***Chastity*** Once Naomi was led away, the crowd quieted again. The punishment was deserved, but I hoped that she would be ok. I did see what Alpha Rowen said about her being naïve, and easily lead around by others. I felt for her as she, like Gina was taken advantage of. I hoped she learned who to trust, and who not to trust. “Fiona Goldrind please step forward.” Alpha Joseph called. Fiona walked up to the microphone with her head held high, and smug look on her face. She looked haughty, and proud. How she could be was beyond me. “Fiona Goldrind you are accused of abuse, battery, degradation, humiliation, and inciting attacks on Chastity Bloomfield. How do you plead?” Alpha Joseph asked. “Not guilty.” Fiona responded with a smile. “Why do you feel you are not guilty of these crimes?” “Because she is disgusting, worthless, trash. She deserves all of that, and more. She is a stain on our pack. One that should be dead. I only did what no one else was willing to do.” “HOW DARE YO
***Chastity*** When Aurora moved to the center of the courtyard, I began to tremble, badly. Everything could change in an instant because of her. She was Beta Dimitri’s mate, and Beta Jax’s mother. They could change their minds about everything that happened today, and my circumstances, with one word from her. I was very scared. If they changed everything she would kill me, no questions asked, and get away with it. I was shocked to see Beta Dimitri take over “Aurora Goldrind, you are charged with abuse, degradation, neglect, starvation, humiliation, false imprisonment, and attempted murder of a minor, as well as a female pack member. How do you plead?” Beta Dimitri asked. “Like you care.” Aurora snapped. “It is not a matter of caring or not caring. It is a matter of the law. Now I ask you again, how do you plead.” “Not guilty. I did nothing that trash didn’t deserve, and had coming to her.” “Even as a pup?” “She wouldn’t have been abused if she had never been born. She deserved
***Chastity*** I watched as Alpha Rowen stepped up to the microphone. You could hear him clear his throat, and you could tell he was uncomfortable with whatever was about to happen next. After a minute of looking at the crowd, he spoke. “Good afternoon. I know it has been a long, and trying afternoon. With everything we have heard and seen, it has been highly emotional. I truly wish that this was the end of these proceedings, but sadly it is not. Unfortunately there are more parties involved in this situation, and for that reason we are not at our end yet. As we all know abuse, and neglect is illegal, as thoroughly established here today, but what of those who are complacent to abuse happening right under their noses. What of those who suspected abuse or maybe even saw signs of it, but ignored it, and turned a blind eye. Are they not just as guilty as the abusers for saying and doing nothing? Are they not as guilty for allowing it to happen, and not stopping it?” Alpha Rowen question
***Jax*** I quietly closed the door to Chastity’s room, and hung my head. I slowly shuffled toward my living room. Today had been harder than I ever expected. The things we learned were beyond anything I could have imagined. I still couldn’t process all of it. I knew most of what my mother had done, but what she did to Brinna. I just couldn’t wrap my head around it. How could she look any of us, especially my dad, in the face all these years knowing what she had done? It made me sick. She made me sick. She murdered someone, and gloated about it. My heart broke for Braxton. At least a little bit. He had been badly manipulated by a sick woman. He was also about to lose his mother. At the same time, his behavior, the things he said, I worried he suffered from what ever was wrong with Aurora. I guess time would tell what happened with him. What I did know is I could not stomach being anywhere near him at this point. I smelled my unwanted guests before I reached the living room. I wasn’
***Chastity*** My eyes popped open just as the sun started to peek through the curtains in my room. At first I was confused as to where I was, just like every morning recently. It took me a minute or two to realize I was in the bedroom Beta Jax set up for me. I stretched, and felt a little less pain than I had the day before. “Good morning Chastity.” Leila said as she stretched out in my mind. “Good morning Leila.” I responded. “Did you sleep well?” “I…yes I did.” “I hope so. I spent a lot of time working on healing you more last night. Your ribs are finally completely healed.” “Leila, you didn’t have to do that. You’ll wear yourself out.” “With all of the good food, and rest you’ve been getting, I have more energy to heal you. A few more days, and you’ll be good as new.” “Thank you Leila.” “You’re welcome. Now I’m going to get some rest. Maybe we’ll see mate today, and I want to make sure I’m all rested up for that.” “You silly wolf. I doubt we’ll see him today. The trial i
***Chastity*** We stood outside Braxton’s cell, and I looked him over. He was leaning against the wall behind his cot, knees bent, arms crossed over his knees, and head down on his arms. I could also smell his tears. My heart broke for him even more. I moved closer to the bars. “Br…Braxton.” I called softly, and his head snapped up. “Om….Chastity. What you doing here?” He snapped. “I…I came to talk to you.” I answered gently. “Why? Did you come here to gloat that your abusers have all been punished?” He growled. “Actually, not at all. I came because I was worried about you.” I responded. “Worried about me? Why?” He asked sounding confused. “Because for the last six years I have felt the way you’re probably feeling right now. Lost, confused, hurt, and alone.” “I don’t understand.” “How much do you know, and remember about me?” “Only than you’re an Omega, you’re older than me, your mom was Brinna, da…Beta Dimitri’s mate’s daughter.” “Can I tell you a bit of my story so maybe
***Chastity*** When we reached the pack hospital, Beta Jax led me to a room, and opened the door for me. He didn’t follow me in. Just closed the door behind me. I turned to see Beta Dimitri laying on his stomach on the hospital bed. He looked to be sleeping. I didn’t want to disturb him, so I turned to leave. I froze when I heard him speak. “Chastity? Chastity what are you doing here?” Beta Dimitri whispered. I turned back to face him. I studied his face for several minutes. Why did I come here? This male ignored me my whole life. Why was I even acknowledging him? I didn’t understand either, but something made me come here. “I…I don’t know.” I said quietly. “Did you want to come?” he questioned. “I…I think so, but I….I thought I would check on you. Now I’m not so sure. You never checked on me.” “I know. I failed you. I failed you horribly.” “You…you failed Braxton too.” “Braxton?” “He may not be yours, but you claimed him anyway. You were a father to him, and she hurt him. Ma
***Chastity*** I hadn’t thought I was ready for this, but I now knew I was. I didn’t believe in death like this, but she had done so many things. The biggest being murdering my mom. She needed to be punished for that. I also knew that if I was asked if I had anything to say, I knew that I did. I just needed to get up the courage to do so. The courtyard was very noisy. Everyone seemed to be talking amongst themselves. The whole time, Aurora stood there looking very smug. She looked like she thought she was getting out of paying the price for what she had done. It started to worry me that maybe Beta Dimitri had lied to me about them not changing their mind on her being punished. If they did, I would have to run away. I couldn’t keep living as I had been. The courtyard quieted down as soon as Alpha Joseph stepped onto the stage, and moved to the microphone. He didn’t say anything at first. He just seemed to look around at the crowd. He then turned back to all of us, and looked us each