Reborn Luna (Hope and Keith) novel Chapter 46

Papa nods at Keith. Tunderstand that you were with my daughter yesterday”

Keith straightens. “I was. Hope’s-” he glances at me, but not really-“I was with Hope shortly after my session with Emma. She didn’t return to the clinic, so I tracked her down”

My pulse skips. I didn’t want him to mention that.

Keith continues. “When I arrived in the town district, I found three males–rouges, trying to abduct her. She fought them off. Once they were apprehended, Hope was able to extract information out of them and they told her Tyler had hired them.”

My stomach twists. I look at Papa, watching his face darken. I stand straighter.

Keith’s gaze flicks to me again. “They put an aphrodisiac in her system.”

The implication of his words are clear. He doesn’t need to state their intentions out loud.

Something stirs in me at the way he told the story. Any of the dominant male would have tried to make himself seem like a hero to soothe his first ego. Keith had done the opposite. He made me see him…

capable.

Papa’s voice low: “Tyler will be questioned. A gathering will take place within the hour–to determine his fate.” He nods at us. “You’re both dismissed.”

Keith steps back.giving Papa a respectful tilt of the head. We both head out the door. Relief blossoms when Keith makes a sharp left. He walks out swiftly, no lingering.

My legs tremble. I want to chase him, ask why he left so quickly. In any other circumstance I would expect him to stay to try and smooth things over from last night or reinforce the fact that he is to turn in to prove me wrong and build our bond.

It’s not like a dominant male to give up so easily.

I’m left wondering why it looks like he did and cursing myself for being so hurt by it.

***

I find Emma in the clinic–her sanctuary, my test site. She’s leaning against a table, waiting.

“Hope,” she greets me softly. “How are you feeling? Any weird visions lately?”

“No,” I say. “Nothing.”

Emma sets her pen down. “I thought we could start by testing your blood.”

Blood. Magic. The words taste heavy. If I’m carrying the old gift–waking memory- does it mean that my plans will have to change.

Will it leave me face to face with the truth that’s starting to feel more real every passing day?

Blood M

That maybe I’m not meant to give Keith up, maybe I’m meant to make us stronger than I thought we were before.

She presses a finger to my wrist and draws a drop. I close my eyes and brace myself for the answers.

***

Two hours later, the pack fathers in the great circle under the full mid–summer sun. Papa is in theAlpha’s seat presiding over the trial, Keith and his Beta Jace are at his left, my sister, Ben and Leon, are on the right with the rest of the pack making a circle around the accused. Karen,and Leah stand behind Tyler in solidarity.

The scene is haunting.

I don’t remember what it felt like to be where Tyler is now. The only difference is that I was innocent.

Tyler’s wrists are bound in chains.

Karen’s glares at me.

Papa signals the start of the hearing. “We begin. Tyler, you are accused of hiring rogues to assault and harm Hope, second daughter of the Blue Rock pack. Do you deny this?”

“I do,” Tyler says.

“Very well then. We will begin by interviewing the detained assailants.”

One of the rogues is brought forward. He looks smaller next to the pack. He swallows. He confesses, voice shaking: “Tyler hired me. He said… said to take her far, so she wouldn’t come back. Said he didn’t care what we did with her.”

My chest clenches. I look up. Tyler. He meets my eye and gives me a cocky smirk. The one that says: I’ll get away with it.

Another attacker shakes his head. “No. He didn’t. I swear, it was someone else. Some random guy in the pub. We thought he just wanted to have some fun with her and it was quick cash so we accepted.”

Γ

The third tells a story similar to the second denying Tyler’s involvement.

What did he say to him?

Papa stares at the rogues then looks at Tyler. “It appears we’re at an impasse. But do not mistake me, we will have justice. I call forth the truth–seer.”

A woman steps forward, pale calm. She places hands on the second attacker’s head. She murmurs. He shivers. She steps back. His eyes widen.

She touches the third attacker. He gasps. She nods once.

Papa’s voice rang clear: “They’re lying.”

Gasps across the circle. Karen screams: “This is a ploy! They’re targeting Tyler because-

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By Blond a

“No” Papa interrupts, voice ringing. He turns to Karen. “Enough. I had hoped one day we would be a true family. His eyes, wet. “But I will not let anyone threaten my daughter under any circumstance.”

“Tyler, You are sentenced to 30 lashes for your crimes against the Blue rock pack. After your sentencing You, your mother and your sister who forever banished from our territory.”

Tyler’s smirk gone, replaced with horror, Leah weeps. Karen rages. But Papa raises his hand. “Choose now, Tyler, me or Tucker. Which of us do you want to fulfill your punishment?”

The world seems to hold its breath and then Tyler says, “Tucker.”

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