Page 93 of Lycan’s Hunt

“Originally, I planned on seducing her and winning her over, knowing I would get control of her pack and the docks through bonding. Then I learned she was my fated mate, so I was going to make her my Luna.” Bianca whimpers hearing this. I get no reaction through the bond from Aubrey, for which I’m glad knowing she feels nothing for this man in front of me.

“Why didn’t you mate and mark her?”

“She was a fucking prude for one and wanted to save herself for the wedding night.” he scoffs and shakes his head.

“So because she wouldn’t sleep with you, you were going to reject her?”

“No, I had other means to entertain myself. I decided I would reject her when I found out she stole the money I owed you and the council for covering the fines. Had she not stolen it, we may not be here right now. I never would have lost control of the ports.” He glares at Aubrey, baring his canines at her. “She fucking ruined everything!”

Aubrey scoffs, and shakes her head.

“But she didn’t steal from you, did she, Bianca?” I tell him before turning my attention to Bianca, who shrinks in her seat.

“Who stole the money, Bianca?” I ask her, knowing she won’t be able to lie.

She grits her teeth. “I stole the money,” she answers. Rhett can only stare at her before glancing at Aubrey, and I keep going.

“What happened to the money you stole?” she cringes, and Rhett glares daggers at her when she answers.

“I gave it to my mother, who in turn lent it back to Rhett to pay the fines.”

“You were right to reject her, Rhett. The kingdom thanks you dearly for making her run into my arms.” I tell him, turning my attention to Rhett, who looks like his entire world just crumbled more now than it did when the trial was going. Reaching for Aubrey, she sets her hand in mine and I pull her closer, sweeping her hair from her neck, so he can see my mark on her neck.

“She was never meant to be your Luna, she is meant to be my Queen. You helped take my first mate from me, but karma has a way of making things even by giving me yours.” I tell him.

The miserable look on his face tells me he now regrets everything he did to her. With that, I turn to leave while Magnus decides their fate. When Aubrey hesitates, I pause to find her looking at Magnus.

“Your honor, I do have a request when you’re deliberating.”

“Deliberations won’t take long, My Queen, now it’s just deciding how they are executed; there is no doubt they are guilty,” Magnus tells her.

“I know that, that is what my request is about.” Magnus stares at her then nods for her to continue.

“Clyde, do as you will, but with Rhett…” She turns to look at him, and he stares at her, and I can see he is hoping his old bond will save him. “Let my King handle his death. There have been enough rumors about my relationship with the King, and with Rhett. Public execution will bring more about. We’d rather handle this in-house if possible. Without the media attention. Perhaps the council can say his death was swift given his crimes.” she tells him.

Either way, his death wasn’t ever going to be swift, not after what he helped do to my mate and my soon-to-be wife.

My words cut deeply against Rhett. However, her words to Magnus are the ones that destroy him when he learns how little his life means to her now. I realize that is exactly her intention: she wants Rhett to know she feels nothing for him, that he no longer scares her, or controls her.

“As you wish, My Queen.”

The council elders clear out, leaving just Clyde, Bianca, Rhett, and the guards when Aubrey steps closer to where Rhett is. She levels her gaze on him and smiles as the guards haul him to his feet to drag him back to lock up while we wait for Clyde’s sentence.

“You would really condemn your own mate like that.”

“You are not my mate. I would never condemn him.” she says, glancing at me over her shoulder. “You took Queen Jacinta from him, took Max’s mother. That deserves more than a quick death. Now maybe you’ll realize the torment you caused them when he bleeds it from you,” she tells him before turning on her heel and striding toward me. I watch Rhett’s face fall, and he pales to sickly gray when he meets my gaze.

After a brief deliberation, the council delivers their verdict. Rhett and Clyde are found guilty on all counts and sentenced to death for treason. Bianca, as agreed, is sentenced to life imprisonment. Her relief is short-lived though when she learns she’ll be locked in maximum security, not in a werewolf prison but a human one. There will be no full moons for her, and she’ll be sedated to never be able to shift, practically human and defenseless.

Rhett snarls and struggles against his chains as the guards drag him away. “This isn’t over! Alaric will come for you all!”

I rise from my seat, my aura pressing down on the room. “And his death will be swift when he does. Yours not so much.” I remind him.

As the council members disperse, Magnus comes over with Maverick. “Maverick said you might have some ideas on how to handle King Alaric?”

I nod. “Yes, I need the council to address the media, placing the blame on Rhett and Clyde solely. I need Alaric to believe he has gotten away with this.”

“How would we explain his shipments being interrupted?”