Chapter 160

Chapter 160
Seraphina's POV

The morning sun streamed through the window at Northern Peak, warming my skin but unable to dispel the shadow weighing on my heart. I sat on the edge of the bed, nursing Vitalis, watching him suckle contentedly, seemingly oblivious to the turmoil in his mother's mind.

The door opened softly. Ember walked in. "Seraphina, news from Blackmane Pack." She sat beside me. "Mira's trial is set for three days from now."

My fingers instinctively tightened. Vitalis sensed my tension and let out a dissatisfied hum. I took a deep breath, trying to calm myself, and continued nursing. "Do I need to go?"

"It's your right, not your obligation." Ember took my hand. "But Seraphina, if you don't go, you might regret it. She tried to kill you and Vitalis. You have the right to witness her face judgment."

I looked down at the child in my arms. He'd finished feeding, his small hand gripping my finger, amber eyes full of trust. That dependence made my chest tighten.

"I want to go." I heard myself say. "Not for revenge, but for him. I need everyone to know that those who hurt us will ultimately pay the price."

A knock sounded. Lucian stood in the doorway, looking somewhat nervous, but his eyes were full of concern.

"Seraphina, I want to go with you. Not as Alpha, but as your mate. You don't have to face this alone."

I looked into his eyes, feeling his genuine emotion. Going to Blackmane Pack meant returning to the place that had hurt me, meant facing those painful memories again. But I couldn't run away, couldn't let Mira's crimes be easily covered up.

"Alright." I finally nodded.

The next morning, I stood by Vitalis's cradle, looking at his sleeping face. Willow walked in, leaning on her wooden staff, a kind smile on her face.

"Child, leave him with me. I'll guard him with my life."

I bent down to kiss Vitalis's forehead, whispering, "Mama will be back soon, baby. Be good."

Handing the cub to Willow, watching her gently soothe Vitalis, my heart settled somewhat.

"Seraphina," Willow said softly, "go do what you must. For Vitalis, and for yourself. Show them that justice exists."

I nodded, took a deep breath, and turned to leave.

Lucian was already waiting outside. "Nervous?"

"A little." I admitted. "I don't know how I'll react, seeing her, hearing those truths..."

"I'll be by your side the whole time." Lucian took my hand. "If it becomes too much, we can leave anytime."

I looked at our joined hands, something soft stirring in my chest. "Thank you, Lucian."

At dusk, the border of Blackmane Pack appeared on the horizon. The familiar scent hit me, and my body instinctively tensed—too many painful memories were intertwined with this place.

Lucian sensed my change, gripping my hand tighter. Soothing energy came through the mate bond, warm as if someone were gently stroking my soul.

"We can take our time," he said quietly.

We slowly entered pack territory. In the center of the square stood a trial platform. Seven massive moonstones formed a circle, surfaces carved with intricate runes, their silver-blue glow appearing sacred and solemn in the twilight.

Dwayne sat at the platform's center, wearing formal robes, expression grave. Flanking him were Elder Council members, each looking serious. Two empty seats stood before the platform, clearly meant for the accused.

I scanned the surroundings. Pack members had divided into two camps. Those near the platform looked angry and determined, obviously supporting harsh punishment for Mira; those farther away whispered among themselves, faces showing doubt and unease.

"Some still don't believe Mira could do those things," Lucian said quietly. "But the truth will speak."

I took a deep breath. "I'm ready."

Night fell, and the moonstones' glow intensified, illuminating the square like daylight. I stood in the crowd, heart racing, palms slightly damp.

Dwayne rose, his voice carrying across the square: "Tonight, under the Moon Goddess's witness, we judge two grave criminals—Mira Wilson and Samuel Bennett."

Warriors escorted Mira and Samuel onto the trial platform. The moment I saw them, I nearly held my breath.

Mira's wrists and ankles were bound with specially crafted silver chains. She lifted her head, scanning the crowd before her gaze landed on me. Her eyes flashed with malice, madness, and twisted satisfaction, her mouth even curving into an eerie smile.

My body trembled involuntarily. Lucian immediately gripped my hand tighter, warm energy flowing through the bond, helping me steady my emotions.

Samuel kept his head down, body shaking continuously, not daring to look at anyone. Sweat slid down his forehead, clearly visible under the moonstones' illumination.

Dwayne unrolled a scroll and began reading the charges, his voice cold and severe, each word hammering at my heart.

"Mira Wilson, you are charged with: First, deliberately sabotaging the sacred Moon Essence Purification ceremony, using forbidden shadow moon toxin to contaminate the ritual vessel; second, attempting to murder Alpha heir Vitalis, causing the ceremony's energy to spiral out of control, endangering all participants' lives; third, desecrating the Moon Goddess's grace, defiling a thousand-year sacred tradition."

Hearing these charges, my mind flashed to that day's chaos—the vessel's explosive shattering, the out-of-control energy, Vitalis's agonized cries. My eyes instantly moistened.

