Chapter 4 The Verdict

Isabella's POV

"Proceed," Adrian said after he took his seat.

"Long live the alpha." Elder Rowan said and bowed. "We shall now commence the council meeting."

The hall resounded with his voice. I gulp slowly, and I had to remain standing despite the weakness of my legs.

"Isabella Hart," Elder Rowan said, and stared directly at me. We are told that you gave birth to a child earlier today."

I felt my chest tightening upon hearing the word baby.

"But," he said quickly. "It was a stillborn."

"I would like to see my child," I insisted. "I deserve to see my baby."

None of the elders reacted. The fact that they were not talking increased my frustration.

"I carried that child in my belly for months, he was fine, I stuck to my diets! Even in that cold dungeon!" I said, and my voice shook. "You cannot simply inform me that my baby is dead and not to show me the body. Let me see the body and then I'll believe I have birth to a dead child."

The members of the council looked at each other in a short glance. Then Elder Rowan spoke again.

"The council is already aware of the state of the child. And we did the needful."

"My child is not a condition and one of you oldies have the right to decide what happens to my baby!" I screamed before I could restrain myself.

A number of guards moved a notch higher at my sudden outcry. I didn't care.

"I must see my baby," I said and my voice was breaking. "Please."

For a moment, no one answered.

Then Elder Rowan spoke, in a cold voice.

"The child was born dead, stop insisting on seeing a dead child."

My heart clenched painfully.

"No," I whispered.

"Yes," he said firmly.

Tears filled my eyes. I glanced about the hall, and wished somebody, anybody, would take a little sympathy. But the faces that gazed back upon me wouldn't care if I had shed alongside the son.

I felt completely alone.

Elder Rowan clasped his hands together.

"Your ultimate punishment will be decided by the council soon," he said.

My head lifted slightly.

"Punishment?"

"Yes," he replied. "We are expecting a guest, he added. The final judgement will be given by him."

A guest?

My confusion deepened.

How come that a stranger should determine my destiny?

I turned toward Adrian.

He should be able to do something to prevent this madness.

My voice had softened now, I said, "Adrian. Don't you feel anything? He... was your son... our son.."

"Please," I begged. "Tell them this is a mistake."

Adrian's expression didn't change and he said nothing.

The silence was there between us. "Say something! How can you let them treat me like this! I am your mate! I am your Luna!"

Then Adrian spoke.

"You are neither my mate nor Luna," he said coldly.

The words were an additional blow to my chest.

"What?"

Adrian looked about at Clara, and then his eyes came back to me.

"I have met my mate ," he said.

I was struck by the words as they came.

My breath caught in my throat.

"What... did you say?"

Clara just broke into a little laughter.

"Adrian is speaking the truth," she said.

My eyes slowly moved to her.

She sat back easily in the chair of the Luna.

"You know, Isabella, Adrian and I have found our mate-bond not long after your real self was revealed."

Her stomach was caressed with her hand.

"The Moon Goddess eventually revealed the truth."

My head shook slowly.

"No."

This couldn't be happening.

"Yes," Clara said to herself, with a little smile. It is rather a shame to you, though. You tried but you could never be the original, the real one. You had spent years by Adrian, and never got his mark."

My heart sank aching.

This was a sensitive topic between me and Adrian. Even after years of being with me, several nights spent together, he had never maker me as his mate.

Clara tilted her head slowly to the side revealing her neck.

My breath caught again.

There was a mate mark on her skin.

My stomach knotted in pain.

"Beautiful, isn't it?" Clara said proudly.

The words cut deep. I was like the ground had fallen out of my feet.

"Why?" I whispered.

I looked at her as my voice shook.

"Clara... why would you do this?"

"Reveal your true nature?" Clara mocked.

The room felt suffocating. I couldn't breathe properly. The great doors of the hall burst open once more before I had time to reply. All looked toward the entrance. A man, old, was walking slowly in. His hair was entirely white, and he walked slightly with a wooden staff.

As soon as the elders beheld him they rose all respectfully. Everyone rose,except Adrian.

"And the judge is here," Elder Rowan said.

The elderly wolf slowly made his way to the hall. His quick eyes examined me keenly. I had never seen him before. But all this changed instantly in the room.

He also appeared to be respected by everyone.

"Is this the accused?" he asked.

"Yes," Elder Rowan replied.

The old wolf nodded once.

Then he looked directly at me.

"Isabella Hart," he said.

His voice was old but strong.

"You are guilty of killing Helena Blackwood, mother of Alpha Adrian."

My stomach twisted.

"According to the testimony of a credible witness, the last punishment has been determined," he went on, very calmly.

The hall was as quiet as death.

My breathing was too loud even to me.

The old wolf raised his staff a little, and spoke again.

"The sentence for your crimes..."

He paused briefly.

"...is death."

My heart stopped.

"You will be burnt before the pack tomorrow at sunrise," he answered.