Although initially, Ava was tense, she soon loosened up after a series of unending questions.
Even though they had submitted the written report, they were asked to rehash everything again to check for discrepancies.
They were allowed to bring any relevant pack member as a witness. Naturally, Calvin took the stand.
“You interrogated a survivor of the Midnight pack.”
It wasn’t a question but he responded anyway.
“Yes.”
“It was during this interrogation that you got the hint that the Silverwolf pack was behind the rogue attack.”
“Yes.”
“Was this interrogation supervised by an unbiased third party?”
Calvin hesitated.
“Yes.”
Eden narrowed her eyes suspiciously.
“Name this third party.”
“Alpha Adelaide of the Primo pack.”
“The Alpha of the same pack that, according to the report we have, was taken in by the Mountain Coast pack,” Sophia spoke up. “Doesn’t seem unbiased to me.”
By the time they were done cross-examining Calvin, Ava felt as though their case against the Silverwolf pack had grown wings and flown off.
The only thing that gave her hope was the fact that the examination for the Silverwolf pack was as brutal if not even more so.
“Is the man depicted in the photograph your brother?”
Rita paused.
“Yes.”
“The council instructed you to not come with your brother. We arrested him immediately after you left. He is in our custody currently.”
“You can’t do that.” Rita sputtered. “This bitch is lying. You can’t just take my brother into custody on her word alone.”
“You are in front of the council, Rita. You would do well to guard your tongue.” Constantine said coolly as his glacier-blue eyes latched onto Rira before dismissing her.
Eden continued nonplussed.
“Are you certain that once we interrogate him, he won’t give a different testimony to yours?”
“Of course. My pack and I are innocent. We have nothing to fear.”
Rita said boldly but Ava saw her fingers shake.
“Good,” Eden said. “Because we started his interrogation yesterday. The report is almost here.”
There was a knock on the door then a tall well muscled male stepped into the room, an envelope in his hands. He bowed to the council before giving them the report.
The room fell silent as Eden opened the envelope. She read whatever was there for a second then she passed it on to the other members of the council who also read silently without showing even a glimmer of an expression.
Ava gripped Adrian’s hand tightly.
The council seemed to communicate without speaking for a while then Eden nodded.
She looked at them.
“We have come to a decision.”
“Alpha and Luna of the Mountain Coast pack,”
Ava startled. Somehow she hadn’t expected Eden to address them after reading whatever that report had contained.
Was it possible that Rita and Gilbert had somehow found a way out of getting punished?
Eden continued unaware of her musings.
“The council after examining all the information regarding your report of the Silverwolf pack has come to a decision that will be enforceable upon announcement. Any measure to derail our justice will be met with immediate execution.”
From the corner of her eyes, Ava saw more warriors join the decorated guards that had been guarding the council. They served as a silent threat of what exactly would happen if any of them sought to overturn the proceedings.
Not that it was needed. The council were known for more than just proceedings, they usually consisted of the strongest, most ruthless and most cunning wolves.
The men were just a show of force. A show.
Eden regarded them once more as though to amplify their anxiety. Not that she needed to. Ava was more than anxious enough already.
“Your complaint has been proven valid with confessions of the culprit in custody.”
Ava relaxed in relief and Adrian held on to her, stabilizing her. She barely heard Rita’s outraged scream.
“The Alpha and Luna of the Silverwolf pack have been found guilty of raiding and killing other werewolf packs in a bid to usurp their lands, they have also been found guilty of illegal werewolf-rogue experiments and hunter alliances.”
Eden paused, unfazed by the shocked looks on Rita and Gilbert’s faces.
“In accordance with our laws, they shall be stripped of their positions of pack Luna and Alpha. In order to assuage the full extent of their treachery and suitably punish them for the indiscriminate loss of life, they are to be detained for questioning.”
That was window dressing, they were going to torture them before executing them. Rita seemed to realize that because she fell to the ground, her hands put together in supplication.
“No! We never did anything of the sort. This is all a set-up. Please, you can’t do this to us. We have been loyal subjects. We ourselves are victims of rogues, why would we want to perpetrate the same to others?”
Gilbert joined her going on his knees, his head bowed and Ava fought back a touch of guilt.
He had never been mean to her and while he had always been shy, that wasn’t a crime.
But he couldn’t be too innocent if his mate was Rita. He was likely just pretending.
“I appeal to the council to change their decision,” Gilbert said, his voice even despite the scent of fear that emanated from him. “I give my word that this is a mere misunderstanding that will be cleared up.”
Eden looked unimpressed.
“We will hear more of your words in the interrogation room. Guards take them.”
The guards moved forward and ceased the dethroned Alpha couple. Gilbert went quietly but Rita wailed and struggled with every step, the very impersonation of a wild cat.
When she was next to Ava, she glared at her, tears glinting in her eyes.
“You will have only yourself to blame for what comes after this, bitch.” She spat angrily.
The guard dragged her away before Ava could do anything but stare at her in astonishment.
The doors closed behind them and the sounds of Rita’s cries disappeared with them.
“The council thanks you for your dedication in bringing this problem to heel. To show our appreciation, you have been granted jurisdiction over the Silverwolf pack. We trust you will handle it efficiently.”
Ava bowed with Adrian as he spoke.
“We are humbled by your generosity.”
Their pack lands had been extended? Ava could hardly believe it. Just a few moments ago they had been on the edge of losing it all and now they had new lands to explore. Lands that had belonged to the Alpha couple were about to be tortured.
This was the power of the Werewolf council, Ava thought. The power to make and unmake. They give with one hand and take with another. She hoped she never saw them again.
Eden looked cowed enough by their gratitude that she waved aside with an elegant flick of her hand.
“It is nothing. You must go to check out your new lands. Oh, and if you happen upon the heir to the Silverwolf pack, do send him our way. His parents were supposed to bring him but alas they ‘forgot’. If it isn’t too much trouble, of course.”
“Of course not.”