Forget Me Not (#2, The Mystic Wolves) (23 page)

Mason was silent—the only sound the ragged beating of his heart. His eyes blazed with the heat of his wolf, and he answered me with a groan of his own. It caused his body to vibrate against me, and I stared at his lips again. I wanted to recapture them.

“Marry me.”

“Yes,” I answered.

“No, I mean as soon as possible. I’m done waiting. I thought I’d lost you forever. There’s no way I’m going on like this for another second. I need to make you mine. When we see Vivien at the trial, I’ll ask her.”

“Promise?” I could feel my eyes widen in delight. I couldn’t think of a more perfect way to put this behind us.

“Heaven help the fool that tries to stop me.” Leaning back in, he kissed me again, sealing the deal.

Chapter Twenty Five

I’d never seen the inside of the Council’s chamber, and couldn’t help laugh a little by the letdown. All this time I was expecting something grand and ornate, but it resembled a human court or tribunal more than anything.

A long wooden panel was set up on a podium, and held the focus of the room. Placed behind the desk-like table were high backed chairs, rich colored material covered the padded surface, and they were the only decoration. I wasn’t able to get a full glimpse of anything else—the six bodies sitting there obscuring the view.

They were an impressive sight—the strength and power of our community—and even though I wasn’t there to stand trial, they were extremely intimidating. I instantly recognized Zane and Vivien, careful not to wave and break the solemnity of the occasion, but the other four were strangers to me.

“Because of the nature of the charges, and Vivien and Zane’s close connection with you, they’ve brought in other officials from different councils. With the country split into areas, it wasn’t hard to find others to govern the proceedings. It’s standard protocol,” Mason whispered in my ear, leading me to the front of the room so we could take our appointed seats.

I wasn’t sure who would be invited to the meeting, and was surprised to see it was a closed gathering—only those directly involved were seated in the available chairs. Daniel and Nathan sat on the other side of Mason, the four of us flanking one side of the aisled arrangement, and I glanced over to the opposite section. It was empty.

“Looks like Amber’s on her own with this. Her father and pack haven’t bothered to show up and support her. Must suck to know you’re so easily discarded,” I commented, keeping my voice low.

“Try fully disinherited. Michael came back into town last night, and when the Council called him in for questioning, he adamantly declared having no knowledge of this. He claims Amber had orchestrated the entire thing—from the spells, the rumors, and using other members to back up her story. He’s officially banished her from his Pack and renounced her as his daughter,” Mason replied.

“Wow. Do you believe him?”

“I don’t know, but his reaction doesn’t surprise me. I’m just hoping this will finally put everything to rest.”

I sat with my hand tucked securely in Mason’s and butterflies fluttered in my stomach. Devlin had told us the meeting was merely a technicality, but I hoped it didn’t take too much time to hear the evidence, sentence her, and then move on to better things.

“Vivien’s agreed to meet with us afterward,” Mason murmured, his breath fanning against the skin of my neck. “She approves of my decision to move our ritual forward. We’re close enough now that a week or two won’t matter..”

I went to respond, but the creaking of the doors behind us turned my attention in time to catch Devlin entering the room, Amber by his side and under his control. An involuntarily gasp escaped my mouth at the impressive display Devlin posed—dressed in all the fineries befitting his station as an Enforcer.

Gone were the tight jeans, or fighting leathers, I was so used to seeing him in. He was wearing a charcoaled suit, tapered to fit his muscular frame, and red piping outlined the collarless edges of his jacket. It fell just below his jawline, matching the glow I sometimes saw in his eyes. His dark hair was pulled back at his nape, and I thought he was breathtakingly handsome. He moved with the lethal grace of a predator, but unlike any other time, there was no smiles or wicked grins. He was all business—official.

My gaze followed the pair as they came down the center aisle, and after Devlin had Amber seated and properly secured, I turned to the front. Vivien stood, adorned in her own elegant robes, and with a wave of her hand sealed the room. We’d begun.

