Page 195 of Claimed

Grey looks at him with that amped, angry look still on his face.

“Honey?” I say, grabbing his hand.

Grey’s eyes move to me and soften just enough that I know he’s not about to go beat Malachi to a pulp.

A bunch of yesses are chimed out along with a few people calling my name.

“Go ahead, babe,” Grey invites, jerking his chin toward the stage.

Malachi produces a knife from his pocket and cuts through the rope on my brother’s hands and feet.

Wyatt manages to get himself to a sitting position on the stage but he’s holding his forehead with one hand, the back of his head with the other, rocking a little and looking like he’s in agony.

Brody calls out, “For crimes against your pack, we’re about to take a vote on what happens to you, Wyatt. Seems like there are some folks who have words for you first.”

Wyatt looks over at Brody, squinting.

Brody goes on, “Perhaps Greyson Blackwood, for the crimes against his mate. Jason Creed, on behalf of his sister, Sherry, who you did not treat very well. No surprise you treat a mate poorly when look at how you treat your pack. Also, Riley Savage, for repeated attempts to take his mate, for abducting his sister-in-law, as well as attempting to murder him. Tyson Savage for ordering his murder as well as committing arson against his property, putting his pregnant mate at risk. All Arcana Falls council alphas for your attacks on them, this land, their pack. I’m told Aphra Starling here has beefs that alone would call for a death sentence or life sentence in prison. She said you seduced her while she was mourning her dead mate and then flipped the script.”

Oh my goodness! My eyes dart to Aphra.

“And me. First because you sold my mate and several other women into prostitution, though just hearing the shit you pulled as the supposed leader of this pack, I’d like to rip your goddamn throat out, too.”

“Who the fuck are you?” Wyatt asks, barely looking at him, still squinting and holding his head. “You the fucker trying to take what’s mine? Where’s my mate? You gonna try and take her, too?”

“Your mate has been summoned in case she wants to speak up for you in your defense. Or against you. We’re also recording this for the sake of posterity,” Brody says, gesturing to someone beside him that I don’t know, who’s holding his phone up. “And you should answer to these people, the people you let downwith your mismanagement of the Silver Hills pack who you’ve abused. The condition of that pack’s land is a vivid illustration of the type of leader you are. Or were. Stacy Blackwood can have her say, then we’ll open it up for anyone who wants to converse with the accused. Or to speak up on his behalf.”

Brody laughs, like that’s an unlikelihood. And he’d be correct.

Wyatt’s squinty, bloodshot eyes find me as I make my way to the front and stop just ten feet from the stage. He glares at me with hatred. Like I did this to him. Like I foiled his plans. And in a way with help from fate, some incredibly kind wolf shifters, some witches, and the man of my dreams, yeah… I guess I did.

“Blackwood.” He sneers with his eyes on me and I stare right back, saying, “Yes, Blackwood.”

I hope he hears the pride in my voice. I hope, even more, that my mate hears that pride and feels it, too. “And finally, I’m proud of the family name attached to my name. Speaking of which, I got access to old SCC census records and our mothers were cousins, but Father wasn’t blood-related to either of them. In case you were thinking he was. Looking at the ages, it looks like there was an adoption of your mother because she was a product of a teen pregnancy, which might be why Aunt Shea wouldn’t answer questions, family skeletons or whatever. Thought you’d like to know you’re this messed up just because you’re you.”

He says nothing, just glares at me and I find I have absolutely no difficulty meeting that glare that used to make me quake with fear.

I continue, “Grey’s pack has repeatedly shown me in just a short time how a healthy pack operates. Giving everyone a voice. Looking after one another. Sharing burdens. Being giving and generous. Thinking of the pack instead of just the ones at thetop. Thinking of people outside the pack that might need some help.”

Wyatt rolls his eyes.

I keep going, “Whatever happens tonight, whether you die or they decide to send you to the SCC for a trial and sentencing of what’ll probably be really hard labor for the rest of your days… which… I like the idea of, but it’s not my decision… I want you to know that I have my happily ever after here. I’m so looking forward to it. I’m not going to lose even one more minute of sleep because of you. I’m going to go home with my mate tonight knowing I’m growing two healthy babies. They’ll grow up in a place that is so much better than where I came from. They won’t have to suffer knowing you. And further, I get to do that knowing the pack I grew up with will be so much better off with you gone. And I’m so relieved that they and future generations will never have to expose their necks to you again.”

I turn away from him and walk away.

“Twins?” Bailey gasps.

I smile at her.

She claps her hands and squeals with glee and shoots awowlook at my mate who is beaming over there against the wall.

“Congratulations, Stacy and Greyson,” Tyson calls out.

“Thanks, brother,” Grey replies.

There are multiple chimes of congrats from others as Tyson walks toward the stage.

“But Stacy, youshouldget to vote tonight,” Eloise calls out. “You might be a new member of the Arcana Falls pack but you’re still one of our own. Always will be. Am I right?”

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