Riley POV
"I, as the representative of the Fae race and as their queen, hereby agree to sign this pact and become allies of all those who sign alongside me", Queen Titania announced, signing the papers with a flourish as her entourage stood behind her, their faces wreathed in smiles at this monumental occasion, her long hair cascading down her shoulders.
She stepped backwards as King Julian took her place. "I, King Julian, representative of the Vampire race, sign this pact and agree to become allies with all those who sign with me," he said, winking at me as I blushed and Bailey glowered at the handsome man, who chuckled as he carefully added his signature to the legal document.
Dustin was next, the choice for the bear shifters. A big hulking man, he lumbered up towards the desk, hunching his shoulders and looking awkward as he stepped forward. He had not been easy to convince, but somehow, Queen Titania of all people had managed to talk him around and as I saw him look around the room, it was clear he still had reservations, but he was keeping them to himself as he took up the pen, swallowing hard, a look of resolve coming over his face.
"I, Dustin" he said gruffly, looking hard at us all, "the representative of the bear shifters, do hereby agree to sign this legal document, agreeing to become allies of all the races gathered here and any future ones who sign this document. I add my name in the hopes of creating a better future where we live in harmony and peace, forging a friendship with those who would ensure the survival of all the races."
We watched silently as he wrote and signed his name on his people's behalf.
Sarah was next. A pleasant middle-aged woman, with a brilliant smile and twinkling eyes. We were surprised to have her arrive, but within minutes of her speaking, we had instinctively known the reason. She was the perfect choice for the witches; wise, experienced, clairvoyant and able to read the minds of those she touched. She had insisted on reading us all before she would agree to anything and the future she had seen, or at least one of the possibilities, had brought tears to her eyes. She had blinked tears back and simply stated they would join without divulging what the future held.
"I Sarah, the chosen one for the witches, agree to sign this document on their behalf, tying us as allies to all the races gathered here today and for those who sign in the future, forging a bond like no other and ensuring the survival of all species" her voice rang out loud and clear, her eyes glinting, her facial expression turning determined.
She took the pen and signed her name, bowing her head for a moment, before stepping back and joining the others. She was the only one who had come alone, without an entourage, but she stood there confident, her eyes fixed straight ahead.
Bailey was the next to stand. He eyed the crowd gathered with a solemn expression. "I, as the Lycan King, choose to be the representative of the Lycan race" he said quietly, "I sign this document today on their behalf, to ensure that the atrocities performed by the shifter elders are never performed again on any innocent creature, no matter their race. I signed this document willingly and with my own free will, forging a path that's never before been created, tying myself as an ally to all who stand here in this room, along with those who would sign this paper in the future. I remain loyal to all those who would work in tandem to ensure the peaceful coexistance of our species and who would work together to create a world that accepts us all."
Watchful eyes as Bailey, my mate, gripped the pen with a hard grip and signed the paper with the largest signature of all, declaring his allegiance. A momentous occasion, but there was still one signature that remained to be signed.
I stood up, lifting my chin proudly, my eyes blazing. I met my brother Damien's eyes and saw the pride on his face, saw the small smile on his lips as he nodded towards me, Marigold and the other sirens beside him. There was a look of relief on their faces as well as hope shining in their eyes. No doubt they had never thought they would see this day. I forced myself to look over the crowd, to meet all of their eyes. "The sirens are close to extinction, hunted and killed without mercy by those who have feared them all these years. The safety of my kind, the very existence of them, falls to me as their leader. No longer, will I allow my people to be hunted, murdered or taken for research purposes. No longer will they hide in the shadows, trying to eke out a living. No longer will they be looked down upon as being an inferior race. As I sign this paper, I do with pride, guiding the sirens to a new future, one where they will be able to live in peace, where they can live freely among the packs, able to mate and reproduce without punitive measures. Children will be given the opportunity that all children are given, the education sorely needed and the chance to further improve their lives. It's a long road ahead for us, but I know that with the help of those gathered here, we will continue to not only thrive as a species, but one day flourish and increase in number.
