And Then There Were Four by Lilith Carrie
Chapter 228

Damian.

For days I stayed locked within that room, food being brought to me occasionally until at last, I was brought back before the Council and staring up at them and utter disbelief to what they were saying. My heart broke with every word as I realized there was nothing I could do.

"Damian, we replace you guilty. However, judgment has been sent to your pack that, if for some reason, Ivy, your mate, the Luna of your pack, did in fact, kill those people, she can take your place during the reckoning." The Grand Elder seemed almost robotic in nature as I watched him speak with no single sense of emotion; Alokaye smirking in the distance. His eyes trained on the Grand Elder as Allison's eyes were focused on me with utter disgust. What the hell was actually going on?

There was no way they could punish me for something I didn't do, and even though Ivy had done it, there was no way I would allow them to punish her. She was my mate, and I would protect her with my last dying breath.

All Ivy did was protect her people her pack and family-from those conspiring to cause them harm. It was what any Luna or Alpha would do in her situation.

"This is absolutely absurd. You are sentencing an innocent man to death while trying to hold that death over an innocent woman who did nothing wrong," I yelled at them, my roar echoing off the walls as the people looked at each other with confliction.

"Elders, I ask upon you to not let this situation go. Even with his death, his brothers and mate are a threat to our ways. We must stop them before they try to destroy us all by killing him. We must confront the problem at it's root," Alokaye said as his words flowed off his lips like silk.

"What is it you suggest Alokaye?" another elder questioned as their eyes stared at him with suspicion. "Are you suggesting the council declare war with the largest pack in the country?"

"Yes, actually. I am."

Shocked whispers flooded the entire room, and with them, I thought surely this couldn't be the response they would agree upon. War was never the answer, and what happened wouldn't have been basis enough for it anyways.

"What plan of action would you have?" the Grand Elder asked with a curious glint in his eyes as he leaned back within his chair, watching Alokaye closely.

"It's very simple, honestly. We hit the pack when they are at their weakest. The summer solstice. They will celebrate as packs always do, and we will strike out against them."

"Are you kidding me?" I yelled once more, jerking against the chains that bound me. "You cannot do this. We are innocent. There are women and children there. They are all innocent and have done nothing wrong!"

"Enough!" the Grand Elder bellowed. "Your pack's fate is not my problem. They followed you and that woman they whisper about, the false god. She is no god, and I will not have her brainwashing the people with such nonsense." "You're listening to a man who is lying. Alokaye has no real proof!"

A blow to the back of my head had me seeing stars, and as I steadied

myself, I peered up into the cold glare O

of Alokaye. "If that is the case, then "If that your mate would have replied by now in order to bring herself forward

instead of leaving the suffering of the innocent at the hands of the council. Do you think they are fools to be blinded by your arrogance?"

"What I think is foolish is to listen to a

man who doesn't even seem like a

man, one who is seeking his own

оден

retribution and his own salvation," I spat.

"You dare mock this court!" the Grand

Elder yelled, standing to his feet as he slammed his hands against the desk in front of him. "Who do you think you are?"