Chapter 38
"Today we are here to witness the trial of Hailey Stewarts for the alleged murder of Riley's baby tonight we are going to look at the evidence and listen to what our fellow pack members have to say" An elder begins. "Hailey Stewarts, do you swear on the moon goddess that you'll say the truth and nothing but the truth?"
"Yes" I say simply the truth will only be projected as a lie anyway.
"Okay... He takes a pause standing from his chair.
"Hailey Stewarts, are you responsible for the death of Riley's child?
"You have to think well before you answer if you confess to your crimes and own up to the truth you'll be held remarkable and your punishment will be minimum but if the evidence is contrary to your answer you will be killed" "With that being said I urge you to choose wisely child" clearing his throat with a cough he asks again.
"Hailey Stewarts are you responsible for the murder of Riley's child or have any involvement whatsoever in the death of her baby?" The whole arena is silent; you could hear a pin drop only Hailey's sobs could be heard all stares on me lingering for an answer. "No, I have no involvement in the death of her baby" I say clearly without shuddering, my head held high as the crowd goes into a fit of murmurs and side comments.
"Order... Order" Lord Perry yells. When the hall maintained the calmness it once held they proceeded.
"Can the first witness step out please"
From the crowd, he stands up walking out into the middle of the room, the guard that was in charge of searching my room.
"Do you swear by the moon goddess to say the truth and nothing but the truth
"I do" He replies
"Okay project to the crowd your claim on this issue" Raising his chin he starts.
"1
"I was on duty when a maid Thea, rushed up to me unnerved when I ask the cause of the alarm she went further stating Riley has lost her baby I was perplexed why she came to me she answered by saying she found herbs in the tea she had consumed and made a counterclaim that she feels Hailey might be involved following protocol I inquired why she felt that way she furthermore states that Hailey was spotted heading into the woods very early morning and had openly threatened Riley and her baby doing a proper search of Hailey room we found these" He elaborates raising the bag of weed.Visit Jo b n i b.com to read the complete chapters for free. If you are not reading this novel on Job ni b .c o m, some sentences are incomplete. "We have gone for a test and the analysis revealed these are tiazrb a herb used to prompt miscarriage and harmful to the baby's mother"
"Are you with the test results?" The jury asks.
"Yes sire it's with me"
"Hand them over"
With a nod, the guard walks up to them giving them the paper and bag of weed.
A creeping fear grips me as the council inspects the proof.
"That'll be all" The council dismisses him and returns their gaze to me.
"Maid Thea step out please" Leaving the mourning group of Riley Thea comes wiping her eyes looking miserable.
I'm sure she's part of the ploy to get me killed, faking her tears to win the crowd.
"Do you swear by the moon goddess to speak the truth and nothing by the truth"
"I.. Do" she says sniffling.
"So please can you tell us the events that lead you into suspecting Hailey as the murderer of Riley's child"
"Yes sire early this morning I was doing my duties around the house when I saw Hailey dressed in oversized clothes her raven black hair stood out making me certain it was her, she was hurrying into the forest I didn't pay much attention to her at the moment cause her movements didn't look suspicious" she takes a breath wiping her tears.
"Earlier today she approached Riley and they went on arguing I didn't interfere till Hailey slapped her hard on the face knocking her to the ground" she continues, the crowd murmurs as she takes a break crying into her tissue.
"I warned her about the consequences of her actions that it may affect her baby then she threatened and I quote 'she better stay within her limits we don't want anything to happen to her baby' " the council gasps whispering amongst themselves. "Riley was in pain after that going to the kitchen to make her tea I stepped out for a second just to go and check on Riley when I confirmed she was alright I headed back to the kitchen table and poured her the tea, not double checking if something was amiss" "Oh please punish me I'm also at fault here if I had been more conscious or hadn't left maybe her child will have still lived" She starts sobbing and wailing.
"Please control yourself" the jury sympathizes with her as she dramatically walks away back to Riley's side.
"Hailey, are all the claims true, did you openly threaten Riley's baby?"
"Yes I did but-
"Did you also head to the forest early this morning?" He cuts me off by asking.
"Yes, I did if-
"No buts and no ifs child we have strong evidence to end this case right now and here but you have a chance to save yourself if you can prove you are not guilty, is there anyone who can stand In to help you, or does anyone have anything to say?" I know it is hopeless no one here could assert for me and saying I was in my room all day isn't going to change anything.
"I have something to say" Jaden interjects.
Making my heart skip as I feel a shimmer of hope deep in my heart.
"Jaden, were you in a meeting with all of us? What possible information can you share?" His father says more like a warning than a statement.
"I was with Hailey the morning she went into the woods-
"That doesn't prove anything, your opinion in this doesn't count!" His father cuts firmly.
"Can we wrap this up please?" He says to the lycanthrope council.
They chant in whispers as my tears fall knowing that all hope is lost.
"Hailey Stewarts in line with the evidenced statements that have been made here tonight we the lycanthrope council find you guilty of the murder of Riley's child and your punishment is death" The crowd cheers like a champion had been announced rather than than than than the false judgment that has been delivered like a blow to my gut.
Though knowing the outcome of the trial I still squint my eyes shut as tears pool from my eyes, my heart racing. This will be my last day on earth.
It's happening again. I will be killed just as my father was.
"Jaden being Alpha you are to carry out her punishment" Lord Perry says.
"I want no part in this as my opinion doesn't count" Jaden says emotionless.
"Well, it's your duty" Lord Perry urges.
"Yes, Jaden, that's the law" one of the council members states.
It's already bad I've been falsely accused if I'm killed by my mate the pain will be ten times more torturous and Jaden may lose his soul punished by the moon goddess who once again has failed my clan. Jaden rises to his feet locking his gaze with me, his eyes red but no tear drops.
Will he agree to it?