Page 134 of Alpha Queen
"Your Majesty, please," Vanessa interrupted, lifting her tear-streaked face. "I'm sorry for what I did. I never meant for anyone to get hurt. I was just trying to-"
"Silence," Apollo commanded. "Your apologies mean nothing to the families of those who died. Your words cannot bring back the lives lost because of your actions."
Vanessa flinched as if struck, fresh tears spilling down her cheeks.
Ares stood next to his brother, commanding attention. "However, it has been noted that you eventually assisted in subduing Titan, allowing him to be captured and brought to justice. For this reason alone, you will not face the punishment of death or permanent banishment that your crimes would ordinarily warrant."
A murmur rippled through the assembled crowd.
"Do you have anything to say in your defense before we pronounce sentence?"
"Please, Highnesses, I beg you. I am so sorry-"
Apollo cut her off. "We didn't ask for your sorries. We did not ask to hear your pleadings. We asked you if you had any kind of defense against betraying your Kings and High Luna, especially when we took you in and gave you shelter, a job, and everything you could have wanted. But instead of thanking us, you stabbed us in the back and tried to take our fated mate, the High Luna of our kingdom, and give her to a man who tried to claim her without consent." Apollo's voice had risen to such an extent that River worried he might snap and slaughter Vanessa.
Just as she was going to intervene, Ares placed his hand on Apollo's shoulder. Apollo took a deep breath, and his posture relaxed a fraction.
"Instead," Ares declared, "for your crimes, you are sentenced to live out your days within the confines of your home pack, the Timber Oak Pack. You will never again leave their territory without express permission from your Alpha, your mate, and the Crown."
Vanessa's head snapped up. "No! Please, Your Majesties, anything but that! Send me to prison, banish me for a time. Anything but back there!"
"You should be grateful," Ares growled. "Your life is being spared when many here would see you executed for your crimes, me included. Be thankful for the mercy shown to you."
Vanessa collapsed forward, her forehead touching the floor as sobs wracked her body. "Please, I beg you. Don't send me back."
"Your custody will be transferred to your Alpha and uncle, Jediah, and your soon-to-be mate, Garrick," Apollo announced, ignoring her pleas. "They have agreed to take responsibility for your rehabilitation and future conduct."
At this pronouncement, two males rose from the audience. The older one, his salt-and-pepper hair framing a stern face, neared the front with measured steps. Behind him followed a younger wolf with broad shoulders and watchful eyes.
"Uncle Jediah, no," Vanessa whispered, her voice breaking as they reached her. "Garrick, please."
They each took one of her arms without a word to her or a glance at her, lifting her to her feet. Vanessa struggled weakly against their grips, her eyes wild with panic as she turned toward the royal family.
"Kings, High Luna, I beg you! Don't do this to me!"
River's wolf growled. And River rose to her feet, studying Vanessa with careful consideration. "What reason do you have for not wanting to return to your pack?" she asked. "Has your uncle ever abused you?"
Vanessa hesitated, then shook her head. "No, High Luna."
"And Garrick? You know him?"
"I'm her fated mate," said Garrick, still not looking at Vanessa.
River kept her mouth from falling open. Vanessa had a fated mate, and yet she'd run from him and slept with dozens of other men, possibly more.
"Has he ever hurt you or forced himself upon you?" River asked.
Vanessa shook her head.
River approached Vanessa with graceful steps. She stopped just before the trembling female. As much as River hated Vanessa, she felt compassion for any wolf who lost their free will. But what had Vanessa done with that free will? She'd squandered it. Abused it. Used it and her sexuality to hurt people.
River's wolf sniffed the air and snarled. No. Mercy.
River nodded. "As neither of these two males has ever done a thing to harm you in any way, understand this. You are being given a mercy." River's voice carried through the silent chamber. "A life with a mate willing to take you back despite your unfaithfulness to him repeatedly, and an uncle willing to take responsibility for you despite you being a traitor. It is far better than you deserve."
River's gaze hardened as she continued. "If you choose not to leave with them right now, you will be branded as a traitor with a traitor's mark upon your neck, stripped of your family and pack names as well as everything you possess. You will be cast out of North America with no money, no home, and no one will be permitted to even speak to you again on this continent. Permanently. We will also ensure that the packs in Europe, South America, Asia, and everywhere else are aware of your betrayal and the reason for your banishment. Is that what you prefer?"
Vanessa's mouth opened and closed several times before her shoulders slumped, and her resistance crumbled under the weight of River's words.
