LEO
“You may begin,” Dad says as he sits at the table to the side, at the front of the room.
We are in the pack conference hall. The room is large, and rows of chairs are set out for those who will witness the trial. Alongside Dad at the front table are Raj and three other elders who are well-known and respected around the pack. Although this decision will not be made by them alone, but by the pack itself, they are still needed to keep order.
Emmet is seated on a chair right at the centre of the front with his wrists cuffed to the arms of the chair. He is bound, too. The table beside the chair holds a tablet that is hooked up to the screen behind him. Anything he types will be shown to the pack via the screen.
“Emmet Garrons, you will write only the truth and nothing but the truth, answering all questions truthfully, and adhering to the rules of this pack, understood?” Dad’s command is absolute, making Emmet lower his head. He looks defeated, not like the man that was acting all cocky in that cell. It’s most likely a temporary façade for the pack, that is, until he loses his shit.
He nods to Dad’s question, typing ‘Yes’ on the tablet. His right hand was given enough movement space to type with ease.
Azura is sitting between Jax and Sera, her eyes on Emmet. Eric is beside Jax, and despite how well he is dealing, I’m sure this is still hard for him. The room is full. At least three hundred people are in here.
“Let’s start with the initial reason you were put into prison.” I turn to face him. “You used to physically beat your mate, Jackie Demiko, correct?”
He clenches his jaw before he slowly nods, his hand going to the tablet.
‘We were happy. I lost my temper, but she never complained, so it was no one’s business! I loved her!’
A tense ripple went through the room. Those who knew Jackie, and most of the pack did, knew she was a fucking gem. One who was gone too soon… I pushed aside the pain that crushed my chest and looked at Emmet once more.
“It was wrong. Just because the bond kept her bound to you does not mean she was fucking okay with it. You abused her. Jackie was ready to reject you before her untimely death.”
A murmured whisper spreads through the hall. Emmet shakes his head violently; he doesn’t need to write anything for me to know he still refuses to believe that shit still.
“It’s the truth, whether or not you believe it. Moving on. You kicked a pregnant woman in the stomach, knowing she was carrying a pup. True?” I growl, my eyes flashing.
Emmet struggles before he slowly nods, quickly typing.
‘She was interfering where she shouldn’t have! One less Elite is doing us all a favour.’
I snarl, my aura raging around me and my heart thumping as I try to keep calm and not tear the bastard to shreds. My eyes flick across the room, trying to assess if any would dare side with him on that one, but none, even those who I know hate the elite, look to be in agreement. Either they knew who the woman in question was, or they had compassion towards an unborn pup. I had bred hatred here… over time, many may have agreed with Dad, but there were still many who agreed with me, and I encouraged that. I hope with time, they’ll realise that we are the same… and that I was fucking wrong. Azura will be their Luna, and they will come to love her.
“You did no fucking favour. You tried to kill a child! Third, the woman in question was none other than your future Alpha’s mate.” Another wave of shock fills the room, but this time they are quieter, waiting for the judgement to pass. “Do you deny it?” I challenge, our eyes meeting. Once upon a time, we were each other’s support. Now we are merely two strangers… barely seeing eye to eye.
He shakes his head, looking away.
“Good. Fourth, I created a weapon that was meant to be used for this pack’s protection if the need ever arose. You stole that formula and sold a huge fucking number to an enemy of mine. Correct?”
He looks down at the tablet, typing fast.
‘Yeah, your enemy through your cartel. I sold them to another cartel boss. You ain’t no fucking saint, Leo.’
I smirk coldly. There is no reaction from the assembly.
“So, you admit that you sold something dangerous. Something that, in the wrong fucking hands, can kill us all?”
‘I fucking said yeah. What else do you want?’ He types, his cold glare boring into me.
“Just clarifying. So thousands of lives are on you,” I say, lighting a cigarette. “You also stole from me, millions of pounds worth of products, as well as sabotaged a certain shipment of mine. Things that I’m now trying to fucking fix. Correct?”
He simply doesn’t respond, his expression clear enough before typing something quickly.
‘Yeah, drugs.’
I smirk. If he thought I’d be fucking bothered, he has another thing coming.
“And we’ll finish with the allegation that in doing all the prior mentioned shit, you betrayed this pack, your mate, your Alpha and your Luna… what punishment is deemed fit for you?”
The woman that sits beside Dad raises her hand.
“As someone who has never been able to carry a child… he deserves the punishment of death. Let it be a warning to the masses,” she suggests coldly. I nod slowly, taking a drag of my cigarette, and face the assembly.
“Imprisonment for life,” Eric says quietly. The sorrow in his eyes makes a wave of regret wash through me, regret that he had to see this shit. Emmet is practically the only blood he has left who knows who he is.
“Death!”
“Public execution!”
“End him. After everything he’s done, why is he even getting a trial?”
“Because everyone deserves a chance to voice their thoughts. Of any rank and status…” I cut in, making the crowd quiet down. “Emmet, is there even an ounce of remorse within you? Do you regret what you have done?" I look him square in the eye, and he only sneers.
I don’t want to kill him, not because he doesn’t deserve it… but because bloodshed leads to more bloodshed. Seeing the way the pack is reacting just shows that there is still that animalistic side just beneath the surface, wanting out, just like all species. Everyone holds darkness. I can see their anger, that side of them that values loyalty strongly, but I know that, given the chance, we can all become beasts of our rage and hatred… that it is so easy to turn on our own.
