Alpha Damien's Breeder: The first night
Chapter 114: Crocodile tears

Why couldn’t she just perfectly get her information right, it was all thanks to that imbecile. She was going to kill her informant if they survived this trial. An incompetent fool, had made her lose a round just when the trial was going in their favor.

Her informant was one of her exes that wished for them to be back together, which she didn’t agree to. She manipulated him into thinking she was going to date him, if he helped her with information. Fortunately, he had always been the foolish type, so it was easy to use him.

It was time she got rid of him anyways, her mother was available for that.

"Theresa, you are fully aware that the breeder culture was discontinued ages ago to avoid conflicts between potential heirs and to balance power in the pack, right?" Elder Jude, one of them asked.

"Yes," she nodded in agreement.

"Good. Even though you went against the pack’s rule, we acknowledge that you were trying to help the Alpha, and we won’t blame you for that. We were under the mistaken impression that the Alpha was impotent, but you should have shared your plans with the elders before taking any steps," he added, understanding the intention behind her actions. Despite her violation of the rule, she acted for Damien’s and the pack’s well-being. Her punishment wouldn’t be severe, as she was still the mother of their Alpha. Only Damien had the right to administer punishment beyond the ordinary.

All they could do was issue a warning or suspend her from pack duties for a month. Furthermore, Damien must be aware, he probably decided to keep it a secret from the elders for her sake. But knowing the type of person he was, she must have received one punishment, at the least. It was funny how she brought in lots of breeders and he tolerated them, what was his plan?

"But we won’t be punishing you because, in the process, you never caused harm to anyone," Elder Jude added, earning a smile from Theresa.

As it turned out, there were still reasonable voices in the Elder council.

"Let’s deal with the criminal here," growing impatient, Elder Timotei urged.

"I would love to take control of this trial as things are getting delayed and scattered with you in charge," Elder Jude said, warning Elder Timotei to step aside with a meaningful gaze.

"As you wish," he agreed and stepped down, allowing Elder Judd to continue.

"Miss Sarah, kindly return to your seat. We would love to end this as soon as possible, everyone has things to do," he commanded.

Sarah quickly glanced at Elder Timotei, who nodded in agreement, assuring her to take a seat as he commanded. This was also part of the facade they integrated into their plan to streamline the proceedings.

If it was only him and Sarah against Aurora, it would start to raise suspicions, and that was too risky when they were on the brink of gaining favor from the audience.

Regardless of the decision they made concerning Aurora, as long as it was an open trial, the audience had the right to vote for or against it. They couldn’t keep it private due to fear of Damien. If anything went awry, they could blame the audience and his mother for manipulating them if he turned against them.

Damien was ruthless and strict, an unpredictable Alpha, so taking chances with him was never wise.

"Now back to the rogue. Could you please tell us your name?" Elder Jude asked.

"My name is Elyon," the rogue replied.

"If I am correct, you got to know Miss Aurora after she treated your injured wound, isn’t that right?" He began questioning him, steering the audience’s focus back to the main issue.

"Yes," the rogue replied, stealing a glance at Aurora to gauge her reaction, but he felt his chest tighten when she showed no response.

’Yell and say you are being lied against!’ he thought, inwardly screaming at the unfolding situation. Even if she had been severely tortured, shouldn’t she speak up and free him from the guilt that threatened to consume him?

"Why did it take you both so long to flee when you could have done it sooner?" Elder Jude asked, surprising Elyon. There was no question related to that in the paper handed over to him by Sarah’s lackeys. Was he supposed to answer that?

"Mr. Elyon?" Elder Jude called when no reply came from his mouth.

"I... we wanted to gather enough wealth to sustain us in the human world," he answered, concocting his own lie.

’So much for an unwilling rogue,’ Sarah thought, chuckling darkly. Honestly, she didn’t expect him to respond to that, but it seemed like he was improvising without being instructed.

Perhaps these men had never ventured into the human world, but many wolves coexisted with humans and adapted well. Technological advancements had reached a point where werewolves could easily blend in with humans using perfumes and other disguises.

And his phone was right in front of him, a human invention, dummy. Even if their werewolf origin might hinder them from living in peace in the human world, it was adaptable if they could learn. The goddess now blesses some people with human mates, so it was only a matter of time before werewolves and humans started living together.

"Alright. I think it’s time to deliver the punishment," Elder Jude said, gesturing for the remaining Elders to gather for a quick discussion.

As they conferred, Aurora locked eyes with Elyon. There was an inexplicable connection, as if they were meant to know each other. Just as she was about to look away, their gazes met, and he widened his eyes.

It felt like he was someone she should know but couldn’t place. Where could she have met him? Was he from Lucas’s pack? Something about him felt peculiar, an aura of longevity and calmness, even though he was implicated as the wrongdoer.

She harbored no resentment towards him for testifying against her, considering the evident brutality of his torture.

He nodded at her, an almost apologetic gesture, and she responded with a warm smile before averting her gaze.

"Alright, Mr. Elyon, this will be your final question that may influence everyone’s decision," Elder Jude announced as the Elders resumed their seats after their discussion.

"Are you truly Miss Aurora’s accomplice, and was she genuinely caught stealing in the Alpha’s brother’s room?" Elder Jude inquired.

Taking a deep breath, Elyon glanced at Aurora one last time and then turned to face the audience with a hopeful look, wishing that someone could see through his predicament and show mercy to Aurora.

"Yes," he bowed his head, admitting.

"Very well. The decision of the Elders shall now be announced." Elder Jude struck the rod against the flat wooden surface, signifying the readiness to deliver judgment.

"We hereby sentence Miss Aurora to death for aiding a rogue and nearly killing our Luna. Additionally, we acknowledge that she attempted theft, but we consider it an act of love for her partner. Mr. Elyon will be punished by removing his fangs and severing parts of his body." Gasps of surprise filled the courtroom, especially from those genuinely concerned about Aurora.

"That’s not possible! Why would you sentence her to death with no evidence?!" Theresa shouted, marching toward the Elders to express her opposition.

"I agree. It’s not a valid reason to condemn her to death, especially based on evidence provided by Elder Timotei and Miss Sarah alone," Charlotte supported, slamming her hands against her desk and managing to slip past the guards to stand beside Theresa. Charlotte’s support meant the world to Theresa at that moment.

"Your best friend’s life was in danger, yet you side with the criminal?" Elder Timotei questioned.

"Best friend? I have no such thing, at least not with Miss Sarah. As of today, we are nothing to each other," Charlotte publicly declared, causing Sarah to scoff and roll her eyes at her now ex-friend.

"Is this how easily you betray people?" Elder Timotei pressed, eliciting anger from Charlotte.

"Speaking of betrayal, shouldn’t your Luna be familiar with that word? Don’t try emotional blackmail with me, Sarah is not fit to be your Luna. I hope you don’t regret making her one later," Charlotte retorted, letting go of any lingering guilt. There was no need to support a friend who never reciprocated the sentiment.

She recalled Dave questioning her about Sarah’s true feelings, and now she had her answer. Sarah was a wolf in sheep’s clothing. Charlotte had sensed something off during their friendship, and she confirmed it two days ago.

"What have I ever done to deserve this, Charlotte? I thought we promised to be friends forever?" Sarah feigned innocence, her eyes turning teary. However, Charlotte was resolute in not letting her tarnish her image.

"Save those crocodile tears. Don’t you get tired of being fake, Luna?"