The Forbidden Alpha

Doors slammed and Ethan held the door open for me. The walk to the trial was eery and quiet. Beta followed behind us, with Gamma Olivia and Gabe trailing closely. The trial was taking place at the same place the ball was held.

I held my breath as we walked into the building hand in hand with Ethan. His touch giving me the comfort I needed. Before I dropped my head, Kor urged me to lift my head as we walked over the threshold.

One long mahogany table is lined up at the far end of the hall and smaller mahogany tables line up adjacent to the long one. Ethan squeezes my hand before heading over to the long table where he sits on the largest of six tall wooden chairs. Wooden vines swirling up towards a wooden crown at the top of the chair. Two wolves on each side of the crown and the armrest changing into claws.

His hand pulled me down into the chair beside him. After we were all seated, Alpha Joshua and Luna Rose came in and took their seats at one of the smaller tables. Mavy and Nikki walk over and sit in one of the smaller tables.

The lump in my throat was too big, too dry to swallow as the Deltas walk in with Shane. My body stills, my eyes unable to look away. His black hair hung in his face his shoulders slumped. Shane’s face and his body were riddled in bruises. His hands were bound together by the wolf’s bane-laced handcuffs. Burn marks peeked from under the cuffs and I felt a stab of guilt.

I know he has to be punished, I know this but does he deserve this?

Kor growled. “He deserves death,” she seethed. 

“Don’t let your heart soften for our attacker Adea. Justice will be ours and we won’t feel guilt over it!” She almost howls.

Shane is thrown on his knees and he grits his teeth. Two Deltas stand on both sides of him. My stomach jumps into my chest when I see tears stream down Luna Rose’s cheeks.

Pack members from Half Moon and Desert Moon shuffle into the hall. Beta Odis stands up and addresses the room. He looks around and waits for silence to fill the giant room.

“Today’s trial is in regards to an attack that took place in Desert Moon on the night of the Crescent Ball. The night of the Crescent Ball, Alpha Ethan found his mate. Everyone present was witness to this and saw when Alpha Ethan went out into the garden with his mate to exchange a few words in private.”

His eyes lock onto Shane, his gaze filled with disgust. “When Alpha Ethan came back into this very hall many congratulated him. No one noticed when Shane of the Half Moon pack slipped outside into the garden after Alpha Ethan. He watched their exchange and waited until Alpha Ethan left the garden to corner our Luna.”

My chest heaves as I take a breath I didn’t know I had been holding. I feel Ethan’s worried eyes look at me searching for what, I don’t know. I can’t take my eyes off of Shane as Beta Odis continues speaking.

“During this time, Shane expressed his dissatisfaction with Luna on being with Alpha Ethan her Goddess-chosen mate,” Odis bites.

Ethan growls beside me.

“Shane then proceeds to sexually assault and physically abuse Luna Adea,” Odis finishes. “Do you deny this?” Odis questions Shane. My eyes travel to Mavy where I see her sitting with her head up, her cheeks stained.

Shane lifts his head and flecks of gold swirl in his eyes and I know his wolf is present. His eyes lock on me and his lips part, “She was mine the night we came here.”

Ethan’s shoulders tense and he lets out a warning growl, “Watch yourself.” Ethan’s eyes are locked on Shane but Shane’s gaze never leaves me.

“You’ve taken what is mine,” Shane says and his lips curl over his teeth, eyes almost glowing. I feel that familiar tinge of fear and the need to obey creep up my back. I can’t hold back as a shiver racks my body. I hear a gasp from the crowd.

Shane tries to get up but the Deltas at his side grip his shoulder and push him down. Odis speaks again, “As soon as she found her mate she was no longer yours.”

“Thanks to your parents, your life has been spared,” Odis says, his voice laced with disappointment.

Shane’s eyes flicker to his parents before finding mine again. Odis gives a slight bow to Alpha Joshua and Luna Rose before sitting down. Alpha Joshua stands and addresses Ethan and the rest of the room.

“We are beyond grateful to Alpha Ethan for sparing our son’s life. We know his sin is worthy of death and The Half Moon pack is in your debt.” Alpha Joshua takes in a deep breath before speaking again.

“In return, I, Alpha of the Half Moon pack, pass judgment on my heir. “Shane, from here on out, you are exiled from Half Moon. Never to cross pack lines, never step foot on my territory again. Your title, your right to Half Moon has been forfeit, and you have been disowned.”

Luna Rose breaks out in sobs, her hands reaching up to her face, her shoulders shaking. Shane howls as his link to his family breaks and the pain of being severed from his pack causes him to collapse on the floor.

A high-pitched pain-filled howl pierces the air and my eyes flash to Mavy. Her head is down and her hand is on her chest. She lets out a whimper and slumps into Nikki’s arms. I recognize Devin as he comes forward and lifts her into his arms. He looks at Shane, bows, and turns away. Nikki follows and my heart is filled with the need to chase after them.

Ethan squeezes my hand and when I turn to look at him, he shakes his head. Turning to Alpha Joshua and Luna Rose, “I am satisfied.” They both bow.

“This trial is now over,” Odis calls out before sitting down.