Chapter 117 The Judgment of the Heart

Chapter 117 The Judgment of the Heart
From the moment Zoriana stormed out of his room, Gael had been unsettled.

Vulcan, his wolf, howled angrily, pacing within him and demanding they follow their mate.

“Do not let her leave like this”, his wolf snarled.

But Gael ignored the instinct. Eventually, he would coax her back, but right now, far more serious business was at stake.

Tristan’s foolish decision to kill Alpha Fabian had provided Gael with an opportunity better than anything he could have engineered.

With Tristan gone, Gael’s claim to the throne would be undisputed, his woman would remain by his side, and he would seize control of both the Iron Heart and Night Shadow territories.

However, he knew Zoriana was determined. She was likely searching for the king or a legal loophole to free Tristan. He couldn't allow anything to dismantle his plan. To ensure victory, he moved the trial—originally scheduled for the following morning—to this afternoon.

Gael and the Council members were already seated in the courtroom when the guards brought Tristan in. Gael’s jaw tightened. Even in chains, knowing he faced execution, Tristan stood tall and proud. He wore that same cold, arrogant smirk that Gael had always wanted to wipe off his face.

Today was finally the day.

“Alpha Tristan, you are accused of the murder of Alpha Fabian. Do you have anything to say in your defence?”

“I was protecting a she-wolf whom Alpha Fabian was assaulting,” Tristan stated clearly. “He was about to deliver a fatal blow to her and her unborn pup. I acted to neutralize the threat.”

Gasps and murmurs filled the room. To harm an unborn pup was a heinous crime in the werewolf kingdom.

“Even so, you were expected to seize him and bring him before this Council for trial, not execute him on the spot,” Gael countered. “Did you issue an Alpha Challenge?”

Tristan laughed, the sound echoing off the marble walls. “The question is ridiculous. How was I supposed to schedule a formal challenge when his claws were already in the air to slash her open?”

“Prisoner, just answer the question,” Gael barked, his face reddening. “Did you propose an Alpha Challenge?”

“I did not,” Tristan answered coldly, looking straight into Gael’s eyes. He expected neither guilt nor mercy from his half-brother, and he found none.

Gael stood, turning to face the Council. “The case is crystal clear. Alpha Tristan murdered a fellow Alpha without issuing a challenge. He must be punished by death. Does anyone have any objections?”

The room fell silent. Even those Council members who felt the decision was too harsh couldn't find the strength to object; the law was clear, and Tristan had admitted to breaking it. Gael looked at the faces of the Council and fought to suppress a triumphant smile. He raised his chin to announce the sentence.

“Alpha Tristan has committed an undeniable crime and—”

The courtroom doors flew open, hitting the walls with a thunderous bang.

“I have an objection!” Zoriana shouted, her voice ringing through the hall.

She was panting, her hair a mess from running, but her brown eyes shone like stars. She stood proudly, challenging Gael's gaze. Gael felt his heart clench; the woman he loved was openly opposing him. But what hurt more was the look she gave Tristan—a look overflowing with love and devotion.

Gael clenched his fists. “Alpha Zoriana, the trial has already concluded.”

“But you held a trial for the wrong person,” Zoriana said, stepping into the room. Behind her followed Tristan’s Beta and the friend Tristan had rescued. “Alpha Tristan did not kill Alpha Fabian. Beta Roman did.”

The crowd erupted into frantic whispers. Roman stepped forward and dropped to his knees. “Your Highness, I beg for mercy for Alpha Tristan. Like a true Alpha and a brother-by-combat, he took the blame for my actions. I saw Alpha Fabian brutally assaulting my mate. She was helpless, drenched in blood, and trembling when he raised his claws. My wolf lost control. I ripped his head off to save her. I am at your mercy now and ready for any punishment.”

Gael inhaled deeply to keep from screaming in frustration. He glanced at Karel for support, but the other man simply shrugged. After such a touching display, the hearts of the Council members were clearly with Roman and Aella. Gael wanted to punish Roman just to spite Tristan, but he knew he couldn't.

Tristan had lied to the Council, but that was not a capital offence. Gael narrowed his eyes; he couldn't execute Tristan, but he could still humiliate him.

“Congratulations on finding your mate, Beta Roman. I wish you both many years of happiness. You are hereby pardoned, as your actions were a justified protection of your fated mate.” He turned his cold gaze back to Tristan. “As for Alpha Tristan, he still committed a crime by lying to this Council. Even if his goal was noble, I could not leave such deception unpunished.”

Zoriana’s heart skipped a beat. She knew Gael could let it go—he simply didn't want to. He looked at her, trying to prove who truly held the power in this room.

“For lying to the Council, Alpha Tristan will receive one hundred lashes.”

Tristan remained indifferent. He didn't care about the punishment; his heart was soaring. Today, Zoriana has openly shown her feelings for him. She cared, and nothing else mattered.

He didn't feel humiliated as he was led to the punishment stone. He didn't even feel the full weight of the pain as the first lash landed, splitting the skin on his back. All he could see was Zoriana’s face—her eyes full of fear for him, but shining with love. It numbed the agony. With every strike, he focused on those chocolate-brown eyes. She was the last thing he saw before the darkness finally claimed him.

Her face was the first thing he saw when he opened his eyes in the hospital room at Iron Heart.