Chapter 217 - Different Reason

Chapter 217 - Different Reason
Amaia's POV
I had mixed feelings about being in court today.
Everything felt so surreal—we were at the end of the trial and were listening to a verdict.
The atmosphere was thick with tension as I glanced around the room, taking in the anxious faces of those around me. I couldn't shake the feeling that, whatever the outcome, it would change everything for us moving forward.
I listened carefully to the verdict, my heart racing.
As the judge spoke, each word seemed to echo in my mind, amplifying the weight of the moment. I got ready for the reaction that would come next, knowing that the decision that was about to be made would change our lives forever.
When the gavel finally struck, I realized that the true impact of this moment would ripple far beyond these walls.
"That's 45 years in total for Darna," Rieka gloated. "And 28 years for Lillian."
The room fell silent, the gravity of the sentences hanging heavily in the air, and a mix of relief and dread washed over me.
"This is almost the rest of their lives," I muttered in disbelief.
"You've done it!" Charles exclaimed over the mindlink. "Congratulations, Luna!"
My eyebrows knitted together when the judges said they would carry out their sentence at Silver Claw Pack—the highest security prison in the wolf world. They were designed for the most dangerous wolves, featuring extreme control and isolation.
How the hell does this judge know about that place?
My gaze shifted to Roland, and a smile followed on his lips as if he knew what I wanted to know.
"The judge is married to a wolf," he mindlinked and winked.
That explained why he did the hearing in the first place and why everyone was so comfortable around him—he was basically one of us.
The implications of that connection were profound, suggesting a deeper alliance between the wolves and the human legal system.
"He does all our wolf hearings in the human world," Roland continued. "This partnership allows us to navigate the complexities of our dual existence more smoothly," he added, his expression turning serious. "With such influence, we can safeguard our interests in ways we never imagined."
I couldn't believe my ears. Was this some kind of trick?
The weight of his words hung in the air, and doubt crept into my mind. I had to weigh the benefits against the potential risks of aligning with a system that had historically marginalized beings like us.
"You!" Lillian roared, and my gaze snapped toward her. She was pointing her finger at me; anger radiated off her. "You will not get away with this!" She sneered. Her voice echoed in the tense atmosphere, drawing the attention of everyone in the room. "I hate you! I hate everything about you! I will take my revenge..."
Lillian visibly trembled, and for a moment I wondered if she would dare shift and attack me. The threat hung in the air like a storm cloud, heavy and charged with emotion. I could feel my heart racing as I prepared for whatever she might do next, knowing all too well that her fury could unleash chaos in an instant.
Just as I braced myself for the worst, the court officer grabbed hold of her and dragged her out of court. The sudden intervention shattered the tension, leaving me momentarily breathless.
My gaze shifted to Darna—she was glaring at the judge with so much hate that I could feel it coming from her. Her eyes burned with a fierce intensity, and I wondered what thoughts raced through her mind.
Will Darna try to appeal her case? Would the Wolf council allow it?
The uncertainty felt weighty in the air, and I could sense the whispers of speculation brewing among the onlookers.
As the court session ended, I couldn't shake the feeling that this was far from over. The tension hung thick as we filed out of the courtroom, each footstep echoing with unresolved conflict.
After the proceedings, Anthony drove me to the Night Sky pack. Since Harrison's arrest, I have been visiting the pack frequently.
I sighed as I entered the Alpha wing. Inside, the familiar scent of cedar and leather enveloped me, but it did little to ease my growing anxiety.
What if Darna and Lillian found a way to escape? Would they dare come after me?
Rina must have heard me enter, and she hurried to my side to welcome me.
"Congratulations, Luna," she exclaimed, and pulled me into a hug. "Your parents would be so proud of you!"
Rina kept her promise and was one of the many pack members who gave evidence against Darna. Her support made me feel a bit more secure, yet the unease lingered in the back of my mind. I knew that as long as Darna was out there, the threat was far from over, and I needed to stay vigilant.
"No, Rina," I said, with a smile. "Thank you. Without all the critical evidence you helped provide, this hearing wouldn't have happened. I will always be thankful for what you have done. Without you, Darna and Lillian wouldn't have received such long and harsh sentences."
"It's all well," she said, letting go of my hands. "I am glad you're back, and they aren't here anymore."
I smiled at the old woman and headed to my room.
I quickly changed into more comfortable clothing and headed down to the cemetery. I broke down in sobs standing next to my parents' tombstones.
I didn't say anything; I knew they would understand what I felt. They could hear my heart, and they knew I missed them so much.
I wiped the tears from my face and placed the daisies I brought with me on my parents' grave.
My cell phone rang, and I retrieved it without looking at the caller ID.
"Hallo?" I said, trying to get my sobs under control.
"Congratulations on succeeding in getting your revenge," Roland chirped. "Meet me at the packhouse; I have a surprise for you..."
Before I could say anything, Roland cut the call.
For a moment, I stared at the phone in my hands—it was still the same phone Harrison gave me the night he caught me sneaking out of the packhouse.
I threw it toward the forest, knowing that I'd never use it again.
I slowly headed back to the car, where Anthony patiently waited for me. He helped me inside, and a moment later we drove off.
"Did you manage to complete the transfer?" I asked.
Anthony nodded. "Everything is done."
"The name change?" I asked.
"Changed as per your request," he said as he looked back at me through the rearview mirror.
"Good," I said. "I want to present it to him tonight."
"Do you think Alpha Lennox will accept it?" he asked.
"It was part of our agreement," I answered, reaching for the original signed copy lying next to me on the passenger seat.
"And the piece of vacant land...?" he asked.
"No," I replied as I pulled out the original contract Barrett had compiled a year ago. "I bought the land for a different reason..."
Anthony didn't ask more questions; he knew what I was busy doing, and I couldn't wait to see Roland's face when I told him....