Chapter 188 DARIUS'S FATE
Edeline
I couldn’t shake off the fear creeping through my chest, like a dark cloud suffocating me. My throat tightened as I thought about Darius being pulled up on that stage soon. I wasn’t ready for this, not at all.
“You alright, princess?” Dad’s deep voice rumbled from his chest, warm but concerned. He leaned in close, his breath brushing my ear. I looked up at him, then glanced over at Darius, torn between them both.
“Darius shouldn’t be up there, Dad,” I whispered, my voice catching in my throat. My vision blurred with tears that I refused to let fall.
If only I could help him somehow, without making things worse. I’d do anything—anything to keep him safe.
Dad’s expression hardened as he looked down at me, his brows furrowed in thought. “Edeline, there are things you don’t know. Things we’ve tried to protect you from.” He paused, his voice steady but filled with something heavy—fear, maybe? “He deserves to be up there. Don’t dwell on it too much, okay? This has to happen.”
What don’t I know? What is he hiding from me?
My heart pounded, a heavy thud in my chest that I couldn’t control. “But, Dad—" I started, shaking my head, the words tumbling out before I could stop them. "Darius didn’t even—"
“Edeline, back off!” Dad’s voice was sharp, laced with authority. He looked at me with that fierce glare he rarely showed, the one that always made me feel small. Like the wolf scolding its pup, telling it to stay in line. “We’ve got this. Trust us.”
I swallowed hard, feeling a lump in my throat that wouldn’t go away. “Mom?” I pleaded, turning to her, hoping for some kind of support. My eyes begged her to step in, to fix this.
But she only shook her head, sadness lingering in her eyes. She held onto Dad’s hand, squeezing it lightly. “Sweetheart, don’t stress yourself out. What’s done is done. Darius will face the consequences, and it’ll be fair. Just trust your father, okay?”
Dad didn’t wait for more protests. With his chest held high, back straight, he confidently led Mom toward Alpha William. I felt the tension still hanging between them, like an invisible thread pulling tight.
And me? I felt like I was sinking, panic rising inside me like a tidal wave. My eyes darted across the crowd, desperate to find a familiar face, some kind of reassurance. Where is Annabel? She wasn’t next to Alpha William. She wasn’t anywhere. My heart sank lower. I caught sight of Conor, his gaze locked on the stage, like he’d been waiting too long for this moment. Like everything had led to this.
The tears were stinging my eyes now, threatening to spill over. It felt like the weight of it all was too much, pressing in from every side. What if I can’t help him? What if no one listens? How is everyone just ignoring the fact that Darius was under Anita’s control? It’s insane! He never would’ve done those things if it wasn’t for her. And Tatiana? She just got away with it like nothing happened!
The stage suddenly lit up, snapping me out of my thoughts. Alpha William stepped forward, the torches casting an orange glow that flickered across the sea of wolves gathered around. The flames blurred in my tear-filled eyes, like fiery orbs dancing in the night.
“Everyone, take a seat!” Alpha William’s voice boomed across the crowd, no microphone needed. His voice carried the weight of authority, cutting through even the soft lapping of the lake behind us.
The crowd hushed instantly, every eye on him, waiting for his next words. It was clear no one had challenged him after last night’s meeting. His position as Alpha was still firmly intact.
William glanced at me, a flicker of sympathy in his eyes. And it only made me angrier. Why pity me when Darius is the one who needs help?
“Today,” William began, his voice strong but somber, “we’ve come together to witness the trials of two individuals who unintentionally violated our laws… one of them being my own son.” His voice wavered slightly, and I saw the light in his eyes dim, just for a moment. The crowd murmured their approval, their emotions swirling in the air like smoke.
I clenched my fists, biting back the surge of helplessness that clawed at my insides.
“Darius is facing charges for conspiring and committing crimes against a pack member, among other offenses,” Alpha William's voice grew quieter as Darius was led out, bound in heavy silver chains. His once strong, proud face was now pale and gaunt, his eyes dull, showing no interest in anything around him. He didn’t even bother to look up.
I could feel my chest tightening, each breath a struggle as I pushed my way through the crowd. My heart pounded louder with every step I forced forward. People were packed in tight, but I didn’t care. I had to reach him.
“Darius!” I called out, my voice breaking slightly.
He raised his head just enough to meet my gaze, a sheepish grin flickering on his lips before he looked back down at the ground. That small smile... it shattered my heart.
I shot William a skeptical look, barely able to hide my anger. The crowd wasn’t nearly as reserved. A wave of boos and jeers rose up, their disapproval of Darius spilling over. They couldn’t see the truth like I could. They didn’t know him like I did.
“Anita the Healer,” William’s voice cut through the noise, louder now, tinged with rage, “has been accused of conspiracy to commit two murders, poisoning pack members, and plotting against us all!” His words struck hard, and the wolves around me howled in agreement as Anita was dragged onto the stage.
Silver chains wrapped tightly around her wrists, she struggled, jerking back and forth as the Beta dragged her roughly forward. Her narrowed eyes glinted with fury, her lips curling back in a snarl, but the chains held her fast.
“So, this Healer,” William continued, his voice thick with disgust, “doesn’t rely on the Moon’s gifts. No, she dabbles in darker things, darker healing practices. And there are some among you who believe she should burn, like the witches of old.”