The Rise Of The Betrayed Luna (Amorah and Holmes) novel Chapter 27

Chapter 27

AMORAH

06

The doors opened slowly, and every eye in the hall turned toward the entrance. I stood still beside Conrad, my attention fixed ahead even though my heart had already begun to beat faster. I knew this moment would come, but I did not know who would walk through that door.

My wolf stirred quietly, her focus sharp and steady. “Who is it?” she asked. “Someone who has seen enough. I replied. The figure stepped inside, and the guards closed the doors behind them. The person was cloaked, their face partially hidden, and their scent was faint but familiar. I narrowed my eyes slightly as I tried to place it.

Holmes did not move, but I could feel the change in him even from where I stood. His posture remained controlled, yet hi wolf had become alert, watching the same figure with careful attention. This was not something he had expected.

The elders remained seated, their expressions unreadable as they observed the room. One of them raised his hand slightly, signaling for silence, and the murmurs that had begun died immediately. The tension in the hall settled into something heavier.

“Step forward.” the senior elder said.

The cloaked figure obeyed without hesitation and stopped at the center of the hall. They did not remove the covering yet, and that alone added to the suspense of the moment. I felt my fingers tighten slightly at my sides as I waited.

“You have submitted an allegation,” the elder continued. “You will now speak before this council.”

The figure lifted their head slightly, and when they spoke, their voice was steady.

“I have.”

Holmes moved slightly, but it was enough for me to notice. He was listening carefully now, not dismissing this the way he had dismissed everything else. That alone told me this mattered.

The elder nodded once. “State your claim.”

The figure took a small step forward before answering. “Alpha Holmes has shared a private bond with another woman during his mating to Luna Amorah.”

A murmur spread through the hall again, louder this time, but it was quickly silenced. I kept my gaze forward, not reacting outwardly, even though the words still struck.

Holmes’s voice came next, calm and measured. “That claim has already been made.”

The figure did not turn toward him. “This is not the same claim.”

The elder leaned forward slightly. “Explain.”

The figure reached up slowly and pulled back the cloak.

I saw her face clearly then. One of the inner attendants from Silvercrest.

My breath slowed I remembered her

She had worked within the private wing, close enough to see more than most, quiet enough to go unnoticed. Her name surfaced in my mind slowly.

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12:56 Sat, May 30 MMM.

Chapter 27

Holmes’s expression did not change immediately, but I saw the flicker in his eyes. He recognized her as well.

“You were part of the inner household,” the elder said.

“Yes,” she replied.

“And you are willing to testify under oath?” he asked.

“I am.”

The elder nodded. “Then speak.”

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Lira straightened slightly before continuing. “I served within the private chambers for over two years. During that time I witnessed Alpha Holmes visiting Lady Bethany’s chambers regularly at night.”

The room reacted again, though quieter this time.

Holmes did not interrupt.

That was the first thing I noticed.

Lira continued, her voice steady. “These visits were not related to pack matters. They were private, repeated, and concealed from the Luna.”

My wolf stirred again, not in surprise, but in recognition. “She’s telling the truth,” she said. “I know,” I replied.

One of the elders spoke. “Are you aware that false testimony carries severe punishment?”

“I am aware,” she answered.

“Then you stand by your statement?”

“Yes.”

Holmes finally stepped forward.

“That proves nothing.” he said. “Presence does not equal misconduct.”

His tone remained controlled, but the movement in his stance showed that he was no longer dismissing the situation.

Lira did not hesitate. “There is more.”

The room stilled again.

“Speak, the elder said.

She took a breath before continuing. “I was present on multiple occasions where the Alpha remained in her chambers until morning. I was also instructed to ensure no one entered the corridor during those times.”

That drew a stronger reaction. Several Alphas exchanged looks, and even some of the guards shifted slightly.

Holmes’s gaze hardened. “You were following orders given to protect a grieving widow.”

Lira shook her head. “That is not correct”

Bethany stepped forward then, her voice softer but firm. “This is inappropriate. She is twisting her duties into something

else.”

Lira turned toward her. “I am not

12:57 Sat, May 30 MMM.

Chapter 27

Bethany’s expression tightened slightly. “You are overstepping.”

“I am telling the truth,” Lira replied.

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