Jax looked to the defense table. "Counselor Vaelor, you may proceed with your cross-examination."
Eldric Vaelor rose with unhurried confidence, clasping his hands behind his back as he approached the stand. His tone was calm, conversational — the kind of calm that put seasoned warriors on edge.
"Beta Valehart, let's clear a few things up. You testified that you were present for the match between Helga Emberhide and the Ashbane student. Correct?"
"Correct."
Eldric nodded once. "But you weren't in the officials' section. You weren't supervising. You were in the crowd — just another pair of eyes in the stands."
"That's correct. I was watching from the stands."
Eldric tilted his head. "And this was your first day back from an extended border rotation, wasn't it?"
"Yes. I had just returned that morning."
"So you weren't at the training grounds that week. No briefings. No prior sessions. No context."
"No, I was not."
"Understood. Now, Beta Valehart — your fated mate, Elle Varrin, she was on the field that day. Correct?"
The hitch in Cael's breath was small but unmistakable.
"Yes. I didn't know it then, but… yes. She's my fated mate."
Eldric's brow lifted, a razor-thin acknowledgment — not surprise, just confirmation of what he already knew.
"And you caught her scent."
"Yes."
He stepped a fraction closer, voice soft but leading like a hand on a chess piece.
"Come on, Beta. Every wolf in this room knows one thing—your fated mate walks in, your brain walks out."
"Objection. Speculation." Corvin Thane said, tone even.
Jax's gavel cracked, sharp.
"Sustained. Counselor, rephrase."
Eldric didn't flinch. He just adjusted his cuff and turned back to Cael with a smile that said I'm still getting exactly what I want.
"Fine. Let's make it simple. Beta Valehart, does catching your fated mate's scent hit you like a freight train?"
Cael looked at him for a moment before answering.
"…It's strong. Yes."
Eldric nodded once — the nod of a man who has already won and is now just collecting confirmations.
"Good. Now let's add it up. First day back from a long rotation. No briefing on the match. And the scent of your fated mate hits you out of nowhere."
He leaned in just enough to press the point.
"Tell me, Beta — was your attention anywhere near one hundred percent?
"Objection. Leading." Corvin Thane called.
"Sustained. Jury will disregard." Jax said.
Eldric smiled — faint, wolfish, victorious anyway.
"No further questions."
He turned and walked back to his table with the calm confidence of a man who had just planted a seed he knew would grow roots in every juror's mind.
Cael stepped away from the stand, composed, though the edge of tension remained. He disappeared through the side door to join Fin — a privilege of rank, and a quiet exit after a very public cut.