Angry murmurs erupted from the crowd. Even those who'd been skeptical began to waver upon hearing these charges.

"Samuel Bennett, you are charged with harboring a fugitive criminal and obstructing justice."

"Now, present the evidence."

Donny stepped onto the trial platform, holding a wooden box containing fragments of the ritual vessel. Under the moonstones' illumination, the black corrosion marks along the fragments' edges were clearly visible.

"These are the remnants of the ritual vessel." Donny's voice echoed across the square. "The vessel was made from thousand-year moonstone, theoretically indestructible. But at the ceremony's critical moment, it suddenly exploded."

He held up a fragment, pointing to the black marks: "After examination, these are corrosion marks left by shadow moon toxin. This toxin is extremely rare, specifically used to destroy moonlight energy condensation."

He presented a document: "This is a joint appraisal report from Northern Peak and three neighboring packs' authoritative healers. The conclusion is unanimous: the vessel's rupture was caused by deliberate poisoning."

The crowd's murmurs turned to angry shouts, rage and shock spreading through the air.

Claire stepped onto the trial platform, hands trembling slightly, but voice firm: "I testify. The evening before the ceremony, I saw Mira leave the guest quarters alone for a long time. When she returned, her hands had dirt on them and her clothes were disheveled. She said she'd fallen."

She paused, taking a deep breath: "Also, on the way to Northern Peak, I saw Mira staring at the ritual equipment box with a strange look—full of hatred and... a certain resolve. I thought I was overthinking it then, but now..."

A warrior also stepped forward: "I was on guard duty the night before the ceremony. Around midnight, I saw a wolf-form figure lurking near the ceremony site. When I gave chase, it had already fled, but the build and movement pattern—definitely a wolf."

Another warrior added: "Mira disappeared the night of the ceremony. She should have stayed in the guest quarters, but fled with her luggage. If she's innocent, why run?"

Dwayne looked at Mira: "Mira, what is your defense against these charges?"

Mira lifted her head, a twisted smile appearing on her face, chilling to behold.

"Defense? Why defend?" She sneered. "You've already decided I'm guilty, haven't you? I just left Northern Peak early—is that a crime? Maybe someone else framed me, pinned the poisoning on me."

"Then why did you run?" Dwayne demanded.

"Because I knew you'd do this to me!" Mira suddenly shrieked, voice piercing. "You're all biased toward that bitch!"

Her gaze shot toward me like a blade. "She's just a lowly border wolf—why does she get everything? Why does she become Luna? Why does she bear the Alpha's child?"

My body froze. Those malicious words seeped into my heart like poison.

"I grew up with Lucian!" Mira continued shrieking. "We're perfectly matched! It's her—it's Seraphina who stole everything that should have been mine!"

The square fell into dead silence, all eyes moving between Mira and me. My tears fell, but I forced myself to stand straight.

"Enough." Dwayne's voice thundered. "Mira, your motive is now clear. Jealousy blinded your heart, leading you down an unforgivable path."

"Now it's your turn. Samuel, you not only harbored a fugitive—according to our investigation, you're involved in other crimes. Tell us everything you know. Perhaps it will earn you leniency."

Samuel's face grew even paler. An ominous feeling rose in my chest.

"I... I'll tell. I'll tell everything." His voice trembled.

He took a deep breath. What came next plunged me into an icy abyss.

"The plan to kidnap Seraphina... Mira orchestrated it."

What?

Shocked gasps erupted from the crowd. I felt dizzy and disoriented. If Lucian hadn't steadied me, I might have collapsed.

Samuel's words poured out like a broken dam, unstoppable: "Mira contacted me through moonstone. She said if Seraphina disappeared, Lucian would return to her, and I'd get the benefits I wanted."

He pulled out several pieces of parchment from his chest with trembling hands. "These are records of messages Mira sent me through moonstone."

Warriors took the papers and handed them to Dwayne. I stared at that evidence, hands and feet ice cold.

Dwayne unfolded the first one, his expression growing uglier.

"I... I found some rogue wolves." Samuel's voice was almost a sob. "Mira had me hire them, to ensure nothing went wrong."

He lifted his head to look at me, eyes full of regret and fear, but I felt no sympathy—only anger and coldness.

"I executed the plan. If Lucian hadn't arrived in time..."

He didn't finish, but I understood—if Lucian had been one step later, I might already be dead.

Mira suddenly burst into laughter—shrill, piercing, full of madness. "Yes! I orchestrated it! I made Samuel do it!"

Her eyes bulged wide, like a cornered beast. "That bitch deserved to die! She doesn't deserve to live! Doesn't deserve Lucian! Doesn't deserve to bear that bastard!"

She struggled to lunge at me, silver chains screeching. "I hate you! I hate you for stealing everything! Lucian should have been mine! That child should have been mine! I'll kill you! Kill you and that bastard!"

Warriors rushed forward, pinning Mira down, but she still screamed and struggled maniacally.