Chapter 216 - Silver Claw Prison

Chapter 216 - Silver Claw Prison
Roland's POV
It's been a couple of weeks since the trial started. Things were finally falling into place, and after today, I was hoping that everything could settle down.
The tension outside the courtroom was palpable, and I could feel my heart racing as we prepared for the day's proceedings.
If the jury saw the truth in our testimony, maybe we could finally put this nightmare behind us.
I exchanged an anxious glance with Amaia; we were silently praying for a favorable outcome.
Everything didn't always go exactly as planned. We had many ups and downs during the trial.
The original plan was to avoid dragging out the trial for too long and give Darna and Lillian a window of opportunity to manipulate their way out and escape, but when witnesses came forward, things changed. Everyone wanted to give their two cents and put them behind bars.
But when things didn't go as planned, I always made sure I had a backup plan.
Upon Darna's capture, I reached out to my close friend, Gavin Heart, who serves as the Head of the Elder Wolf Council. I explained our situation—what had happened and that the two were involved in criminal activities all over the wolf community.
Gavin assured me that the council would take the matter seriously, but I knew that proving their guilt would require solid evidence and testimony. He arranged for the hearing to begin one week later.
There were more than eighty people who came forward to testify—mostly pack members, but a couple of Alphas as well.
I can still remember the shock on Darna's face when Alpha Stanley took the stand and testified against her. He was the one who tipped me off about Darna's whereabouts.
As the testimonies unfolded, it became clear that Darna's web of deceit was far more intricate than anyone had anticipated.
Even Maria testified against both of the women—she provided clear footage of Darna trying to blackmail Stanley and drugging Alpha Larry.
The evidence stacked against Darna painted a damning picture, and whispers of disbelief echoed through the room.
The trial escalated rather quickly; the testimonials were brutal, heartbreaking, and some were horrific.
I suggested that Amaia take the stand and tell the court her story. I wanted her to get closure and justice.
Initially she was a bit hesitant but eventually agreed.
My gaze shifted to her; she seemed so calm and happy now—as if she knew it was the end of a storm and the sun was peeking its head from behind the clouds.
My thoughts trailed off as I recalled Amaia in the witness stand. I was so proud of her.
I knew she was nervous. I could feel her emotions over the bond.
"You got this," I mindlinked her. "Whatever happens, I'm here for you. Take a breath. Calm yourself and answer the questions as if you were talking to me."
She nodded and smiled when she found my gaze in the crowd.
As she stepped onto the stand, a hush fell over the courtroom, all eyes fixated on her.
Taking a deep breath, she steadied herself, the weight of the moment settling on her shoulders.
I watched intently, hoping she would find the strength to speak her truth, knowing that every word she uttered would carry the power to change everything.
Darna and Lillian tried very hard to ask questions to create reasonable doubt, but Amaia kept her composure, only saying what needed to be said.
With each response, her voice grew stronger, resonating with conviction that silenced the surrounding murmurs. It was as if she had transformed the courtroom into a sanctuary of honesty, challenging the facade that had been constructed against her.
With a steady breath, she began to recount her experiences, her voice trembling yet resolute, determined to reclaim her narrative and seek the justice she so desperately deserved.
I could still hear the slight quiver in her voice when Charles asked her how she knew Darna and Lillian. Her gaze shifted momentarily to the jury, as if searching for empathy in their eyes.
"Darna is my stepmother," she said. "She came into my life when I was still a pup and had always been kind to me. She never raised her voice once..."
Amaia paused and took a deep breath.
"Everything changed after my father's death. She drugged me at Carlos's, tried to sell me as a slave, and then covered it up as a car accident...."
"Was that the only incident?" Charles asked.
"No," she replied. "I was dragged into a room at Sweet Velvet, locked in, and later assaulted by Alpha Larry. Lillian watched how he assaulted me while someone was taking pictures..."
The court stirred.
Amaia told them about the kidnapping, the pups, the drugs, and every story of how cruel and dangerous they were.
When she was done telling her side of the story, there wasn't a dry eye in court—except for Darna. She just glared at her.
The court door opened—forcing the memory from my mind—and I spotted the court office.
"The jury has returned," he announced.
The judge was already sitting when we entered. His face—a blank canvas.
He lifted his gaze and silenced the court.
The head juror handed the verdict to the court officer, and he stepped toward the judge.
The air crackled with anticipation. I could hear Amaia holding her breath as the judge opened the verdict.
However, the judge maintained his calm composure as he scanned through the verdict.
"After carefully reviewing and listening to all the evidence and testimonials," he said, looking at Darna and Lillian. "How does the jury find the defendants?"
"We find both she-wolves guilty on all accounts!" the juror said.
The courtroom fell silent as they watched Darna's and Lillian's expressions. Shock and despair washed over their faces, and a low murmur rippled through the spectators. I could feel the weight of the moment pressing down on us all as the reality of their fate began to sink in.
Both thought they would get away with it.
Lillian dropped her head as the judge read through the evidence.
Darna gave Amaia a hateful glare.
"The court hereby sentences Luna Darna," the judge said. "Twenty-five years for the murder of Alpha Cawood, ten years for Luna Cawood, plus another ten years for bribery, blackmail, and other related crimes."
Amaia gasped, her chest rapidly going up and down as she listened to the verdict.
The judge turned his attention to Lillian.
"Miss Lillian," he said sternly. "You are such a young she-wolf, and you still have your whole life in front of you...it's such a shame you got yourself involved with such serious criminal activities...."
The judge paused, knitting his eyebrows together. "But after careful consideration of all the evidence against you, it seems like you are an endangerment to the community. For your involvement in Alpha Cawood's murder, I sentence you to five years in prison. Fifteen years for the assault on Luna Amaia, eight years for bribery, blackmail, and other crimes."
Amaia made an unknown noise next to me, and I squeezed her hand.
"Are you okay?" I asked.
She nodded and said. "Just overwhelmed."
"Furthermore," the judge continued. "These sentences will be consecutive," he said, making the court gasp. "They will be carried out in Silver Claw Prison."