Page 56 of Dark Goodbye

Yanking my thoughts away from my omega, I put my brain to the task of formulating my argument. If I can save her, if I can save us, then that will be the start of a new future. I will have the opportunity to fix things with Ladria, to push past all this fear and animosity between us. But, most importantly, for that to happen, I have to live.

The next set of doors open up, revealing Jaxxon, Annora, Altris, and Langston. The fact that the king’s omega is here is puzzling to me. Why would they want her present for this? An omega is far too delicate for these matters.

Nevertheless, as the Guardians apply pressure to my sore shoulders, I sink to the ground in a kneel.

“Davix,” Jaxxon barks out. “You are brought before this council accused of several heinous acts which include murdering Malus, hiding his body, and forgery. The penalty, as you well know, for the first part, is death. The other two acts require physical penance consisting of a public whipping and flogging.”

Soft whispers slip from Annora’s lips as she paws at Jaxxon’s arm and looks back at me. With a heavy sigh, he looks down at her for a moment before turning to face me again. “However, it is with deference to my mate that you will not be executed, despite any outcome of these proceedings. The fact that you treated her with kindness and dignity speaks volumes of your character.”

I glance up at Annora, noting the concern flashing in her eyes. To think that the little omega I helped would now help me. Shaking my head, I slump over, allowing the enormity of everything to hit me at once.

They know everything. Any upper hand I thought I had is gone. The best course of action will be to present the facts and argue my case. From what I know of Jaxxon, hedging, lying, or omitting will not be tolerated, and instead, further fuel his desire for punishment.

“With your permission, King Alpha Jaxxon, I need time and space to explain the events. I did, in fact, kill Malus; however, he caused grievous harm to my mate. That alone dictates that he’s worthy of death.”

Annora gasps as Jaxxon leans forward, his eyes flashing as he stares me down. “That may be according to the old laws, however, in the new Stanlion, there are laws, protocols, the fact that you directly disobeyed them-.”

“Forgive me,” I interrupt, casting Jaxxon my own glare. “But when did rules and protocols factor in when you decided to throw any omega cunt you could at me in hopes to watch me, trap me. When do these new laws apply to me? As it looks to me, this regime isn’t far different from the original one.”

Jaxxon sits back up and exchanges glances with the other two Alphas. For a moment, their expressions morph, looking a touch sheepish. As they should.

“We were unaware that you had a chosen mate,” Jaxxon murmurs, steepling his fingers. “That certainly would have factored into our decision.”

I glare at the king and shake my head. “That makes no fucking sense. If you had a problem with me, why not approach me directly?” Anger burns along my synapse, driving out rational thought. “You put me at risk with your actions. You turned my fucking clinic into a godsdamn free for all. I had Healers fucking betas in my office. I had to go to Marlana to find a machine suitable for helping these poor women through their heats.”

“So that’s where it went!” Langston cries out, earning scathing looks from both Jaxxon and me.

“We’re getting far off track here,” Jaxxon snarls, turning his attention back to me. “Who is this omega, and does she bear your mark?”

“No. Ladria does not.” My confession hangs heavy in the air, drawing a pitying glance from Annora.

“Then you have no mate as you originally claimed?”

I spear Jaxxon with a glare and rise to my feet, despite the pressure from the other Guardians. With a flick of his wrist, he motions for them to back away.

“I may not have given her my mark yet, but I bear hers.” With one hard yank, I rip open my shirt, showing off the small delicate scar.”

“And this mark was in place when you murdered Malus?” The other three lean forward as Jaxxon asks his question.

“No, but she was destined to be mine. I knew it from the moment I realized she was an omega.” It would be so easy to lie, to tell them she claimed me long before, but knowing Jaxxon, he would pick it apart until my lie was exposed.

“You mean when you saw her in prison?” Annora pipes up, her brows furrowed.

“Before that. I knew Ladria before she fled Stanlion.” They exchange glances. Emboldened by their lack of response, I continue. “I know what the reports say, but I don’t believe any of it. Ladria would never hurt anyone on purpose. She’s not like that, but I had no idea she was in prison until much later.”

Pausing, I draw in a deep breath as the memory of seeing her flashes through my brain. “In truth,” I continue, “until I caught her scent in the hospital, I had no idea she was even back. And when I found her in Malus’s clutches, the bloody scalpel in his hand as he carved into her, his hands pawing all over her while she was unconscious… it was too much. He had to die.”

“The scar,” Annora whispers, bringing her hand to her lips. “He did that to her?”

“From what I can tell, without anesthesia. She passed out from the pain. The stench of fear and agony when I found them…” Trailing off, I look at Jaxxon. “What would you have done if someone caused pain to your mate?”

His arm goes around Annora’s shoulders, holding her close. “I would not have been able to control my actions. That part, I understand. What we are not understanding is the events that followed.”

A heavy sigh slips between my lips as I formulate my thoughts. “You should be thanking me. By putting Malus to death, I did each and every one of you a favor. I put down a rabid monster, a killer.”

“And you have proof?”

“Plenty.”