Chapter 3

　　Aria's POV

　　Alaric walked toward the high phoenix throne Kael had probably spent a ridiculous fortune on, before taking his seat.

　　"I will let the fact that you kept me waiting for five minutes slide," he said, adjusting himself comfortably. "I will even overlook the fact that you expected me to sit on this terrible excuse for a throne."

　　His cold gaze shifted toward Kael.

　　The expression on Kael's face was priceless. The mighty Alpha looked like he wanted the earth beneath him to open and save him from embarrassment.

　　"But the missing funds?" Alaric continued. "That is something I cannot overlook."

　　His eyes moved toward the body lying nearby.

　　"Your treasurer came to me with a yellow file and a long speech that nearly tested my patience. And do you know what I hate the most?"

　　He leaned back slightly.

　　"People who think they can steal from those they serve."

　　My eyes moved toward Kael.

　　The same man who had walked into my life believing he was untouchable was now standing frozen, unable to even defend himself.

　　Then Alaric's gaze shifted toward me.

　　Something about his stare felt like it could drag someone into the deepest parts of darkness.

　　But I was a writer.

　　I had created monsters, villains, ruthless Alphas, and characters with enough intensity to burn through pages.

　　So instead of fear, I found myself impressed.

　　"Little girl, what is your name?" he asked.

　　His voice was calm, almost gentle compared to the weight of his presence.

　　I lifted my eyes and met his glowing pale blue ones.

　　"My name is Aria. Aria Ashford."

　　A small smile appeared on his face.

　　"Oh. The daughter of Silas Ashford."

　　His expression changed slightly before he looked away.

　　"Now, Kael."

　　His voice turned cold again.

　　"Did you embezzle the funds or not?"

　　This time, there was no room for excuses.

　　The answer had already been decided.

　　"Ye... yes, Your Majesty."

　　The sound of Kael's knees hitting the marble floor echoed throughout the hall.

　　His forehead touched the ground.

　　"I'm sorry, Your Majesty. I wasn't thinking straight."

　　Shock was probably written all over my face.

　　I needed a fresh notebook and my quill.

　　Because this was a plot twist even I hadn't written before.

　　The almighty Alpha Kael Draven, the man who believed everyone should bow before him, was now the one kneeling.

　　And the Lycan King?

　　He was only getting started.

　　"My Lord..."

　　I summoned my courage.

　　The hall was silent when I stepped forward.

　　Every eye turned to me, including Kael's. For a moment he looked surprised. He probably expected everyone to watch him fall alone, or probably expected me to stand with the others and condemn him, like they had already decided his fate. But I didn't.

　　I walked closer. I kept my face calm, pushing back the laughter lingering at the back of my throat.

　　"My King." I bowed slightly before Alaric. "I know what Kael has been accused of is serious. I won't pretend the evidence looks good."

　　Kael lowered his head. I watched his jaw tighten.

　　"But he still deserves a fair hearing."

　　A murmur spread through the room.

　　Alaric's eyes narrowed. "You are defending him?"

　　I glanced at Kael and let my face soften. That was what everyone saw. In my mind, I was already sketching the shape of the story I was about to write him into.

　　"I am asking for the truth to be heard before judgment is passed."

　　I felt him more than I saw him. The way his chest rose. The way something in him let go. After everything, after the betrayal and the humiliation, he thought I was still standing beside him.

　　He had picked the wrong woman to write his ending.

　　"Aria..." His voice was barely a whisper.

　　I let him have his gratitude. I didn't correct him.

　　He didn't know I wasn't saving him. He didn't know this was the last comfort I would ever give him, one small kindness before I watched it all fall apart in his hands.

　　I already knew where the money went, even who had profited from what he'd done. But I wanted him to stand there first. Hear the room question him. I wanted him to feel the weight of his own choices. Wanted him to believe, just a little longer, that I was still the woman who would fight for him.

　　"Kael has been an Alpha for years," I continued. "A man in his position makes enemies. It would be foolish to ignore the chance that someone wants to destroy him."

　　Shock crossed his face. He thought I was protecting his name.

　　I kept the smile off my face. but the corner of my lip kept curling upward.

　　Alaric didn't miss it.

　　"You speak as though you know something the others do not."

　　I lifted my eyes to him. "Perhaps I know that people are more complicated than their mistakes."

　　A strange silence followed. Alaric studied me the way he studied everyone, carefully, like he was weighing my worth. Most people who stood before him trembled.

　　I was not the kind of lady to give anyone the satisfaction they wanted.

　　I could see the question form on his face. Why would a woman defending a disgraced man look so unafraid? Almost like she was waiting for something.

　　He was right to wonder.

　　I had been humoring Kael for a long time now.

　　I'd watched him stand there with his head held low, not so sure he could talk his way out of this mess. That old confidence was gone. The charm he usually wore like armor couldn't save his sorry ass. Now he stood here, waiting for someone else to save him. The same man who once made others bow was depending on my voice to pull him out of the fire.

　　If only he knew that every word out of my mouth wasn't a lifeline. It was the blade I'd been sharpening for months.

　　I let him believe whatever he wanted to believe. After all, some lessons were better learned when the fall came from a higher place.

　　"Kael deserves a fair hearing," I said, and kept my voice steady.