Page 99 of Her Second-Hand Mate

The last thing I remembered before blacking out was charging at her in impotent rage.

23 - Penelope

January 25, 2023

“The Crown calls Hank Miller to the stand,” King David announced on the first day of my hearing.

Apparently, Alphas and Lunas could not go around killing pack members, not even in self-defense, without a formal hearing to determine that there was no abuse of power.

I appreciated the checks and balances that the Royal Court placed on pack leaders. It made me queasy to imagine what Alpha couples could do if there was no one to hold them accountable. I’d heard lot about it the last time I’d been in this courtroom.

“Tell the truth,” the King commanded Hank. “Mr. Miller, can you tell us about your job in the Greylock pack?”

“I’m Luna Penelope Hedge’s driver,” Hank said, still looking frail from our ordeal.

“How long have you been her driver?”

“Ever since she moved to our pack almost two years ago.”

“Describe the nature of your relationship to the Luna.”

Hank frowned, “She is like a daughter to me. My whole family not only respects her as our Luna, but we also love her very much.”

“Very well. What about the late Miss Heather Taylor?”

Hank’s upper lip curled in disgust, “What about her?”

“What was your relationship with her like?”

“I barely knew her or spoke to her beyond the cursory hello.”

“Could you please tell us what happened on January 7?”

“I was leaving the pack house when Miss Taylor stopped me and asked me to give her a ride to the Alpha’s house.”

“What did you think of that?”

“I was kind of glad. Everyone knew that Miss Taylor had problems with cars after being in the accident that claimed our former Luna’s life; and everyone gossiped about the Alpha having to drive her around, so it was good to see that she was making progress.”

“Did you love and respect your former Luna?”

Hank hesitated, but ultimately found a way to answerdiplomatically while still obeying the command to be honest, “My wolf respected her authority over him.”

David just smirked and moved on.

“What happened when you got to the Alpha’s house?”

“Miss Taylor stuck a needle in my thigh. It all happened so fast,” he said and it was obvious to everyone how guilty and ashamed he felt because of it.

“Did you pass out?”

“Yes. When I came to, I was tied up in the Alpha’s living room, and I couldn’t reach my wolf.”

“Could you hear or smell what was happening upstairs?”

“No. All my enhanced senses were gone.”

“What happened next?”

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