Chapter 6

CHAPTER 6

Not me

DAMON'S POV

I stood at the doorway with my arms crossed. I had planned to do this, but at the last minute I changed my mind and told my beta to back off during the Mate Bonding season.

“I didn’t kill anyone!” she screamed.

I watched as the soldiers clamped cuffs around her wrists. My wolf stirred, fighting to break free, restless because she was being shoved against the wall. I forced him down. Her pain was none of my concern. Still, I couldn’t ignore the thought, someone wanted her out of the academy, and I needed to know who planned it.

“Evil wolf! You killed your own kind!”

The room erupted with shouts. Someone spat in her face, and my wolf clawed at me, begging to rip their tongues out.

“She will be locked in the jail until the academy board decides her fate, Alpha,” the head soldier said.

Her eyes brimmed with tears, and I saw how hard she fought to blink them back.

“Okay,” I said with a small nod, stepping aside to let them pass.

I stormed into my dorm where Asher was.

“Alpha…” he stammered, springing to his feet, his eyes wide with panic.

“I told you to call off the operation,” I snapped, my voice low but burning with rage.

“Yes, I did,” he said quickly, his hands trembling. “I cancelled it.”

“Then why is the girl dead, and the tainted one still framed for it?” I growled, stepping closer.

“For real?” His throat bobbed as he swallowed hard. “I… I haven’t checked outside.”

My wolf pressed against my skin, snarling for blood. “I need the CCTV footage from last night. Now!” I roared.

***

The academy board was seated. Four chairs stood at the front, but only three were filled. The Lycan King, owner of the academy, had not yet arrived. The others, Rex, Zeus, and Kane sat with eyes burning blood-red.

I walked to the seat prepared for me and sat beside Darius. His eyes stayed on Zima as if his gaze alone could comfort her. Around us, students filled the hall, whispering and waiting for the judgement.

“Murdering a fellow werewolf is unacceptable in this academy and across every pack,” Zeus declared.

“Yes! She killed one of our own. She must be punished!” voices roared. The hall shook with shouts.

Zima trembled. Her head stayed down, eyes fixed on her feet. Shame wrapped around her like chains. My wolf raged inside me, begging to rip out throats and crush bones, but I forced him down.

“Zima of Silverpang Pack,” Zeus thundered, “if this High Court of Nightowl Academy finds you guilty of murder, you will not only be expelled but exiled and banished from all packs.”

“Yes! We agree!” the crowd echoed.

Darius rubbed his hands together, his foot shaking under the table. I sat still, my eyes never leaving her.

“Can I plead my guilt? Can I speak, please?” she begged, tears spilling down her cheeks.

“No. From this moment, the court decides what you do and what you don’t,” Zeus said coldly. Rex and Kane nodded.

“Your scent was found on the body after full examination,” Kane said, his legs crossed.

Gasps ripped through the room.

“Your red gown carried traces of the deceased.”

More gasps followed.

“You also left your necklace on the corpse.”

The hall erupted with shock.

“What more evidence do we need?” Rex demanded.

Zima shook her head, sobbing harder, her tears unstoppable. My wolf thrashed inside me, no longer willing to stay silent.

Hot sweat ran down Darius’s face at the mention of the necklace. I could feel the heat radiating from him, even in the cold room. My eyes scanned the hall, searching for Asher.

“No more evidence needed. She should be sentenced already,” someone shouted.

“Yes, she should be sentenced!” another voice added.

I watched her shake her head, tears streaking her face. I might dislike her, but I hated how unbearably pretty she looked while crying. I could watch her cry all day and feel nothing but fascination.

Rex, Zane, and Zeus whispered among themselves while students circled, casting eyes full of judgment at her.

“She was with you last night,” I finally said to Darius, my voice low and sharp.

“And?” he replied, cold, his gaze flicking to me.

“And how did this happen?” I pressed.

“You shouldn’t be speaking to me, Damon. Just shut up,” he shot back, his tone sharp and controlled.

“It’s sad, watching your mate being sent away. She may be the only one left,” I said, my voice cutting through the murmurs.

He froze, eyes locking on mine, with so much fire hidden beneath his calm.

“You made sure of that,” he said, voice low. “I heard you ordering Asher the other day.”

Darius’s eyes blazed, then he stood, jaw tight, and walked away without a word.

“This just got interesting,” I said with a smirk. I called that shit off.

Zeus cleared his throat.

“Nightowl Academy, we have our judgement,” he said, smiling brightly.

“I have a plea,” Darius said, stepping forward. I could feel the disappointment ripple through the students. Zeus shot Darius a questioning look.

“Go ahead,” he said.

“I think we should review the CCTV footage before deciding her fate,” Darius said. I felt Zima exhale in relief. She gave him a grateful, knowing look.

“Right,” Zeus said, signaling a soldier.

Just then, Asher ran in, panting.

“I have been reviewing the footage, Alpha,” he said.

“And?” I asked, my eyes fixed on his panicked face.

“I had to hide it,” he admitted.

“Why? That was the only thing that could clear her.”

“She is guilty, Alpha. She killed her,” Asher said, his voice shaking.

“What?” I whispered. I stole a glance at Zima. She looked nothing like a killer. I couldn’t believe what I just heard. And so did my wolf.

“I will review the footage myself soon,” I said, dismissing Asher.

Everyone waited eagerly as the soldiers approached Zeus, whispering among themselves.

“The footage from that night in the accused dorm has been declared missing,” Zeus announced.

Whispers of disbelief rippled among the students.

Darius smiled at her, but she did not. Her brows were furrowed, and I could see she wanted to see the footage too.

“This court is adjourned,” Zeus declared.