Chapter 70 CHAPTER 70

Chapter 70 CHAPTER 70
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I was pacing in my chambers when the summons came. A guard knocked on the door, his eyes downcast. "Alpha, the lords and elders have called for an urgent meeting in the court."

My stomach twisted into a knot. Ever since Alina's powers had manifested, I knew this moment would come. Whispers had spread through the pack like wildfire. The word "witch" had been spoken too many times, and now, the lords and elders were demanding

answers.

I couldn't just shut them off. They were a key element in the development of the pack so just shutting them down was not an answer, especially right now when I knew I was wrong. I was so wrong. I was protecting something they all thought was an enemy, but they didn't understand.

She was my mate. She was the only person I could go to war for and kill for without thinking it over. I loved her. I knew what I signed up for being alpha. I needed to put the pack before everyone, but I don't think I will be able to that to Alina. She was my everything.

I wouldn't be able to function well when she was not there with me. She was the lifeline I held to even when things were falling apart for me. I had dreamt of how things were going to be between us for so long when I was back. I didn't think fate will try to take her away from me this fast once again.

When I entered the court, the atmosphere was thick with tension. All eyes turned toward me. The lords and elders sat at their places, their expressions grave, but I could sense the anticipation beneath the surface.

Elder Gideon stood first, his gray beard trembling as he spoke." Alpha Kai, it's time we address the situation concerning your mate, Alina."

I clenched my jaw, knowing exactly where this was headed. "What situation?" I asked, though we both knew the answer.

"She stopped a blade midair, using powers no werewolf should have," Lord Olly interjected, his tone sharp. "She's a witch, and you know it."

"She's not a witch," I snapped, though even as the words left my mouth, doubt crept in. Was she? Her powers weren't normal, that much I couldn't deny. But Alina? A witch? My mate?

Elder Agnes, who had always been one of the more level-headed voices, stood next. "Alpha, we all respect you, but the pack is in an uproar. They're scared. And when people are scared, they demand answers. We have to address this, or we risk losing the pack's loyalty and peace. We already have enough troubles with the skin walkers."

The murmurs around the room confirmed it. The pack didn't trust her. They didn't trust me.

"They believe what they are told because before Jaime died, he had told everyone that you died because you were involved with a witch. And we all knew you died. We saw your casket. People were saying that she was the one that brought you back to life." Another one of the lords said, and some of the lords nodded.

"That is bullshit. I never died." I spat.

"Then how did she survive living with the skin walkers for so long? People died simply by contact and you're telling me she spent weeks with them and did not die?"

I didn't have an answer to that. I knew that was not normal, but I never asked her that. I didn't have the right to because I was the reason she left. But now that I was thinking about it...

"What are you proposing?" I asked, though I feared the answer.

Olly's smirk widened, and I knew something terrible was coming. The ancient witch trials. If she passes, she'll be proven innocent, and no one will question her again. If she fails..."

I didn't let him finish. "You want to put her through those barbaric trials?" I was on my feet now, my fists clenched at my sides. The witch trials were designed to be impossible. They weren't meant to prove innocence; they were meant to break and kill those accused. I couldn't let that happen to her. I wouldn't.

Elder Gideon raised a hand to calm me. "We understand your reluctance, but the people are scared. They need reassurance. If you don't agree to the trials, there's only one other option."

I frowned. "What option?"

"The fairy godmother," Elder Agnes said quietly, her eyes sorrowful. "If you refuse to conduct the trials, the council will call upon the

fairy godmother to intervene. She's the only one powerful enough to judge this matter fairly."

The fairy godmother. My blood ran cold at the mention of her. She wasn't the whimsical figure from children's stories. She was a powerful, ancient being who dealt with harsh truths. If she came, her decision would be final, and there would be no room for mercy.

No one had tolerance for witches. Even though I didn't know if she was one, I couldn't allow this to happen.

"No," I said, shaking my head. "We're not calling the fairy godmother."

The council exchanged glances. "You leave us no choice, Alpha,” Gideon said softly. "If you don't conduct the trials, we will. If Alina is innocent, she will pass."

I swallowed hard. There was no way out of this. If I refused, they would go behind my back, and they might call the fairy godmother. I couldn't stop them. But at least if I conducted the trials, I could control some aspect of it, though it wouldn't be much. But the thought of Alina going through those trials made my stomach churn.

She had been through so much. All her life, she had been subjected to one pain or the other. I feel like I have failed not being able to protect her then, and not being able to protect her now. She didn't deserve this.

"She'll die," I said through gritted teeth. "You're sending her to her death."

Gideon sighed. "If she's truly innocent, she won't."

But we both knew that wasn't true. The trials weren't fair, and even an innocent person could fail them. My heart pounded in my chest as I considered my options.

"I'll do it," I said finally, my voice barely above a whisper. "But it'll be on my terms, and we do it here."

Olly looked surprised but pleased, as did many of the lords. "Very well," he said. "But if she fails, you must accept the consequences."

I nodded, though the weight of those words threatened to crush me. If she failed, there would be no saving her. They'd declare her a witch, and she'd be executed. And there wouldn't be a damn thing I could do about it.

The meeting ended with the date for the trials set. As I left the court, my heart raced, fear clawing at my insides. How was I supposed to send Alina into this?

When I returned to my chambers, Lily was waiting for me. Her face was pale, and her eyes were full of concern when she saw the way I looked. She still had been recovering so I was not letting her to all of the meetings in the past.

"What happened in there?"

I sat heavily on the edge of my bed, running a hand through my hair. "They're making me put Alina through the witch trials."

Lily gasped, her hand flying to her mouth. "No, Kai. You can't. She'll

"I know," I said, my voice breaking. "But they threatened to call the fairy godmother if I refused. At least this way, I can control the trials, maybe... maybe give her a chance."

"But the trials," Lily whispered. "They're impossible."

"I know," I repeated, feeling the weight of my decision crushing me. "But if I don't do it, they'll take matters into their own hands. And I can't risk that."

Lily shook her head, tears filling her eyes. "You have to find another way."

"There is no other way," I said, my voice hollow. "This is the only chance we have."

Lily stayed there, consoling me. I didn't know how I was going to face Alina and tell her all of that. It was going to break her and I didn't know if I could stand the sight of that. As Lily left my chambers, I was left alone with my thoughts. How could I send the woman I loved into something I knew she might not survive?

But I had no choice. The trials were coming, and Alina's fate rested in the hands of forces I couldn't control. I have never felt so fucking useless.