The Prisoner’s Princess Chapter 99

Isabelle

I sat next to my mate, and there were makeshift seating arrangements behind us. We scooted his desk forward so my family could sit behind and beside us… but I was still worried. He held my hand gently, and we waited at the computer for the feed to go live. Seats popped up one by one, except the Third… and my heart sank a little… I don’t think I’d ever been so nervous.

“You are the first ruling today, as you have my ire little one.” He said first. He didn’t even greet us. I found myself lowering my head to him, and he motioned for me to rise.

“Not only did you kill my Third, but you mailed his pelt to his enemy, and his ashes to his family. Not only did you do this thing unprovoked, but you also have pled guilty. I do not know why I even wish to hear your defense, but speak.” He said with red blazing eyes…

“He made trouble everywhere he went… he insulted my sister in law in my face… I saw red. I couldn’t just let him leave here as a threat to my pups.” I said honestly. He growled.

“He has never been a threat to Charred blood little one, but I understand your agitation…” He said the last part quietly.

“Grandfather if I may speak for my child and son in law, I know that Brutus came here to make trouble. He came here for something most likely not allotted to him, and was killed on those grounds.” Said dad.

“It would change things if he came for that.” He scratched his chin, still unamused.

“He came for Hazel Thomas, the Breathless One, causing pack disruption as she is my Gamma’s true mate.” Said Bryson. The king hummed deeply.

“Why did no one tell me this first?” He asked, his eyes changed somewhat less red and more orange.

“Because ultimately he was killed for the insult directed toward my sister in law… and the hatred I bore for him.” There were groans behind me, but I had to be honest. He’d find out anyway.

He sighed. “He thought less of females, weaker kinds of shifters, and those of lower birth ironically being Omega born in a low house…. But you have still committed a crime, and for it you will be punished.” He said sitting up higher.

“Your majesty if I may.” Said the Fifth Seat, the Dead One. “I have been on this council many years now… but I must say I have not slept this soundly since before I took this position. My mortal mate has been nearly killed multiple times, at least one of them I Knew he was behind, but I cannot prove it.”

“He corrupted my oldest son…” Said the Second.

“He used his influence to force my hand on one of my youngest.” Grumbled the Fourth. “He would not have Been there if he wasn’t so obsessed with forcing his line to be higher than it actually is.”

“There is no proof for any of those things your majesty!” complained the Sixth Seat, Alpha Jang. “I request they be taken off the record to preserve his standing.”

“Your majesty, I have tried for Years, thousands of years to get that bastard off the council. The evil illegal things he did were never on paper.” Said the Second.

“Ronitus you, Esmond, and Oliver leave me in an awkward position… Brutus was under investigation these past 500 years, yet no one found anything of substance. I can consider your words, but know I cannot hold to them. Also Esmond, your choices were still your own. You still have my favor, you could have come to me and I would have stopped this.” He said quietly.

He bowed. “Your majesty to show weakness is to be cast out as Alpha.” No one said anything for a short time, as he was right. It would have been weakness to run to the King with his problems. No one would have outwardly said anything to him…. but behind his back they would plot against him. There was also the fact that having a favor from the king held allot of weight. Using it would leave him vulnerable.

“I motion a pardon.” Said the Fifth. “She did this council a favor taking potential corruption out of this court. He didn’t even receive his seat properly.”

“That is true… but that was also something I swore away to Phillip to protect his mortal mate….” He put his hand to his forehead and rubbed his temples… “I am still out of a Third Seat now.” He mumbled. “My child has been charged with murder and pled guilty. I cannot pick favorites. His life as worthless as it was, was still protected.”

“Harming her will bring the apocalypse.” Said Ven. “I do not care for the mortals of this world if my mate is not in it.”

“I know. I know…” He waved his hand dismissively. He was frustrated, put in an impossible position, because anyone else would have been hunted like a deer and put down.

“He wouldn’t have died if he came here and disrespected.” I said trying to slightly change the subject, and we were put on mute. They looked like they debated and called a recess.

“What do you think they’ll rule?” Asked Mini… she’d not said much of anything until now. “And thanks for defending me but you don’t have to. I’m not the timid pup I used to be.” She held my brother’s hand, and he squeezed it a little.

“You weren’t here, and he didn’t deserve to put hounds in his mouth overstepping. You’re still a shifter no matter the size.” I grumbled crossing my arms.

“I do not think I have ever been more ready to literally raise hell if something happens to you.” Said Ven. I put my hand on his shoulder, and rubbed it in little circles.

“It’s why I think I may have a fighting chance.’’ I told him gently, and there was a ringing of a bell, signaling the recess was over.

