Shadows of Destiny

116 Some Laundry

~ Leo-

When Leah fainted, some Kappas rushed to see how they could help her. They removed her silver

cuffs so she could recuperate later, and we asked the press to leave. We did not want the rest of the

discussion televised for security purposes.

While the Kappas tried to take Sean away, he began to struggle.

"This is ridiculous. This is unfair. When I supported a Monarch, I did not ask for my right to be taken

from me. I have the right to a fair trial. Evidence is to be brought with witnesses," Sean said, and I was

off the edge.

His collaboration with Yuri overwhelmed the East and South's economic system. We had all sorts of

people trooping in because they were displaced. I could not believe the nerve he had to protest and

speak of his rights. What about the rights of the people he displaced by being complicit, 1

"A fair trial, you say? What was your response when we asked why so many displaced people left the

West?" Dominic asked him, and Sean was silent.

"Does anyone have the report he sent?" Dominic asked, looking at me, and I nodded.

"He said they were displaced people from packs whose alphas committed treason and that the pack

members were not accepted in neighbouring packs due to their alphas' actions, so they chose to

migrate to where people did not know them," I said and Dominic nodded.

"Now we find out that the packs shared a border with the South and East, and they have Stepanov

Deltas as their Alphas. The fact that as Head of the East, you did not find this strange means you were

complicit in the matter," Dominic said, giving Sean the requested trail.

"What do you say in your defence Sean Garret?" Dominic asked, and Sean was speechless. Gradually

I watched his angry face turn up into a big grin.

"You all do not know what is coming," he said, finally giving up the pretence.

"They are immune to silver fast and vicious. All this will soon be taken," He said, laughing like a

madman, and David laughed.

"I get the humour and stupidity in your words," David told him, still laughing. Sean stopped laughing

and looked at David with confusion in his eyes.

"Well, it is too bad you won't be here to enjoy their reign. I doubt you are as important as he told you,

Sean, and that goes for the rest of you," David said, still laughing. He had wiped away Sean's smile.

"Death by public hanging in the West for all to see," Dominic proposed, and people agreed.

"I do not understand why you will get your hands dirty like this, Sean. You had it all." Pamela asked

him, and she seemed deeply sad.

"Have it all? I didn't have it all. None of these people respect me. I was given head Alpha of the West

not because they felt I was qualified but because they had no choice but to place me there because of

Moses' treachery. Everyone got something. Albert and Corrigan bumped up to noble Status. A law was

abolished for Christian's sake but what about me? I got head alpha, and no one respects me. I dare not

speak in the council unless spoken to. Yuri promised to make me Lord of the West, a noble status the

present Monarch did not deem me worthy of. It was a good deal, and I took it. All I had to do was turn a

blind eye, and that was all I did. Not kill anyone or chase anyone away, I just looked away," He said,

and Bryce punched him.

We all felt the same rage as Bryce did. I knew it was a reflex because he looked at Sylvester, but

Sylvester nodded with approval.

"Well, there is the confession," Devin said, and Sean laughed.

"How does it feel not to have anything, Corrigan? The South was taken from you so easily I wonder

how you truly got the nickname Bane," He said, laughing, and Devin laughed with him too.

"Well, at least I have a seat on the council, friends and family. You are heading to your death, and no

one will miss you," Devin said, laughing, and Bryce signalled they take Sean away. He had lost it. He

had no good reason but greed. What a shame.

"Anything to say, Joan?" Pamela asked her. I could see the woman was annoyed too. I guess she just

realised how different they were.

"I had no choice," Joan said, and I raised my eyebrow. It would be interesting to hear what she has to

say.

Joan was silent after that and did not say a word.

"We are listening, Joan," Pamela said, and Joan remained silent. I believed she had said all she

wanted to say in her defence.

Leah had come through by then, but they slapped the silver cuffs on her wrist immediately.

"Lock them up and line them up for public execution tomorrow. We can't stay here longer than we have

already. They might have told their master of this meeting," Marcel ordered, and Joan started crying,

looking at Sylvester and Tamia.

"Please, your majesty, spare our lives. I will tell you everything I know. I honestly had no choice. The

Claymans have been broke for years, and we have been paying off debts; that was why I was

searching for a wealthy suitor for Leah.

The Stepanov clan has supported us financially by helping us service our debts. If they pull their

support, we will lose everything. That is why I had no choice. All they asked me to do was give them

information on your whereabouts, upcoming events, and legislation. Also, they would ask for tiny

details like relative names, addresses and locations. That was all. I never actively plotted against you,

your Majesty. My family needed financial support to cover our shame. We have been broke for a while

now. Please. My daughter is innocent. She has no hand in this. She does not even know them. Please,

your Majesty," Joan said in tears, and I was in shock. Her case was foolish. 1

I heard some people chuckle from the noble section. I knew it was because of Joan's arrogance, and

Leah was very arrogant too. I remembered what she said about my bungalow.

How could Joan think I would get with her daughter and spend my money on their debt? She was

indeed a dreamer.

"So you spied on us for money? We almost got killed when we left your house party. Was that part of it

too?" I asked her, and she shook her head.

"No, Alpha Leo. I was hoping you would take an interest in Leah and maybe help us with our debts

since you have the money. I wanted out of my deal with the Stepanovs so many times, but I couldn’t.

That was why I kept sending Leah to you. I was really hoping it would work out.

We were going to lose everything. As Erik knows, Yuri helps some of us financially, so we work for him.

Most of us do not want to be there, but we are. Please let me atone by giving you all the information I

have. You can kill me, but spare Leah. She has no hand in this," Joan pleaded, and I knew she was

telling the truth, but she had already caused much damage with her actions.

"I have never given information that led to anyone's death," she argued, and Tamia shut her up.

"But you told them of our children," Tamia said, enraged, and Joan shook her head.

"I only gave their names," She said, and the noble observers laughed at her response because it was

pretty much the same thing.

"Exactly what the Queen said," Pamela said, and Joan was silent.

"Please, your majesty. Please. I do not want to die," she said, and I wanted to squeeze her neck. She

didn't want to die, but it was fine others died;

great, what a selfish bitch. She just asked we take her life and spare her daughter. She was really

confused.

"I have heard enough; the information you give and its use will determine if your life is worth sparing or

not," Sylvester said, and she shook her head.

"I will give you one now," She said quickly, and we were attentive.

"Alpha Jake, Alpha Jake Brighton and his pack members will die tonight. I heard it from one of the cult

members. They plan to kill them tonight as they did Pridewood.

It is to completely divide the South from the West and thus divide it from your influence, your majesty,"

She said, and I was worried for Stepanie. She and Jake were getting married this Bluemoon. How

could Joan keep such information? Knowing and not speaking was a crime too. Where were her

morals? She disgusted me.