I took hold of the pen, a smile on my face. I placed it against the paper. I could feel my heart beating in excitement, my siren humming lowly in my mind, my wolf purring in agreement. My hand moved, and the paper was signed. It was done. I let go of the pen, exhaling loudly. Everything that we had been working for, everything that we had been pushing for, had come down to this moment and now it was over. Wasn't it? But there was still one thing awaiting us all, one thing that continued to bind us, one thing that continued to put a darkness over us. Silence. None of us spoke, but eventually King Julian cleared his throat and looked at each one of us.
"We can no longer prolong the inevitable" he said softly, turning to look at everyone, "The Alphas and Lunas are gathered, awaiting us, and we agreed that this would take place today. Now that the pact is signed, and we have become allies, we must uphold our promise and do what we agreed."
"It is time" my mate said, inclining his head and turning to Thomas and his other men, including Damien, "Gather the warriors and begin the process. Bring out Dominic Mathias first" he instructed softly, "as the leader of the elders, with knowledge and the responsibility of his people, his trial should rightfully be conducted first, followed by the others."
Thomas nodded and gestured towards Damien and the others, who followed him silently out of the room. "We must go to the ground", my mate instructed the rest of us, forcing us to begin moving, "Everything has already been prepared. I must warn you though, that this will not be pleasant and no one would think less of you if you were to leave or ask to be left out of this whole process."
Everybody looked at each other but nobody protested. It seemed that everybody was in agreement and wanted to take part in the trials, punishing those responsible for the crimes committed against their kind. Even Sarah's lips were tight, and her eyes had gone glacial. It was a little unnerving, and I shivered as we walked outside, towards the large group gathered in the middle of the grounds, Alpha's and Lunas bowing their heads respectfully. None of them objected to the presence of the other races, having already met beforehand, while Bailey and I had worked hard, communicating with the packs and bringing them up to speed on what crimes they had done and why they were being put on trial. We had suspected there would be a few objections, but to our astonishment, except for a few Alphas, the vast majority had been in support of us and the other races, coming along to show us exactly that.
"The trial for the elders is about to begin", King Bailey addressed the crowd, "I ask that you remain respectful during it and that you be respectful to the representatives here today from the different races."
Nods all around. I saw several Alpha's looking at Queen Titania with interest and several Luna's looking towards King Julian and Dustin with fascination, trying to hide my grin.
My mate's eyes narrowed. "The first prisoner is being brought out" he announced stiffly.
We turned as we heard his voice, rising in panic "You can't do this, you have no right, let me go you bastards!" he shouted, flailing and kicking as Damien and Thomas dragged him to the center of the circle we created for him, forcing him to kneel with force, his head rising to look piteously at the crowd. Unfortunately for him, they did not return the look, open revulsion on several faces as they stared back at him.
"Don't just stand there and stare like imbeciles" Dominic Cain hissed, "Can't you see what they are doing? Don't you see what an obvious ploy this is to get rid of the elders and the last chance for the shifters to remain in power? Are you all really this naive?" he shouted.
Silence. Several Alphas glowered at him. Luna's turned away, unable to look the man in the eyes. I hid my amusement. Dominic Mathias had been so certain that he would be rescued, that he would be vilified at the trial, but it looked as though that was not about to happen. Not anytime soon.
"Are you all completely blind?" Dominic screamed, trying to leap to his feet and being forced back down by Thomas. "Can't you see what's right in front of your eyes?"
His voice was growing shrill and getting higher and higher. More condemnation from the crowd and silence. There would be no help or support for him from this crowd, not now that they knew the full extent of what he had ordered done.
"Dominic Mathias, you stand here on trial today for the monstrous crimes you committed. You ordered the demise of innocent people, performed scientific experiments that were both deadly and without consent, kidnapping, crimes against humanity, fraud, conspiracy and genocide. You attempted to eliminate a species you deemed a threat, ordering the hunting down and killing of thousands of innocent sirens in order to protect your own kind. What do you have to say in your defense before you are convicted for all of your crimes?" my mate's voice was dark and dangerous.
Dominic Mathias's eyes widened as he looked at the crowd helplessly, his lips parting as he began to panic, his body trembling as he shook in fear, the crowd beginning to look menacing. I saw the look in the siren's eyes, the utter hatred, and moved closer to the man, feeling my own rage igniting.