His Abandoned Luna Chapter 114

|| Lilac’s POV ||

The night had passed in a blur, my mind racing with plans and possibilities. Sleep had been elusive, my thoughts consumed by the council meeting that loomed over us like a storm cloud. By morning, the weight of exhaustion pressed heavily on my shoulders, but I couldn’t afford to show weakness. Not today.

The council chamber was a grand, imposing hall, its high ceilings adorned with intricate carvings of wolves and moons. The air was thick with tension, the murmurs of the gathered crowd echoing like the low growl of a distant storm. Dad sat among the council members, his expression unreadable, while Ezra and I stood at the back, blending into the sea of onlookers.

“I’m worried a bit,” Ezra whispered, his voice barely audible over the hum of conversation.

“Why?” I asked, though I already knew the answer.

Ezra shifted uncomfortably, his eyes darting to where Alaric stood at the center of the room.

“Well… you know… I kinda liked Alaric. I feel this pull with him that I cannot explain,” he admitted, his voice tinged with uncertainty.

I didn’t reply, but a small smile touched my lips. It was hard not to like Alaric. He was strong, kind, and fiercely loyal— qualities that made him a natural leader. But today, those qualities were being tested in the most public and humiliating way possible.

The council members took their seats, their expressions stern and unyielding. I spotted Astrid in the distance, her usually vibrant demeanor replaced by a tense, worried expression. Madeline and Elara sat beside her, their faces equally strained. Even Alexander, who usually exuded confidence, looked uneasy as he took his place among the council members. Alpha Daren, a formidable figure with a reputation for fairness, sat at the head of the table, his sharp eyes scanning the room.

The council began with a formal declaration of the charges.

“Alaric Reventhorn, you have been accused of kidnapping and torturing Kael Reventhorn’s mate, Coco. Are you aware of your situation?” one of the council members asked, his voice echoing through the chamber.

Alaric stood tall, his posture unwavering despite the gravity of the accusations.

“Yes, I am,” he replied, his voice calm and steady.

“Let’s hear it from Coco first,” the council declared, and a hush fell over the room.

Coco stood, her fragile frame trembling as she stepped forward. She looked every bit the victim, her wide eyes filled with tears and her voice quivering as she spoke.

“Thank you… Alpha Council,” she began, her words barely audible. “I was in the market when I felt someone was following me. I hurried to get back to the castle, but I was caught. Two wolves dragged me somewhere cold. My eyes were covered, so I couldn’t see anyone, but my nose picked up the faint scent of pinewood. That’s how I knew it was him.”

Her voice broke, and she choked back a sob. Kael was on his feet in an instant, his face a mask of righteous indignation. “I have a witness as well,” he declared, his voice ringing with authority. “A maid from the Silver Moon Pack can testify. She smelled the same scent on Coco.”

So that was his alibi. That’s why he had been so confident. I clenched my fists, my nails digging into my palms as another she-wolf stood to corroborate Coco’s story. The room buzzed with whispers, the weight of the accusations pressing down on Alaric like a suffocating blanket.

“Alaric, do you have anything to add?” the council asked, their eyes fixed on him.

Alaric stepped forward, his expression calm but resolute.

“I actually have two suggestions,” he began, his voice carrying through the chamber. “First, I request permission to investigate this matter further.”

Kael’s face twisted in anger.

“Why do you want to investigate? The proof is before our eyes!” he barked, his voice sharp and cutting.

Alaric turned to him, his tone measured but firm, “Why are you so agitated, brother? It seems like you don’t want to find out the truth here.”

Kael’s jaw tightened, his eyes narrowing. “I’m not agitated. I’m just worried you might tamper with the evidence.”

Alaric’s lips curved into a faint smile. “You really think so lowly of me, brother. But don’t worry. I won’t be investigating. I propose that one member of the council— someone with no ties to either of us— lead the investigation. I will provide a tracker from my pack, and you can send a tracker you trust as well.”

“Trackers?” Kael asked, his voice laced with suspicion.

“Yes,” Alaric replied, his tone calm and confident. “First, we will try to track down where Coco was confined. Since it has only been a few weeks, it shouldn’t be hard. They can trace all the locations Coco went to. From there, we can find traces of who is behind this.”

I smirked inwardly. This was my idea. Trackers were renowned for their ability to trace scents, even months after the fact. It was a brilliant move, one that put Kael on the defensive.

“This is bullshit!” Kael yelled, his face red with anger.

“It’s not. It makes more sense,” Alexander interjected, his voice calm but firm.

“We have an alibi. Why do we need trackers? Besides, I don’t want Coco to be dragged into this any further,” Kael argued, his voice rising.

Alpha Daren leaned forward, his eyes narrowing. “Does that mean you are withdrawing your accusations?”

Kael faltered, his confidence wavering. “No, I’m not…”

“In that case, we will proceed with the investigation,” another council member declared. “After all, Alaric is an Alpha, and we cannot place such a heavy blame on him without proper proof.”

The room erupted in whispers, and I couldn’t help but feel a surge of satisfaction as I watched Kael’s face pale. This was just the beginning.