Page 25

"Here stand before his royal highness, Alpha King Adar and Luna Queen Einid, the traitors of the kingdom. They have engineered the war and have allied with scrupulous dark witches and wizards to bring down King Adar, Alpha Bowen, and the royal generals to claim the crown.

Lord Lorcan, Lord Jethro, Lady Saoirse, Lord Niall, Witch Helene, Witch Zoya, Wizald Bal, and Wizard Tadhg! You are here to receive your sentence for your crimes against the King and the werewolf kingdom," announced by the Court Advisor.

A great number of high ranking wolves in the royal pack together with allied alphas and lunas were in assembly at the throne room to witness the passing of judgment to the captive enemies.

Sara and Bowen sit amongst the proud group of generals and their families. Sara's grandfather was also in attendance as by invitation of the king. Pappy sat beside Isolde at the back part of the hall.

The four traitor-second-cousins of King Adar were in silver shackles while the four witch and wizards were on special enchanted bindings on their hands and mouth.

They were surrounded by Alpha Bowen's top warriors who were already in wolf form, ready to attack upon order if the criminals dare to create a commotion.

"We deserve to be heard, at least!" Lord Lorcan, who stood as the leader of the group, voiced out.

"How entitled of you to ask that of the king! King Adar extended a hand of peace, yet you all declined his invitation for a talk and proceeded with your attacks! You deserve to be silenced for good!" Alpha Bowen strongly castigated.

"And who are you to address us, royals, as if you are one of us! You may have the favor of the Alpha King but you are nothing but a low alpha!" Lord Lorcan answered back.

Bowen growled but Sara held him back, making him sit again and calm down.

King Adar stood and spoke, "Alpha Bowen spoke only of the most apparent truths. Disrespect him again, and his wolves will mangle you. You have all been warned."

You do not deserve a chance to plea your case, but for mercy's sake, I will let one of you speak. Lord Niall, I'd like to hear from you." King Adar granted.

Lord Lorcan gave the king a steely gaze then scowled at Lord Niall. Lord Niall trembled and shifted his eyes from his foul cousin to the king and queen.

"Thank you for this act of mercy, for us to be heard, my king.

We were all in the belief that since you have no children, one of us is the rightful heir to the throne.

Lord Lorcan offered us wealth, power, and glory if we fight for his cause.

He will seize the throne but make us his advisors.

We were offered packs and pack lands of our picking.

He convinced us that you will give the crown to Alpha Bowen and this enraged us.

We found this as an act of injustice. Alpha Bowen is not deserving!

He is a nobody! You gave him reign on your war tactics, disregarding your seasoned generals.

This only convinced us that Lord Lorcan was indeed telling the truth, that you favor him like your own flesh and blood.

You basically groomed him like a royal. Then, we were desperate that Alpha Bowen was defeating us and so we caved into the plan of seeking the witches' help, as suggested by Lord Lorcan. " Lord Niall explained and bowed.

Lord Lorcan growled at Lord Niall but the warriors made him behave.

"Alpha Bowen is the last wolf to ever covet the crown. He is already mighty as he is. The lenkacea flowers are all his. He can control the packs with just a word if he wishes. He was of kings even without a throne." The king boasted of Bowen.

"Why do you always go to his side and defend him, cousin?" Lady Saoirse sneered.

"I do not need defending! You mock me, traitor!" Bowen erupted but was stunned to the next event.

"Is Alpha Bowen the king's son?" Sara was taken aback by the sound of her own voice, surprised to realize she had spoken aloud without intending to. She turned red thinking she has offended the king with that question.

The king smiled at Sara then addressed the crowd. "I defend whom I am loyal to and whom I love dearly. And to answer your question, my dear, Luna Sara, NO. How I wish it was my honor to be called Alpha Bowen's father. But that honor was never mine."

He then turned his gaze towards Lady Saoirse, "but let me ask you, Lady Saoirse, who is deserving of the crown after me?"

"A wolf with royal lineage, of course! That has always been the rule.

The blood of the royals must not be cut!

If not, then the crown will always be challenged by alphas and creatures who seek more power and wealth.

The werewolf kingdom is secure and strong if the royal line continues. " She responded.

"Lord Jethro, being the eldest of us cousins, enlighten us as to how we know that a wolf has royal blood indeed?" King Adar addressed his cousin Jethro.

"The birth of a royal wolf especially of the crown prince or crown princess is always heralded to the kingdom." He replied.

"Ah! But you miss one more mark of a royal wolf with direct line to the crown." King Adar smiled.

The king continued. "In fact, not many knew of this test of royalty. However and sadly, this knowledge has come into the hands of a powerful wizard. Upon learning this, the wizard spent his life plotting against the king, the queen, and the future heirs, using this knowledge to his advantage.

My brother, the true king, the late King Gunnar, learnt of wizard's malevolent plans and tried to protect Queen Birna. My brother and his mate failed and succeeded at the same time." King Adar became somber.

King Adar got the rapt attention of everyone in the throne room.

Everyone was eager to hear the rest of the story and so he continued.

"The wizard succeeded in murdering the King Gunnar and Queen Birna.

He celebrated the victory of cutting the direct line of the royal wolves.

The king and queen have no heir. Moreover, he knew that even if I ascend the throne, the werewolves will not be as powerful as before.

I was not the crown prince that was blessed by the Moon Goddess herself.

The wizard's crowning moment was when the lenkacea flowers ceased to exist in the royal pack! "

Sara's eyes balled. She knew where the story will go. She gasped then covered her mouth with her hands. She knew!

The king dropped the bomb. "But the wizard failed! My brother and his mate succeeded! The wizard had his days of victory, until, the lenkacea flowers bloomed again!"

All eyes turned to Alpha Bowen....