“For the purposes of the trial, I’ve locked the doors, and placed a spell to prevent others from overhearing the matter. Those in attendance have also agreed to keep all things in the strictest of confidentiality. The room will remain closed until the issue of the attack against the Alpha of the Mystic Wolves is resolved,” Vivien stated, her tone formal and lacking the warmth I was used to.

We all nodded in agreement, and she retook her chair. The room seemed to take in a deep breath before the male in the fourth seat rose to his feet. “We are gathered to judge and hear the evidence brought against Amber Bracken of the Silver Canyon Pack. Is the accused present?”

Amber stood, her chin tilted in defiance. “I am here.”

“Do you understand what you’ve been charged with, young wolf?”

“I do.”

“And how do you plea?” he asked.

“Guilty, but with due cause,” It was her only response, and she leaned forward to look directly at where we were sitting. She winked before offering a grin.

“Pay no attention to her, Darcy. She’s just trying to play games. It’s all she has left.” Mason squeezed my hand, and I returned my attention to the front.

“Then let the evidence be brought forth so justice may be served. I trust all those involved are ready to give an account of what happened?” His stare swept over to us, and we nodded.

The trial was pretty straight forward. Devlin stood giving his report, and I cringed as he retold the events of breaking the spell on the ring. It was passed around to be inspected, and once that was done, discussion about the second enchantment commenced. The room was filled with stunned silence as the complicated obsession spell was described, the intent to turn Mason’s mind, heart, and soul, toward Amber.

Mason growled softly beside me, his fingers tightening around mine, and rested my head on his shoulder. I tried to offer him comfort, a reminder that all was well, and it helped to settle the agitation I could sense within him.

Next, Mason, Daniel, Nathan, and myself were asked to come forward in turn and give our testimonies. I’d been counseled by everyone to keep my statements to purely the facts at hand, and to leave whatever anger and emotion I had to myself. I did the best I could, holding the hateful stare of Amber, as I shared how she’d infiltrated the pack, placed Mason under magical influences, and tried to kill me. It felt good to purge it, and I felt lighter by the time I sat back beside him. All that was left was the judgment and sentencing, and we were finished.

“It seems the evidence is binding, and irrefutable. Do you still claim your guilt to these charges?” A different official directed her question to Amber.

“I don’t deny I did these things. I did them for love.” She stood proud, and kept her eyes level with everyone. There was no remorse for the damage she’d tried to inflict, and I had no doubt she would do it all again if she could.

“Then I speak on behalf of the Council before you, and declare we find you guilty.” At her words, Mason slumped ever so slightly beside me, and I heard Daniel slap his Alpha on his shoulder. “Enforcer, retain the prisoner into custody once more, and sentencing will be passed after a brief convening.”

The air sizzled with relief, and a smile broke across my face. It was shattered, however, with the rising of a voice.

“I would like to bring something to the attention of the council.” Nathan slowly stood,

Shock registered as I looked up at my pack brother. He’d already given his testimony, his statement reinforcing everything we’d spoken. It was a cut and dry case, and a cautious look at Mason and Daniel showed they didn’t know what was happening either.

“Something more than you’ve already shared, Wolf? Don’t you think you should’ve spoken up sooner? The judgment has already been given.” Zane said. Amber’s face broke out with a grin when Nathan nodded, and apprehension filled me. Something wasn’t right here.

“Then come forward and speak up. I would warn you not to waste our time, however. You’ve heard our decree, unless what you say next can influence it, then I suggest you take the matter up with your Alpha later.”

Mason tugged at the shirt of his pack member “Sit down, Nathan. Now.”

To my surprise, Nathan looked down at Mason with scorn, and shrugged his grip away. Moving away from his seat, passing Devlin as he went to stand before the panel, he paused long enough to bow with respect to Amber.

