Bastards.
“In fairness, we’ve decided not to vote, but we will speak on their behalf. After all parties have spoken, questions can be addressed to Dastien and Teresa. Then, they will each have a chance to say their final words.”
I swallowed. Final words? This was going to be a long night.
“Once a decision is reached, the matter will be closed. Anyone seeking retribution will answer to me.” Mr. Dawson’s threat rang out in the still of the night. No one dared to say anything against him.
I wasn’t sure who reached for who, but the second Dastien’s skin touched mine, I felt calmer. A drop of sweat rolled down my face. I itched to wipe it away, but didn’t want to show even the littlest bit of weakness. Besides the handholding.
The first part of the Tribunal was fine. Mr. Dawson talked about when Dastien and I first saw each other. I’d never forget seeing Dastien through the screen door. I’d been so afraid of him—of what he might mean—that I didn’t want him to see me. But he had.
“I don’t think even the most in control Were could’ve resisted the call of his mate. The way Dastien went about this was not in order with our laws, but an exception was made once we found that he and Teresa were True Mates.”
I swallowed. Hopefully everyone here would agree with the exception.
Sebastian stepped forward next. His voice was smooth and clear as he spoke. “As most here know, I am descended from a line of sorcerers, which is why I was specifically called to Texas to assess Teresa. What I have to tell you about her might shock you, but I believe that letting someone with her particular ability leave the pack would be a detriment to us all.”
I was surprised my eyes didn’t pop out of my head. A detriment to us all? He really was laying it on thick. I tried not to laugh as he continued. He made me sound like the second coming. Totally ludicrous.
A man I didn’t know stepped forward from the front row. His hair was buzzed close to his head, but his blond beard was long and thick. “It seems to me that we’ve forgotten a big part of what this Tribunal is about. One of ours broke the rules. If we don’t stand by those rules, then all our laws will become optional. Am I the only one who sees the error in this way of thinking?” He paused and a few people clapped in support. “Dastien bit a human. We can discuss whether or not to keep her, but him—that’s another story. He should be punished. I understand that he’s dominant, but that doesn’t mean the laws don’t apply to him. If anything, his power should be subject to added responsibility and repercussions. What’s to say he won’t bite again if let free?”
I gasped and Dastien squeezed my hand. Don’t react, he said.
They’re talking about punishing you. I can’t help it. Who is that guy?
Ferdinand.
Great. The member of the Seven who wasn’t so hot about us. His status meant that he had some sway over the rest of the pack. I just hoped it wasn’t enough to discount Mr. Dawson, Sebastian, and Donovan’s opinions.
Donovan stepped forward next. “I’m not votin’ tonight against my better judgment. I hope that after I talk, you’ll all have realized what a waste of time this is. And afterward, I’m lookin’ to change the Tribunal system; the rule to stop Tribunals from being canceled was only put in place to stop corrupt alphas from sweeping charges under the rug, so to speak. This here is a gross misuse of the clause.” His harsh voice rang out in the night. A ripple of his anger and frustration ran through the pack bonds, and I knew he’d meant for everyone to feel it. He wanted everyone to know exactly how mad he was. “The fact that a wolf who tried to overthrow the Seven, who drugged us and threw us into a cave of vampires, who associated with vampires, called this Tribunal shows what a sham it is. The coward isn’t even here, and yet we still are.”
I found Meredith in the crowd. She wasn’t smiling exactly, but her head was held high. She was proud of Donovan, with good reason. I wasn’t sure if the speech was her doing or all Donovan’s, but regardless, they both deserved a huge thank you.
“Not a few days ago, Meredith was nearly killed by a spell placed upon her by the local coven. That they would strike out against my True Mate is…I’m still deciding what steps to take, but I wouldn’t be here today—and neither would my mate—if Teresa wasn’t in our pack as both wolf and witch.” He paused. “As for what Ferdinand said, I don’t agree. Dastien is in control, and his biting was reviewed and pardoned by both myself and Sebastian. In my opinion, it shouldn’t be an issue tonight. For that matter, nothing would’ve stopped me from biting Meredith had she been human. Dastien is more dominant than any of us. Has he ever lost control? Have you ever even seen him lose his temper?”