Page 137 of Alpha Queen
"If you cannot behave," she continued. "We can arrange for a cage and a muzzle."
Titan looked at her again, full on this time. Hate seething in his glare, she stared back at him unflinchingly. There, on his knees, beaten, dirty, and unrepentant, his hatred and madness dripping off him, she couldn't help but feel a pang of empathy for him. He'd lost everything, truly everything, and instead of realizing the extent of what he'd done, he was ready to continue, no matter the cost.
River nodded to Kane. "Please, tell us."
Kane swallowed. "Titan's mother, Deleah, killed them. She couldn't let go of what had happened to her and Titan. The longer she lived, the worse her anger became, until it became an obsession. Then everything she did focused on getting revenge. The night the king and queen were out for dinner, she went into the kitchen of the restaurant and tampered with their meals. The humans wouldn't have noticed or been harmed by flakes of silver she put in their food, but it was enough to weaken the king and queen. When their guards ran to get the vehicle, she entered, dressed as one of the waitresses. She told the remaining guard she was a nurse and could help. She said to make everyone back away so they could have room. As soon as he turned away, she slit both of their throats and then his before escaping into the crowd."
The room was so silent you could have heard a feather drop on a carpeted floor.
Apollo and Ares' breathing came out in short bursts. They both clutched her hands so tight she thought her fingers might break.
"Is that the truth?" Apollo whispered.
Kane lowered his head. "It is. I drove her there and took her home afterward. Their deaths did nothing to soothe her, though. She'd hoped that the Council would call for Titan to come back, but they didn't. And when he spoke to them and was rejected as heir, she lost what little hope she had left and killed herself a week later."
Titan let out a pitiful whine.
Mercule stood. "Let it be known from now on that King Titus and Queen Cora Wolvenguard were murdered by Deleah Longtooth of the Meadow Moon Pack."
The entire audience sat in silence. Apollo and Ares looked at each other and then at Titan. River couldn't imagine what thoughts ran through their mind. All this time, they had believed Titan had murdered their parents, only to learn the truth- the person they wanted to punish most for the deaths of their parents was already long dead.
"Do you want to take a break?" River asked softly.
"No," said Ares. "We need to finish this."
Apollo nodded in agreement. "Kane Bravemane of the Red Moon pack, you are hereby sentenced to live out your natural life as Alpha of the White Tail pack and swear to take responsibility for all put in your charge. If you at any time break this sentence, you will be hunted down, marked with the traitor's mark, and banished. Do you understand?"
Kane bowed his head. "I do, my King."
Apollo nodded to Thomas and Silas, who undid Kane's cuffs and led him toward the exit. Kane stopped once to look back at Titan, but then turned and exited the room.
Silence stretched out for several moments after the doors closed, and the tension in the air grew thick with impatience.
Ares and Apollo led River back to her throne, and then all three sat once more.
“Lastly," Mercule announced, "We come to the trial of Titan Longtooth."
"Wolvenguard," Titan corrected. "I am Titan Wolvenguard, son of King Titus Wolvenguard."
Mercule's gaze landed on Titan. "You may have once been considered a Wolvenguard, but when you chose to follow in your mother's footsteps and become a traitor to the royal family, you ceased being a Wolvenguard."
"You cannot just take a name from someone," Titan growled. "Blood is blood."
"We have and we do," said Ares. "You will forever be known as Titan Longtooth. You have soiled our family name. Have brought shame to our father and ancestors. Therefore, as is the law, your royal name is stripped from you."
Titan howled. "You can't do that."
"We can, actually," said Apollo. "But honestly, that is the last thing you should be worried about. You, Titan Longtooth, are charged with treason to the Crown and treason to the Wolvenguard kings by touching and kidnapping our fated mate. Causing the deaths of no less than twenty-two Alphas, Betas, and mates. And of causing the deaths of sixteen rogues at your estate."
"You also stand accused of the greatest sin a wolf can make, the marking and claiming of a female without consent. A female who happened to be an Omega, the most revered female of our species," said Ares. "Every single offense is worthy of death. Combined, they are incomprehensible. Do you have anything to say for your actions?"
"This is a farce. You have no right to punish or condemn me to anything. I am Titan Wolvenguard, eldest son of Titus Wolvenguard and rightful King of the wolves. These laws do not apply to me."
"These rules apply to everyone," said Mercule. "Every single wolf, no matter their lineage, must be held to the same standard. You are no exception."
"So, you have nothing to say?" asked Apollo.
Titan's eyes moved from one to another of them and landed on River. "River Whitetail is mine. She will always be mine."
