Chapter 48

Violet

Owen looked furious as the lead judge continued to speak.

“Lucas of Twining River is ordered to formally reject Violet Donovan as his mate at temple,” the judge declared. “Furthermore, Darkmoon will be returned to her effective immediately. Any holdings or assets wrongfully transferred to him or Twining River under their union will also be restored to their rightful owner. This includes monies, land, property, business enterprises…”

As he continued, the words blurred as a weight lifted from my shoulders. I gripped the edge of the table, grounding myself as the full reality of what was happening settled in.

Darkmoon was mine again.

Owen’s jaw was tight. His eyes narrowed, and there was a dangerous glint in them. He wasn’t happy with the decision—not one bit.

Before Owen could speak, Lucas stood abruptly, his voice sharp and unyielding.

“I refuse,” he declared, drawing the attention of everyone in the courtroom. “I will not go through with a formal rejection ceremony. I don’t accept this ruling.”

The murmurs of the gallery swelled into a low roar, and the panel of noble alphas exchanged looks of irritation and disbelief.

“You have a lot of nerve attempting to steal Darkmoon in the first place, leveraging what is the most sacred bond we have in our world for your own petty ambition,” one of the judges intoned, his tone thick with authority, “you are out of line. The ruling has been made, and if you continue to be belligerent, we as a panel will motion to have you formally challenged and there will be a line of alphas willing to meet you for it.”

He paled, stammering, then his jaw hardened. “She’s still my mate, whether this court likes it or not. I won’t make it easy for her. I have the right to reconciliation if I so choose!”

“Reconciliation has to be sought through the temple and the other party has to be willing,” another judge said. “Your actions have branded her with the mark of the unwanted, you fool. There is no reconciliation to be had.”

He looked at me. “Violet, you—”

“Given the volatility and significance of the situation,” Owen cut in. “I will forestall this court’s decision for additional review in an effort to come to a more agreeable solution.”

My jaw tightened, but I kept my composure. My lead lawyer stood.

“With all due respect, Your Majesty, if their genders were reversed, there would not even be a peep of coming to an agreeable solution regarding treason, conspiracy, infidelity, and assault.” He narrowed his eyes. “I’d be curious to ask what value Lucas of Twining River offers to be given such consideration.”

He flushed. “I don’t appreciate your insinuation.”

“Twining River had no industry before Lucas married Alpha Violet.”

“This ruling is unprecedented,” Owen said, his tone clipped. “I would think that you as a lawyer would be interested in assuring that justice is served and we are not simply coddling a woman for making a poor decision.”

The judges turned to look at him with the most hateful glare, and he almost shrunk back from their glare. The woman on my legal team, slid a small sheet of paper in front of me. I scanned it and stood.

“If I may?”

A murmur rippled through the gallery. My fingers curled into fists on the table.

“I’d like to request a conference with the priest on the judgment panel,” I said, sweeping my gaze. “I would prefer violence to be considered only after all other options are, and while I appreciate the panel’s swift and fair judgement, I am gracious enough to allow him to wallow in his own regrets for as long as he needs… I intend to move on with my life regardless of his choices.”

The room stilled, and all eyes turned to me. Some of them were amused. Owen frowned, clearly displeased.

“As I have said, the matter will be—”

“The temple outranks even the alpha king,” one of the noble judges interjected, his tone clipped. “Alpha Violet’s request is entirely within her rights, and the temple’s guidance is paramount in such disputes as the legal system will not grant her freedom.”

Owen set hisn jaw, but he said nothing. I turned to look at the priest, seated among the panel in his ceremonial robes. He nclined his head toward me, his expression serene.

“I will hear you, Alpha Violet,” he said, his voice resonating with quiet authority. “The temple exists to guide and protect all wolves in matters of bond and faith. Let us confer privately after this session concludes.”

“Thank you,” I said, inclining my head respectfully.

Owen’s frustration was evident, though he said nothing. Lucas, on the other hand, looked furious. His eyes darted from side to side nervously.

The court session ended with Owen’s decree to hold the judgement for further review. My lawyers requested a time scale of a week, to which he lengthened, using his royal rights, to two weeks. What he thought he would accomplish I didn’t know, but it hardly mattered. The noble panel had made their decision in accordance with the laws, and if the temple could help me sever the last thread of Lucas’ hold, I would take that chance—no matter what it cost.

People started to file out but I followed the priest toward his private chambers. The room was quiet and dimly lit, the only sound the faint rustle of the priest's robes as he entered and took a seat across from me. His serene expression offered little comfort, but I forced myself to sit tall, meeting his gaze.

“Thank you for meeting with me,” I began. My voice was steady, though I felt the weight of exhaustion from the courtroom weighing down on me.

The priest inclined his head. “You are entitled to seek the guidance of the temple in matters of the bond… And given the king’s obvious bias against you and your freedom, it is a smart thing to do. He was never a very gracious child.”

I smiled at that. “You’ve known him for a while?”

“He, his brother, and his father.” He shook his head. “I must say that young Theodore took the best of the genepool for himself… though I suppose you know that of your fiance. Tell me your worries.”

“I just want to know how to move forward. How to... break free. The broken bond has already… weakened me so much.”

He nodded, his hands folded before him. When I finished, he sighed, a sound that seemed too heavy for such a calm man.

“I wish I could give you more guidance. It will not be an easy path,” he said gently. “The bond you share with Lucas, though broken, still lingers. Its remnants are potent and will continue to affect you, especially if you attempt to bond with another. Even if the other bond is stronger and the other isis more compatible with you. It is just the nature of a first bond.”

My heart sank, but I kept my face neutral. “You’re telling me that without Lucas agreeing, I’m stuck.”

The priest shook his head. “It is hard to say. It will strain you mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. Over time, it may weaken you considerably... even drive you to madness, but it is not an exact or for sure thing.”

The air seemed to thin around me, and I struggled to find my voice. “Is there any way to suppress it?”

The priest paused, his brow furrowing as he considered my question. “The temple’s archives hold many texts on such matters. I cannot promise an immediate solution, but I will research this for you. Suppression may be possible, though it is not without risks.”

It wasn’t the answer I wanted, but it was better than nothing. I inclined my head. “Thank you. Truly.”

The priest stood, placing a hand over his heart in a gesture of blessing. “I will do what I can, Alpha Violet. I wish that I could speak with the head priest sooner rather than later on your behalf, but… perhaps you may find a better answer, a faster answer, beyond the border.”

I looked at him and smiled, a little spark of hope hit me, and I nodded.

“Thank you.”

Theodore

Violet disappeared into the back corridors and I stood, grinning.

“Alpha Violet’s Luna ceremony will take place in one week at Midnight Park,” I said. “All are welcome to attend, including those from neighboring territories, including Twining River.”

A ripple of reactions spread across the room—some whispers of intrigue, others of approval or disdain. I let my gaze sweep over the gathering, catching the flicker of Lucas’ flushed and furious expression. I got a peek of Nora through the opening doors and smiled. Lucas paused at the door, looke back toward the front of the courtroom and a dark, calculating look took over his expression.

I narrowed my eyes. A sudden, cold pit formed in my stomach at the sight.

What was he plotting?

I looked back, but Owen was already leaving. I felt on edge. Tension twisted between my shoulders. Unease clawed at me, whispering that something was going to go horribly wrong.