16. Chapter 16

Chapter 16

Dante

R eturning to the courtroom the following morning feels like judgment day. Noah and I spent the evening working through each possibility, trying to understand why Marlo felt like he had won this.

Outside of the obvious that several sitting members were allied with him, we couldn't figure out how any of the information would fall in his favor.

That being said, I know how the LLC works, and if things go the way we think they will, we need a plan for every outcome. So we have one in place if this doesn't go our way today. We kept the details vague so adjudication wouldn't be a problem. Cain and Jess were already sitting on the hotel, ready to act.

Fates, I hope it doesn't come to that.

Could we win this war?

Shaking away the thought, I take my seat from yesterday. Noah and I are the first ones here, and the courtroom has an ominous feel. The silence echoes with the unknown, and I must pull back my wolf several times.

Marlo and his lawyer waltz in at exactly twelve. Neither looks our way or says anything and by the time they are seated, the council members are also filing in.

Judgment time.

My eyes scan each of their faces, hoping to see some sort of reaction, some sign of good or bad news, but each has their mask of professionalism securely in place. Once they are all settled, Martin begins.

"Good afternoon once again, gentlemen. Thank you for being here on time so we can get started. Yesterday, at the request of Mr. Bjorn, an adjudicator was sent to interview Ms. DelaCourt to determine her reason for being in the Reno Pack Second's Office. After a thorough questioning and verification, the report, located in front of you all, was completed. I will read those findings aloud for the record," he says before proceeding to read the official statement.

I certify that the following statement is void of all opinion and states only facts given and verified by the witness, Brielle DelaCourt, by the adjudicator Alexander Kingsley on the 15th day of December in the year 2023.

Brielle Delacourt was taken to Reno in a blackmail scheme in hopes of being used as leverage against the Vegas Pack. A trade was agreed upon, money exchanged, and a location set. During the exchange, Alpha Marlo attempted to Awaken Ms. DelaCourt, causing the Vegas Pack Second to attack in direct protection of her. During the scuffle, the Reno Pack Second, referred to by the witness as ‘Big Tony,' legally Antonio Russo, attempted to shoot Ms. DelaCourt to prevent her from getting away. A Vegas Pack enforcer stepped in front of the bullet and was killed instantly.

In the exchange of shots, the witness was taken to the ground, striking her head and knocking her unconscious.

When questioned, the witness stated she had no affiliation with the Reno Pack and requested permission to return to her home in Vegas.

All the above statements have been verified through the use of personal contact vivid replay by an authorized adjudicator.

Alexander

A blood-red signature at the bottom of the page certifies it as authentic and traceable to the vampire who adjudicated it.

Relief fills my chest as I think about how much this solidifies our case, and I intentionally school my expression so as not to give anything away.

Thank The Fates.

"It would appear, from this testimony, Alpha Marlo, that the Unawakened girl does not believe you have a claim to her. Under normal circumstances, based on the evidence presented, we would end this hearing in favor of the Vegas Pack. However, there was a second request submitted by Alpha Goodman inquiring about the witness's lineage, and the results of that test gave us a new pause."

With his statement completed, he passes out a new paper to each council member, leaving us to wonder how this new pack will affect the outcome.

One by one, eyes snap up, locking on Marlo and his lawyer in disbelief.

Dante: What pack is it?

My eyes slide over to Noah with the mind-link question, only to find he looks equally puzzled and gives me only a shrug. I turn my attention to the table across the aisle, but both members appear equally confused. After a long pause, Martin continues addressing the panel.

"As you all can see, this muddies the water on this case," Martin's attention slides back to Marlo's table as he says the words that knock the wind out of my chest. "Paternity links back to one Deacon Marlo, Reno Pack Alpha, with a 99.8% match."

Marlo pales as his hands hit the table, bracing himself. All sense of composure is erased as he processes the information that none of us can believe.

Deacon Marlo is Brielle's father.

Brielle's Home Pack is the Reno Pack.

Deacon just won.

Dante: Cain, get her out of there. NOW!

I send the mind-link as quickly as possible, infusing command to relay the urgency. All I can hope for now is that he can get her out before we're all trapped. As the silence hangs in the courtroom, I send one more mind-link.

Dante: Pres, prepare for war.