Chapter 231
Elder Monroe exchanges a glance with Magnus, then goes through some more paperwork before continuing. “Let’s talk about the Queen. King Soren’s late wife, Queen Jacinta. What do you know about her death?”
Bianca’s face pales, and her voice drops to a whisper. “She. she found out about the smuggling. She was investigating the council, asking questions. Rhett said she was getting too close to the truth and warned King Alaric.”
Magnus’s voice is like a whip. “And what did Rhett do about it?”
Bianca hesitates, tears welling in her eyes. “He said it was the only way to protect the plan.”
Elder Monroe’s voice is icy. “Are you saying that Rhett personally murdered the Queen?”
Bianca shakes her head. “No. Rhett handled shipments to the castle. He drove the truck that day into the castle grounds. Inside the truck were rogues compelled by King Alaric to kill the Queen.”
I feel Aubrey stiffen beside me, her hand clenching into a fist. My own rage boils beneath the surface, but I keep my expression neutral, my gaze locked on Bianca.
Monroe presses further. “And Clyde? Did he know about this?”
Bianca nods again. “Yes. He helped cover it up. He made sure
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Chapter 231
the investigation led nowhere.”
“Damning accusations,” Monroe says, turning her attention to Clyde. “Do you have anything to say in your defense, Councilman?”
Clyde’s face is slick with sweat, his usual smug demeanor crumbling. “Nothing I say will have you believe otherwise.”“
“The evidence will speak for itself.” Monroe cuts back at him.
Elder Monroe looks back at Bianca. “What about the ports? What was the end goal of this operation?”
Bianca hesitates, her gaze flicking to Rhett again. “Rhett wanted to control the ports. He said if he could control the flow of goods and resources, he could control the packs. He planned to use the humans as leverage–with the vampire King backing him, he thought no one could stop him.”
“And the council?” Monroe asks. “What was his plan for the council?”
Bianca swallows hard. “He wanted to replace them. He said the council was outdated, that they were too weak to lead. He wanted to take their place–with himself at the head.”
Monroe leans back, her expression grim. “And what of King Alaric? What role did he play in this?”
Bianca’s voice wavers. “Alaric was using Rhett to destabilize the packs. He wanted to weaken the werewolves so he could. take control. He promised Rhett power in exchange for loyalty.”
When Bianca finishes, Magnus turns his attention to Clyde.
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Chapter 231
“Do you have anything to say in your defense?”
Clyde smirks. “Defense? Hardly. She makes me out to be some villain. What I did I was doing to try to save part of the council. I’m naive enough to believe Alaric would keep his word, I was trying to keep the damage to a minimum by ensuring my seat on the council. Some say in what becomes of the packs is better than no say at all. We were attempting to survive in a world that’s changing. You can’t stop what’s coming. Alaric will rise, and when he does, you’ll all be nothing more than dust beneath his feet.”
His words send a chill through the room, but Magnus doesn’t falter. “Your fate will be decided soon enough.”
Maverick then presents his evidence found on Clyde’s computer and admits to signing off on some of the things. After seeing the wording myself, it is clear he had no idea he was signing off on forged documents.
Next, Aubrey is called forward. She stands tall, her voice steady as she recounts everything Rhett and Clyde put her through–her abduction, the attempted forced bond, and their plot to take over her father’s pack. None of this is necessary. We have enough evidence. Still, I know she needed to do this, not for the case against them but for herself. She doesn’t hold back, her words cutting like a blade. By the time she finishes, the room is deathly silent, and it’s clear Clyde and Rhett could never talk their way out of this.
“Well, if no one has any more questions, we’ll break for deliberations.”
I can’t help myself, I want to make sure Rhett knows what kind of woman he chose over his mate.
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I rise from my seat. “I have a question.“”
