Chapter 123: Judgment by Blood and Bone

POV Therak:

“What are you talking about?” Kalil asks, crossing his arms, clearly entertained.

“Law 7,894 of the Codex Quattuor Lunae, the oldest Lykae book, states that if a shifter is no longer part of the High Council but has not been accused of treason, he must be judged with the same privileges he held while occupying his seat. I am not being judged for treason, and as you can all see, my name is still carved into the chair that belongs to me.” I point to it. “Which reinforces my right to invoke law 14,893, paragraph 2, which states that—”

“The crimes of an Alpha must be forgiven if he offers something of great value as sacrifice,” Daiki finishes, sounding almost impressed.

“Exactly.” I nod, enjoying the murmurs of disbelief. “And my sacrifice is the heart of Declan Nunuk, the former Alpha of Moonclaw Ridge.”

“That’s absurd!” my father roars, overpowering the noise of the Council debating. “You cannot do that!”

I ignore him and look at Begay, Asher, and Una, who cheer me on through our bond.

Their smiles and mental caresses strengthen my certainty that I’m doing the right thing.

Fighting for the family we built.

“Yes, I can,” I say, turning back to him. “Because I am invoking the Blood Law. Two males. A fight to the death. The winner takes everything. As my mate likes to say—it’s simple.”

Chaos erupts around me, but I focus only on Declan’s face, twisted between hatred and panic.

I understand his desperation.

He called the Council expecting my head on a platter.

He didn’t expect me to know the laws—and use them against him.

Hyder’s roar echoes through the room, silencing the uproar and allowing Daiki to speak the final judgment, which I already know.

“The challenge has been issued under the Blood Law, supported by the Codex Quattuor Lunae, whose clauses remain in effect,” the elephant declares with authority. “And Declan Nunuk, as the former Alpha of Moonclaw Ridge and claimant in this trial, is legally bound to accept. The fight will take place immediately, and only one will leave the arena alive.”

“May the Goddess see and judge,” the Council responds in unison.

Some reluctantly. Others eager for the carnage.

I face my father, trembling like paper, and smile as I speak the final part of the ritual:

“May the ancient gods witness the blood that will be shed, and may Morana claim the soul of the loser.

"Yours.”

(...)

POV Una:

I listen to the people around me making bets on who will win the fight, and my stomach hurts when I realize that most believe my mate will die.

"Stay calm. Everything will work out." Begay whispers, grabbing my hand and squeezing it, trying to transmit strength to me. From the way he trembles, it might also be that he is trying to gain strength.

"Therak is a powerful male. We've seen how big and strong he is, when he lost control. He will definitely win." Asher states, sounding so convinced that it calms me. A little, but it's something...

Therak seems calm in the center of the circle. Proud. I would even say he is having fun, given the sideways smile he keeps on his face as he watches Declan begin to circle him.

The coward wants to attack him from behind. Begay grumbles through the mental bond.

Of course he does. He knows he has no chance against Therak. That's why he called the Council in the first place. He needed support to face the true Alpha. Asher responds, crossing his arms over his chest.

My gaze turns to the circle of salt, which has been piquing my curiosity since we arrived.

Does that have some function? I ask, indicating the line with a movement of my head.

Yes. It's a magical barrier. It doesn't allow other Lykae to enter and disrupt the fight. The red lynx explains.

It also prevents them from throwing poison or other items that would help one side cheat. The fight must occur only with the natural powers that... Ash doesn't complete the information, for the fight truly begins, with Declan throwing himself at Therak in bear form.

The ex-Alpha's growl makes the walls tremble, but it doesn't have even half the strength of one of Therak's roars — just as his transformed body, smaller and weaker, also doesn't compare to the great predator that is my transformed mate.

How can he think he will win?

Declan moves with blind fury, his mouth wide open, trying to grab any part of Therak within reach.

My male easily dodges the clumsy swipes, because his body is still that of a human — therefore, more slender and faster —, and he ends up managing to kick the animal's flank, which stumbles in a pathetic way and falls, showing everyone that he is not as superior as he claimed.

The crack of breaking bones echoes through the basement, due to the deafening silence that settled in after the first blow.

Everyone seems to stop breathing when Declan grunts in pain and turns quickly, launching his enormous paw toward Therak's head. It's clear that hatred is controlling his movements, now even more animalistic and careless.

Even his body, which was previously fully in bear form, seems to be dominated by savagery, as I see his limbs change in a strange way, becoming between animal and human — arms too long, but with skin instead of fur. Short legs. Curved spine. Sharp fangs in a human mouth.

Declan has lost his head and control of his orsai. He is fighting like a cornered animal. Asher says, seeming worried for the first time.

My heart leaps in my chest in fright when the ex-Alpha's deformed mouth scrapes past Therak's jugular, who dodges at the last instant by throwing himself to the ground.

The blond rolls to the edge of the circle, on the opposite side from where we are, and I see that all the amusement in his eyes has been replaced by an icy cold.

He got tired of playing. Begay thinks, biting the tip of his thumb to contain his anxiety.

"Therak has already shown what he wanted. His father is unstable. Doesn't have an Alpha's mind. Can't even hit him. He has already humiliated the decrepit old man. Now, he will kill him." This time, Asher says it out loud and clear, which makes several people take their eyes off the fight to stare at us. Including Declan himself, who roars with fury.

Therak takes the opportunity to land a punch on his father's snout, which shatters with a nauseating sound, spraying blood everywhere.

Declan throws himself on the ground, covering his injured face — now more human than ursine — with his front paws. It's strange how he throws himself on his back, opening up room for Therak to strike him again.

No animal would leave its back unprotected. You need to watch the enemy to ensure he doesn't attack you.

A feeling of unease takes over me as I watch Therak walk slowly toward his father, his shoulders relaxed, as if he has already won.

He is going to deliver the final blow. It becomes obvious to everyone.