Moonlit Fever

An uneasy tension twisted inside of my gut as the Elders' Institute loomed before me.

The institute was once a place I welcomed with happiness when I first came to Havenwood, but now it stood as a towering structure that would decide my fate.

I was marched through its long cold, marble corridors. The entire time, Rafael maintained his firm grip on my arm, but reassured me that everything would be fine.

At least I had one friend on my side.

He led me behind Elder Thaddeus, into the heart of the building. The doors opened to reveal a grand hall. The same hall used for the Elders's ball. Now it had become my courtroom.

The room was dimly lit and filled with the quiet murmur of voices. Elder Thaddeus made his way up to the raised platform at the end of the room and seated himself down in the highest seat in the middle.

Flanking either side of him was Elder Helena Crescent to his left, and Elder Sam Argent - representing the Silverman pack.

There was no Elder representing the Black Wood pack, my pack, but there hadn't been a Black Wood elder for sometime now.

Argent was younger than the other two, but still of retirement age. Already, he'd made his mind up about me. His face contorted in disapproval, as if he'd already decided I was guilty.

The Elders watched me carefully, scrutinizing my every move as Rafael escorted me to my seat.

The room was silent, the only sounds coming from the creaking of the doors. Cara Crescent entered the room, and a guard awkwardly escorted her to the public gallery.

The events unfolded fast. In a blink of an eye, I'd found myself being apprehended at my pack house to then being brought before the Elders.

It was clear they'd planned for this moment, likely setting up and arranging the courtroom while I'd been held up at the cabin with Nate. They were just waiting for my return to the pack house. They weren't even going to question me first, or hear my side of the story.

Cara quickly seated herself next to Chase. And on the opposite side of the room, the Alphas from the other packs gathered. Alpha Silas Silverman of the Silver Moon Pack, Alpha Malik Crescent of the Crescent Moon Pack, and Alpha Blake Darkmoon of the Dark Moon Pack.

"Alpha Lucius Nightshade of the Black Wood Pack, you stand before this tribunal for trespassing and aggravated assault against Donavan Silverman." Elder Thaddeus started, his voice deep and full of authority, having commanded the attention of everyone present.

"Your actions have endangered the fragile peace we have maintained between the packs. This council must determine the best course of action for your punishment to prevent war. The proceedings may begin with a statement from the Alphas."

Thaddeus pointed his hand to the stand where the alphas sat. Alpha Silas and Alpha Malik exchanged a glance, and it was Nate's father who spoke first.

"My son was attacked unprovoked in his own territory–"

"Unprovoked my ass," I muttered under my breath.

Silas flashed me a deadly glare for my comment, and I sneered back at him.

I couldn't help but notice how different Nate looked to his father. Silas was a carbon copy of Donavan, with the same silver hair and blue eyes.

The sight of Silas boiled my blood. He was a carbon copy of Donavan, with the same silver hair and blue eyes. I couldn't help but see Donavan, reminding me of what Donavan did to hurt Nate.

Silas ignored my comment and continued.

"It's an insult to the Silver Moon Pack and to all the packs of Havenwood who value the rule of law if Lucius doesn't receive punishment for his actions. Even Alphas are not above the law. There will be no choice but for Silver Moon to retaliate if Alpha Lucius goes unpunished."