Page 36 of Understanding Fate

“Brian Concord, Reno Pack Attorney, Bar #15463.”

“Noah Daniels, Vegas Pack Attorney, Bar #82917”

“Dante Stone, Vegas Pack Alpha.”

After everyone is introduced, Martin opens the folder in front of him and begins the hearing.

“Let’s begin. This is Marlo vs Stone, in the argument over ownership of one Unawakened female, Brielle DelaCourt. Both parties have completed written statements. I will start with you, Mr. Concord. Please explain your claim to the committee,” he says, turning his attention to him.

“Thank you, Alpha Martin, esteemed committee. My client is requesting the immediate return of the Unawakened female, Brielle DelaCourt, to the Reno Pack territory. Her illegal removal from our territory last month is clearly the Vegas Pack’s sick attempt to start a war between our territories after negotiations fell through last spring. We believe that, in addition to the blatant disregard for the LLC’s strict border policy, and their deliberate attack on our pack, which resulted in the death of our Second, the Vegas Pack’s actions should not only lead to the immediate return ofourproperty, but also result in severe punitive repercussions, including not limited to the dissolution of their pack with all respective land, property, and territoryrights reverting to the Reno Pack establishing a united single pack in Nevada,” Concord states with pure seriousness in his delivery.

My jaw clenches, my teeth threatening to crack with the pressure it takes to keep from countering his statement.

He can have my pack over my dead body.

Noah: Stay calm. You’re growling.

Dante: I will never hand over my pack to him. I’ll kill him first.

Noah: Let’s hope it doesn’t come to that.

“You are making large accusations. What proof have you provided?” Horn asks, flipping through the papers in front of him.

“We have submitted photographs showing the female walking into our main business establishment of her own free will, photos of her meeting with our Second in his office requesting asylum, and video footage of her being loaded unconscious onto a private jet owned by VP Securities, a Vegas Pack front.”

The atmosphere on the panel shifts as each member examines the evidence. Jonathan scrunches his face before asking his question.

“Who is the man in the photo entering with her?”

My breath catches for the briefest of seconds before Noah speaks up.

“Hudson Healy, Junior Enforcer for the Vegas Pack. He escorted Brielle to her meeting with the Reno Pack Second, Antonio Russo.”

Movement on the panel pulls my attention to another member.

“I don’t see a statement from Mr. Healy in our files. Is he on site to be questioned?” Alpha Goodman asks Noah, his eyebrow lifting in irritation.

Great, he thinks we aren’t prepared.

“Apologies, but Mr. Healy was also killed in the exchange. The Reno Pack’s Second shot him,” Noah states, letting the information hang in the air.

“So, of the three people at this apparent meeting, you are telling us that two happen to be dead? This doesn’t feel like a coincidence,” Oliver Horn says, disapproval written on his face.

“Mr. Daniels, the evidence provided appears to be rather damning against your pack. And without key witnesses to the exchange, we are not getting a clear picture of this situation.” Martin states, and I take in the committee members.

Due to their alliance history, Horn and Barton will be on Marlo’s side. Goodman’s a wild card as a new addition to his LLC seat, and Mo has no skin in this game since he isn’t even a wolf. Our best hope is that it goes two against two, but even then, Martin votes in the event of a tie between the other members, and unfortunately, I have no idea if he would go against Marlo.

They went through their Alpha retreat together with my dad.

Pain laces through me without any warning, and every part of me wishes he was still here.

He would know what to do.

“We will now hear your argument for claim,” Martin continues, pulling me back to the hearing. Noah stands, adjusting his jacket before addressing them.

“Thank you, Alpha, committee members. Brielle DelaCourt has lived in our territory for her entire life. Due to the foster system, she never knew about her lineage or our rules until recently when one of our pack members identified her as both Unawakened and his Fated Mate.” At those words, the four Alphas inhale, surprise evident on their faces when the words are left to linger.

Only Mo sits without any reaction, his face masking his opinions on either side. I also notice he hasn’t looked at any of the papers in front of him; instead, he listens as each lawyer pleads their case.

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