Chapter 114
Chapter 114
Ragnar
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This could be over quickly, but I can still see the way she fought herself when she pulled away. The man who made her doubt everything that makes her absolutely perfect is sitting a few feet away from me, and I can do nothing to wrap my hands around his throat to watch the life drain out of his eyes, knowing that he deserves to rot like an animal for what he’s done.
The sugary scent of her fear is thick in the air, and by the way his eyes are fixed on her, I know that sick fuck is enjoying the reaction he got out of her when he paused between the two rows. Ivar is sitting to my right, and my father is sitting to my left. There are three guards behind me. They’re here to keep me from jumping over this divider. Protection for these assholes who don’t understand the stupidity of this display.
Sophia is trying her best to make herself small in her chair. Her head is down, and her eyes are fixed on the table in front of her, although she’s not really looking at anything. I’ve seen her like this many times. I don’t know where she goes when she spaces out like that, but right now isn’t the time for her to go there. She needs to be alert and prepared for what she needs to do if she is going to pull this off. The council is watching her, and like me, they’re going to miss nothing.
My brother and father both inhale sharply in unison when I allow myself to pur for her. The sound reaches many ears, but I know when it reaches her. She sits up straighter and glances back at me. I give her a single nod, and she seems to breathe at whole lot better.
My father pats my back and gives my shoulder a squeeze as he glances over at Santiago Romano.
Alpha Romano, take the stand. Present your case,” Alexandria Rayne says without looking up at him.
The leech is new to this. I’ve already made contact with her, but she is a vampire, and we’ve been at each other’s throats long before anyone in this room took their first breath. Alexandria used to be an omega. The people here have forgotten that because it’s very uncommon, and she doesn’t seem as old as the other elders present.
She was sold to the covens by her fated mate when she was sixteen years old, over four hundred and eighty years ago. She was twenty–two when she met Theo Rayne, the master of the coven that took her in. It wasn’t a second chance at least not one designed by fate.
Alexandria was a feeder, and she knew secrets about those who visited her in the blood den she belonged to until Theo burned it down and killed both covens that had the alliance that protected the blood den he took her from.
Alexandria Rayne is an asset, and now that she has a pretty set of fangs and the education the wolves would never have granted her, she likes to show them exactly who she is and what she’s become. Her background is likely the reason why the council chose her to take this case. If she so much as smells blood in the water, she’s going to destroy him.
“Good evening, your honor,” Santiago says and stands, making his way to the center of the round council room.
He is surrounded by enemies all the way around. It’s only then that I realize what this really is. That fucking coward is trying to take Sophia back to use her as a shield, not only to protect himself, but also to protect his position. I smile and shake my
head.
I admit that it is crafty and a very desperate move on his part. But he’s up against a system that hates his breed. The council knows how fleeting a wolf’s life is. Alpha Kings come and go every eighty to a hundred years, but because they are the ones who conquered mankind, they are allowed to remain on the council. Placeholders for humans. Blood for the leeches, and entertainment for the rest of us.
Two vampires flank him as he sits. He still doesn’t take his eyes off Sophia, and I find it satisfying that she doesn’t want to so much as glance in his direction. I doubt you could handle it. She’s not keeping to herself because she’s scared. She doesn’t want to give her trump card away just yet. My little Queen is clever, and I bet it’s going right over his head.
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Chapter 114
‘Relax, one of the leeches whispers in his ear and places his hands on his shoulders.
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His presence and scent disappear when the vampire places a protective shield around him. The wolves all whisper among hemselve not liking that there’s something as powerful as that near any of them to remind them just how low on the food hain they are. It’s the one thing wolves will never have. A real connection to the magic that cursed us. It’s something that Vampires and Lycan share. The aristocracy of the beasts we are. The vampires find it as funny as we do.
Continue,” Judge Rayne says dismissively.
I’ve come here today to admit I’ve made a mistake,” he says, turning his attention back to Sophia. “I was forced to reject my nate because of lies made up by my mother and the woman whom I married under her coercion.
I’ve recently come into some information that has opened my eyes to the biggest mistake I’ve ever made in my life. I want o make it right. I want my mate to know that I am sorry that I didn’t believe in her and that her rank had nothing to do with ny behavior or choices. I want her to know that I lo-”
That’s enough,” Judge Rayne cuts him off and holds her hand out to one of the vampires protecting him.
antiago’s lawyer stands and hands him a file. The vampire takes it and inspects it for a moment before he decides it’s safe nough to hand it over to the judge. She sits back and flips through the file at an impressive speed. She waves him off, and he vampire releases him.
My eyes stay on the vampire because that is an incredibly useful power to have. I take a deep breath, trying to place him, but here’s nothing. I can see him standing there, but it’s almost like he simply doesn’t exist. I divert my attention back to Romano when the vampire almost catches me watching him.
Good evening, Miss Helvig,” Judge Rayne says, placing the file down. She smiles at Sophie gently. “How are you doing onight?”
I could be better,” she answers honestly.
der voice is low, submissive even. I’ve never heard that tone before, and I’m glad. Because if she were to ever use it against ne as a weapon, I’d crumble. I’d let her get away with just about anything.
What do you think about what your mate just said?” she asks her.
I don’t consider that man my mate, your honor,” she answers. “And I am embarrassed to admit I ever did.”
Sophia-” Santiago stands and is met with the hiss of two very protective vampires.
You will not speak to her unless you are granted permission,” one growls at him.
Santiago sits back and stares at the two leeches, taken aback by their reaction. I lick my lips to keep myself from laughing Ivar, on the other hand, doesn’t hold back. He lets out a laugh that makes a lot of people look over at us. I see Sophia tense up, and her shoulders shake from the laugh she wants to fight back.
I clear my throat to remind them where we are.
“I’m sorry about that, Miss Helvig Come up here, Judge Rayne waves her over.
Sophia sits up and then turns around to look at me I smile and give her an encouraging nod. She takes a deep breath and stands, taking the file that Alariq slides over with her. I track each and every one of her movements. Her head is how her breathing is a little too calculated, and she’s walking fully aware of everything and everyone around her.
“I want to ask you something before you give me that, Judge Rayne says. “Do you want to go back. Sophia
“No, my lady. I don’t, she says, forgetting the proper title. “I don’t ever want to be in his presence again aner this is all over.
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Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.
