CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED & EIGHTY FIVE
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CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED & EIGHTY FIVE
Nolan’s POV
I moved just enough to place myself fully in front of Talia when Henry began to talk. Every instinct I had was focused on keeping her protected. There was no telling how the pack would react to the truth and they were all hostile.
I was not taking any chance that Talia would be harmed. I would rather murder all of them than to tolerate any harm coming to Talia and I would have no regrets doing it.
It seemed Marco and Della also agreed as they were now standing in formation.
“I want to clarify something before I begin,” Henry said firmly. “Princess Talia did not hide her identity to try to take ownership of Shadowclaw.”
“Lies! What do you call this?” Michael snapped, pointing at Jason.
“Facing the consequences of his action,” Henry responded. “Princess Talia did not hide her identity. She renounced it when she became the Luna of Shadowclaw. She couldn’t reveal it because she no longer had the title to become Alpha Jason’s mate.”
The pack members murmured in surprise. I was even surprised. It made sense now how upset Talia was about her relationship with Jason. She had given up everything for that fool, and he spat in her face. It made me want to punch Jason’s face again.
“Elder Michael and Alpha Jason have coveted the Alpha King’s throne for years. When they discovered…”
“Lies!” Michael exclaimed. “He just wants to have control. He always…”
“Shut up!” a pack member yelled out even though their voices trembled.
“Let him speak!” another joined in.
I smirked as Michael stared at them. He never expected to lose his grip on the pack like this.
“When they discovered Princess Talia’s true identity, they realized she was their way to the throne,” Henry continued. ” Knowing how Princess Talia no longer wanted anything to do with Jason, poisoned her and Jason attempted to force a mark on her to secure control over her claim and Silverfang.”
There were gasps within the crowd. Wolves understood exactly what that meant. This was a crime that every pack law condemned. It was forbidden to force a mate bond.
“Alpha Nolan intervened before that act could be completed. Had he not, the consequences would have been irreversible,” Henry continued.
Michael reacted quickly. “That is a lie,” he shouted, pointing at the crowd. “He just wants power.”
“No! That is, you, it has always been you!” Henry snarled. “Look at my face! Princess Talia, Alpha Nolan, the Alpha King…they didn’t do this to me. He did!” Henry pointed at Michael. “This is what he does! Do not allow him to fool you into going against the Alpha King? If I hadn’t been smart, he would have beaten me to death to keep me from telling the truth today!”
“Are you going to believe him or your Elder?” Michael demanded.
Not one person rose to Michael’s defense. Henry’s injuries were just a reminder to them of how Michael abused those that didn’t go along with his plans. I smirked. Everything he put in place was now falling apart by his own hand.
Seeing that the pack no longer was in his control, Michael attempted to leave the stage, but he did not make it two steps.
Shadowclaw warriors closed in, their movements swift and coordinated. At the same time, Silverfang warriors stepped forward from among the onlookers. They surround Michael. One restrains him by pinning his arms behind his back.
“You cannot do this,” Michael snapped. “I am your Elder.”
CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED & LIGHTY FIVE
+25 Bonus
“You are under arrest,” one of the warriors replied.
Michael’s gaze darted wildly before landing on Jason. “Say something,” he barked. “Tell them this is a lie.”
Talia stepped out from behind me before I could stop her.
“We did not come here to cause a war. We came to stop one from happening,” Talia said firmly. “Shadowclaw does not deserve to be twisted into a weapon for personal ambition.”
Michael looked at Jason before sneering. “We haven’t even spoken to my poor son. We need to hear his explanation.”
“Sure,” Talia stated. She walked over to Jason, who was still gagged, bound, with a warrior on both his sides. There was nothing to fear, but I couldn’t help but still walk with Talia.
Jason reached forward and removed the gag.
“Speak,” Talia said. “Your father wants you to tell everyone the truth.”
“Tell them how they are liars and we never did anything. They are…”
“We did it,” Jason said hoarsely.
Michael froze.
Jason lowered his head, his voice breaking. “It is all true.”
A stunned hush fell over the crowd.
“Everything Beta Henry said was true,” Jason continued. “I used Moonlust. I thought I could fix everything if I marked her. I thought we could go back to how everything was before.”
“You fucking fool! You have ruined everything. All your foolish actions are coming back to haunt you,” Michael shouted. My eyes widened as I realized that Michael was attempting to sacrifice his own son instead of taking accountability.
Jason shook his head slowly and said firmly, “You told me to do it. You said it was the only way and I believed you. You said the Alpha King would never see it coming. You said Shadowclaw would be stronger.”
Michael’s mouth opened, but no sound came out. Fear and then anger flashed in his eyes. I couldn’t help smirking that Michael was finally watching his son stand up to him.
Jason looked up at the crowd and said, “I was wrong. I am sorry.”
Angry shouts erupted from all sides, calling for the exile of both Jason and Michael.
“Banish them!”
“They dishonored the pack!”
“Traitors!”
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