Chapter 64
Iris
The courtroom was thrown into an upheaval when I brought the young man in. Apparently, no one had ever challenged their barbaric customs that gave no chance for suspects to defend themselves.
Just like they did to me.
"I say we lock him up and wait for Prince Gradel to come back. He should be done with the meetings by now, right?" Elder Hanson said.
My body shuddered involuntarily at the mention of his name. I nearly slapped my cheek for having the hots for him when I was faced with a serious issue. His name wasn't supposed to have any effect on me.
Head sentinel Silas snorted, advancing toward the young man who was already on his knees.
"That would be too easy for him. Who knows, Prince Gradel would return and decide to release him, but that would give other criminals the audacity to continue stealing and we don't want that to happen." He injected.
My temper simmered to the surface and with all their ridiculous inputs, I was having a hard time keeping calm. Why couldn't these people be reasonable and do the right thing?
Having gotten tired of their unreasonable opinions, I butted in. "Why don't we ask why he stole in the first place? We have to be pious and unbiased when passing judgments remember?"
They nodded reluctantly in agreement but I didn't care about their expression. Several months ago, they had treated me like trash but now I was in the place to make decisions and I'd utilize that right judiciously.
Elder Hanson began the interrogation.
"Where did you come from and why did you steal?"
The young man kept quiet, his hands behind him. I scanned his body and pity welled up within me for him. He looked hungry and unkempt, the same I looked before Gradel decided to be my knight in shining armor.
His hair seemed as if it hadn't been combed for weeks and his clothes were designed with several holes. I couldn't even tell the color of the shirt he put on because of how dirty it was.
"Speak, young man!" Elder Hanson barked.
I spared him a warning glance. The stranger was probably afraid of being punished and I didn't think that being harsh on him would yield any result.
"Talk to him calmly," I advised.
Elder Hanson took a deep breath and muttered some words inaudibly but I knew that he was trying to keep his emotions in check.
"Stranger, we are trying to help you here but that will only be possible if you cooperate and don't forget that you committed a crime." He spoke softly.
He raised his head and looked at me for permission. My brows furrowed in surprise but I caught myself and gave him a nod.
"My name is Elda and I'm an orphan. My parents died when I was eight years old, leaving me to wander around without any hope of getting a place to live. I've been surviving on what people give to me, but recently no one agreed to help me out anymore so I came here..."
Simon kicked him from behind, wearing a disgusted look. "And you resorted to stealing?" He snarled.
Elda lowered his head. "I didn't have much options and I'm unemployed. My mouth hasn't tasted food for the past three days, just water. I had to do something even though it was wrong." He admitted and my heart shattered into pieces.
The elders saw a thief who could be used as a scapegoat to deter other criminals from committing crimes but all I saw was a young man who was desperate to survive.
I'd been there before and I knew what it meant to be helpless. And that was why I wouldn't allow them to sentence him.
He needed help and help he would get even if it meant fighting against the entire pack.
Elder Hanson cleared his throat, wearing an aloof expression. "Well, we've listened to your story and, sadly, you had to go through such a painful experience, but that didn't give you any right to come in here and steal. You see, stealing in this pack is punishable by death. We don't tolerate it in any form so as agreed before, you'll be locked up and beaten every day until the Prince returns and takes a decision-"
"No, he won't be locked up." I disagreed vehemently.
They stared at me like I'd just spoken in a strange language.
"But that is the rule," Simon interjected.
I fixed a mean glare at him and folded my hands. "And I'm sure you know the power of my words. I'm your prince's mate, who will in turn be your Alpha and I, his Luna. Won't it too early to be in my black book?" I smirked triumphantly, watching his countenance fall as reality dawned on him.
It felt so good to ride over them.
"You are right, My Lady, but the Alpha is the only one who has the right to give orders here." Elder Hanson argued.
I burst into a derisive peal of laughter and stopped, flagging on a deadpan stare. I didn't know how I was able to gather such confidence, but it didn't matter.
"I'm going to ask questions and I need your honest responses. The Alpha is bedridden and indisposed which means he can't be on seat, right?"
They glanced at each other quizzically then responded when they saw that I wasn't smiling.
"Yes, My Lady."
"His first son took his place due to the absence of the Alpha's mate and now that the Prince isn't in the pack, who should take his place in decision-making?" My lips curled into a wry smile when they discovered that I'd played them. "Answer the damn question!" I barked.
"It's you, My Lady," They agreed with a slight hesitation that I ignored.
They could disagree within themselves, but the respect they had for my position wouldn't allow them to talk back at me openly.
"So you will take him to one of the empty rooms and lock him in. Serve him food and water until the Prince comes back and gives his final verdict. Is that clear?"
"Yes," They chorused.
Just then, the strong woody scent I'd been accustomed to swept into the courtroom, causing the hairs on my skin to rise. The man that made me cry all night was back and the only thing I could think of was kissing him.