Chapter 92 The Judgement
Lira POV
"Let them." I started walking again. "I'd rather be thought weak and wrong than become a killer who's right."
We reached the main hall where pack members had gathered. News of my survival had spread quickly.
So had news of Eldric's treason.
"Luna Lira!" Someone called out. "What's the judgment?"
I climbed onto the raised platform, every eye turning to me.
"I've reviewed Eldric's crimes." My voice carried across the hall. "Conspiracy to commit murder. Alliance with enemy packs. Use of illegal weapons and use of blood magic."
Whispers rippled through the crowd.
"The evidence is clear." I continued. "Letters, witnesses, physical proof. Eldric Ravenscar conspired to kill me and claim Silvermoon territory as payment."
"Kill him!" Someone shouted.
"Execute the traitor!" Another voice.
"No." I let the words ring out. "Eldric will confess his crimes publicly. He'll name his co-conspirators and then he'll be exiled from Darkfang territory forever."
The whispers turned to shouts.
"That's too lenient!"
"He deserves death!"
"The Luna is weak!"
I let them yell, let them get it out of their systems.
"I am your alpha." My voice cut through the noise. "And this is my decision. Eldric lives because I choose mercy because I won't start my leadership with executions."
"But" Someone started.
"But nothing." I let the flames grow brighter. "If you disagree, you can challenge me in twenty-one hours when succession trials begin. Until then, this is the law."
Silence fell. No one wanted to challenge a Moonblood alpha still glowing with power.
"However." I softened my voice. "Eldric's confession will expose the packs who conspired with him. Bloodmoon, Ironwood, and Shadowridge all participated in planning my murder."
That got their attention.
"These packs are now enemies of Darkfang." I continued. "Any wolf bearing their marks is to be escorted to the border. Any alliance with them is severed, any future contact is considered treasonous."
Murmurs of approval now. They might not like mercy for Eldric, but they understood punishing enemy packs.
"Furthermore." I pulled out the letters. "These documents prove a conspiracy not just against me, but against all Moonblood wolves. Against the memory of Silvermoon Pack. Against ancient bloodlines these alphas deemed 'weak.'"
I let that sink in.
"I am the last Moonblood." My voice turned hard. "The last of a line these alphas tried to exterminate and they failed. And now they'll pay the price for that failure."
"War?" Someone asked.
"Justice." I corrected. "We'll contact the High Council. Present evidence and let pack law handle these traitors properly."
"The High Council is slow." Marcus voice came from the crowd. He'd returned. "By the time they act, those packs could strike first."
"Then we'll be ready." I met his gaze directly. "We have rogue allies. We have evidence, we have the moral high ground."
"We have a female alpha." He smiled coldly. "Which changes nothing."
"It changes everything." Darion stepped forward. "Because that female alpha has two hundred rogue warriors backing her claim. How many do you have, Marcus?"
The implied threat was clear. Challenge Lira, face the rogue coalition.
Marcus's smile faded. "For now, I'll wait. See how the little Luna handles her twenty-four hours."
He left, taking his wolves with him. I sagged slightly, exhaustion catching up as Kael moved to support me.
"That was bold." He said quietly. "Risky, but bold."
"Bold or stupid?" I asked.
"Both." He almost smiled. "But it worked at least for now."
"For now." I echoed. "Get Eldric, It's time for his confession."
They brought him up in chains. He looked defiant still, but resigned.
"Eldric Ravenscar." I addressed him formally. "You will now confess your crimes before this pack and the Moon Goddess. Hold nothing back."
"And if I refuse?" He challenged.
"Then I change my mind about exile." I say. "And execute you for treason, pick your choice."
He stared at me for a long moment then began speaking.
The confession was damning. Every detail of the conspiracy, every name, every plan. He held nothing back, whether from spite or resignation, I couldn't tell.
By the time he finished, the pack was silent with shock.
"Thank you for your honesty." I said when he was done. "You have until sunset to leave Darkfang territory. If you're found here after dark, you'll be killed on sight."
"You'll regret this mercy." He said as guards escorted him away. "When I return with an army."
"If you return, I'll be ready." I called after him. "Run far, Eldric. Run fast. Because you're not welcome in these lands anymore."
He disappeared, taking his crimes and threats with him.
I turned to the assembled pack. "This is how I lead. With evidence, not assumption. With mercy when possible, justice when necessary. If you can't accept that, leave now."
No one moved.
"Good." I stepped down from the platform. "Now get back to your lives, the drama's over."
The pack dispersed slowly, whispers following me. I made it back to my quarters before collapsing.
"That was exhausting." I fell onto the bed.
"That was brilliant." Kael sat beside me. "Scary, but brilliant."
"I showed mercy and declared three packs as enemies." I stared at the ceiling. "How is that brilliant?"
"Because you proved you're strong enough to choose." He took my hand. "Not reactive, not controlled by rage but actually choosing your path."
"Path to what?" I asked. "I still have twenty-one hours before succession challenges. Still have half the pack doubting me. Still have Marcus waiting to pounce."
"Then we use those twenty-one hours wisely." He squeezed my hand. "Rest, heal and prepare."
"For what?" I turned to look at him. "What can I possibly prepare that'll change their minds?"
"The claiming ceremony." He said quietly. "It's the only way to solidify your position without fighting dozens of challengers."
"I can't." I pulled my hand away. "Can't expose everything publicly. Can't be that vulnerable."
"Then what's your plan?" He asked. "Fight until you drop? Die proving a point?"
"Maybe." I closed my eyes. "Because at least then I die as myself. Not as someone I had to become to satisfy pack politics."
"You're already someone." His voice was soft. "Someone strong enough to show mercy. Someone brave enough to fight alone. Someone I'm honored to call my mate."
"Even though I dragged you into this disaster?" I asked.
"Especially because of that." He lay beside me. "Because you're not dragging me. We're walking together finally."
I wanted to believe him. Wanted to trust that we could lead together without losing ourselves. But the claiming ceremony required absolute vulnerability and I'd spent too long building walls to tear them down now.
"Twenty-one hours." I whispered. "Let's see what tomorrow brings."
"Tomorrow brings succession challenges." He pulled me close. "Unless we do the ceremony."
"I know." I pressed against his chest, listening to his heartbeat. "I know."