The Rise Of The Betrayed Luna (Amorah and Holmes) novel Chapter 28

pter 28

Chapter 28

AMORAH

The council chamber was already filled when I arrived, and the weight of it pressed against my chest the moment I stepped inside. Elders sat in a raised line, their expressions controlled, while Alphas from different packs took their places in silence.

The air was filled with tension, thick with expectation, and every wolf present understood that this trial would decide more than one truth.

I walked forward slowly, aware of the eyes following me, but I did not lower my head. My wolf remained alert beneath my skin, steady and watchful, no longer shrinking from the pressure around us.

This was not the same place where I had once stood beside Holmes as his Luna, pretending everything was whole.

Holmes stood ahead, already in position, his posture firm and composed as if he had nothing to fear. Bethany stood at his side, her expression calm, though I noticed the slight stiffness in her shoulders. They looked prepared, but I knew they were waiting for one thing.

The witness. My steps slowed slightly as I reached my place, and my gaze shifted briefly across the chamber. Conrad stood at the side, not among the elders, not among the accused, but close enough that his presence could not be ignored.

His wolf aura remained controlled, yet it pressed quietly against the space around him, reminding everyone that he was not just another Alpha.

Our eyes met for a brief moment, and I felt the same awareness from him as before. He did not speak, but there was a silent acknowledgment in his gaze that made me hold my ground a little firmer.

The lead elder raised his hand, and the chamber fell into complete silence.

“This council has convened to hear the allegations brought against Alpha Holmes of Silvercrest,” he said in a firm voice. “The matter concerns both the integrity of the mate bond and the legitimacy of heirs within his pack.”

A quiet shift moved through the room, but no one spoke.

“The council has also been informed that a witness has come forward,” the elder continued. “This witness claims to possess direct knowledge relevant to the accusations.”

My heart tightened slightly at his words. This was the moment everything had been building toward.

Holmes remained still, but I saw the slight tension in his jaw.

“Bring in the witness,” the elder ordered.

The chamber doors opened.

A brief silence followed, stretching longer than it should have. The elder’s expression hardened. “Where is the witness?”

One of the guards stepped forward quickly, his posture tense. “Elder… the witness is not present.”

A ripple of murmurs spread through the chamber before the elder raised his hand again. Silence returned, but it was no longer calm.

“What do you mean not present?” another elder demanded.

The guard hesitated, then spoke carefully. “The witness was secured earlier this morning under council protection. When we went to escort them here… they were gone.”

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OOGT

12:57 Sat, May 30 MMM.

Chapter 28

My breath stilled.

The word settled heavily in my chest, and my wolf reacted instantly, pacing with unease.

“That is not possible,” one of the Alphas said sharply. “Council protection is not easily breached.”

The guard lowered his head slightly. “There were no signs of struggle. No forced entry. It appears the witness left without

resistance.”

The chamber erupted into controlled voices, Alphas speaking to one another in low tones as the elders tried to regain orde

I turned my head slowly toward Holmes. He did not look surprised.

That was the first thing I noticed.

His expression remained steady, almost too steady, as if this outcome did not disturb him at all. Bethany, on the other hand, looked briefly shaken before she quickly lowered her gaze.

My chest tightened.

The lead elder struck his staff lightly against the ground. “Silence.”

The chamber quieted again.

“This is a serious breach of council authority,” he said firmly. “A witness under protection does not simply disappear without consequence.”

Holmes stepped forward slightly then, his voice calm. “Elders, with respect, this only confirms what I have stated from the beginning.”

All eyes shifted to him.

“There is no credible evidence against me,” he continued. “Now even the so-called witness has vanished before presenting anything to the council.”

His words were measured, controlled, and carefully placed.

“This trial is being built on accusations driven by grief,” he added, his gaze flicking briefly toward me. “Without proof, we are wasting the council’s time.”

12:57 Sat, May 30 MMM.

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