You may wonder why we chose to play the recordings instead of using an alpha order to command Bloch to confess. Truthfully, we did both, and doing both was really important. Playing the recordings publicly would do three things. First, it would help demonstrate that the alpha orders were not forcing anyone to say untruthful things, just in case anyone (Margie, Sheila, or Stephanie) tried to make that claim. Second, it would demonstrate that Margie herself really was the one on the phone directing the trafficking, as opposed to someone impersonating her. Third, Lily wanted to see how my parents and Robert would react to the audio, because that would give us a very big clue as to whether they were redeemable. I listened to the audio recordings in between the meeting with my father and tracking down my stuff, so they did not surprise me. They did, however, shock and horrify my mother. I could tell that my father and Robert disapproved of the contents of the recordings, but their

With those words, there was a subtle shift in the wind, and the transfer of power from Randall to James could be felt by all in the ballroom. A part of me felt proud that James and Lily could now be referred to as “Alpha James” and “Luna Lily.” Once the wind settled down, James spoke again. “Unfo

(Lily POV) After the victim statements, we gave each one of the accused an opportunity to respond to the allegations. Each would face a separate trial down the road, but unlike the trials at Black Moon, the West Mountain trials would be private. Today would therefore be the only opportunity for t

I did not know that Stephanie was torturing Lily, but I would not have cared if I had known. The ability to torture is an important life skill, and the ability to torture someone close to you is a demonstration that you have mastered that talent.” “I also have a question for Margie. I was friends

(Lily POV) It has now been five weeks since the pack and council takeovers. Since then, there has been a whirlwind of activity both inside and outside of the pack. Randall and Jane’s belongings were boxed up and moved to (separate) storage units, and James and I moved in to the alpha suite. Meanwhile, the belongings of my parents and Stephanie have also been packed up so that Joey and Jessica could move in. All photographs and shrines to Stephanie have been taken down and repurposed, and the Steffie Garden has been given a very not-sexy new name: “Staff Break Room.” Additional tables and benches have been added to accommodate the re-purposing of the space. Similar changes have occurred throughout the pack. The individual trials are well underway. My mother’s trial was first. I decided to recuse myself from any decision making related to her punishment, both because I am both her daughter and one of her victims. I also decided not to attend the trial, sending James to obser