Chapter 67

Bredon wrappedhis arms around me, and I wanted to cry because it felt so good. After a few moments, he loosened his arms and stepped back enough to check out my body. "How are you?"

"Better now," I admitted as I held onto his hand.

"Where did you sleep?" He looked around the sparse cell.

"On the floor. I didn't get much." I knew that I must look like shit. "They gave me a blanket."

He moved closer and whispered. "Did you shift?"

I shook my head. "I was scared to." There was always a moment when I was between shapes and felt that I was most vulnerable. I thought all Lycans felt this way. That was why their foes easily targeted Lycans, who were slow to shift.

"Smart." He led me to the blanket and sat.

I joined him. "What have you heard?"

"This morning, Anton announced the charge against you."

My body reared back involuntarily so abruptly that I bumped the wall behind me. "Charge?"

"Disruption to the Crown is the main charge." He explained, "Anton claims that you shared information that caused him upset, which impaired his ability to rule."

"But it's the truth. It is good news." This seemed…unbelievable.

"This is an antiquated law, Sage. It was used when destructive rumors could cause mass exoduses or suicides." He frowned. "Someone could influence a Pack, warning of an impending invasion or the false outcome of a war."

"What's going to happen to me?"

Bredon looked away. When he turned back to me, he looked shaken. "There will be a public hearing."

I felt more optimistic. I had told the truth. They were going to have a baby.

"Our hearings don't operate like your human judiciary."

My stomach plummeted. I knew he was going to give me more bad news.

"Anton will read your charges and decide your fate."

"My fate?" I could barely hear my voice.

"I don't think he will condemn you to death." He looked like he wanted to believe that.

I couldn't come up with any words. "Death?" This was worse than I'd imagined. I tried to make sense of his words and reactions. I felt numb, and I struggled to comprehend what was happening.

He pulled me closer so I could rest my face against his chest.

Bredon spent the night with me.

I don't think we slept much, but I appreciated that he was with me.

I was scared and upset. I had not even dug into the unfairness of it all.

He knew all that I was experiencing, and it brought out his protective instincts. He stayed close. He either held my hand or rested his thigh against mine as we sat on the cell's floor with the remnants of breakfast pushed to the side.

"You need to eat more," he told me.

It was hard to swallow when it felt like a rock was lodged at the back of my throat. "I can't right now." I rested my hands on my queasy stomach.

His mouth tightened. He was frustrated because he wasn't in control.

"You should go." I glanced at him. "I don't want Anton to accuse you of not doing your duty." I'd caused enough problems for Bredon. He already shouldered so many responsibilities, and now…I'd added a multitude of problems.

He shook his head. "I could not concentrate."

I let out a ragged sigh.

"We will get through this, Sage."

I didn't know if he was trying to convince me or himself.

Footsteps sounded on the concrete floor.

Bredon and I stood, waiting to see who was coming.

It was a small contingent of four guards and two males in suits. The guards eyed us warily. The males in suits stood with puffed-out chests.

I was reminded that Bredon always dressed well. His suits were made from quality fabrics and were tailored to his body.

Their suits were ill-fitting. One's jacket was too short, and the other's pants grazed his ankles. Coupled with their body language, I wanted to giggle.

The male in the too-short pants handed the other a roll of paper.

As the male unrolled the paper, I wanted to giggle again. This seemed like a scene from a comedy show. "Sage Isaacs, you are to appear before the Leader in two hours to face the charge levied against you. May the Goddess have mercy." The group turned and left us.

"Wha…What does that mean?" I asked, still staring at where the group had stood.

"Anton is pushing up the timeline."

I felt my body sway, and Bredon's arms wrapped around me.

"You will stand before the Pack. I will be close, but I cannot be with you."

I felt my body begin to shake.

"You will be asked how you plead."

"It won't matter. Anton is judge and jury," I didn't hide my anger.

"You told the truth."

"Then what?" I dreaded his answer.

"He will announce your punishment."

I held onto my mate tighter.

"We will get through this."

"What happens to you if…if…"

"You will not die," his voice thundered.

"Breed, answer me…"

"I will join you. We are bound. I cannot go on without you, Sage."

That would mean that my innocent action would benefit Anton in many ways.

An hour or a little more passed, and again, footsteps sounded.

Bredon's arms tightened around me.

It was a group of six guards. The one with a bald head spoke, "It is time."

I told my body to step forward, but it didn't cooperate.

"Sage." Bredon turned my body so that I was facing him. He placed his palms on my cheeks. "I am with you, my darling. Through everything, I will be with you."

My tears fell unchecked. "I love you."

"I love you, my mate." He tilted my face upward, and he kissed me.

The guard cleared his throat.

Bredon released me slowly and walked to the door of the cell.

The guard unlocked it, and Bredon left.

"I must shackle your wrists, Miss Isaacs." The guard held up silver cuffs.

I moved slowly toward them. Each step felt like my sneaker weighed a ton. Once I reached the cell door, I stopped, staying inside, and held out my wrists.

The guard entered and cuffed my left wrist. He was surprisingly gentle as he pulled my wrist behind my back.

Suddenly, I wished I had combed my hair and run a finger under my eyes. If I was walking to my possible death, I most certainly didn't want to look like I was fearful and had been crying.