“Now then, we need to get down to business. Michael Halstead-former Prince-is being held in the dungeons on the following charges: Assault of Delta Melanie, Feticide, Kidnapping and Rape of Dutchess Melanie, and the Murder of the Guards from the Transport. It was decided by both Councils along with Dutchess Melanie as our Neutral Third Person in order to avoid war between our two countries, Michael would be tried here for his crimes by our Council. So far, do we have any questions?” questioned King Friedrich.
“Was the assault, kidnapping, and rape … did all that happen in the same incident?” asked an individual from the back of the room.
“No, Dutchess Melanie was assisting Alpha King Matthew and I with how to proceed in stripping the-then Prince Michael-of his title when he barged into the conference room knocking her down and then kicking her in the stomach. That was the assault and feticide charge. He claimed he did not know she was pregnant with twins at the time. Dutchess Melanie lost one of her twins in the assault. In an attempt to escape and use her as leverage, ‘Michael’ had Dutchess Melanie kidnapped. While she was still unconscious, he raped her,” explained King Friedrich.
All the while Alpha King Friedrich was explaining the events that transpired, growls could be heard in the room. I myself had tears trickling down my cheeks. I had to remind myself that it was in the past and he would pay for what he did to me. Still, my wolf wanted to kill him after we tore every limb from his body.
Anthony and I embraced each other and inhaled each other’s scent in order to calm down. I needed his cinnamon roll scent to calm down because I just knew half of what I was feeling was Anthony’s wrath as well.
“Dutchess Melanie, do you need a minute? May we continue?” inquired Beta Yared.
After a deep breath, I softly stated, “I’m alright. I’m sorry if I caused a delay,” I declared as I sat up straight in my chair.
“Not at all, Dutchess Melanie. It was a difficult time not only for you but for your family as well. Then you will have to retell the events as they happened once again under oath during his trial, it will be difficult. I’m just sorry that you have to go through it again,” explained King Friedrich.
“Thank you Alpha King Friedrich,” I replied.
“Now then, when do we want to hold this trial? It will have to be after the coronation, of course. But how long after? A week or two?” suggested the Alpha King.
“Alpha King Friedrich, if I may. Since Dutchess Melanie will need to return to her duties as Delta of the Brookwood pack or at least her father will need to return in her stead, why don’t we hold the trial one week after the coronation,” suggested Elder Allister.
“I concur with Elder Allister,” replied Elder Dimitri.
“All right let’s take a vote from the Council. All those in favor of one week after the coronation, raise your hands. It’s a unanimous vote-we will hold Michael Halstead’s trial one week after Princess Sophia’s coronation. The next item of business is Doyle Kessler. Malcolm D’Amato present what you have found out pertaining to Doyle Kessler,” commanded King Friedrich.
“As you wish Alpha King,” replied Malcolm D’Amato. “Doyle Kessler was last seen in a province near Alsace, France. We were tracking him and lost him when he went into Brussels. We are working with a pack in Brussels but we do not formally have ties with that country or that pack so it gets tricky. We explained that the person we were tracking had tried to kill several high-ranking wolves in the U. S. and Europe. They are still a little reluctant to assist us Alpha King,” reported Malcolm D’Amato.
“What is their reasoning why they are reluctant to assist us? Surely they have a reason why?” inquired Beta Yared.
“Yes, Beta Yared they do. They are not politically attached to any Alpha King. They are seen as a neutral pack or zone if you will,” explained Malcolm D’Amato.
“Did they express a desire to become attached to an Alpha King? Maybe if that is their desire, we can have them join our kingdom,” advised King Friedrich.
“I did get a hint of that but I did not push it since I was not speaking directly with the Alpha of the pack. He will not be back until noon today. I was told to call them back and speak with him at that time,” concluded Malcolm D’Amato.
“Very well. I guess until you talk with the Alpha at noon there really isn’t much more we can say about this matter then. What else can we do about Doyle Kessler?” inquired King Friedrich.
“As long as there have been no more sightings of him, we have to wait until we talk with the Alpha to see if they will cooperate. Until then, we have to wait and see. We will begin practicing for the coronation after lunch. It is an exciting time for our Princess Sophia and Prince Mason as they get ready to assume the throne. We will meet back in this room after lunch to discuss Doyle Kessler once again. Then, we will meet in the throne room to begin practicing the coronation. Any questions?” asked King Friedrich.
No one raised their hands or voiced any concerns.
“Very well then. The meeting is adjourned. You are dismissed!” commanded Alpha King Friedrich.
We all stood and bowed as he, Queen Philipa, Princess Sophia, and Prince Mason left the room. Then we all left the room. I went in search of my son. I knew exactly where to find him-in the sitting room with Princess Ophelia. He was sleeping in his stroller and she was reading a book.
“He’s been a good little boy. He’s been no trouble at all. I can’t wait to find my mate and have pups. He is so cute. Just let me know when you want me to babysit while you’re here. I’m available,” gushed Ophelia.
All we could do was chuckle. Sophia said the same thing. Sophia doesn’t realize how much her life is going to change in a few short days. I know because my life changed the moment I took my oath. I wonder if that is what Danny is afraid of-all of the responsibility that comes with the position he will get when he takes over for Uncle Vladimir. It’s a lot of responsibility.
We were called into lunch. We were all sitting around the table when Sophia and Mason said that they had an announcement to make. Yes! I knew it.
“Mason and I have an announcement we need to make. We are pregnant with our first pup. We told Mom, Dad, and Ophelia last night but we couldn’t tell the rest of you all until today,” exclaimed Sophia as Mason held her protectively and possessively around the waist.
“Congratulations! I’m so happy for you Soph!” I gushed as I enveloped her in a bear hug. Then I kissed her on the cheek.
Congratulations were being handed out all around to Sophia and Mason by everyone. Sophia and Mason had smiles so wide on their faces that I don’t think anything could wipe them off.
Just then, Uncle Vladimir declared that there was a breach at one of their borders.
He told us to take shelter in one of the safe rooms. I told him I could come and help since we all knew who it probably was. I was told an emphatic no. We were all quickly ushered into the safe room and locked in until the all-clear was given.
So here we sit waiting for them to come and tell us the commotion has been cleared. Two hours later, no one came to let us out. What the hell people? Did you forget we were in here?