“Isabelle Ann Charred, I have made my ruling. This is a hard decision to make, though I think I did the right thing. I cannot pick favorites, and traditionally, the ‘blood for blood’ law would be issued, and you would be stripped of your status. By law you would have been beheaded; however, this would be unwise. I cannot kill you, nor can I separate you from a mate and pups that are Old Ones. It would cause devastation. But I Can and Will punish you. Your mate will come here to receive 40 lashes. I know he would take them for you, so I already arranged this in my ruling. What you did was Wrong. You had no right to kill a council member if not in self-defense, but I do understand your reasoning. Your punishment is one of service. You will serve in Brutus’ stead; however, I will not give you FrostMoon. It would separate you from pups who would grow with hatred in their hearts for this court, and also, you would have to deal with his family. They are no longer council, so therefore their influence will be greatly reduced. But I am no fool. It would still be as if I wished your death anyway sending you near that pack.” There was an uproar.

“Your highness, she isn’t even an Alpha!” Said Jang, but the King waved his hand dismissively.

“She is Luna of the largest pack on the continent, second only to mine. She is a temperamental, but good-hearted pup I know will do her job well. I refuse for the Third Heir to sit in that seat. I have seen his Disgraceful impatience. He is not strong enough to serve, nor do I trust him. He has all the bad aspects of his father. I expect you both to come next moon after the Lunar Festival activities for punishment. Venerable, make your skin hard, as I will not show mercy.” He growled.

“I will not feel it.” He growled back. It woke the pups.

“Trust me you will. I do not play games with punishment.” He hung up with red eyes.

“Ven you shouldn’t have egged him on!” I growled, going to our whining pups to soothe them.

“I spoke the truth. The old fart only wishes to intimidate.” He grumbled, unable to remain.

“Bryson you have to stop letting him take over like that.” I chastised, but he shook his horns.

“It isn’t that I really want to wildflower, we both agreed on this. If he would have ruled anything less, I think I would have lost my fucking mind. Period.” He picked up Tyson, who screamed bloody murder. He had the loudest bark of the trio, so it only made sense that he could complain the loudest too.

I sighed, there was no fighting him about this… and at least I didn’t have to worry so badly about it now.

“At any rate welcome to the High Council.” Said dad unenthusiastically. “If he gives you half as much busy work as me, you’ll wish you were dead.” He grumbled jokingly.

“Dad it isn’t that bad.” I said shaking my head.

“They’re all drama queens, bravado, and ass kissers. You’ll see. The rats that don’t crawl out the woodworks to try to get in good with you’ll try to stab you in the back.” He warned.

“And I’ll be right there.” said Bryson with crossed arms. “I half imagine since you’re the first FEMALE council member, they will object to anything you say.” He mumbled.

“Bryson I’m a woman about to be surrounded by old powerful men. They think a woman should be with pup making a damn sandwich.” I grumbled… “They would disagree with me saying the sky was blue.”

“Actually, what you’re seeing is due to a phenomenon called Raleigh scattering.” Said Caleb smugly, and I slapped him on the back of the head.

“Oh my Lady Shut Up!” I growled playfully, but he only laughed.

“Oh, forgive me Honored Third.” He smiled, passing me my smallest pup. She complained because her brothers did, though her wiggles were much less dramatic.

I thought of my pup grace… I knew in my heart she would probably be stronger than any man, but her path to power would probably be a difficult one. Men don’t like giving up their power… and I don’t think her male would enjoy being a Lune.

“I hear you; Grace will be fine… I already made it up in my mind that each of them will receive packs in the north. If we raise them with honor, they will be alright. As for Grace’s mate… I wouldn’t be surprised if the goddess paired her with either someone much stronger or weaker than her substantially. She’s a calm pup… but she fights her brothers with the same energy as they do to her… so I don’t know.” He commented. They quieted once Uncle Connor came with a little meat. It wasn’t enough to stuff them, but they could each get some and go back to bed.

“I hate to say it Izzy but those three are Old Ones… they may not get mates… but if they do I don’t know if they’ll even be wolves.” Said dad.

“I disagree.” Said Uncle Connor. “They are all born of wolves as only the wolf; it wouldn’t make sense if they didn’t get mates.”

“I have to side with your brother. Also I have to mention that Old One powers don’t really happen like you guys think. As it is I don’t feel any different, but I know I’m changing…. We shouldn’t worry about them. If we do, we might push ideas onto them too soon.” He mumbled, and we could all agree on that.

“Then let’s organize the Lunar Fest; I have a feeling we’ll need whatever blessings we can get.” He agreed with me, for a moment looking as if I spoke of Solsticemas. It was more so that he could have something to do besides worry for me. I would be fine, but he still smelled like lit matches.

“I know the ride rental guy too.” Dad chimed in. “Though I would like some of my pack to join too if that’s ok. We can bus them.”

“Mine too.” Said Caleb with a rare smile.