Chapter 11: Servitude decided

Without further words, Lord Arthur turned toward the door, his stride purposeful. The other council members followed him back to the courtroom, and to the judgement throne, then took their designated seats.

The courtroom was silent, heavy with anticipation. Lucille heart pounded in her chest. Her hands were clasped tightly in front of her, trying to steady herself, but the tremble was undeniable. Would the silver suppressing continue? Or would it be a harsher punishment.

The courtroom quieted down the moment the council returned.

Lord Arthur stood up, "with the power bestowed on me, I will continue this proceeding,"

His gaze pinned on Lucille. "Lucille Clinton," he began, his voice carrying across the room, "you, an Omega, stand before this council accused of severing your bond with Edward Jones, a man of noble blood. As stated in the law, your actions have earned you punishment. The council has deliberated and decided upon your fate."

Lucille’s breath hitched. Her gaze flicked briefly toward Edward, sitting in his seat, his face an expression full of hatred. His jaw was clenched tight, his eyes narrowed, as though he was barely holding back the storm inside him. There was nothing kind in his expression, only anger and hatred.

The council exchanged uneasy glances before Lord Arthur continued . "The punishment for your crime, Lucille Clinton, is servitude, without any form of physical assault. You will be sent to live in Edward’s house for five years, under his supervision. During this time, you will work to pay your debt, and your punishment will be to remain in his presence, to—"

Lucille barely heard the rest of his words. A wave of relief crashed over her, so sudden and overwhelming that she almost swayed. Servitude without physical assault. It wasn’t the worst fate she had imagined. It wasn’t the cruel torture she feared, and it wasn’t the silencing of her very soul.

But as her relief spread, her eyes caught Edward’s once more. His expression darkened, a sneer curling at the corner of his lips.

"To fulfill your duties and pay for the pain the severed bond caused him. " Lord Arthur continued, unaware of the emotions swirling within her. 

"You are to remain with him until the term of servitude is completed. The servitude, is for possible re-bond and if there's a re bond, the punishment becomes null immediately."

Edward’s glare intensified, his eyes narrowing as he stared at her, his fingers tapping restlessly on the arm of his chair. It was clear that he had no intention of showing her kindness, even under the constraints of the law. His feelings were raw, his anger palpable, but at least he was not given the power to completely destroy her.

A flicker of gratitude passed through Lucille's chest. The council had done something, right for once. All thanks to the council member, who became her unexpected ally. He didn't allow them bend the law to force her into a life of torment, nor did he allow silence her completely.

As for the re-bond, she was certain, it would never happen.

The Omegas in the back of the room, those who had quietly watched the proceedings, heaved quiet sigh of relief. They, too, had feared the worst. They had expected Lucille to be condemned to a life worse than death. But the punishment, was not as cruel as they had imagined. 

They exchanged glances of understanding, a soft murmur of approval passing through the crowd. Louis face beamed with smile. The goddess, had shown his sister mercy.

The seven council members took turn to press their seals onto the document, marking the finalization of Lucille’s sentence. The sound of each seal echoed in the room, a sharp, undeniable confirmation of their decision.

When the final seal was placed, Lord Arthur looked down at the document, his face hardening. "The judgment is final. Lucille Clinton will serve her sentence in Edward Jones’s house for five years. No further appeal will be allowed. She's expected to start her punishment two days from today. She's free to return to her pack, prepare for her new role in Edward's Jones house."

Then, the trumpet blared again, signaling the end of the proceeding. The council members, left the courtroom in a straight line, the same way they came in.

Once they were out of the courtroom, Edward stood abruptly, his chair scraping against the floor as he stormed toward her, his eyes locked onto hers. 

The tension between them was thick, and Lucille couldn’t help but brace herself for whatever harsh words he might throw at her. But instead, he merely sneered, his lips curling in disgust as he turned his back and walked away without another word.

The elites whose expressions were ugly, obviously from the unexpected judgement, stormed out of the room one after the other, leaving the Omegas who rushed towards Lucille in excitement.

"Leave immediately!" The Wardens barked, halting them instantly.

Obediently, they left the courtroom. Lucille stepped out of the accused platform, and in quickened steps, hurried out of the court.

Outside the grand courthouse, the atmosphere brimmed with emotion. Though the verdict had condemned Lucille to five years of servitude under Edward, it hadn’t broken her spirit, and the commoners made sure she knew it.

As Lucille stepped into the beautiful glow of the moonlight, the crowd of Omegas erupted into cheers. They surged forward, surrounding her with proud smiles and tearful eyes. Their celebration wasn’t for the sentence, it was for her courage, for standing tall when the world tried to crush her.

Then, through the swelling crowd, her mother appeared. She paused in front of Lucille, her expression of deep guilt. Her gaze falling to the fading bruise still visible on her daughter’s forehead.

“I should’ve checked on you that night,” she murmured, voice thick with regret. “I was wrong… so wrong. All I saw was the wealth. I’m sorry, Lucille.”

Lucille stared at her in silent, then gave a simple nod in return.

Before the moment lingered too long, Louis burst through the crowd. His face lit up like the sun, arms flinging around Lucille in joy. “You were amazing! They couldn’t beat you.”

Lucille gave a soft laugh, hugging him tightly, and for the first time in days, her smile felt real. All the tears she had held in fell. This time, it was for joy. Although she knew service under Edward would be full of thorns, she was happy that it was just servitude.

After a while, she pulled out of his embrace, walked over to her mother and gave her a hug. She stared at the black maria she came in, and smiled bitterly. 

She wouldn't be leaving in it and would never ride in it again. She gazed into the full yellow moon, and smiles in appreciation. "Thank you goddess,"

But the joy which hung in the air was short-lived.

The wardens, standing at the edge of the court grounds, scowled at the celebration. Their authority had been challenged, and they didn’t like it.

“Disperse!” one of them barked.

When the Commoners didn’t move quickly enough, the wardens surged forward, their batons raised. Panic burst through the crowd as they were chased away, shoved and shouted at like criminals.

Still, even as they ran, the joy didn’t fade. Breathless and laughing, they regrouped at the bus station, helping one another aboard the free transport for the return to their distant, pack.

The journey was long, the road winding, but their spirits were unshaken. Songs rose from the back of the bus, stories passed from row to row.

By the time they reached their territory and stepped off the bus, the night had advanced far, but the celebration was far from over.

Lucille led the way down the narrow, dusty road into their village. With each step, chants echoed through the air:

More voices joined as doors opened and curious faces peered out. Other Omegas who hadn’t made the trip emerged from their homes, drawn by the sound. Without hesitation, they were pulled into the celebration, hugged, spun, and showered with joy.

That night, under the cover of the moon, stars and freedom, Lucille release her wolf, to feel the softness of the night air. 

Silvery fur shimmered in the moonlight as her form shifted, sleek and elegant. Without a sound, she loped into the forest, her paws whispering across the earth. Behind her, Louis’s elder, cinnamon-colored wolf followed, matching her stride.

Through the trees, beneath the stars, they loped in excitement, for freedom from the malicious mate bond of Edward, and for freedom from the cruel judgement of the tribunal council.

She would let her wolf enjoy the nature for two days because she knew, in Edward's house, it might be impossible.

Who knew what awaited her there?