BXBX NOVEL Chapter 277
Disputes within a pack were solved independently by the governing body within the said pack, which meant that the Alpha held an uncontested right to decide the fate of his pack members.
Disputes between packs were resolved in two stages. The preliminary stage, a private hearing or discussion, was conducted between a judge, the disputing packs, and the elders who represented each pack.
Depending on the result of said hearing or discussion, said dispute might be carried to a court trial before the entire Werewolf Council members and representatives of each pack.
Having no pack to support him, Elijah Summertide’s case was brought directly to trial.
The presiding judge could not be anyone who hailed from any of the disputing packs, so Dane Silverback had to give up the judge seat to another council member, Gregor Gravecrown.
Ronan and Jake took seats in the front circular row, where the plaintiff side usually sat.
“Alpha,” Jake greeted Ronan. Unlike Ronan who spent a night at Hapsborough City, Jake departed early morning from the Infinite Eclipse Pack House.
“How is everything?” Ronan asked casually.
.....
“Everything is fine. I have prepared everything.”
“Mmm. This will end today.”
Jake nodded.
“Everyone misses the Luna dearly.”
Ronan smiled.
No one missed Lucien more than he did, but he was happy that his pack members accepted Lucien with open arms.
Ronan leaned forward and peeked at the man who sat a few rows back at the opposite of the hall. Kinnon Youngshaper lifted his head and happened to meet Ronan’s eyes. He gave his rival a thin smile before quickly looking away.
Ronan closed his eyes and rubbed at his temples.
A little bit more, Lucien...
I am going to come and get you as soon as this trial ends.
Please be patient, my love...
On the other side, also sitting at the front circular row were the Woodland family members who just recently not only lost the Alpha position but also fell from grace. As the new Alpha of the Ironclad Claws, Kieran Locksworth sat with them. Obscured from sight by the railing that separated the trial attendants from the center area, he held Lillian Woodland’s hand tightly.
“Ladies and gentlemen,” Gregor Gravecrown’s booming sound rang across the hall. “Please settle down. We are here to try Elijah Summertide, a former priest at the Holy Temple of The Moon Goddess for a crime against the Infinite Eclipse Pack.”
As the news had made its round for a few days, no one was surprised to hear it anymore.
Elijah Summertide was brought to the center of the Crescent Hall, his hands and feet were shackled up together.
“Please take a seat, Elijah,” Gregor gestured to the chair at the center of the hall.
Elijah took a seat, and then he was chained to the chair. The man seemed to be resigned about his fate. He showed neither resistance nor fear.
“You have been caught red-handed on the night of 17th February in an attempt to murder Lucien Clearwater, the Luna of the Infinite Eclipse Pack. Is this correct?”
“Yes, Mr. Gravecrown,” Elijah answered curtly.
Gregor turned to an attendant who promptly stepped up to offer him the same poison vial that Kinnon wrenched out of Elijah’s grip that night.
“And you wanted to do it by means of poisoning?”
“Yes, Mr. Gravecrown.”
“Did anyone ask you to commit the crime?”
“No, Mr. Gravecrown.”
“Did you do it of your own volition?”
“Yes, Mr. Gravecrown.”
“Do you plead guilty?”
“I do, Mr. Gravecrown.”
Half of the Crescent Hall directed their eyes at Ronan Silverback while the other half had their eyes on the Woodlands.
Gregor looked around the hall.
“The defendant pleaded guilty. In that case, we shall proceed to decide the just punishment for Elijah Summertide.”
“One moment, Mr. Gravecrown, I have a question for Elijah Summertide.”
All heads turned to Ronan Silverback who just spoke up.
“Please speak, Alpha Ronan.”
Ronan narrowed his eyes at the shackled man at the center of the room.
“What kind of poison did you try to use on my mate?”
“...”
The poison vial immediately became the center of attention.
“It is an ancient poison called ‘A Thousand Flowers Of Separation’,” Elijah answered a while later after he dug out the name from his blurred memory.
“Where did you get the poison from?”
Elijah chuckled.
“Sorry, I don’t remember. It was within my collection.”
Ronan smirked.
“Really, and you used your precious collection on my mate. I should feel honored, should I not?”
Upon hearing Elijah’s answer, more than one elder stood up at once.
“Excuse me, Mr. Gravecrown, his answer doesn’t make sense,” Elder Rick remarked.
“How so?” Gregor asked.
“That poison is very rare. It was harvested from the blood of a she-wolf who suffered betrayal from her fated mate. To my knowledge, the amount is very limited. It is not only rare, but it is also very expensive.”
Gregor hummed.
“Mr. Gravecrown, this poison is not easily detectable. It is only lethal for fated mates. To protect fated mates from the poison, the poison had been strictly protected by the Fangblade family,” Elder Aaron added.
“The Fangblade family had transferred the remaining poison to the Clarence family for safekeeping more than thirty years ago,” Elder Devin who hailed from the Fangblade family spoke up.
“The Clarence family is politically neutral.”
All the comments only strengthened the fact that this was not an everyday poison that a rogue werewolf like Elijah could collect.
Gregor furrowed his brows at Elijah.
“Did you steal the poison from the Clarence family?”
Desperate, Elijah quickly agreed, “Yes. I did.”
“That is a lie,” all elders spoke in unison.
“Ever since they received the poison from the Fangblade family, not a drop has been lost.”
“They are wrong,” Elijah snapped. “I stole it. I really did.”
“Then, can you describe what the secret poison storage looks like?” Ronan sneered. “We can check with the Clarence family right away.”
“I...”
Elijah gritted his teeth. “I forgot. It has been too long.”
“Well, I have a theory,” Ronan said. “Maybe the poison was stolen while it was being safeguarded by the Fangblade family.”