Chapter 28: The Moon Court

The Moon Court chamber looked older than some countries.

Six stone seats curved around a circular floor marked with silver runes.

Pack representatives filled the galleries.

Nightvale sat to the north.

Stormridge to the west.

Silvercrest to the east.

I entered beside Mom and Cassian.

Rowan wasn't allowed to stand with me.

Because he was my mate, the Court considered him an interested political party.

I hated that immediately.

He gave me a small nod from the Nightvale section.

You can do this.

I breathed slowly.

The presiding judge began.

"Nessa Arden, also identified as Nessa Lunaris through maternal descent, you petition to restore succession rights to the Lunaris Alpha line."

"Yes."

"Silvercrest challenges legitimacy based on Selene Lunaris's recorded renunciation."

Silvercrest's lawyer stood.

"Selene voluntarily abandoned her Pack identity, territory, and succession rights before Nessa's birth."

Mom's attorney responded.

"Under coercive conditions following attempted extermination."

"There is no formal finding of extermination."

Cassian nearly stood.

I grabbed his sleeve.

"Don't."

The hearing continued.

Documents were presented.

Bloodline records.

Mom's forged Lunaire identity.

The renunciation document.

Then Aurelius's memory crystal.

The entire chamber changed when his image appeared.

He named Garron Snowe.

Marcus Vale.

Councilor Vael.

Whispers erupted.

Silvercrest's representatives looked stunned.

Elodie's father, Alpha Alaric Snowe, stood abruptly.

"My father died thirteen years ago. I had no knowledge of this."

Cassian laughed bitterly.

"Your secretary did."

Evidence of Mara's activities followed.

Then Stormridge submitted Edric Storm's warning letter.

Knox's father personally stood.

"Stormridge rejects any territorial benefit derived from the destruction of Lunaris."

That surprised everyone.

Especially Knox.

Silvercrest looked increasingly isolated.

Then the doors opened.

An elderly man entered.

The chamber fell silent.

Councilor Vael.

Retired.

One of Aurelius's accused conspirators.

Cassian surged to his feet.

"You."

Security moved immediately.

Vael raised both hands.

"I came voluntarily."

The presiding judge looked stunned.

"Councilor Vael, you are named in evidence before this Court."

"I know."

"Then why are you here?"

He looked directly at me.

"To confess."

A wave of shock moved through the chamber.

Vael walked to the center.

"Aurelius was correct. I accepted payment from Garron Snowe to alter territorial recommendations after Lunaris fell."

Silvercrest erupted.

"Lies!"

Security demanded silence.

Vael continued.

"But I did not authorize the attack."

"Who did?" the judge asked.

Vael looked toward Nightvale.

Rowan's father went still.

"Marcus Vale."

Silence.

"Marcus believed Lunaris blood had become too politically powerful. Garron wanted the land. I wanted money."

His voice shook.

"We opened doors we thought would lead to political pressure. Marcus turned it into slaughter."

My hands curled into fists.

"And you did nothing."

Vael looked at me.

"I was a coward."

"That doesn't bring anyone back."

"No."

"Is Marcus alive?"

The chamber held its breath.

Vael closed his eyes.

"Yes."

Rowan stood.

"Where?"

Vael looked toward him.

"Closer than you think."

Then the lights went out.