Page 50 of Broken Souls

“Do you overrule your father?” I ask, needing to know the answer.

“Damn right I do. I was the last alpha who got handed the reins in a traditional ceremony so no one can go above me. Anyone who conspires against me is committing a crime.” Axe's words give me peace of mind.

“All due respect alpha Manson, this isn't a ceremony. This is a reinstatement. I am your beta once again because I'd like to welcome alpha Axel back.” As soon as Dash says Axe's name, the room goes deadly silent.

Axe winks at me before opening the door, stalking across the room and taking his place on stage. Dash steps to the side, letting Axe take up centre stage. All eyes are on Axe. No one dares to speak a word. I look at Manson and his eyes are bulging. His wife beside him looks just as shocked but smiles when she sees Axe. Shock fills every face of the audience.

“Everyone, things are about to change. I'm the alpha and I'm setting new laws. Now this will be a long meeting so whatever plans you had for the night are cancelled. First of all, I'm tired of rumours about me. Yes, I did act out towards pack members and that is my fault, I'll admit to that. But I'm putting those rumours to rest. I will never hurt an innocent pack member again. No one has to fear me ever again. By the end of this meeting, everyone will understand this pack's biggest priority is safety. Everyone's safety.” Axe seems secure on stage. He definitely will fall back into being alpha naturally.

“As much as I want this to be a good occasion, we have some dark issues to deal with. Crimes have been committed in this pack that have gone by unnoticed by the beta and I. I'm putting a stop to that right now. Sentences will be given out so, soldiers, I want all four exits of this building guarded. No one leaves. If someone tries to run, restrain them,” Axe instructs.

Soldiers from the pack move around immediately, three guards on each exit. I look through the crowd trying to spot the people who have abused me to see if their expressions hold fear, but there are too many people to find them. However, I spot Joel easily, his scent sticking out. He's around the middle section on the left side of chairs. He doesn't look worried at all, bored if anything. But everyone else in the crowd looks worried. No one knows if Axe is still unstable.

“I will call names. Come to the front. My soldiers will handle you if you don't come,” Axe states. “I found a pack member on the forest floor beaten half to death. After nursing her back to health, she opened my eyes when I discovered the multiple crimes that were committed against her. Come on out.” Axe looks to the window that I'm standing behind.

I take a deep breath and open the door, all heads turning to me. Multiple gasps sound as I step out and stand on stage beside Axe. Joel now pays full attention. I look out at everyone, no longer feeling nervous. I hope Axe rains hell down on this pack.

Chapter Thirty-Seven

This is Elora Raines, I'm sure most of you know of her. What happened to this young woman is preposterous and it disgusts me. Ember Chambers, Hannah Willet and Mitchell Wyomi, come to the front,” Axe demands. No one in the crowd moves. One look from Axe and his soldiers jump into action and bring the three of them to the front while they struggle and yell. “Your charges are a countless number of physical assault counts. The three of you will be on trial at a later date. Until then, you're sentenced to prison.”

“You can't do this.” Ember struggles in the soldier's arms.

“We haven't done anything wrong,” Hannah protests.

“You would believe the crossbred over pure pack members?” Mitchell asks aggressively.

“Actually, just like every case, there has to be proof. I looked over this woman from head to toe, the majority of her body covered in purple bruises. Not only that, her ribs were broken,” Axe goes on.

“You can't prove we did that,” Mitchell fights.

“Are you so dim-witted to not understand the senses a werewolf possesses? I can hear your heartbeats right now. I know when someone's lying. I'm not arguing with you about this. Like I said, you'll have your say when the trial commences. Soldiers, guard them until this meeting is over,” Axe says.

The soldiers hold the three of them in a tight grip off to the side after putting silver handcuffs on each of them. Silver doesn't kill werewolves, but it contains the exact opposite mystical energy vibrations to the moon. Since we are creatures of the moon, once silver chains are attached to us, we cannot break them. The moon powers us. Since silver symbolises the opposite of that, it's our downfall once we're bound by it.

“Next, the Raines family, Ardryan, Sarah and Kieryn,” Axe calls.

I've been waiting for this. I think I'll get more satisfaction out of these punishments than the other three.

They get escorted to the front, Step-Bitch staring daggers at me, Kieryn looking at Axe with worry and my father giving me a heartfelt look. Since the stage is high, I'm literally above them right now. Staring down at them gratifies me.

“Kieryn, you're charged with the same crime as those three. It sickens me that someone so young could hurt someone, their sister at that.” Axe's eyes are dark.

“She isn't my sister,” Kieryn denies, but his voice isn't as strong as it usually is.

“You will be on trial too. I don't like to decide the fate of someone so young, but you brought this on yourself. Sarah, same charge. Trial for you too.”

The soldiers handcuff those two and make them stand with the other three. Axe is putting everyone on trial. I guess that's the fair thing to do. But I want to know what their punishments will be.

“Ardryan Raines,” Axe says with distaste. “You don't get a trial. You will be sentenced now. I only have one question, did you know of the abuse your daughter was suffering?”

“I knew people didn't like her but I didn't realise the extent of it. She always kept things hidden,” my father answers.

“You didn't notice the pain she was in when she was living under your roof.” Axe's tone is deadly.

“I'm sorry, Elora. You never came to me. I...” my father tries to apologise but Axe cuts him off.

“No use for apologies now. Not only are you charged with neglect of your child, none of us know what you did to her mother. You can tell whatever story you want, you lay with a rogue. Whether she gave consent, we don't know. This is an investigation that can't be solved without her mother.”