bolt and I froze in place for a moment. I was still trying to process the accusation when another question dropped again.

“Also, where were you at the night of the Harvest Moon Festival – thirty minutes before the festival started? Do you have anyone that can attest to your whereabouts at the time of the festival? More so, you disrupted the White Throne wedding by luring the Lycan Leader to your pack and holding him hostage a night before the wedding. Do you have anything to say for yourself regarding that?”

I just stood there staring like a zombie. First, the questions were not the kind of questions that you could just close your eyes and answer. How the fuck was I supposed to remember what happened thirty minutes before the festival? Oh! I do remember, but then I was Nymeris and not Lyla. And how or when did I attempt to murder Cassidy?

“Did you hear me?” the Elder called my attention, he was staring at me quietly. Do you need me to go ahead with the rest of the questions?”

Man! I haven’t even answered the other questions.

Lenny’s warning echoed in my head. Before I could formulate a response -anything at this point, the doors of the hall swung open, the force of it sending a rush of cold air into the hall.

The temperature seemed to drop several degrees as an overwhelming presence stepped into the hall. Immediately, the Lycans all rose to their feet, I could see surprise on the faces of a few of them.

I didn’t need anyone to tell me it was Ramsey. I turned instinctively, as I stared at my man.

He stood tall in the doorway dressed in the ceremonial attire of the Lycan Leader – regal, powerful and every bit as formidable as I had seen him the first day across the hall of that gala event. This will be the fourth time I am seeing him in his formal regalia and somehow, whenever I see him, he looks even more magnificent than before.

His eyes were on me. He barely acknowledged anyone else in the hall as he strode directly to the booth. When he reached, he ripped the small entrance of the booth that was locked with a key as if it were nothing and extended his hand to me.

Immediately, the hall erupted into protests and the Elders began to speak all at once.

“Lycan Leader, you’re interrupting an official tribunal…”

“She’s on trial…”

“This is unacceptable!”

Ramsey cupped my face in his, as his eyes scanned every part of my body. When our gaze met again, he placed a kiss on my forehead and murmuered.

“Are you alright?”

I nodded, trying to hold back tears. At that moment, I felt powerful. “But the elders – they’re livid.”

“They can wait for a few more minutes,” he replied. “I want to make sure you’re fine first. Are you though? Did they try to hurt you or anything?”

I shook my head, managing a smile. “Lenny drove me here and so far, I’ve been asked questions that I cannot answer. They’re acussing me of trying to murder Cassidy.”

He nodded. “Don’t worry, I’m here now. The universe forbid that I stand here and watch my mate being tried like a common criminal. I will die a thousand deaths before I let that happen. Come with me…”

I didn’t have time to protest because he was already leading me towards the empty seat on the raised platform in the hall. When we go there, I thought I would just stand next to him but Ramsey deposited me on his seat, before he turned to face the raging crowd of elders.

“Who called for this tribunal?” Ramsey asked.

The hall immediately quietened as the Elders all turned looking at each other.

Elder Eldric – Ramsey’s grandfather finally rose to his feet. His face mirroring Ramsey’s. “I did!”

“I didn’t remember granting you the permission to go ahead with this tribunal. In fact, if memory serves me right, I told you that I needed a breather. My wedding had just been called off and a lot was going on. Why did you go ahead to organize it?”

“It is withing my jurisdiction and that of the Senior elders of this council. Besides, this is what we do. This is our duty. A threat to the White Moon Throne is a threat to our world and at such, we must…”

“Do nothing!” Ramsey thundered. “You have no right – it is not within your jurisdiction to organize a tribunal all in an attempt to accuse my mate of crimes she didn’t commit.”

“She did. We have proof!” Elder Eldric said steely, holding his grandson’s gaze. “There is no need for me to lie about what is the truth. Lyla Woodland – the illegitimate daughter of Alpha Logan Woodland tried to murder Cassidy Thorne – the rightfiul Luna of the White Moon Throne…”

“You don’t want to do that with me, grandpa!” Ramsey resorted to a casual tone. His eyes had gone completely emotionless. “But I’m going to accord you the respect since we’re family and allow you to correct your mistakes regarding this allegations against my mate.”

“They’re not allegations, Lycan Leader,” Elder Eldric said fiercely. “I am not here to soothe you with words and satisfy your ego because one woman makes your groin hot. I am here to tell you the truth.”

“And if I prove it is a lie?” Ramsey asked.

His grandfather raised his chin higher. “Then you may do as you please, Alpha!”

Ramsey nodded and snapped his fingers. The door opened again and Cassidy walked in.