Chapter 222 The Worst Was Yet To Come

Chapter 222 The Worst Was Yet To Come
Isabella's POV

Richard sat beside me, his jaw tight, eyes hard. The accusations against Victoria didn't surprise him; they merely confirmed what he already knew. But the hatred radiating from him toward Lya and Damian was palpable. I shifted uncomfortably, remembering his earlier fury when Damian had used an Alpha command on him.

Across from us, Airina sat with Sophia and other pack members, their expressions transforming from stunned disbelief to horror as each accusation landed. Victoria was sobbing quietly beside Sebastian, who had his arm around her shoulders, whispering what I assumed were words of comfort.

Then Sebastian did something that surprised me. He stood up.

My confusion deepened as I watched him walk to the center of the chamber, standing tall before Lya. Even with silver handcuffs binding his wrists, he maintained the dignified posture of a Beta.

"Lya, enough," Sebastian said, his voice carrying through the silent room. "I demand you end this now."

Lya raised an eyebrow, her expression cool and composed. "It's Luna Lya, father. End what exactly?"

Sebastian's face tightened at her correction. "I am asking you to consider your mother—"

"Foster mother," Lya interrupted.

"Your foster mother," Sebastian continued, "and what this is doing to her. Please, can you not show some mercy to the woman who raised you?"

I watched as something flashed across Lya's face – pain, perhaps, or anger. It was quickly contained, but I saw Damian step closer to her, a silent show of support.

"Where was her mercy when she beat me?" Lya asked, her voice suddenly raw with emotion. "Where was her mercy when she told me she wished I had died instead of Airina? Where was her mercy when Airina tortured me under the guise of Luna training?"

_Again, what?_ I felt sick. I knew Victoria had never been warm toward Lya, but this? And Luna training? Airina had been only sixteen when she began her Luna training – far too young. It should have started only after her mate was confirmed.

Sebastian's expression hardened. "She is your foster mother, she raised you for so many years. For Moon Goddess's sake... she loved you in her own way." His voice dropped, taking on a gentler tone. "Family forgives each other."

"She hired wolves to kill me!!!" Lya's voice broke with emotion, echoing through the chamber.

Sebastian faltered but quickly recovered. "She thought you killed Airina! She thought you stole Airina's mate! She was confused—"

"Confused?" Lya repeated incredulously.

"Is your revenge really more important than caring for your family?" Sebastian asked, his voice tinged with disapproval.

"This isn't about revenge!" Lya cried out, and I could see cracks appearing in her composure, tears welling in her eyes. The power that had been radiating from her throughout the hearing seemed to waver.

"I have always loved you, father," she continued, her voice softening. "I told myself you didn't know what she was doing, that if you knew, you would never have allowed it to continue. But here you are, defending her."

"She is my mate and my wife! Of course I defend her!" Sebastian shouted.

"And I am your daughter!!!" Lya screamed, the raw pain in her voice making everyone in the chamber flinch.

Sebastian paused, something shifting in his expression. When he spoke again, his voice was quieter, more measured.

"Your mother – Victoria – lost Noah for years. She lost her sister. These things... they would break the strongest of wolves. And Victoria wasn't as strong as us." He took a deep breath. "Lya, I'm begging you... for the sake of me being your father... for the sake of your foster mother... think of your family. End this public spectacle. We'll get your foster mother some therapy... I'll go with her. I'll even get some myself. But please don't continue with this. It needs to end."

I watched as Damian moved behind Lya, wrapping his arms around her. She leaned against his shoulder, composing herself. For a moment, I thought she might agree to Sebastian's request. I wasn't sure how I felt about that possibility – part of me wanted to see the truth exposed, but another part recognized the pain it was causing everyone.

When Lya spoke again, her voice was calm and clear.

"This isn't about me, father. I endured years of abuse and torture without complaint. If this was only about me, I would take your suggestion. But it's not... I understand foster mother suffered greatly, and I'm sorry for that. But it doesn't excuse what she did. Nor what she allowed and encouraged to happen."

Lya gestured toward our box and the others. "Nor does it excuse what you, or anyone else in these boxes, did. There are real victims here, many, many of them, and they deserve justice too. Sit down, father. The hearing will continue."

Sebastian looked as though he wanted to say more, but something in Lya's expression stopped him. He returned to his seat beside Victoria, who glared at Lya with undisguised hatred.

"I'd like to invite our first witness to the microphone," Lya announced, gesturing to a young female wolf who approached nervously.

Over the next three hours, one witness after another came forward. Each story was worse than the last – tales of abuse, exploitation, manipulation. Young wolves forced into relationships. Females punished for rejecting advances. Males threatened for protecting their mates or sisters.

I couldn't stop vomiting. Each revelation hit me like a physical blow. Dr. Moore had to pause the proceedings briefly to check on me. At his suggestion, my silver handcuffs were removed to allow my wolf to help heal me. He recommended I go to the clinic for an IV.

"No," I said quickly, wiping my mouth. "I don't want to leave. These atrocities happened in my pack, under my leadership... I owe it to the victims to hear them out."

Dr. Moore looked concerned but didn't argue. He gave me anti-nausea medication and a bucket, then returned to his seat.

In truth, I had refused to listen when complaints about Victoria and Airina had been brought to me. I had dismissed them as jealousy or misunderstandings. I hadn't wanted to know how bad things were. Now that I did know, I had a responsibility to listen.

In the end, I was glad I stayed. Because the worst was yet to come.