The Pack's Luna: The Pack Series Book 4 novel Chapter 387

Piper

Lara turns and looks at the room. There are plenty of Alphas here and I would trust any of them, except for Gage. But Lara doesn’t know them.

‘Henry, I mouth to her. I told her about my mate, so I’m hoping she’ll choose him. However, she surprises me.

“Can I choose Alpha Gavin, even though he’s underage?” she asks.

My father growls and Gavin jerks beside me, obviously as surprised as l am. Councilman Edward frowns before turning back to confer with the other council members.

When he turns back, he looks at Gavin. “We will allow it, Alpha Gavin.”

“Piper,” he whispers nervously, slowly standing.

“Just stand there and support her, Gavin. That’s all you have to do,” I say quietly.

He looks at Henry, who nods at him, letting him know he can do this.

“Just be yourself, Gavin,” he murmurs.

“You’ve got this, young Alpha,” Quirin says quietly.

Gavin stands tall, ignoring our father’s growl as he walksup beside Lara.

“Beta Lara, you have accused your mate, Beta Robert, of purchasing you for a forced mate bond, is that correct?”

“That is correct,” she says, her voice quivering. I can see her hands visibly shaking from where I’m sitting. Gavin looks at her, then puts a steadying hand on the small of her back.

I watch her body relax as she takes a deep breath. I smile and look at Henry, knowing he has more to do with my brother’s emotional growth than anyone. He winks at me before turning back to watch.

“To clarify, you were an unwilling participant in the mate bond with Beta Robert?” Councilman Edward asks.

“That is correct,” she says, her voice sounding stronger.

“And how did you come to know Beta Robert?”

Councilman Edward asks.

Lara goes on to tell a story that is very similar to the one Vivienne told me about her mother. My father, and this time Grady, kept her from getting a job, forcing her into prostitution, and using her when she was desperate for money. My father introduced Beta Robert to Lara while she was on the street. He also used her and apparently took a liking to her. Eventually, they forced her into a mate bond.

“Alpha Grady held me while Beta Robert forced his markon me. Then Alpha Grady commanded my wolf to extend her canines and mark Beta Robert. When that didn’t work, Atpha Glenn put the force of his Alpha command behind it and I had no choice,” she says, beginning to cry.

I hear the Alphas behind me all growling angrily. turn and look at Vivienne. She nods. She already knew this. She must have heard it on the street. That’s how she knew that there were forced mate bonds in our old pack.

Gavin turns to the prosecution table and the attorney hands him a box of tissues. He holds them in one hand, wrapping an arm around Lara with the other.

“I know this is difficult, Beta. Take your time, Councilman Edward says.

She nods, blowing her nose and wiping her eyes before continuing.

“I wasn’t a Beta back then. I was just a warrior. And even though they weren’t my Alphas, I wasn’t strong enough to resist the command of two Alphas,” she says, leaning into Gavin. His arm tightens around her, holding her while she cries.

They ask her additional questions about joining the pack, she didn’t have a choice about becoming pregnant, Beta Robert forced himself on her repeatedly until she got pregnant, and about where she is currently living.

“We, the three of us, are in a hotel for now. I’m not sure where we’ll go after this,” she says.Gavin turns with pleading eyes, looking at Henry. Of course, my mate nods in agreement.

Lara covers her face, breathing deeply until she settles.

Iris and Natalie are called forward next and to my great pride, they both ask Gavin to stand with them. Their stories are nearly identical to Lara’s only they were givenas ‘gifts’ to their mates. The biggest concern I had with their stories, is that they didn’t know what the warriors did to deserve receiving them as a gift. But knowing what my father has been involved with, I have a sinking suspicion that I know.

Look at Vivienne and see that she’s thinking the same thing. Someone had to get rid of the bodies of the women my father and the others have murdered. Why else woutd a warrior be worthy of claiming a mate of his choosing? At least in my father’s eyes.

I’m happy when both women agree to return to our pack.

They may not stay, but at least they can get medical treatment and they’ll be safe.

Then Councilman Edward turns to the defense table. Their only defense is that we’re all lying to remove my father and brother as Alphas of the pack. The defense goes on to say that it is me and Vivienne that have incited these false accusations.

When the last of the testimonies are given, the council deliberates for only a few minutes. Then he turns to the defense table. The defense attorney stands and so does my father.

“Alpha Glenn Conley, this court finds you guilty of three charges of human trafficking and two charges of attempted human trafficking.”

My father begins snarling and when Javelin and Titan grab him, he begins thrashing against them. The smell ofburning flesh intensifies as he continues to snarl, fighting against the muzzle and his restraints.

“Sentencing will be held one week from today after Alpha Grady’s trial. This court is adjourned.”

I stand, watching as they drag my father from the courtroom, still snarling and fighting against his restraints. I can feel the relief of the three women beside me, but they’ll have to do this all over again next week in Grady’s trial and probably again in the trials of their previous mates.

I look across the walkway to where Gage is standing alone, watching our father get dragged away. His lips are pressed tightly together, and his entire body is rigid.

Lunch should be very interesting.