Chapter 112 Lilith's Judgment

Chapter 112 Lilith's Judgment
Rune POV.

The arena is packed. Every pack member who can fit is here. Wooden benches creak under the weight of hundreds of bodies. The air smells of packed bodies and sweat.

Allied Alphas sit in positions of honor along the eastern wall. Garrick of Silverclaw. Kane with his rogue delegation. Others from neighboring territories.

Stone walls amplify every whisper. Every nervous shift.

Logan's hand finds mine under the high table where we sit.

I squeeze back.

"Ready?" He murmurs. Voice low.

"No. But let's do it anyway."

Logan stands. The arena falls silent immediately. Every eye turns to their Alpha.

"We are gathered to judge treason. Lilith of Ironfang and Freya of Ironfang stand accused of conspiracy to commit murder, attempted poisoning of the Luna, and collaboration with our enemy Viktor."

He pauses.

"The evidence will be presented. The accused will speak. The Elder Deltas will deliberate. And judgment will be pronounced according to pack law."

Cassandra steps forward. Documents in hand. "Bring forward the first accused."

Guards escort Lilith into the arena. Chains on her wrists. But she walks with head high.

She's dressed simply. Gray tunic and pants. No rank insignia.

When she reaches the center of the arena, she doesn't kneel. Stands tall. Meets Logan's eyes.

"Lilith of Ironfang. You stand accused of conspiracy to murder the Luna through poisoning. How do you answer?"

"I did what was necessary. The Omega manipulated our Alpha with Oracle magic. I tried to protect the pack from corruption."

Gasps ripple through the crowd.

"By poisoning me?" I ask. My voice is steady.

Lilith's eyes snap to me. "By removing the source of corruption. You've bewitched him. Made him weak. Distracted him from real threats while you consolidate power."

Logan's hand tightens on mine under the table.

"Present the evidence." Logan commands.

Cassandra steps forward with the first exhibit. "Nightsbane residue, found in the accused's chambers during search. Confirmed by three separate healers as matching the poison used on the Luna."

She holds up a small vial for the arena to see. Lilith's expression doesn't change.

"Witness testimony." Garrick stands. "Multiple pack members place the accused near the Luna's chambers the morning of the poisoning. A servant saw her entering at dawn. A guard noticed her in the corridor minutes later."

"I visit those corridors regularly. I'm Beta. I have access everywhere."

"Travel records." Cassandra pulls another document. "Show the accused absent from fortress for four days, three weeks ago. Her stated destination was Silverclaw territory to visit family. However, Silverclaw records show no visit."

Garrick nods. "We have no record of Lilith crossing our borders."

"Where were you?" Logan asks directly.

Lilith's jaw clenches. Silent.

"Shadowfen marshes." Cassandra supplies. "Where Nightsbane grows. A tracker following your scent trail confirms this."

More gasps from the crowd.

"Under pack law," an Elder Delta stands, "conspiracy to murder Luna constitutes treason. The prescribed penalty is death."

"I don't recognize an Omega as Luna. She passed trials through trickery. This judgment is invalid."

"She passed trials witnessed by Elder Deltas and allied Alphas." Logan's voice is cold. "Your denial doesn't change pack law. You swore oath to obey pack law when you became Beta. That oath binds you regardless of personal opinion."

Kane speaks up from the allied Alpha section. "I witnessed the combat trial. The Luna fought fairly and won through skill, not trickery."

"The wisdom trial was properly conducted." An Elder Delta adds. "Her judgments were sound, fair, creative."

"And the sacrifice trial was completed according to ancient ritual. The blood oath was properly sworn and accepted."

Lilith looks around.

"Do you have anything to say in your defense?" Logan asks.

Lilith straightens. "Only that I acted to protect what I believed was right. If that's treason, so be it."

The Elder Deltas confer in low voices for several minutes. The arena waits.

Finally, their spokesperson stands.

"Lilith of Ironfang—we find you guilty of treason through conspiracy to commit murder, attempted poisoning of the Luna, and collaboration with enemy forces. The sentence, as prescribed by pack law, is death."

A collective exhale from the crowd. Some nod. Others look away.

Lilith doesn't scream or beg. Just stands there.

"The execution will be at dawn tomorrow. You will be given time to make peace with the Moon Goddess and say any final words to your family."

Guards move to escort her away. She goes without struggle. Head still high.

I watch her leave. My chest feels hollow. Empty.

Logan's thumb strokes across my knuckles under the table.