The Pack's Hacker (by Cooper) novel Chapter 289

Lila

I feel sick to my stomach. I couldn’t eat breakfast and Alpha Warren noticed I was distracted in warrior training and pulled me aside.

“Lila, we’ll all be in court today. You won’t be alone. Why don’t you plan to ride with me and my family. I know Cyra and Yorick will be waiting for you, but this way, you’ll be surrounded by pack members when you arrive,” he said.

“Okay,” I said.

When we get ready to leave, Wendy comes up and squeezes my hands. “I know it’s scary. I was terrified when I went in front of the council. But it helps to have someone you trust standing beside you. Yorick and Cyra will be there to support you and so will we.”

1.”

“Thank you.”

Luna Yara pulls me into a hug. It’s so unexpected that I nearly burst into tears.

“You’re going to be okay, sweetheart. What are you afraid of?”

“What if he doesn’t accept my rejection?” I whisper.

“The Council can force him too, Lila. If they put the force of their command behind it, he won’t have a choice. Are you second guessing your rejection of him?” Alpha Warren says.

“No. No, he lied to me. He used me. I could never trust someone like that. I just… he doesn’t know that I’m the one who warned Alpha Cyra.”

“He probably does by now. He’ll have his own legal council and they will have reviewed the evidence that was presented to the Council. And he may try to intimidate you, or say something cruel, but the Council will also put a halt to that as well. Remember, you did nothing wrong. You are as much a victim in this as Cyra is,” he says.

I nod, realizing that while Luna Yara has continued to have her arm wrapped around me, their pups have all moved closer, as if cocooning me in their protection.

“Thank you,” I say, swiping at a tear that escaped.

The ride to court was mostly quiet. Alpha Yvonne asked who was coming to court. I found out that Alpha Cyra and Alpha Yorick’s classmates, the ones who visited us when Alpha Cyra defeated her father, are all coming to court. Apparently, Alpha Quirin is coming which makes me even more nervous, and Alpha Connor is coming too. We only spent a day with him, but he seemed nice. Cyra’s uncle and cousin are coming. Some other Alpha, Alpha Henry, is apparently visiting his mother’s pack and won’t be in attendance, but his father will be. 6

“That’s a lot of people,” I say, surprised that so many people who weren’t directly related to what happened with Stellan will be here today.

“He threatened our family,” Alpha Wade says.

“No one threatens our family,” Alpha Wendy says.

“Yes, Alpha Quirin was very clear about that,” I say, shivering as I remember how violent Alpha Christer’s death was.

“We may not be as vicious as Quirin, but we still protect our own,” Alpha Yana says.

I wonder if it’s an Alpha thing, or if it’s just this family. Alpha Christer and Stellan didn’t seem to have this level of loyalty to each other. I mean they worked together to try and get Alpha Cyra’s pack lands, but that was more about status and money, not love. This family has is a lot of love for each other.

I’ve been around the Hill children in the pack the last few days. There, they are easy-going and relaxed, even playful. However, when we step out of the car in front of the courthouse, every one of them is all Alpha. They are here for one reason. To let Stellan know he messed with the wrong family.

Once again, they surround me as we walk up the steps, engulfing me in their protection as if I am also part of their family. I guess as a pack member, that love and protection extends to me. It makes me feel safe in a way I haven’t for a long time.

As we walk up the steps, I see Alpha Quirin and his Luna, Kennedy. Standing beside them are Alpha Connor and a woman I haven’t met. I assume that she’s Alpha Connor’s mate since his arm is wrapped around her.

“Lila, you need to come sit with us,” Alpha Cyra says.

As everyone parts to let me through, my eyes lock with Stellan’s. His eyes are filled with so much anger and his lip curls in a sneer of disgust.

I blink when he’s blocked by Alpha Yorick who puts his body between us.

‘Don’t let him get to you,’ he says in the mind link.

‘We’re right here with you,’ Alpha Cyra says.

I nod and take a deep breath before following them to the front of the seating area on the opposite side of where Stellan and his attorney are sitting.

Alpha Yorick keeps his body between me and Stellan until we’re seated, Alpha Yorick on one side of me and Alpha Cyra on the other. 1

There are three people standing in front of Council’s bench in a triangular formation and several military looking people standing around Stellan. I don’t think I’ve ever been so intimidated in my life.

When the Council files in, they take their seats and one man steps forward.

“I see we have a full house here again today. I guess I shouldn’t be surprised since this involves a mate to one of the Hills. For those of you who don’t know me, I am Councilman Edward.”

He goes through the other council members, introducing them to us.