The bench creaks as Wulfric rises, but he doesn’t look at the councilwoman. He looks right at me and says, “Aye. It has.”
“And what is your verdict?”
Wulfric’s throat bobs, his voice shaky when he says, “Soren sacrificed himself to keep our family together, out of love for my brother. He is innocent.”
“And what of the rest of the pack?” Harding asks.
Helga rises, eyes glassy. “Innocent. Soren, you will always be welcome in our home.”
Relief threatens to bring tears to my eyes.
Anders says, “I misjudged your character greatly. Even when we turned against you, you kept our family together. Soren is innocent and just.”
A long silence falls as everyone waits for Gunnar to speak. He lifts his head, exhaling the tension from his shoulders and jaw. “Innocent.”
Harding says, “And what is the judgment of this council?”
One by one, the council members say, “Innocent,” while two abstain.
Harding announces, “All charges of treason are dismissed. For violation of time travel law section 3a, youare barred from traveling until you report to the TTA for proper documentation, after which you must return to the council and present proof of documentation.”
I nod so hard my head throbs. “Understood!”
“I will help him,” Lyall says.
Harding says, “Mr. Erikson, for exposure to the paranormal world and unauthorized time traveling, you will have your traveling privileges revoked for six months. You may only travel if there is another person with you, and they will be expected to report in once a month. If after six months there have been no further violations, you may travel freely again.”
Lyall looks up with hopeful puppy dog eyes. “That’s all?”
I gesture wildly at him to shut his sexy mouth. “They’re letting us off easy! Don’t question it!”
Harding replies, “The penalties are normally more severe but given the unconventional nature of this case, we’re dropping the more serious charges. I trust you won’t make me regret it?” She arches a shaped brow.
Lyall slaps a fist to his chest. “You have my word!”
I slump in my seat, unsure if I’m feeling faint from the magic in my head or from relief.
The doors at the back of the room creak open. “Ahem.” Arlo pokes his head into the room and waves his fingers. “Pardon me. I hope I’m not interrupting.”
“Not at all. You’re right on time,” Harding says. “Lyall, Soren, and the rest of the pack, you may leave. Gunnar and Arlo and Alpha Wulfric, please stay. There are matters we need to discuss.”
“Come on, stud. Let’s do this,” Arlo says.
Gunnar grunts, glowering at the floor.
Arlo walks to the front row of seats, and Gunnar trails after him.
I spring off the bench and throw my arms around Lyall. He holds me so tight it’s almost painful, and he laughs in my ear. We did it. Wewon.No more hiding from Lyall’s family, no more secrets. When Lyall claims my lips, I lose myself in his taste, the rasp of his hand over my cheek.
“I love you.” The words are out the second our lips part.
Lyall’s smile makes sunlight look dim by comparison. “And I you, until we’re nothing but ash in the earth.”
I chuckle. “A bit morbid but yeah, same.”
“Does this mean we are not moving to San Francisco?” Lyall asks, tilting his head.
“We don’t have to. I haven’t said yes to the apartment yet.”
