Chapter 9 - The Trial of Treason
Three days after the assault, the Grand Hall of Justice was packed to maximum capacity.
At the high bench sat Alpha King Kale and Queen Lena, side by side on twin velvet thrones.
In the center of the hall, bound in heavy, anti-magic iron chains, stood the traitors: Lady Vanya, Lord Vane, and Marcus of the Silverpaw Pack.
During the post-battle investigation, royal inquisitors had discovered secret letters in Vanya’s quarters proving that Marcus had intentionally conspired with her. Marcus had agreed to reject Lena and force her into the Trial of Wolves near the northern border so Vane’s men could capture her quietly without alerting the King.
Marcus’s entire plan had been driven by greed and a heavy bribe of gold promised by Vanya.
Alpha Theron of the Silverpaw Pack stood among the audience, bowing his head in profound shame for his pack's involvement.
"Marcus of Silverpaw," Kale’s deep voice echoed through the vast courtroom. "For the crime of high treason, conspiracy with dark forces, and attempting to murder the sacred Queen... what say you?"
Marcus collapsed onto his knees, tears and sweat pouring down his face. "Mercy, Your Majesty! Mercy! I was misled! I was foolish! Lena... please, remember our childhood! We played together by the river! Tell him to spare me!"
Lena looked down at the man who had once treated her like dirt beneath his shoes. She felt no anger left in her heart—only a deep, clean clarity.
"I remember my childhood, Marcus," Lena said calmly, her voice carrying across the silent hall. "I remember you throwing stones at me when I couldn't shift. I remember you laughing when your friends pushed me into the icy river. And I remember you smiling when you condemned me to die in the Trial of Wolves."
She stood up from her throne, looking down at the three prisoners.
"By royal decree," Lena announced, "the ancient custom known as the Trial of Wolves is hereby abolished in every pack across the forty realms. Any Alpha who attempts to use it shall be stripped of his land and exiled."
The crowd of pack leaders erupted into deafening cheers and applause. For generations, the trial had been a tool of cruelty and tyranny used against the weak. Today, it was gone forever.
Kale turned his cold gaze back to the prisoners. "For your crimes, Lord Vane shall be locked in the deep obsidian dungeons for eternity. Lady Vanya and Marcus of Silverpaw shall be stripped of their pack ranks, branded with the sign of the traitor, and banished to the barren outer wastes beyond the ice wall."
"No! Please! No!" Marcus shrieked as royal guards seized his arms, dragging him kicking and screaming down the corridor. "Lena! Save me! Lena!"
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Lena watched them disappear behind the heavy iron doors.
The dark shadows of her past were finally swept away.
