Chapter 214 - Honor Restored

Chapter 214 - Honor Restored
Amaia's POV
"Luna," a soft-spoken she-wolf greeted me as I entered the hospital room. Barrett's been here for three days already, and his condition hasn't improved.
I glanced at the machines beeping softly around him, the sterile scent of antiseptic filling the air. The weight of worry settled heavily on my chest as I took a seat beside his bed, hoping for any sign of recovery.
"Hi," I replied. "How's he doing today?"
"The same," the woman choked, barely able to keep her emotions intact.
I reached out and squeezed her hand, offering what little comfort I could. The uncertainty hung between us like a dark cloud, and I could see the exhaustion etched on her face as she fought to remain strong for Barrett.
I tried to heal Barrett, but my healing abilities didn't work on him. Rieka explained that perhaps I was restricted to only healing mortals. It made sense, yet frustrated me. I couldn’t shake the feeling of helplessness as I watched Barrett struggle.
Why have a gift that can't be used when needed? And why wasn't Barrett healing? He was immortal, which didn't make sense.
"Keep me updated," I told her.
A small sad smile formed on Barrett's mate's lips as she nodded. She looked tiny under the weight of losing her mate.
"I will," she said. "Thank you, Luna."
As I reached the door, I turned back to her.
"I know this is hard, but we need to stay strong for him," I said gently, hoping to offer some comfort. Her eyes glistened with unshed tears, and I could see the flicker of determination beneath her sorrow. "What's it worth?" I continued, finding her gaze. "Barrett only loved you since he set eyes on you."
I took a deep breath. Maybe this will finally make her see how good of a mate she had. I knew it was never sunshine and roses between them, especially with Taylor in the picture, but she deserves the truth.
"I want you to know," I went on. "He wasn't responsible for conceiving Taylor..."
Something flashed in her eyes before she looked back at Barrett. Her expression shifted as if a weight had been lifted, yet uncertainty lingered. "He told me it was an accident—"
"No," I said. "It wasn't an accident. He is not to blame. Darna tried to drug Roland, but Barrett got caught in the crossfire. That night, he attempted to stop her, but the drugs weakened him."
She visibly flinched. Her gaze fell to the floor, processing the revelation.
"So you’re saying he was just a victim in all of this?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper, as if the truth were too heavy to bear.
"Yes," I replied with a soft smile.
"I… I didn't know," she sobbed heartbrokenly. "I was so angry at him for hurting me and destroying our bond. I didn't want to listen or believe him… It hurt so much!"
"I know," I said. "Maybe it's time you forgave him and yourself."
She slowly turned her gaze back to me, tears rolling down her cheeks. She loves Barrett—I could see it in her eyes. It was a love that had been tested but not extinguished.
"You deserve to find peace," I continued gently, hoping to encourage her to take the first step toward healing.
I found Anthony waiting for me outside the infirmary. I could see the anticipation on his face, a stark contrast to the heaviness lingering in my heart.
"What did you find?" I asked, curious about the discovery that had momentarily lifted his spirits.
"Evidence for Darna's case," he said. "It points to a deeper conspiracy than we initially thought," he replied, his eyes gleaming with determination.
The weight of his words settled over me, igniting a flicker of hope that perhaps justice could still be served.
"And?" I replied, feeling my heart start to race.
"We managed to retrieve clear fingerprints from the glass tubes," he said, excitement flashing in his eyes. "They are a match for Darna," he said, and he paused. "And Lillian."
"Both?" I gasped.
He smiled and nodded. "There's more," he went on, almost unable to contain his excitement.
"Tell me," I ordered, feeling excitement bubbling up inside me.
"The black book," he said. "Hugo managed to find a pattern. It's not only offshore accounts but also Alphas whom she and Lillian blackmailed."
I flinched at the information.
"I can finally put them away," I whispered.
"Apart from that," Charles said, as he and Rina got closer. "Pack members came forward. They are willing to testify."
The information was overwhelming.
My gaze met Rina's. "Will you testify against them?" I asked.
"For you, my Luna," she said and smiled. "I will go beyond testifying; I'll even murder them for you if I must."
That made me chuckle.
Ever since we helped Rina that night, she has been a joy to have around. She often visited, and she enjoyed spending her time with the pups.
"Thank you," I said and turned to Charles. "Will you get me a list of everyone that would testify against them?"
"As you wish," he replied and turned his gaze to Rina.
"I'll help," she chirped, her eyes sparkling with delight. "I know exactly who to ask. They all want to see that horrible she-wolf fall to ashes."
"You have my permission," I said, and saw them off.
Lillian had been secured in the dungeon—she was hating every moment of it.
"She'll need to get used to her new home," Rieka mused. "It'll soon be her permanent home. This time Serena can't save them again."
"True," I said and smiled. It was now only Darna that was still missing, but even she can't hide forever. Someone will sooner rather than later recognize her and inform Roland.
"What's Peter's status?" I asked Anthony.
Peter was locked up in the deepest and darkest side of Roland's dungeon. There was no way he could escape.
Anthony hesitated.
"The council is preparing his trial," he said.
I raised an eyebrow and stopped.
"Which council?" I asked.
"The immortal one," he replied, ignoring my gaze.
That didn't even surprise me. Anthony must still have a connection with the immortal world.
"Or his father," Rieka chirped.
"You did it on purpose," I said.
"I had to," he said. "Human laws are nothing compared to ours. You should know that... besides, I needed to have honor restored to my family."
I nodded.
"I am not angry," I said. "Can you have one arranged for Harrison too?"
"Harrison?" He stuttered, surprised, evident in his voice. "He's banished. The council wouldn't..."
That was true, but now that the truth has finally revealed itself, a fair trial is needed.
I raised my hand to stop him.
"That might be true," I said. "But new evidence has surfaced. He is not blamed for everything that has happened. Serena manipulated him…"
My gaze landed on the packhouse door, and Roland appeared in the foyer. He smiled brightly at me, even though he seemed warned.
"I have a surprise for you," he said as he came closer.
"What kind of surprise?" I asked as I met him halfway and melted into his embrace.
He lowered his head to my ear. His warm breath danced on my skin.
"We found Darna..."