Elder Hawkins stood up holding a piece of paper. Bring Prince Michael forward at this time. He read the following from it:
Prince Michael, you have been charged with the following crimes: Rejecting your Fated Mate, Choosing a Chosen Mate and professing her as a Fated Mate in order to gain the Throne, Assault on Delta Melanie of the Brookwood Pack, Feticide, Kidnapping of Dutchess Melanie, Rape of Dutchess Melanie, and Murder of the guards during your escape.
The charges of Kidnapping, Rape, and Murder were just added to his list of crimes. He will be tried for those crimes along with the Assault and Feticide in front of the European Council as agreed upon to avoid a war between our two countries.
We are here today to address the crimes of Rejecting your Fated Mate and Choosing a Chosen Mate and professing her as a Fated Mate in order to gain the Throne.
According to our By-Laws: 6 He can voluntarily give up his right to the throne and keep his chosen mate. OR he will be stripped of his title and banished from the royal family. Those would have been your choices had you not lied to and chosen Princess Wendy as your mate in order to gain the Throne from your father Alpha King Matthew. You lied to gain the throne. You lied to an entire nation.
Since your Fated mate was Princess Sophia, according to by-laws 6-2-7, it states if in rare cases that the Prince or Princess is mated with another Prince or Princess from another country, the reigning monarch from that country has the deciding vote what the punishment would be in order to avoid a war. It was decided that you, Prince Michael, would be stripped of your title and be banished from the Royal family.
It was further decided by unanimous vote of both Councils that it be done publicly because you deceived not only your family but the nation.
Michael Edward Halstead, you will no longer be addressed as Prince. You are hereby stripped of your title and banished from the royal family.
As Elder Hawkins was reading this, two individuals were stripping Michael of his Royal garments in front of everyone. And, they were not being gentle. They were tearing the garments off of him.
You deceived your country when you said you would put them first before yourself-you put yourself first when you chose a mate instead of waiting for your fated mate as the Moon Goddess intended
You deceived your country when you said you would serve them-you only wished to serve yourself.
You deceived your country when you said you would protect them-you assaulted a pregnant she-wolf after you knocked her down.
You deceived your country when you said you would honor your family-you only wanted the throne for your glorification and for your own personal needs.
You are not worthy to hold any title other than Omega in any pack in the world.
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When Elder Hawkins finished speaking, Michael was left wearing nothing but a tattered shirt and pants. His head was hung low as were his eyes. The guards had once again placed silver shackles on his wrists.
Elder Hawkins turned toward me and asked, “Dutchess Melanie, as Neutral Third Party individual, have we satisfied the requirements of the agreement in order to avoid a war between the two countries?”
I stood up and replied, “Yes, Elder Hawkins. I believe you have satisfied the requirements of the agreement.”
“Thank you, Dutchess Melanie. Guards remove Michael and return him to the dungeons,” commanded Elder Hawkins.
“As you wish Elder,” responded the guards.
Michael simply walked meekly by with his head hung low. He couldn’t look at anyone. Serves him right for being so arrogant all those years.
After Michael had been removed, Alpha King Matthew stood up and took two steps forward. “At this time, I would like to formally announce that my son, Prince Myles will succeed me as the next Alpha King in one year’s time,” he stated with a stoic face.
Everyone in attendance cheered or howled at the announcement. Prince Myles on the other hand had a shocked look on his face. He wasn’t expecting that announcement.
“Dutchess Melanie please step forward,” commanded Alpha King Matthew.
I was a little shocked he would ask this of me but I did so. I walked slowly because I was still a little weak. I asked Anthony through our link to assist me, which he did with no problem.
“Dutchess Melanie, I know words cannot come close to expressing the depth of gratitude I wish to convey on behalf of our nation for the service you have provided on our behalf. You helped us avoid a war that seemed inevitable due to my son’s foolishness. And you did this in spite of the death of your baby at his hands. You truly are a wonderful, gifted negotiator and investigator. Our nation is lucky to have you as a Delta for one of its packs. We are indebted to you,” proclaimed Alpha King Matthew.
“Thank you, Alpha King Matthew,” I replied to him not really certain what I was supposed to say. I was blown away at his praise. I did what I always did, my job. I put others before my needs-like a good Delta.
“Dutchess Melanie we all feel you deserve a reward of some kind. But knowing you as we do, we all know you would say you were just doing your job. You were doing what you have been trained to do-put others first before your own needs. Am I correct?” questioned Alpha King Matthew.
“Yes, Alpha King. You are correct. I was doing what I was trained to do. I do not need a reward. My reward was no one would be hurt in an unnecessary war caused by one foolish person. I was able to stop it before it started,” I responded honestly.
“Indeed, you did. You didn’t let us stray away from what was important and our task. Again, we are lucky to have you as a leader for one of our packs. I think you and Anthony need to have a proper vacation to celebrate your mating. Would you allow us to reward you with an all-expense paid vacation?” inquired the Alpha King.
“Yes, Alpha King. That would be lovely. Thank you,” I beamed as I looked at Anthony who was grinning at me already.
‘I could go with some alone time with you. I need to cherish you and show you how much you mean to me,’ purred Anthony in his low seductive tone.
‘Stop it, I can’t get horny in front of everyone,’ I admonished my mate. ‘Wait until we get back home. I can’t wait until I’m back in your arms again.’
“Ladies and gentlemen, This concludes the ceremony. Please let us know if you have any questions or concerns. Thank you.
With that announcement, the ceremony was officially over. Anthony came over, picked me up, and twirled me around. I had to hold onto my crown to make sure it didn’t go flying off somewhere. All I could do was giggle at his playfulness.
Did I mention that I love my mate?