Betryed 167

Chapter 167 Chapter 167

SAGE

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They dragged me through the grand halls of the palace. The cold stone beneath my feet only made the dread in my stomach grow heavier. Every step I took echoed in the dimly lit corridors, each one bringing me closer to a fate I wasn't sure I could escape.

1

I still couldn't understand how this had happened. Where did they even get the idea that I had something to do with the attack? Was it because I was an outsider? Because I had shown up with two children whose powers had suddenly manifested in a way no one could explain?

The moment we reached the courthouse doors, the guards yanked them open, revealing a chamber filled with people. Council members sat in their high, ornate chairs, their expressions unreadable. Nobles and pack leaders filled the rows, murmuring among themselves as they turned their eyes toward me. Some looked curious. Others looked outright hostile.

"Bring the accused forward," one of the council members announced, his voice ringing through the chamber.

The guards shoved me forward until I stood in the center of the room, exposed and vulnerable beneath the weight of so many judging stares.

You stand here accused of treason, endangering the king's life, and possible murder. How do you plead?"

Murder? Is he... no. It can't be. Are they doing this to point a finger at anyone just so they can have someone take the blame for what happened with His Majesty?

My head spun. My fingers clenched into fists at my sides.

This was insane.

I had fought beside him, shielded my children from harm, and nearly died trying to help Titus defeat the rogues. And now, they were accusing me of betraying him?

I swallowed hard, forcing myself to stay calm.

"I plead not guilty," I said again, my voice unwavering despite the fear clawing at my chest.

The courtroom erupted into murmurs, voices overlapping in hushed yet urgent tones. I could feel the weight of their judgment pressing down on me, their distrust as sharp as daggers aimed straight at my heart.

The elder council member leaned forward, his wrinkled face etched with suspicion. "Then explain yourself," he demanded. "You-disappeared for years, vanishing without a trace, and yet the moment you return, an attack is launched against His Majesty." His voice dripped with accusation. "Tell me, Lady Sage, what are the odds of that being a mere coincidence?"

I clenched my fists at my sides, my nails digging into my palms. "Are you saying I orchestrated this?" I challenged, my eyes narrowing. "That I waited all these years, only to return just to plan an ambush against the one person who-" I stopped myself before I said too much.

Titus. The one person who had once meant everything to me.

"Then tell us, Lady Sage," another council member chimed in, his voice sharp and deliberate. "Where have you been all these years?"

My heart pounded against my ribs.

I can't tell them everything. Telling them would put Harper and Cooper in even more danger. Their powers had already begun to manifest, and the last thing I

needed was for these people-these suspicious, power-hungry nobles-to see them as

threats.

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Chapter 167

few years, I stated, keeping

51%

was silent for only a moment before one of the council members scoffed. "That

confusion settling deep in my

humans who have been trafficking werewolves and other supernatural creatures, haven't you? His

with acrutation.

louder and more frantic. Some

spike in disbelief. "What?" I breathed.

human territory, living among them as if you belonged. And just when His Majesty finally managed to

"Because I have never, and will never, betray my own kind," I declared, my voice unwavering, despite the storm of emotions

I was some foreign creature. "And what exactly do you consider your kind to be, Lady Sage?" His eyes gleamed with cruel amusement as he continued,

of murmurs swept through the room,

at my sides, my nails digging into my palms as I fought the urge to lash out. "I am the daughter of an Alpha," I stated, my

scoffed, shaking his head. "Words are cheap, woman. Tell us, why should we

shot back. "And if you look at everything I've done, you'll see I have fought, bled,

wavered, some voices now whispering

forward. "Those prove nothing, woman," he said. "Since you failed to prove your innocence

sentence you, Sage

courtroom. The weight of his words crashed

heart pounded against my ribs as I struggled to process what I had just heard. Death. They were sentencing

proof to defend myself, but neither do you! Where is your evidence?

the courtroom, some filled with doubt, others with quiet agreement. I saw a few council members shift

crack of the impact silencing the room instantly. His cold,

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Chapter 167

sentence against someone you have already decided is guilty!" Another elder, a woman with a regal posture and silver-streaked hair, leaned forward, her expression impassive. "Watch your words,

I

for? Get her and

doors of the courtroom burst open with a resounding crash, silencing every murmuring voice in the chamber. The guards who had gripped my arms faltered, their hold on me loosening slightly as all eyes turned toward

entrance.

step exuding authority. Despite the brutal attack he had suffered, he moved with ease-no limp, no sign of weakness, as if he had not been on the brink of death just hours

and whispers rippled

"His Majesty...?"

"Is he awake?"

is impossible...

loudly. The weight of his presence alone

to silence even the boldest of his council

eyes scanned the room before settling on me.

He was alive.

relief, but I

despite the guards

1. me.

continued forward, stopping only when he stood between me and my captors. His jaw was set, his expression carved from stone. "Unhand her, he commanded, his voice cutting through the silence like a

hesitated,

Majesty," one of the

His voice was low,

The entire room froze.

the elders, once so confident in their authority, sat motionless, their faces pale. The guards gripping my arms immediately released me and stepped back as if afraid to be caught in the crossfire of

Queen.

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