Chapter 65: The Accusation

Claire’s POV

The scent of blood lingered in the cold night air, thick and metallic. The Lunar Council's sacred ground had been thrown into chaos. Jared stood over Cassius’s crumpled body, his chest heaving, his eyes wild with fury.

Their faces ranged from horror to barely controlled anger as the council members withdrew to the clearing's edges. In tense poses, warriors on both sides clutched their weapons, anticipating the next move.

Jared was not paying attention to them, though.

He had his eyes fixed on me.

"You," he growled as he advanced slowly. His hands still had Cassius's blood on them, and he moved shakily, as if his entire world had just fallen apart. "This was you, wasn’t it?"

Derek moved next to me, his muscles tensing up like a spring about to break. "Jared, you’re losing it."

Jared gave a brief, sour laugh. "Is it gone? No, I see it at last!" His voice, full of something insane, reverberated through the hollow. "It never concerned me. The war was never the topic. She was always the one.

I refused to back down and steadily met his gaze. "You did this to yourself, Jared."

His eyes grew gloomy. "Did I?" With a sudden turn, he faced the council. "Elders, tell me. Why does traitor Claire always find herself in the right place at the right time? Why does Midnight Moon always seem to be one step ahead of herself when she moves?

Uncertain whispers filled the air between us as murmurs swept through the assembled wolves.

Unreadable, Elder Varian took a step forward. "Jared, exercise caution when making accusations. The council will not consider unfounded allegations.

Jared twisted his lips into a sardonic, sardonic smile. "Oh, but there is some truth to this. Do you want evidence? "How about we discuss Rowan?"

I felt my stomach tighten.

The council received the evidence that brought this whole war to a close from Rowan, who had exposed Cassius.

Now Jared turned against him, his face savage. "Rowan, tell me. What is the duration of your collaboration with Claire?

Rowan tensed up next to me, his shoulders tensing. "I don’t work for Claire."

Jared roared a laugh devoid of humour. "No? So why do you conveniently present the one piece of evidence that would discredit me? He gave the council a quick look. "And let’s not forget—he’s a Redwater wolf now, isn’t he?"

There were more murmurs in the crowd.

Elara, the elder, squinted. "What exactly are you suggesting, Jared?"

Even as he unravelled, his presence was commanding as he turned to face them fully. "I think Claire orchestrated this. That in order for her—and not me—to win, she planned this whole betrayal, gave Rowan fabricated evidence, and made you all look foolish."

There was a sudden hush.

I did not back down, but I could feel the council's scrutiny bearing down on me.

Jared stepped forward once more, his voice growing more ominous. "She desired the destruction of Midnight Moon. She wanted me to move aside. However, she was not by herself, was she? His smirk expanded as his gaze strayed to Derek. Claire, tell me. How long have you and your partner been hatching plans?

There was silence in the clearing.

Derek tensed up next to me, his body as solid as a barrier. But the charge was in the air. The council was observing and anticipating.

Varian had a razor-sharp voice. "Claire, do you deny these claims?"

I made myself take even breaths. "I can not deny anything. To divert attention from his own transgressions, Jared is clinging to shadows.

Jared tilted his head and exhaled slowly. "Oh, Claire. You were always skilled at playing the victim. He glanced over at Derek. "Alpha, tell me. How long have you been in this together with Claire? Was it prior to her departure from Midnight Moon? Or did the two of you begin scheming as soon as she arrived in Redwater?

Derek's jaw tensed, but Elara spoke before he could respond.

"This is a serious accusation, Jared," she observed calmly. "Do you have proof?"

Jared's smile remained unwavering.

"Proof?" He turned and spoke loudly enough for everyone to hear. "Oh, I have something even better."

His fingers snapped.

And a figure appeared out of the darkness.

The blood in my face started to run out.

Lilian.

She had changed appearance. Her normally poised demeanour had vanished; her dress was ripped at the seams, and her hair was unkempt. However, something icy and victorious burned in her eyes.

Jared stepped aside and said, "Tell them, Lilian," with ease. "Tell them what you told me."

Lilian's eyes met mine, and a slow smile slowly formed on her lips.

She purred, "Claire Montgomery," "The tiny Omega who turned into a beta. The woman who turned on Redwater in order to gain power.

Derek stepped forward abruptly. "Watch what you say."

Lilian did not even give him a look.

"You played them all, didn’t you, Claire?" She went on. "You knew exactly how this would end."

I balled my fists up. "I don’t know what you’re talking about."

Lilian grinned broadly. "Oh, but you do." Her expression was one of practiced sadness as she turned to face the council. "When she left Midnight Moon, I was present. I witnessed her persuading Rowan to turn against his own people by whispering in his ear. Additionally, I am aware of how long she and Derek have been collaborating, having planned this conflict from the start."

The council members looked at each other, their faces unreadable.

Varian spoke in a measured tone. "These are dangerous claims, Lilian."

She gave a serious nod. "And I have proof."

She extracted a single piece of parchment from the folds of her cloak.

A letter.

sealed with the insignia of Redwater.

My heart stopped beating.

Varian took it from her, breaking the wax and unfolding the parchment with meticulously precise movements. He looked over the words.

Then he looked up slowly.

"Claire," he said in a remarkably serene voice. "Explain this."

With my heart pounding in my ears, I gazed at the letter in his hands.

It was the first time I had seen it.

However, I signed it at the bottom.