Chapter 223: Finally Start Celebrating

Lya's POV

The silence in the hall hung heavy as all eyes turned to the defendants' box. This was their only chance to address the public; the upcoming trials would be conducted privately with the Supernatural Council. I stood tall beside Damian, drawing strength from his presence as the accused rose one by one.

Richard went first. His face was hard, jaw clenched tight as he stepped forward.

"I did what I had to do," he said simply, his voice echoing through the hall.

No apology. No explanation. Just six words that somehow made my skin crawl more than a lengthy justification might have. The crowd murmured their disapproval, but Richard merely returned to his seat, shoulders stiff with pride or defiance.

My father stood next. Unlike Richard, his eyes were downcast, shame evident in every line of his body.

"On behalf of my wife, Victoria, I extend our deepest apologies to all those who suffered," he said, his voice barely carrying through the hall. "Victoria has... mental health issues that contributed to her actions. She needs help, not punishment."

He didn't specify whether he had known about the abuse or the trafficking. I felt a familiar ache in my chest—the pain of wanting a father who would choose me, protect me. Even now, after everything, he stood by Victoria rather than acknowledging his own role in my suffering.

Luna Isabella surprised me. When she stepped forward, her face was tear-streaked but composed.

"I failed you all," she said simply. "I failed as your Luna, as a protector of this pack, and as a decent person. I knew some of what was happening, suspected more, and did too little. I cannot undo the harm I've caused, but I accept full responsibility and whatever consequences come."

Her words weren't rehearsed or calculating. The genuine remorse in her voice softened some of the tension in the room. Several of the victims nodded slightly, acknowledging her sincerity even if they couldn't yet forgive.

The guards and workers from Victoria's inner circle spoke next, each making similar excuses. They needed the money, they were threatened, they were just following orders. But they admitted their guilt quickly, hoping for leniency in the upcoming trials.

Then Airina and Sophia stepped forward together, their once-confident expressions now replaced with wide-eyed innocence.

"We were victims too," Airina insisted. "Victoria forced us to do terrible things. She threatened us, manipulated us."

"She controlled everything," Sophia added, one hand protectively over her pregnant belly. "We were just as afraid as everyone else."

I blinked in disbelief. After everything these two had done—the torture, the lies, the attempts on my life—they still couldn't take responsibility. They stood there, blaming Victoria, portraying themselves as helpless pawns rather than the willing accomplices they'd been.

They looked different now—smaller somehow, like deflated balloons. The evil confidence that had once made them terrifying was gone, replaced by something almost pathetic. I felt no satisfaction at seeing them reduced to this, only exhaustion.

Finally, Victoria herself took center stage. She sobbed dramatically for a full three minutes before speaking. I watched the clock on the wall behind her, counting each second.

"I am so sorry," she said when she finally composed herself. The apology took precisely one minute.

Then came fifteen excruciating minutes about herself—her mental health struggles, her painful childhood, her desperate need to be loved and appreciated, how she'd been wronged by my father, by Luna Isabella, by circumstances beyond her control.

By the time she finished, I felt drained, like she'd somehow reached across the room and siphoned my energy directly. Damian's hand found mine, squeezing gently. I was grateful for the anchor.

When Victoria returned to her seat, Damian stepped forward to address the crowd.

"Thank you all for your patience tonight," he said, his voice strong and clear. "I know this has been difficult, but necessary. The celebration portion of our evening will begin shortly."

"Tonight should provide closure for most of you. The accused will face private trials with the Supernatural Council in the coming weeks, and all verdicts will be announced publicly."

"These crimes have affected everyone in this pack," Damian continued. "From misappropriated funds to distracted leadership to the unjust treatment of hybrids and others deemed 'lesser' by the previous administration."

"Moon Shadow Valley will require transparency moving forward, starting tonight." He turned toward the defendants' box. "I will use an alpha-command on everyone on this stage except Sophia—due to her pregnancy—to answer all questions truthfully. For Sophia, Lya and I will communicate with her wolf to answer questions directed at her."

A ripple of surprise moved through the crowd. Alpha commands were rarely used so publicly, but the situation warranted it.

"Jason, Alice, please join us," Damian called.

I exchanged a knowing smile with Damian as Jason and Alice made their way to the stage. They knew they'd be helping with the Q&A portion, but they didn't know why Damian had specifically chosen them.

"As you all know, Jason and Alice will be assisting with tonight's question and answer session," Damian announced. "But what you don't know is that they will also be facilitating monthly pack-member Q&A sessions moving forward. The Alpha and Beta couples will be required to attend these monthly meetings."

I watched as understanding dawned on Jason's face.

"Luna Lya and I will maintain an open-door policy to prevent the problems of the past from recurring," Damian continued. "The role of Beta and Beta Female will change as well. Rather than acting as barriers between pack members and leadership, they will serve as additional resources."

Jason's eyes widened, emotion washing over his features as he finally understood what Damian was saying.

"Jason," Damian said, turning to face him directly, "I want you to be the Beta of this pack."

Jason's mouth fell open. "Alpha Damian, are you saying—"

"—I want you to be the Beta of this pack? Yes, that's exactly what I'm saying."

Jason's shock was visible to everyone. "But what about Noah?" he asked.

Noah stepped forward from where he'd been standing near the stage. "I'm going to find my mate," he explained. "And when I do, I suspect she'll want to move to another pack. Too many painful memories here." Noah offered Jason a reassuring smile. "You'll make a better Beta than me anyway."

Jason still looked hesitant. "But I don't have Beta bloodlines..."

Jett, standing nearby, snorted. "I don't think you need them. You once kidnapped me from my own home. No one does that." His remark earned chuckles from those who knew him.

Jason glanced at me, his expression uncertain. "But after everything I did to you—"

"Are you going to keep making excuses not to accept, or are you ready to say yes?" I asked, smiling to take any sting from my words.

Alice placed her hand on Jason's arm. They shared a look, then together embraced Damian and me.

"Yes. Yes, yes, yes!" they agreed in unison.

A few minutes later, Jason took the microphone, composed and ready for his first official duty as Beta.

"Is everyone ready for questions?" he asked the crowd. "Let's wrap this up so we can finally start celebrating."