Mated To My Mate's Worst Enemy Chapter 115

ARIA

"But—"

"We cannot expect you to lead this pack with integrity if you show partiality," Morrison said, and his voice was gentle but firm. "If we make exceptions for the Luna, what message does that send? That rank and position place someone above the law? That justice is conditional based on who you're bonded to?"

Kael looked trapped, caught between his desire to protect me and his responsibility to uphold pack law. I could feel his struggle through our bond, the way he was being pulled in two different directions.

"There has to be another way," he said finally. "House arrest. Increased security detail. Something other than putting her in a cell like a common criminal."

"Alpha Kael is right that there should be another way."

The voice came from near the back of the tribunal room. Everyone turned to see Ivory standing there, supported by Margo who had clearly helped her navigate to the proceedings despite her weakened state.

"Healer Ivory," Morrison said, surprise evident in his voice. "You should be resting. Your injuries—"

"Can wait," Ivory interrupted, moving slowly toward the front of the room. "I needed to be here for this."

She stopped a few feet from where I stood, looking at me with those golden eyes that gave nothing away. Then she turned to face the elders.

"I believe both Luna Aria and I are telling the truth," she said clearly. "My truth, my perspective—I know what I felt and experienced. But I also acknowledge, as I told Alpha Kael yesterday, that my memory formed under extreme duress. Under the influence of a fast-acting poison that was already affecting my brain function."

"What are you saying?" Thorne asked sharply.

"I'm saying that I felt someone grab me from behind. That's true. I felt pain immediately after. Also true. But I did not see who grabbed me or where the dart came from. My compromised state caused me to connect those two events into a single action—Luna Aria attacking me." She paused. "But it's possible, even probable, that what actually happened was exactly what Luna Aria described. Someone shot at me. She grabbed me to push me out of the way. The grab and the pain were separate events that my drugged brain merged together."

The room erupted in shocked whispers. This was not what anyone had expected—least of all me.

"Are you recanting your testimony?" Morrison asked carefully.

"I'm clarifying it," Ivory said. "I'm saying that I cannot be certain that my perception of events matches what objectively occurred. And given that uncertainty, given that Luna Aria's account is consistent with what we know about the threats against me, I believe she deserves the opportunity to prove her innocence."

"How?" Cassius asked. "The investigation has turned up nothing definitive."

"Then we investigate further," Ivory said. "We search more thoroughly. We look for patterns in the attacks against me. We follow leads about who Sera might have hired. We give Luna Aria the chance to help us find the real attacker if there is one."

"And if there isn't one?" Thorne challenged. "If this is all misdirection and Luna Aria is guilty?"

"Then we'll have proof," Ivory said simply. "Real proof, not just circumstantial evidence and conflicting memories. If Luna Aria attempted to murder me, I want to know with certainty. I want evidence that removes all doubt. But imprisoning her based on what we have now—that's not justice. That's fear and suspicion masquerading as due process."

She turned to look at me directly. "As the victim of this attack, I believe Luna Aria should have the opportunity to prove her innocence. If she's innocent, then working together, we'll find who really tried to kill me. If she's guilty..." Ivory paused. "If she's guilty and we have sufficient proof, then no one will deny it when justice is served. But we need that proof first."

The elders conferred again, their voices still too low to make out individual words. I watched their faces, trying to read any hint of what they were thinking.

Finally, Morrison turned back to address the room.

"Healer Ivory makes a compelling argument," he said slowly. "As the victim, her opinion on how to proceed carries significant weight." He looked at Kael. "And Alpha Kael's concerns about proper procedure while avoiding undue imprisonment are noted."

He paused, seeming to weigh his next words carefully.

"Luna Aria Blackwood, you are released from suspicion for now, but not exonerated. You will have freedom of movement within pack territory to assist in the investigation. However, you will report daily to Security Chief Nina about your activities and findings. And if at any point evidence emerges that definitively points to your guilt, you will be immediately detained. Do you understand these terms?"

"Yes," I managed, barely able to believe what I was hearing. "Yes, I understand. Thank you."

"Don't thank us yet," Thorne said coldly. "You haven't been proven innocent. You've merely been given rope. Whether you use it to pull yourself to safety or hang yourself remains to be seen."

"This tribunal is adjourned," Morrison announced. "Luna Aria, report to Security Chief Nina before the end of the day to establish your check-in schedule."

The crowd began to disperse, voices rising as everyone discussed what had just happened. I stood there, still processing, trying to understand how I'd gone from facing imprisonment to tentative freedom in the span of minutes.

Because of Ivory.

Ivory, who had every reason to want me punished. Who I'd supposedly attacked. Who the entire pack loved and would have believed without question.

Ivory had saved me.

I looked around and spotted her near the door, Margo at her elbow helping her navigate through the crowd. I hurried over before they could leave, needing to say something—anything—to acknowledge what she'd done.

"Ivory," I called, and she stopped, turning to face me. "Wait. Please."