56

56

Adrien POV

“She got pregnant after she left.” I defended. Even as they all still fed me a suspicious look.

“And you expect us to believe that?” Elder Marcus asked.

“Yes. And why would I lie about it? If you don’t believe then, I’ll bring you the DNA reports of her and the kids.” This had them thinking. They murmured to one another. While still giving each other a sceptical look.

“Don’t worry about it. We believe you. The problem is why this hadn’t reached our ears.”

“Cause you wouldn’t have done anything about it. I planned on divorcing Diane first, then coming to tell you about it.”

“Was this before you found her with Ray or after.” Elder Marcus asked.

“What does it matter? It’s totally beside the point.” Elder Sven complained.

“It does matter. It could very well mean that he had also been cheating on Diane. And that too with his ex-wife.”

I rolled my eyes. If this were Marcus' way, I’d rescue his son. Then, he was just making things worse.

“I planned on divorcing Diane before I found her with Ray. And that was because she had cheated on me with other men aside from Ray.”

Another gasps. And dirty looks ensued to Diane.

“And to think we thought of her as the perfect match.” Lord Ester said in absolute disgust.

“It still hunts me how I left a wonderful person for her.” It was meant for my ears. But they all heard it, too.

“Oh. Don’t go all misogyny on me. I’m not the only offender. Ray was a part of my sins, too.” Diane said in a rushed breath. Her face wasn’t recognisable. It was disfigured with bruises and blood.

“And what is the surety that you didn’t trick him into your dirty games? No way my son would jeopardise his position as the beta without you having to have tricked him.”

“I assure you, father. I was in my right sense when I was fucking her. I had fucked her before she became the Luna. And I didn’t jeopardise the position. I just went for what I want.”

Elder Marcus gasped at the raw tone he spoke. He looked so unapologetic about what he had done.

I smiled. Knowing it would only work in my favour.

“So you do not regret it?” Elder Sven asked.

“I do regret thinking there was something to love in this whore here, 'cause in the end. Adrien was right about her. However, I do not regret that I got to have a child from all of these shenanigans. Even though I found out pretty late. I also do not regret losing the so-called position my father so loved and worshipped. I am so happy to break his heart with this news.”

Marcus scowled at him. And the atmosphere got even thickened.

“Well, I will allow everyone to say what punishment they would like to be accorded to them both. And the majority choice of punishment would be chosen.” Lord Ester said. He was the leader of the twelve elders. And he had been my father's close friend. He was like a father to me.

Although I had been a bit far from him. As I had been busy with the children and with Esmeralda.

“Let’s take a break before you all massacre my son. I want to speak to him in private.”

Ester looked to me to gain my thoughts on it.

However, I was cool about it. Seeing Marcus won’t change anything.

“Sure.”

Marcus stood up and dragged Ray to another room. Meanwhile, the other elders excused themselves to go to the kitchen or the restroom.

After some minutes, everyone gathered back. But they all held some weird demeanour.

I wondered what was going on on earth.

Marcus and Ray had been shouting and arguing in the other room. I came back more quieter than usual.

“So I shall leave the floor for you to speak your decisions. Elder Sven. You can start.”

“I do admit that the whole thing was bizzare and bad of them to do. But I petition that they be forgiven. Diane would have dementia as Luna for her punishment. Ray would also lose his position as the beta of the pack. But doing something as extreme as punishing them with death or a ban from the pack doesn’t seem fitting.”

I and Logan were the only ones shocked by this.

The rest all had their eyes cast down. And when it reached their turn. They all spoke the same thing.

Ray and Diane should only lose their position. And that they shouldn’t be killed.

I could have sworn that they were more than willing to go harsh on them a few minutes ago.

Why the sudden change of heart, then? And since when had the elders of this pack been this merciful?

When it got to my turn, I was just speechless—trying to wonder what the cause of the change of heart was.

Was it the break? What happened during the break?

I tried thinking deeper.

And it clicked! Their phones. Every one of them was on their phone for a few minutes.

And when they dropped it. Their mood changed into fear and worry.

What was on their phone?

“Alpha?” I was called out from my thoughts by elder ester.

“What is your take on this case?”

I frowned. “Would it matter now? Everyone has suddenly become merciful. Since when has this pack elders been merciful?”

“I know it’s not our usual method. But I think we should adopt a new one. That method of being brass is already outdated. We shouldn’t send people to their grave cause of trivial matters.” Lord Sven said.

“Trivial? Since when is attempted murder and cheating Trivial? Ray planned to kill me. Dethrone me and take my place as the alpha. How is any of that Trivial?”

“You never mentioned any of that.”

“Cause I felt the little I mentioned would be enough to get them punished.”

“What is the proof that they tried killing you and taking your place?” Lord Sven asked.

“Normally, I would have said the flash drive. But they don’t even know it exists. And bringing it up would cause more chaos for me.

First, they would be angry that I had such powers and didn’t share them with them. Second, they would demand it.

As part of the traditions of this pack, I have to at least show it to them. I can choose not to tender it. But I still have to reveal it to them.

And the problem with that is that. I can’t do it cause the flash drive is still missing.

“I overheard them.”

“And is this true ray?” Elder Marcus asked.

Ray glared at him. “No.” But he still answered.

Shocking me the more. Something bigger and more profound was going on here.

And I was not aware of it.

“If you have no proof that he did so. Then our judgement still stands.” One of the other elders said.

“Did Elder Marcus threaten you all over a text? What is going on?”

“Don’t be ridiculous. We are just giving our fair judgement.” Elder Sven added.

“Well, I do not accept it. Your judgment isn’t fair. And as the head of this pack, you would have to review it again.”

“Very well. But you know that after three meetings and reviews, suppose the results are the same. Then, we would have to move on with our decisions. With or without your consent.” Elder Marcus was the one who said.

While the rest of them nodded their head in agreement.

I fisted my hands. There was no way I would let Ray and Diane take the easy way out.

Not in my life. They had to pay. Cause with them around, it meant I wasn’t safe, and neither were the kids or Esmeralda.

“Alright. I’ll text you the date of the meetings.” Since I had three meetings left before a final decision was made concerning them, and since I’m in charge of setting the meeting date. Which means I can set whatever date of my choosing. Then it means I can take out the time to be at least able to convince them Individually to change their minds.”

They nodded in agreement.

And after which, the meeting ended.

I stormed out of there in fits of anger. My plan hadn’t gone as I had expected.

Logan followed me closely behind. I was about to enter my car when I got stopped by Elder Marcus.

“Can I have a few minutes of your time?”

“No, you may not.” I was almost entering the car.

“I know where the flash drive is.” This has me stopping from entering the car.

“What?” I said in utter shock.

Does that mean that it was with him? The flash drive? Was that how he got the elders to be lenient on Ray?

Did he use it to manipulate the decisions of the elders?

“You heard me.”

“Are you with it?”

“No. If I were you, you would be gone by now. And Ray would have ascended your position.

I growled at him.

“Who is with it?”

“I will tell you that.. but not without a few favours.”

I scoffed. “Let me guess. You wish for me to drop the charges against Ray?”

He smiled dubiously. “I’m glad that you can know me too well.”

“And I do hope that you also know me well 'cause there is no way in hell I would listen to your request.”

“You would have to cause danger is coming to you and your children. Terrible danger that you may not be able to stop.”

I swallowed hard. Part of me hoped he was just trying to scare me into accepting his deal.

Another part felt like he was indeed telling the truth. However, I refused to be played with like that. So I just ignored him and entered the car.

Logan followed behind me. And we drove off.