Chapter 11

The room exploded with chatter. Zoe swayed, barely holding herself together.

She locked eyes with her father, then stormed to Bella, hissing low. "Are you insane? You think I won't throw your brother in a cell for this?"

Bella laughed, bitter and free. Zoe's threats had once forced her to betray Melody. But hearing of Melody's death had shattered her. She'd sworn an oath as a lawyer to uphold justice—and she'd failed.

"My brother hit someone drunk. He deserves a cell. And you, a murderer, and your father, who covered for you—both of you belong behind bars."

Bella was all in, career be damned.

Zoe's face drained further. Desperate, she grabbed Bella's arm. "Admit the footage is fake, and I'll get you a promotion. You want your own firm? I'll make it happen. I'll make you a legend—"

Bella shoved her to the ground. "All I want is to see you, a murderer, locked up."

Zoe's eyes darted to her father for rescue.

Benedict barked, "Enforcers! Drag this lunatic out! She's Melody's best friend—her word's worthless!"

The crowd's mood shifted, accusing Bella of lying to protect Melody. One wolf stood, pointing. "Bella, you say Melody was framed? Her pup's death was ironclad, and Ethan sentenced her! Are you saying he covered for Zoe, killed his own pup, and sent his mate to prison?"

Silence fell. All eyes turned to Ethan.

He stood in his navy suit, composed, unshaken.

As enforcers moved to grab Bella, Ethan picked up a remote and pressed a button. The screen switched to new footage—Benedict in an office, patting Ethan's shoulder.

"Ethan, you have to protect Zoe. She's carrying your pup, and your career's in my hands. Send Melody to prison, and I'll make you rise."

Ethan's body stiffened in the video, starting to say "No," before Benedict slapped him. "If anything happens to Zoe, Melody pays first. I mean it. Want to test me in the legal world?"

The footage ended.

Ethan turned to Benedict. "Is that enough to prove your daughter killed and you covered for her?"

The room boiled over. No one expected Ethan to turn on his soon-to-be mate and her father.

Zoe's face cracked, her voice a shriek. "What's this get you? Dragging yourself down for that dead she-wolf? Did you even think about your career—"

"Career?" Ethan laughed, a hollow sound. He ripped the groom's boutonniere from his chest and crushed it under his heel.

"I used to think a career was everything," Ethan said, his voice heavy with regret. "If I climbed high enough, I could give my mate and our pup the perfect life. But now? I've got nothing. If I could, I'd trade it all to bring Melody and our pup back..."

Zoe's laughter faltered as the truth hit her. Ethan had planned this all along, orchestrating this moment at his binding ceremony to drag her down from the heights, to avenge Melody.

Enforcers burst through the doors, cuffing Zoe, Benedict, and Ethan himself.