Chapter 158
Chapter 152
Fiona’s POV:
I watched Tori walking toward the Elder Council Hall, the silver moonlight catching in her irritatingly beautiful hair.
Something about those rare silver-gray eyes always made her look ethereal-like she belonged somewhere better than the rest of us.
Disgusting.
“Remember what’s at stake,” I whispered, deliberately guiding Ethan’s hand to rest on my barely-showing belly.
The Grayson blood growing inside me was my most powerful weapon. “Out child needs you to defend me today p>
Ethan’s jaw tightened as his eyes followed Tori’s retreating figure.
I could practically smell the longing coming off him in waves, making my wolf bristle with jealousy.
“Focus, Ethan,” I hissed, digging my nails into his forearm. “The Elders need to see
complete dedication to me-to us p>
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I deliberately raised my voice as we approached the entrance, making sure Tori could hear. “After all, what judge wouldn’t sympathize with a
pregnant mother and her devoted mate p>
I watched with satisfaction as her shoulders stiffened, though she didn’t turn around. Perfect.
“I know what I need to do,” Ethan muttered, adjusting his formal advocate robes. “You don’t need to remind me of my responsibilities p>
“Don’t I?” I stroked my belly again, remembering the day I’d accidentally fallen on the stairs and showed signs of possible miscarriage. Ethan had been beside himself with panic, canceling meetings and staying by my side. That was the moment I realized what my chips were.
“You’ve been distracted lately. How does it feel, seeing your former lover now standing against you in court? I need you focused, not drowning in regrets about what could have been p>
Ethan’s eyes flashed with annoyance, but he said nothing as we entered the preparation room adjacent to the main hall.
Through the glass partition, I could see Tori sitting alone at the petitioner’s bench, her eyes fixed on the four pack emblems hanging above the
Elder’s seats.
She looked different now-harder, more determined than the frightened gill I’d betrayed four years ago. The change unsettled me,
I watched as Lucas approached her, moving with that commanding presence that had once made even me take notice. He leaned down,
whispering something that made Tori’s face soften in a way.
The thought of them together made my stomach turn.
“She looks so happy with Alpha Lucas,” I remarked casually to Ethan, watching his expression darken. “Alpha Lucas and Tori-who would have thought? Soon you’ll be calling her ‘Aunt Tori,’ won’t that be sweet p>
“Shut up, Fiona,” Ethan growled, his patience clearly wearing thin.
“They say she might be his fated mate,” I continued, ignoring his warning Imagine that-the girl you let slip away, destined for your uncle all
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Chapter 152
along.
Ethan’s eyes flashed gold, his wolf rising to the surface. “I said, shut up p>
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“Does it bother you?” I pressed, unable to resist twisting the knife deeper. That she’s moved on? That she smells like him now? That his scent is all over her p>
His hand shot up, fingers closing around my throat with bruising force.
His wolf eyes blazed with fury, his grip tightening as his body trembled wh barely contained rage.
For a terrifying moment, I could hardly breathe.
“You’ve gone too far,” he snarled, voice barely human.
The door burst open, and my sister Mia rushed in. “Ethan, stop!” she cried pulling at his arm. “The hearing starts in five minutes p>
Ethan stepped back, his breathing ragged.
Without another word, he stormed out, likely heading for the gardens to regain control. I smoothed my dress, satisfaction curling through me despite the momentary fear.
“What were you thinking?” Mia hissed. “Provoking him like that before he has to defend you p>
I smiled thinly, caressing my stomach with deliberate slowness. “It doesn’t matter what he says or does in there, Mia. With Sophia’s testimony and those recordings, I’m already convicted p>
My voice dropped to a whisper. “And with Roman Pierce representing her? We never stood a chance p>
“Then why antagonize Ethan p>
“If I’m going down, I’m making absolutely certain he never finds his way back to her.” I looked down at my barely swollen abdomen, where the
Grayson pup grew.
“And this hearing is just a formality. The real battle begins after the verdict. And this- patted my belly meaningfully, “-is the only weapon
that matters now p>
The hearing proceeded exactly as Roman Pierce had predicted.
The Elder Council delivered their verdict: “After reviewing all evidence presented, this Council acknowledges the grave miscarriage of justice perpetrated against Tori Sullivan four years ago,” announced Elder, her voice resonating through the chamber.
“We officially declare her innocent of all charges. Her pack rights are fully restored, her record expunged, and appropriate compensation will be awarded for her years of unjust exile and the damage to her reputation. Let it be known throughout all packs that Tori Sullivan stands cleared
of any wrongdoing p>
And then my own sentence: “Fiona Price, the Council finds you guilty of conspiracy, endangerment of a minor, and obstruction of justice. The standard sentence is exile to Silver Fang for six years and eight months p>
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Chapter 152
My heart stopped. Despite preparing myself for this outcome, the reality struck harder than I’d imagined.
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However, the head Elder continued, “given your condition and the innocent life you carry, execution of the sentence will be delayed until after the birth of your child p>
Relief flooded through me, though I kept my expression appropriately contrite.
The delay would give me time-time to find another way out, perhaps to escape entirely.
As the gallery emptied, I watched Tori stand, her expression oddly distant
She didn’t look triumphant, just… free. As if a weight had been lifted. Her eyes briefly met mine across the chamber, and I was startled to see not hatred, but pity.
How dare she pity me?
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