Chapter 67: The Council’s Verdict

Derek’s POV

There was mayhem in the room. Warriors from both packs tensed, council members yelled over each other, and Jared stood motionless, gasping for air as he took in the scene. Claire was unconscious as she lay on the chilly stone floor, blood leaking from the deep gashes Jared had made on her shoulder.

My wolf was about to take over, but I had her in my arms before the smell of her blood hit me hard. With murderous intent pulsing through my veins, my eyes narrowed on Jared.

I snarled, "You will pay for that."

Jared's eyes were filled with desperation, but his lips curled into a smirk. "She should’ve never betrayed me."

Elder Varian yelled, "She didn’t betray you," his voice piercing the confusion like a knife. "You betrayed your own pack, your own people, your own title."

Jared paused his grin. "This council has no right to strip me of my birthright."

"You lost that right when you chose deceit over honour," Elder Elara stated icily. "When you chose ambition over duty."

Jared's eyes shifted from the elders to the Midnight Moon warriors who had gathered at the edges of the chamber. While some continued to look to him with loyalty, many others wore signs of scepticism or even embarrassment.

Rowan took a step forward and spoke steadily. "There is no denying the truth. Jared lied to his own pack in order to gain power, falsified evidence, and plotted Cassius's murder with Lila. He looked to the council. "Midnight Moon has become corrupt, but Redwater has maintained honour. To ensure justice, the council needs to recognise the true leadership.

Jared chuckled bitterly. "You think they’re going to side with Redwater?" He glanced over at the elders. "You would not risk it. You understand what that would entail.

There was tense silence. Everyone was aware of the stakes. For generations, the council had maintained its neutrality and only intervened when it was absolutely required. In addition to depriving Jared of his authority, formally siding with Redwater would upset the delicate balance between packs and demonstrate that Midnight Moon was no longer in charge.

Elder Varian let out a slow exhale. "This council does not take this decision lightly." He looked around the room sharply. However, Jared, the evidence against you is overwhelming. You have violated the laws we vowed to enforce. Your rule has corrupted Midnight Moon, and it cannot be trusted to rule without supervision until it is restored.

Jared's nose widened. "You mean to—"

Varian said, "The council acknowledges Redwater’s leadership in this conflict." "Effective immediately, Redwater will be granted council support."

The room exploded.

The warriors of the Midnight Moon were the first to react, with some yelling in rage and others going silent in shock. With a wave of triumph coursing through them, the Redwater wolves grew taller. The council members looked at each other, aware that they had just altered history.

Relief and lingering rage clashed as I tightened my hold on Claire. She had risked everything to reveal the truth and fought so hard for this moment. She was not awake to witness it, though.

But Jared was far from done.

He growled, "You can’t do this," and moved towards the elders. "Do you believe Redwater is superior? Do you believe Claire and Derek will lead with dignity? His gaze pierced my own. "You’re choosing a traitor over me."

I glared back at him. "No, Jared. They’re choosing the truth."

Anger made Jared's whole body tremble. "This isn’t over," he growled.

He spun around and rushed towards the chamber doors before anyone could stop him. The warriors of the Midnight Moon wavered, unsure whether to follow their former Alpha or stay to see what would happen next.

Then, Rowan said something.

He said, "If you walk away now, Jared, you walk away alone," his voice rising above the whispers around him.

Jared stopped.

Rowan looked around at the assembled fighters. "Midnight Moon does not have to fall with him," he declared. "You have an option. Stand for something more, or stand with a disgraced leader who brought you to ruin.

There was a heavy silence.

The Midnight Moon fighters then started to move away from Jared's side one by one. The choice was obvious, though some people looked doubtfully and others bowed their heads in embarrassment.

They were gone from Jared.

His face contorted into something unattractive and raw. He growled, his voice hardly audible above a whisper, "You will regret this."

Then he vanished into the night without saying another word.

It felt like we were winning this war for the first time since it started.

But I had a gut feeling that something was not right.

In my arms, Claire stirred, her agonised breath hardly audible. The lingering uneasiness that was creeping through me overshadowed my immediate relief.

Jared refused to leave in silence.

And whatever he had in mind for the future—

It was going to be worse than anything we had ever experienced.