He types something, and I look at the screen behind him, a screen that holds only two words,
‘Fuck you.’
“End him,” one of the other elders says quietly. “I understand that you kept him alive because of Jackie, Alpha Leo, but he tried to kill your child.”
“The punishment should be the same regardless of whose child it is, right, Alpha?” Jax remarks. “And I’m sure we can all agree the death penalty is really fitting here. This is something I’m all for.” A round of agreement follows, and I look at Emmet.
The people have spoken.
I want this all fucking over with. This entire thing is fucking with my head, the memories of Jackie and everything he had done just screaming at the forefront of my mind.
Dad and Azura are the only ones who haven’t spoken. I glance at Dad, almost as if for guidance, and he smiles faintly, the corners of his eyes wrinkling.
You got this, he says through the link. I guess no matter how fucking old we get, we still need that guidance.
Don’t think about not wanting to do something or how you want to be. Do what feels right… you said you will let our people decide. Take their vote, handsome. They’ve spoken. Azura’s voice comes through the link. I glance at her, and our eyes meet. Although I know what the answer will be, I nod before I look away from those gorgeous eyes.
“All for life imprisonment?” I ask clearly. A few raise their hands, but it isn’t even a quarter… “And all for the death penalty, raise your hands.”
The majority raise their hand.
The decision is made, and I hear someone say, “So be it.”
Emmet lets out a guttural sound as he begins writhing in his seat. The tablet that had rested on the table beside the chair goes flying to the floor. I see Eric place his head in his hand. They may not have been close, but he is still his brother.
“Then the punishment will take place in front of a select few,” Dad announces with finality.
“Very well…” I agree, frowning slightly. “Before everyone leaves, I want to address something,” I add, making everyone turn their attention to me. “As you now know, I do have other work outside of this pack… perhaps some of it that many won’t agree with, but I’m not fucking ashamed. I’m fine with everyone who is against that or has any beliefs and opinions they want. No one should be forced to accept something just because their Alpha believes it. A leader is nothing without his people… and their views and opinions will always matter.”
“You have always done nothing but support us. You are our Alpha,” someone says. A wave of agreement follows, and Jax smirks.
“Absolutely. I mean, he’s our own Robin Hood.” A few chuckle, and I take another drag of my cigarette.
“In a matter of days, I will become your Alpha, and, as you all know, I have always held a stance against certain packs… and I’m going to admit I was fucking bitter and holding onto something that they already apologised for. I will admit that I was wrong. I know my saying this shit doesn’t change everyone’s opinions overnight, but I hope you can all see what took me years to see. That we all make mistakes… but we can’t blame everyone for the mistakes of a few.” Azura’s heart skips a beat, and our eyes meet as I continue, “Those pack Alphas will join us for my Luna’s and my ceremony, and I hope that everyone welcomes them. Let’s leave the past in the past and look to the future.” A clap breaks out, but I am far too lost in those gorgeous bright blue eyes, thinking how life fucking took on a form I never fucking saw coming… and I’m happy. “Those wishing to witness Emmet’s sentence being carried out may remain. The rest may make their way to the exit,” I finish.
“Alpha Marcel, Alpha Leo.” Eric stands up as the room begins clearing out. “Can I do it? I mean, can I carry the sentence out?” I look at him sharply, shocked by his decision. Emmet growls, glaring at him, but Eric only looks at him with sympathy. The Five stand up whilst Sera and Mishiko, Jin’s mate, begin walking towards the exit.
“Are you sure?” Dad asks as Ace walks over and hands Eric the gun.
“Yes,” he says quietly. Emmet scoffs, his eyes blazing with rage. Eric shakes his head sadly, looking like a broken man as Emmet glares at him. If he still had his tongue, I knew he’d be fucking swearing.
“One bullet, no pain, actually,” Ace explains, winking at Emmet as he slaps Eric’s back, and I know what bullet that gun contains. How fitting. So that was why he had asked for one bullet.
The Five stand in a line, blocking Emmet and Eric from Azura’s view since she had turned her head away but refused to leave.
Let’s go, I say to her.
She stands up, glancing at Eric sympathetically. I look back at him. He is simply staring at the gun as Emmet struggles and shouts, trying to fight the two guards who are keeping the chair in place.
“Are you sure, Eric?” I ask quietly. He nods, giving me a sad smile.
“He chose his path, and he committed many crimes,” Eric says softly.
“Yeah. He did.”
I take Azura’s hand, striding towards the door. I need to visit Kareena, too. She isn’t in a good mental state, either. I am halfway to the door when a sudden thought comes to me, my heart thudding as I spin around.
“Wait!” I shout just as the gun goes off, and the room is one heartbeat less. “Fuck!”
The Five and Eric look at me, along with the guards who remain, and the elders, all wearing an expression of confusion.
“What’s wrong?” Azura asks, placing her hand on my arm.
I don’t reply, my heart thundering as I look at the blood dripping onto the floor from the lifeless body. His head is hanging forward. I meant to ask him who from this pack was working with him, if any.
“Leo?” Azura asks sharply, placing a hand on my shoulder, but I am unable to respond, simply staring at Emmet’s lifeless body while running a hand through my hair. Fuck!