Knock. Knock.
The sound was sharp, jarring in the tense stillness. Every head turned toward the door.
Jax's tone was flat. "Enter."
The door opened just enough for a guard to appear, his posture rigid. "Gamma Thorne, Alpha Shadowclaw—Counselor Eldric Vaelor requests immediate entry. He says it concerns a deal for the defense."
Finric's expression darkened, slow and dangerous. "During recess?"
"Yes, Alpha. He says it's urgent."
Redmoon muttered, "Snakes always slither in when the blood's still warm."
Bloodmoon's lip curled. "Let him in."
The guard stepped aside. Eldric Vaelor entered, calm and deliberate, his tone too smooth for the gravity of the room. Corvin entered behind him.
Finric didn't move from the head of the table. "Close the door," he said. His voice carried enough weight that the guard obeyed instantly.
Jax was already standing near the window, arms folded, gaze like steel. Corvin took his usual place beside him, expression clipped and cold.
Eldric, all composure and confidence, stepped forward like a man arriving at a dinner invitation rather than a war council.
"Counselors," Finric said, "this meeting stays in this room. The following remain present — Alphas Redmoon and Bloodmoon, Beta Valehart, Gamma Luna Thorne, and Beta Luna Valehart."
For a heartbeat, they only stared at each other — predator and serpent weighing who would strike first.
Eldric's brow ticked up. "Not exactly standard protocol."
Finric didn't even bother to look impressed. "Neither is poisoning my Queen."
The air tightened — the kind of silence that usually follows a thrown punch.
Eldric just breathed out a soft laugh, rolling his cuffs like he owned the room.
"Relax, Alpha. You want an audience? Fine. I've given winning speeches in worse rooms with worse odds."
He straightened his cuffs — his tell, the one he uses right before swinging the hammer. His voice was clipped.
"Let's skip the foreplay. I've got a deal on the table — your only one — so listen carefully".
Fin cut him off before he could breathe.
"No. You came here because you smell blood in the water and want out before you drown."
A few smirks flickered.
Even Corvin's mouth twitched.
Eldric chuckled — one sharp breath, nothing more.
"On the contrary, Alpha. I don't drown. And I don't lose trials. But I do like everyone in the room to understand the scoreboard before the final quarter."
He stepped forward, palms braced on the table like he was about to deliver a closing argument that would end careers.
"Your Queen's case is strong on emotion, but weak on anything resembling legal standing. So let's strip away the theatrics and look at what actually matters."
Jax's jaw flexed. "I'd advise you to tread carefully."
Eldric didn't even blink.
"Elle Valehart and Nova Moonveil weren't titled when they were poisoned. Nova wasn't marked, wasn't recognized as Gamma Luna when she was assaulted. So while the Crown loves shouting 'treason' like it's going to make it true"—he flicked a hand toward Corvin without looking—"the law doesn't back you up."
Corvin's expression tightened.
"At best," Eldric continued, "you've got aggravated violence and conspiracy. Ugly? Absolutely. Executable? Not even close."
He paced one step, smooth as a blade sliding into place.
"And since both Emberhides were already in prison during the second poisoning, and you have zero evidence tying Helga to the first…" He gave a slow, razor-edged smile. "That entire angle of your case just walked itself right out the door."
Corvin's lip curled. "You're dancing on semantics."
Eldric smiled. "Semantics are what separate rulings from massacres, Counselor."
Cael shifted, jaw tight. "Semantics don't change what she did."
Eldric turned just enough to acknowledge him. "No, Beta Valehart. They change what you're allowed to do about it. Big difference."
He pivoted back to Finric.
"Now. Winners don't make excuses when the other side plays the game. Let's actually analyze the field, shall we?"
He turned, looking directly at Finric. "Look at your jury, Alpha. Twelve senior citizens. Half of them still whisper that your Queen is Ashbane's bastard. Still. They're calling it a family feud. That's the whisper already spreading through the gallery — sisters fighting."
He laughed.
"Then we have twelve pack members. Let's analyze shall we? Here are the coin toss votes:
"Caius Varyn — warrior, trained alongside Helga. Theron Alaric — scout, retired. Still believes half-bloods are a real thing. Lucan Darest — blacksmith. He votes guilty, he loses customers. That man's loyalty ends where his coin purse does. Orin Talvos — omega, terrified of losing his place if this new order stands. Tavian Rhos — hunter, "Dead warriors don't pay debts. Tavian votes with his wallet, not his conscience. Neris Valen — messenger, neutral until he sees which way the wind blows."
He let the words settle like dust before continuing.
"The other half? Maelis Corren — archivist, follows law to the letter, and law doesn't favor emotion. Cassia Vorn — merchant, cares only for trade stability. Draven Solmir — stablemaster. Still single at fifty. No emotion. By the book. Corin Thale — trainer, served under Orion Emberhide, still loyal. And Leontis Marr — diplomat, too cautious to vote against public sentiment."
"You have one vote in your favor as far as I see it. Eira Calvine, healer — kind. Emotional."
The silence that followed was thick, dangerous.
Eldric looked from Jax to Finric, voice smooth. "We can all read the tea leaves here. We know Meredith Ashbane orchestrated this. You do, I do, and I'm sure her dear brother knows as well. But if this trial ends without a treason conviction, the press will call on the Queen's character — that she overreached, tried two innocents, and weaponized the court."
He lifted his hands, after seeing Fin's expression. "Not my rules. Just how the public will see it."
Corvin finally spoke, his tone a growl. "I smell fear in the air. Big claims. And giving away all that information right now for no reason? You're bluffing, Vaelor."
"Am I? " Eldric asked, voice silken. Then he reached into his case and withdrew a single leather-bound folder, sealed with the insignia of the Crown's legal archives. He laid it on the table with a soft thud.
"My proposal for a preemptive plea adjustment on behalf of Orion Emberhide and his daughter Helga Emberhide."
The air thickened instantly.
Jax's eyes narrowed. "You're cutting deals for criminals."
"They haven't been convicted," Eldric replied evenly. "Not yet. But the evidence is leaning heavily as time behind bars for assault. That's it. They'll be out in a year with community service. Maybe less. I think we can all agree where the court's momentum lies."
His eyes flicked to Bloodmoon.
Bloodmoon's jaw flexed. "Get to your point."
Eldric inclined his head. "My point is simple. If the Crown can guarantee leniency for the Emberhides — commutation from execution to exile — I can deliver testimony that will implicate the true orchestrator of the Queen's poisoning. A name. And verifiable proof of collusion."
The silence that followed was deafening.