Police hesitate, hands on holsters, looking between Greyson, Zayn, and the others. They’re outnumbered as more of Zayn and Greyson’s people swarm in.
“This wedding is a farce. Cleo is my mate, and I claim her as such before all,” he says. Murmurs break out. The media swarms closer. Boyd’s mother wails.
Dane, however, is pale as a ghost and appears to be in shock as he peers at his wife holding their son. Silence falls as everyone peers at Dane, who gathers some of his wits and staggers forward.
“You just killed a council member’s son,” he bellows. He looks to the officers, who seem unsure of what they’ve witnessed. Everyone is in shock that Zayn killed someone on a live broadcast.
Greyson steps forward, his authority undeniable as everyone turns to look at him. “Officers, stand down. You are witnessing the righting of wrongs.”
The tension in the room is palpable as Zayn takes center stage. Vance moves toward him, passing him a stack of documents. His eyes scan the crowd with fierce determination. The murmurs die down as he begins to speak, his voice echoing through the hushed tent.
“Today, we expose truths long buried,” Zayn declares, his gaze settling on Alpha Dane, who shifts uncomfortably under the scrutiny. Zayn turns slightly, acknowledging
Alpha Greyson, who steps forward and holds a weathered document high for all to see.
“This,” Greyson announces, “is a declaration from Clara herself, entrusting her pack to her daughter, Cleo, upon her coming of age.” He turns to me. “This pack was always meant tobe yours, Cleo. It was never your father’s. He stole it.” His eyes meet mine.
The revelation sends a murmur through the crowd, eyes wide with shock. Zayn doesn’t pause. He steps forward, momentum building as he unveils more.
“We have undeniable evidence of the coercion Clara faced. This video footage shows Joseph forcing Clara’s hand to sign over her pack.” He tosses it to one of the anchormen.
“There’s more,” Zayn says, his voice hardening. “Alpha Samuel, here’s where you come into play.” He turns to Samuel, who looks increasingly uncomfortable. “Documents and transfers to hidden accounts, evidence of council vote tampering— all linking back to you, with the help of Alpha Dane.”
Samuel’s face, once filled with confidence and smugness, drains of color. His eyes widen in shock, his mouth hangs open in disbelief. Whispers ripple through the crowd, the pieces of the puzzle falling into place.
“And now, to the most damning piece of all.” Zayn’s eyes find my father, a mix of pity and anger in his gaze. “Joseph did more than betray his wife. He planned her murder when he learned she had reinstated the pack under Cleo’s name.”
Gasps and whispers fill the space, amplifying the tension between Zayn and my father. In a surge of raw emotion, my father rises, face contorted by fury and desperation. His voice reverberates with anguish as he denies the accusations.
“Why would I kill Clara? I loved her!” he shouts.
“Love?” Zayn scoffs, pulling out another document. His tone turns icy, each word dripping with scorn. “Is that why you called Samuel the day before she was killed, asking if he knew any rogues who could handle a problem? Or why you transferred money to him the same day? All council calls are recorded. You tried to delete them but couldn’t access the backup drive.”
“Horse shit, where’s your proof?” my father exclaims.
“Right here,” comes one of the rogues, stepping forward—one of my mother’s old pack members. “You kicked us out when we confronted you about it.”
“You’re a rogue. What good is your word?” my father roars.
Samuel laughs, drawing attention. He shakes his head.
“I can’t believe this. And I can’t believe you’re trying to talk your way out,” Samuel says before standing. “Fine. If I’m going down, I’m taking him with me. I wouldn’t even be in this mess if it weren’t for you asking me to get them rogues for you,” he snarls at my father.
Gasps fill the tent, people stepping away from my father, showing their distaste.
“All this because Clara petitioned for full custody of Cleo. You knew once my father signed off on it, you’d be exposed for forcing her to sign. Cleo was your leverage. You had no pack without her, so you killed Clara,” Zayn chimes in.
The crowd turns to my father, horror and disbelief in their expressions. I stare at him, heart breaking under the weight of his betrayal. My legs go weak. I struggle to keep my balance.
“I can’t believe it,” I whisper, voice trembling. Zayn looks at me in apology, like he knows how crushing this is for me.
The room stays silent until people begin to speak up. Some ask for more evidence, others express disbelief, whispering what this means for our packs.
I watch as my father’s followers turn against him, disgust on their faces while he tries to convince them he didn’t do it. Desperation has him turning to me.
“He’s lying, baby girl,” my father pleads. “He doesn’t know what he’s talking about.” He moves closer. I step back.
“Cleo?” he pleads. Tears stream down my face.
