Chapter 85 To live

Chapter 85 To live
In a large hall, Casimir was seated at the center while men sat opposite each other on chairs, their eyes fixed on the offender standing before them.

“Do you plead guilty to your offence, Lady Rhea?” Someone asked, and Aria dropped her attention on him.

It was a man clothed in a black robe.

“I only plead guilty for failing to save my Luna on time. I do not plead guilty for giving out the document to save her,” she answered, her expression fierce as she fixed her gaze on Casimir.

They exchanged glances, none daring to avert their eyes.

“Or did you do it to crown your lover as the next Alpha?” The man inquired. She scoffed. “I do not know of the lover you speak of,” and answered, earning the roars of the onlookers.

“Lady Rhea, everyone is well aware that Rio is a Beta werewolf if not Alpha, and is capable of becoming the next Alpha. Giving him that document could automatically back his claim to the position if he succeeds at rebelling. And in fact, everyone knows you were once lovers, and there are rumors that you are still seen together. Do you deny any of these charges?” The man said, cornering her with every word. Rhea was well aware of their methods and didn’t flinch. If they wanted to play, so be it.

“What? Is it bad to still have something for your ex? Why should I plead guilty for loving someone?” She asked, and the council erupted in anger.

“How dare you?!”

“How can such a shameless woman protect our Alpha?”

Rhea, annoyed by the snarky remarks, shouted, “Who are you to call me shameless?! You sat in the comfort of your homes while I risked my life to save the pack you so loudly advocate for! You fucking bunch of cowards! Where were you when it all happened? Hiding in your wives’ clothes, huh?!” The room fell silent. Mouths hung open as intimidation rendered them unable to speak.

“Yes. Silence. That is what you gave us, so maintain it,” she said, turning away.

“Lady Rhea, do you or do you not plead guilty for wanting to help your former lover become the next Alpha?” The man continued eliciting a hiss from Rhea.

“I do not plead guilty, and never have I harbored any intention of crowning my former lover the next Alpha. I am not exactly looking forward to watching him take another Luna after all my sacrifices,” she answered, causing Casimir to smile, knowing she was clearly provoking them.

She knew what they wanted to hear, so she was doing exactly that.

“Lady Rhea…” before the man could finish speaking, an announcement rang out. “The criminal, Rio Blackfang, will be entering the hall now.”

“Let him in,” the man said, and the doors to the hall were opened.

Rio was brought in by two men who held him tightly, ropes bound around his body as though he were an animal.

Rhea kept her gaze fixed forward, making sure not to make eye contact with him.

“Kneel, Rio Blackfang,” the man ordered, and Rio scoffed.

“I do not kneel for anybody. I am afraid that is going to be impossible,” he said, causing the man questioning to order the men who brought him in to make him kneel.

As they attempted to force him down, Rio fought them off in a single move, sending the men crashing to the floor.

“Show-off,” Rhea muttered quietly, not sparing him a glance.

“Let him be.” As the man was about to issue another order, Casimir commanded, and the man withdrew, signaling for others to carry the fallen men away.

“Rio Blackfang, do you know the reason you have been called here today?” The man asked.

“Seeing as you are all gathered in holy misery, I am guessing I failed to secure the Alpha position… once again. Is that it?” He taunted, angering the man.

“Rio Blackfang, you…” the man began, but Rio cut him off. “Get on with it. I don’t have all day,” causing the man to swallow his words.

“Rio Blackfang, do you plead guilty for collaborating with the invaders and giving them access to the packhouse?” The man questioned.

“Yes,” Rio answered simply, shocking the man who clearly hadn’t expected him to admit it so easily.

Moving on, he asked, “Do you plead guilty to harboring ill intent and attempting to become the next Alpha through rebellion?”

“Rebellion? Why do that when I can have a one-on-one fight with him? Are you all so delusional as to think he’s that great?” Rio scoffed, his gaze meeting Casimir’s with intensity.

“I agree with that,” Casimir said.

“For the second time, do you plead guilty?” The man pressed.

“I plead guilty to collaborating with the invaders, not rebelling. I was going to finish your Alpha in one move,” he said with a smirk.

“Since Rio Blackfang has pleaded guilty to his crimes, his sentence will now be decided by the pack’s judges,” the man said, turning to face the judges seated at a long table. Among them was Florence, who appeared completely unbothered by the situation despite being the mastermind behind it all.

“I am going to enjoy this part,” Rhea said, her gaze fixed on Florence. Rio understood what she meant and lowered his head, awaiting his judgment.

“Judge John, what is your decision?” The man asked, addressing the first judge by the right.

“Sentence him to death.”

“Lady Florence, what is your decision?” The man moved on.

“Sentence him to death,” she answered. Rio scoffed, not the least bit surprised. When he had agreed to work with Florence, he did so knowing she was the only one capable of fighting Casimir and surviving, for reasons no one understood.

He also knew she would never save him if the need arose, regardless of how or why he fell into trouble. He didn’t expect Florence to save him, infact, he didn’t want her to save him. 

“How does it feel to be abandoned by the one you chose?” Rhea mocked, leaning in. Rio turned to face her.

“I do not know, because you have not abandoned me,” he answered and Rhea almost rolled her eyes.

“A decision has been made, Rio Blackfang. You are hereby sentenced to…”

“To live.”