“Damn,” Mason uttered, follow by a curse from Daniel. Never would we have expected this, the loyalty of Nathan having always proved unfailing.

“I want added to the record that Amber isn’t the first to try to use magic in securing herself a position of power through mating an Alpha.”

“This isn’t anything new. Now unless you can bring forward evidence to redeem her, I suggest you step down,” Zane said, a frustrated tone in his voice.

“I agree, it isn’t new. What is new is the knowledge she isn’t the only one in this room to have used magic for the purpose of mating.” Like a nightmare come to life, Nathan seemed to pivot on his feet in slow motion, his hand raising to point directly at me. “It is my word that Darcy has also used magic, and had she not, it is my firm belief Amber and Mason were destined to be together.”

The room exploded with noise—gasps, shouts of denial, demands for proof. All I could do was sit there and stare, unable to comprehend what I was just accused of. Mason and Daniel had both jumped to their feet, vehemently denying the allegations, and the room seemed to fade until all I could hear was the slight panting of my breath.

“Enough!” Zane roared, his hand outstretched. “I want silence this instant before I place a gag on each of you.” The threat served its purpose, the room dropping in noise significantly. All the while Amber sat smiling. “Explain yourself,” he demanded.

“If you would allow me to, I would be honored,” the syrupy sick voice interjected, and with a disbelieving nod, Amber came to stand before Nathan.

I don’t know how any of us had missed this, how we could’ve been blinded to the obvious affection between the two, as Amber brushed her hand over Nathan’s arm as she joined him. They had been perfect in their ruse, the performance convincing.

“During my time with the Pack, I asked a lot of questions, but one of the things I found most interesting was how Mason and Darcy had met. They seemed so much in love, and I wondered if there was something behind the story people freely shared. So I dug around, and sure enough, I uncovered something.” She stopped, a smug look on her face, and fury began to well up inside me.

I loved how Mason and I had gotten together, and it had always felt like Fate had intervened and granted her blessing as well. I didn’t hide the fact that both Mason and I had dreamed of each other the night before we met, and everyone else agreed—it was romantic, and the stuff of fairytales. I hated hearing her bring it up, as if her speaking it sullied the memory.

“And?” one of the officials asked impatiently.

“I think it would be better if I showed you.” She grinned, and I wanted to smack it from her face. “I call for the Moirai.” The meeting erupted again, and it only added to my confusion.

“Who are the Moirai?” I asked, turning to Mason for answers.

“The Fates. She’s called on the goddesses responsible for the fate and destiny of everyone. She is insane. No one calls on them unless they have a death wish.”

“I’d think very carefully, young wolf, on who you seek to summon. Do so wrongfully. and the very thread of your existence will be instantly severed,” Zane added. He was leaning forward, his hands on the panel table, his stare focused.

“I know what I accuse to be true. Let Darcy now answer these accusations. Hear the testimonies of the Fates,” Amber answered. She was resolved to see this through, and even though the moment was confusing, I knew in my heart her allegations were false. Mason and I had met as we were always meant to, and nothing was going to convince me otherwise.

“Do you have someone who will second your petition?” Vivien asked. Everyone’s attention turned to Nathan, who nodded. “So be it.”

Vivien uttered a chant and beside me Mason sat rigid in his seat. Power seemed to envelop the room, causing an almost electrical current to pass through everything and everyone. I could feel my own wolf become unsettled, the intensity of the rippling energy overwhelming.

We didn’t need to wait too long before three beautiful, young women appeared, their voluptuous bodies swathed in the sheerest of material, golden jewelry accenting their necks, ears, and fingers. I couldn’t take my eyes from them—standing in a triangle formation, with two of the goddesses blocking the view of the third.

“Who dares call us?”

Zane stepped down from the dais, and bowing low before the three women, begged for their indulgence. “Blessed Moirai, if it doesn’t offend you to be summoned without forewarning, we ask for your counsel on a matter of destinies being tampered with.”