Rejected and Pregnant I Fled The Pack (Evelyn and Damon) novel Chapter 199

Damon pov

I sat in the council chamber, watching Damian spin his version of events with the same calculated, self-serving confidence he'd apparently used to justify every atrocity he'd committed, and felt my patience wearing thin with each passing sentence.

"Miriam and her people were dangerous extremists," he said, his voice carrying practiced, reasonable-sounding conviction despite the shackles still binding his wrists. "They resisted legitimate leadership transition, spread misinformation to destabilize my territory. Everything I did was necessary correction, protecting my people from genuine internal threat."

Helena's expression remained carefully neutral, though I could see the same skepticism I felt myself reflected in her measured attention. "You're claiming the twelve documented deaths, including two children, represented necessary correction against genuine threat?"

"Casualties of war," Damian said, something disturbingly casual in his tone. "Unfortunate, but necessary given the scale of rebellion I was actually facing."

I glanced toward Miriam, seated near the front of the chamber, her expression tight with obvious, restrained fury as she listened to him continue rewriting the genuine horror she'd survived into something palatable, something that made his violence sound reasonable rather than monstrous.

She caught my eye briefly, something pleading and exhausted in her expression, and I understood immediately she needed someone to actually push back against this carefully constructed deception before it gained any further traction with the council's formal consideration.

I stood, unable to continue simply listening to his calculated lies without response.

"That's not what happened," I said, my voice carrying firm, absolute conviction as every eye in the chamber turned toward me. "We've documented Miriam's account extensively, verified through multiple independent sources. There was no genuine rebellion, no rational threat justifying what you actually did."

Damian's eyes narrowed, calculation flickering behind his carefully maintained composure. "Alpha-elect Cross, with respect, you've only heard one side of this genuinely complicated situation."

"I've heard the truth," I said, stepping closer despite the guards positioned carefully around him. "Kira had legitimate succession claim, verified through proper pack tradition and council recognition. You murdered her through fabricated trial, then systematically eliminated anyone who dared question your illegitimate seizure of power."

Damian's expression twisted with fresh fury, though the guards positioned around him ensured he couldn't act on whatever violent impulse crossed his features.

"He won't get away with this," I said, turning my attention back toward Helena and the assembled council. "This isn't simply territorial dispute requiring diplomatic resolution. This is documented, systematic murder, followed by direct assault against our own pack leadership. He attacked us, Helena. Directly, violently, within our own formal chambers."

Helena nodded slowly, something resolved and absolute entering her expression. "The council has already reviewed extensive evidence regarding the original crimes committed within his previous territory. Combined with today's direct assault, witnessed by every member present, I don't believe there remains genuine question about appropriate consequence."

"You can't simply—" Damian started, though Helena cut him off with sharp, absolute authority.

"This council formally finds you guilty of systematic murder, including the deaths of two children, illegitimate seizure of leadership through violence rather than proper succession, and direct assault against this pack's leadership within formal chambers," she said, her voice carrying weight that silenced any further protest. "Given the severity and repeated nature of these crimes, this council authorizes permanent detention under maximum security protocols, similar to previous cases requiring this level of containment."