Chapter 69

Sapphire

River's words shook me to the core. I knew that Xander was powerful but I at least thought he was unbiased. He seemed to care about Diamond so that meant we were safe, or at least I thought so.

"What do you think he'll do? He wouldn't hurt Diamond. She's his mate. She says he's been nothing but sweet to her."

"That's besides the point. From what I hear he doesn't tolerate anything that's not considered normal for our species. From what you've said that includes all of you. The closer they get to one another the more he'll discover. If he considers you a threat he'll stop at nothing until you're all dead."

What he was saying made no sense. He wouldn't kill Diamond. He couldn't.

"River you have to be wrong. He couldn't. That would go against our very nature."

"You don't understand. Anything goes when it comes to the greater good. He'll consider it a necessary sacrifice."

I had to warn her. I had to tell her everything River had mentioned. We needed a plan. Time was running out. Once we landed I would get all of the girls together and we would figure this out. Nothing could be done until Diego and Hunter recovered so that would buy us some time. At least I hoped it would.

Jade

I watched as the pack doctor unhooked Hunter from the machines. He had to fly on the plane to make sure he was secure and the needed medical equipment could be taken.

"He'll be alright won't he?" I asked worried. Something about this didn't feel right. I know that the trial was the only way to end this but I was still nervous about the outcome.

"Yes. He'll be fine. Honestly he could wake up any time know. All of this is just a precaution." I sighed in relief. We were warned about the use of powers against mates. I was glad it wasn't more serious. I guess it was only my powers that would lead to grave consequences.

I got my things and boarded the plane behind them. It was large and roomy even though it was private. I sat in one of the seats and waited on the others. Something about Xander made me not want to test his patience. Besides I wanted this trail to be fair and over quickly.

It wasn't long before Ruby appeared.

"Has Phoenix woken up?" I asked, hoping to hear yes.

"Not yet. Soon though. What about Hunter?"

"Same."

We hadn't said much about what happened. I felt it was time for us to talk one on one.

"Look I need you to know that I never wanted to hurt your mate. I just needed to protect mine." I hoped she would understand. Jewels was right, we couldn't let this come between us.

"I know. I would have done the same. It just took me by surprise," I nodded in understanding.

"How do you think this will turn out?"

"You mean who do I think is right?"

"No. I don't know about you but none of this is right. I understand Hunter's side. I really do. But I begged him to find another way. He basically has his own pack. I don't see why he couldn't have been happy starting a new one."

"It's about pride. He couldn't just sit by and let Phoenix have what was destined to be his."

"So you think they will side with him?"

"I'm not saying that. I just understand. I get Phoenix's side too. What his parents did is not his fault. He doesn't deserve to lose everything."

"Maybe there is a solution. Something they could both be happy with." I wasn't sure what it was but maybe the Council would be able to find it.

"Maybe. I just want them both to accept whatever the verdict is so we can all move on. Otherwise it's all for nothing."

"They're in for a surprise when they wake up. They don't even know any of this is happening."

"If Phoenix can hear me he does." She turned a violent shade of red. Even more so than usual.

"You've really fallen for him haven't you?" I said smiling.

"No. Of course not. I still despise him."

That made me laugh even more. She would always be stubborn.

The others boarded and we were off. River and Diego had been instructed to take the car. From the look on Sapphire's face she didn't approve.

"Is everything okay Saf?"

"Sure. Fine." She was lying and we all knew it. Xander had decided to keep Diamond in a private section with him. Nevertheless they would be able to hear every word. All of us decided to let it go for the time being but Crystal kept giving her strange looks.

It took a few hours for us to get to Headquarters but we finally made it.

"Where is River?" Sapphire asked Xander once we exited.

"They're a few hours behind since they're travelling by car. But they'll arrive soon enough."

The way he looked at her angered me. It spelled disgust.

"There were more seats on the plane. They could have joined us," I said, saying what everyone else was thinking.

"Jade. Don't," said Diamond. She looked worried, afraid. Something was definitely wrong. What did he do to her?

"I'll have someone show you where you will be staying. Diamond you'll come with me." I wanted to protest, yell that she wouldn't be going anywhere with him. But she shook her head and followed him.

"What's up with her. I thought she said that he was kind to her. Why is she acting so strange?" Crystal asked.

"I have to tell you guys something. I have a bad feeling about all of this. I told River everything. When we talked he said some things about Xander. I think he suspects that we're different."

"How could he possibly know?" Ruby asked.

"He doesn't know he suspects. I guarantee you he's been trying to figure it out since he showed up. Julie may have told him something. That's why he's being the way he is. He may have even questioned Diamond," said Jewels putting the pieces together.

"What do we do?"asked Crystal.

"There is not much we can do. If he knows we have to make sure that this trial doesn't turn into a trail for us," Jewels answered.

"If he is as dangerous as what River says that may be the least of our worries," said Sapphire.

"We have to come up with a plan if he questions us. We need a believable story that we can all stick to. If we can convince him that we're normal maybe we can get through this without being exposed," said Jewels.

"River says he'll do whatever he can to help us. If we can get him to collaborate on our story it will add credibility."

We all agreed with Sapphire. Maybe her telling River wasn't such a bad thing.

"What about what Julie said? We won't be able to convince him she lied." I knew there was no way he was ignoring a witness. If she could get others to confirm what she saw as well we were in serious trouble.

"We don't have to accuse her of lying. We just have to make it look as if she was uncertain," Jewels said thinking to herself.

"We need Phoenix. Maybe he could do something about that since he's her alpha," said Ruby.

"And you're her luna. I'm sure she doesn't really understand what Xander is up to. If we could talk to her maybe we could find out how much he really knows," said Jewels.

"Agreed. But how do we do that?" asked Crystal.

"She has to be here somewhere. If not it's only a matter of time. When the time comes she'll have to testify," I explained.

"Excuse me. I was told to find someone named Jade," said a woman neither of us recognized.

"I'm Jade," I said looking at her curiously.

"I was told to inform you that your mate is awake. His trial is about to begin."

I ran as fast I could to find him. The others right behind me.

We didn't even have time to tell him what was going on. They weren't supposed to put him on trial yet.

I burst through the doors and there he was. My breath caught in my throat as I saw him standing there, seemingly healed. I wanted to run to him. But there were guards around. He sensed my presence. I could physically see the tension leave his body.

"Hunter James Maddox, you have been accused of infiltrating and attacking a pack. You have countless accusations against as a violent uncontrollable rogue who has orchestrated the deaths of many. Innocent lives have been lost as a result of your actions. Before we begin, how do you plead?" asked Xander.

He looked at me and my heart broke. They were going to crucify him.

"Guilty"