CHAPTER 60
The council chamber doors closed behind us with a soft, echoing thud. Silence pressed in from all sides, broken only by the distant murmur of the night wind outside. My hands still shook, but this time it wasn’t fear–it was anticipation. Every step toward the long, polished table at the center of the room felt like stepping into history. The council waited, their eyes sharp and unblinking, ready to dissect every word, every expression, every motion.
I glanced at the girls behind me. Their faces were pale, but determined. They had come here willingly, and that alone made them powerful. Their presence reminded me that I wasn’t alone–not anymore. Not in the fight I’d been avoiding for years, not in the battle to reclaim my story, my voice, my life.
Asher’s hand found mine again. His grip was steady and grounding, a reminder that no matter what happened, I wasn’t facing this alone. Dennis followed close behind us, his massive frame moving through the chamber like a shield. Petra was at his side, eyes scanning every council member, calculating and unyielding.
The head of the council, the woman with the cold, sharp eyes, leaned slightly forward. Her expression was unreadable, but the faint twitch at the corner of her mouth told me she was curious. “You have presented witnesses.” she said. “Explain why you believe their testimony should outweigh any previous evidence against you.”
I straightened in my chair, forcing my hands to stop trembling. “Because it’s the truth.” I said. My voice was steadier than I expected. “I’ve carried this for years. These girls have carried it too. Spencer hurt us. He controlled people. He made them afraid. He made us afraid. But we survived. And we’re here to make sure you hear the real story.”
One of the council members, a tall man with silver–streaked hair and deep–set eyes, leaned forward, his gaze calculating. “You expect us to believe the accounts of those who were under his influence. How do we know this isn’t biased, exaggerated, or—”
“-coerced?” I finished for him. My voice was sharp, cutting through the tension. “No. We’re here of our own free will. We’re standing here willingly. And if you think we’re lying, test us. Look at our scars, listen to our words, and understand what fear does to people like us. We’re telling the truth.”
The lead girl stepped forward then, her chin lifted, her voice steady. “We don’t want to lie. We don’t want attention. We just want to stop his friends and family, and anyone like him, from hurting more people. We’re done being afraid. We came here to tell the truth, and that’s it.”
Another council member, a woman with sharp features and thin lips, crossed her arms. “You claim he controlled you. Explain this control. How can we trust your recollections are
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accurate?”
+25 Points
The second girl, smaller and quieter than the lead, spoke up. “We remember everything because we had no choice but to live through it. He didn’t just hurt us physically–he twisted our minds, made us feel worthless, made us afraid to trust anyone. But we remember everything because it matters. And we remember Trinity helping us, keeping us alive when
she didn’t have to.”
I swallowed hard. My throat burned, but I forced my voice out. “He made us afraid of everything. Afraid of speaking. Afraid of moving. Afraid of even thinking. But we survived. And now, we’re telling you everything he did. Every threat, every manipulation, every person he hurt. We’re telling you because silence isn’t safe anymore.”
The chamber was quiet, and I could feel my wolf stirring beneath my ribs, her presence a low, steady hum of power. The magic in the room felt thick and tense, as if the council were testing every heartbeat, every twitch of muscle, every spark of truth. My wolf pressed against me, impatient and protective, ready to lash out if anyone dared to question our courage.
The chamber was tense, the silence pressing like a living thing. The council had withdrawn behind the high stone dais, whispering among themselves, while we waited. My parents sat on benches to the side, their eyes cold and sharp, their bodies rigid, as if bracing to strike.
Finally, the head of the council returned, her gaze sweeping the room and lingering on me before settling on my parents. Her voice cut through the silence.
“Trinity, your testimony, along with the accounts of your witnesses, has been carefully considered. The council has weighed all evidence, both physical and verbal. After much deliberation, we have reached our verdict.”
My stomach tightened. My parents‘ jaws were clenched, their eyes burning with restrained fury.
”
“You are cleared of all responsibility of the death of Spencer Watson.” The head continued. It is evident that you acted in defense of others, often at great personal risk. You protected those who could not protect themselves. The council recognizes your courage, your strength, and your unwavering commitment to truth. You are free of blame in this matter.”
For a moment, silence hung heavy, almost unbearable. Then my parents erupted.
“How dare you!” My father bellowed, his voice reverberating across the chamber. “How dare you take what is mine? Both my sons–one lost in a tragic accident because of you, the other because of your… your interference!”
My mother stood, hands trembling but eyes ablaze. “You think this absolves you of the consequences? That you can walk away after destroying our family? You have taken
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everything from us, Trinity–and mark my words, you will pay.”
+25 Points
I felt my wolf stir beneath my skin, low and dangerous, but I held my ground, meeting their fury with calm.
“My actions saved lives.” I said steadily, my voice carrying across the room. “I didn’t choose this. I didn’t want any of this–but I won’t apologize for defending those who couldn’t defend themselves. That was self–defense. The first… yes, it was tragic, but I was a child and Dane stood in the way to protect me. Because unlike you, he actually loved me.”
My father slammed his fists against the bench, rattling it. “You interfered in our affairs! You took away what belonged to us!” His eyes were wild, black with rage. “I will have vengeance. Both of them, you hear me? I will not forgive this!”
My mother’s voice was low, sharp, and full of venom. “You may have survived this council, Trinity, but do not think this ends here. Every moment, every breath you take–we are coming. And we will not stop until we have reclaimed what is ours.”
The council members shifted uneasily, none daring to interrupt. Even they seemed to recognize that this was no longer a question of justice–they were witnessing a storm of anger that could burn everything in its path.
swallowed hard, feeling the tension coil in my chest. My wolf prowled beneath my skin, sensing the threat, ready to rise, but I forced myself to stay still.
“You will not control me anymore.” I said, my voice cold and unwavering. “You may rage. You may threaten. But I am not afraid of you. I will protect those who need it. That is the truth, and no vengeance you plan will change that.”
My parents glared at me, fury radiating off them like heat. But even as their threats cut the air, a strange calm settled over me. The council had spoken. Justice had been declared. And now, the next battle–the one that would not be fought in courts but in survival–was already looming.
The girls clustered close as we left the chamber, silent but steady. Asher’s hand found mine, firm and grounding. “You faced them.” He murmured. “You stood your ground. They can rage all they want, but you’re ready for what’s coming.”
I nodded, letting the council’s words sink in, letting my parents‘ fury swirl around me like a storm I could feel in my bones. “We’ll face it.” I said, voice firm. “Together. Always.”
Outside, the night air was sharp and alive, brushing against my skin like fire. The black car waited beyond the chamber doors, shadows deepening in the forest around us. For the first time in years, I didn’t feel fear. I felt readiness. The council had cleared my name, but my parents‘ vengeance was inevitable–and I would not be broken.
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+25 Points
Whatever they planned, whatever shadows they sent after me, we would meet it head–on. We were stronger than their rage, stronger than their threats, and together, we would survive.
Kylie K
#VOTE#
Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.
SUMMARY (~1000 Words in English)
