3.

Theon's POV

—

The doors closed behind Selene with a heavy thud and only then did I allow myself another look.

"Alpha..." Elder Rowan's voice pulled me back. "The gravity of the accusation demands immediate action. The Luna should not be confined to her chambers, she should be taken into custody."

A murmur of agreement swept through the council.

Another elder stepped forward.

"Luna Selene stands accused of causing the death of the late Alpha's heir. Should she be found guilty, it is a capital offense. Until the investigation is concluded, allowing her the freedom of her own chambers would be both reckless and inappropriate."

I remained silent, letting them finish. "The council has not reached a verdict," I said finally. "Nor has the Luna been given fair hearing."

"Yes, Alpha, but Lady Cora has identified her as the one responsible," Rowan replied.

"And Lady Cora's testimony deserves to be heard," I replied. "Just as much as Selene's."

"We have already heard them both," another elder argued.

"You heard accusations from both parties, not the truth." I leaned forward, resting my forearms against the arms of the chair. "And to establish the truth, both women must be fit enough to answer every question placed before this council."

"But, Alpha—

"Lady Cora has just suffered a miscarriage. And your Luna has only just been pulled from the bottom of a cliff."

I swept my gaze across the room.

"Neither woman is in a condition for a proper inquiry. Both have suffered severe physical and emotional trauma. Until they recover, we cannot expect clear answers or reliable testimony from either of them."

"But the Luna is only restricted by your word. What is the guarantee that she will not defy the order and flee?" Another elder argued.

"If Luna Selene attempts to flee," I continued, "she will be detained at once. And her attempt to flee will be taken into consideration when judgment is passed.

Until then, guards will be stationed outside her chambers day and night. She will not leave the pack without my permission neither will anyone be allowed to visit her without authorization."

That seemed to satisfy them.

"Go home," I ordered. "The council will reconvene when both women are fit enough to appear before me."

After a long silence, Elder Rowan lowered his head.

"As you command, Alpha."

One by one, the remaining elders followed and the hall emptied out.

I rose to my feet. I had barely taken two steps towards the door when mother's voice stopped me.

"Is this really about fairness or are you hoping to protect Selene?"

I exhaled slowly. "It is fairness."

"No, Theon," she said, almost cutting me off. "Fairness is giving the right judgement to the one who deserves it."

"And how do you know who deserves it?"

Her voice hardened. "Because one woman lost her child today, while the other lost nothing."

I turned to her, my brows narrowed with disbelief. "And you think that makes Selene responsible?"

"There is no reason for Cora to invent such a story."

"And what reason does Selene have to do that to her?"

Mother hesitated. It was only for a moment, but I noticed.

"That child was the late Alpha's heir," she finally said. "As long as he lived, Selene would have eventually been stripped off her position, and her children would have had no claim to the throne."

My jaw tightened. "If that is the case, then who do you think has more to gain from the child’s death?"

Mother stared at me, confused.

"Me."

Her brows drew together at once. "What?"

"Me," I repeated, stepping closer to her. "If Cora's son had lived, the throne would eventually have passed to him. That means I would have lost my position as Alpha."

I held her gaze. "By your reasoning, mother, I had far more to gain from that child's death than Selene ever did."

Mother went quiet, as if the realization was slowly dawning on her.

"You're my son, I know your heart," she finally said. "You would never do something like that to Eren. He was your brother."

"And you believe Selene would?"

"She was at the crime scene. You weren't." Her voice turned cold. "And we all know what her kind is capable of."

"Mother—

"Selene is an omega," she cut me off.

There it was. The word she had used against Selene countless times. The one reason she couldn't bring herself to fully accept her as my mate.

My expression hardened. "That's enough."

"She has spent her entire life at the bottom of our hierarchy," she continued. "Then suddenly she becomes the mate of an Alpha and gains the power and privilege of a Luna. Do you really thinking someone like her, who have tasted that kind of power, would willingly let it slip away?"

The words sank for a moment but as logical as it seemed, I couldn't bring myself to buy it. I knew Selene.

"Selene isn't like that. She's compassionate. She would never hurt anyone, even when they had hurt her."

"Or perhaps she created that version of herself so you would never see what she was truly capable of." Mother shook her head. "Do not defend her blindly, Theon."

"I'm not defending her. I'm refusing to condemn her without hearing her side of the truth," I said. "Selene is innocent until proven guilty."

The words sounded firm but as they left my lips, doubt pressed heavily against the back of my mind.

What if she wasn't?

What if the image I had built of Selene over all these years had blinded me?

My mother seemed to sense my hesitation.

"And what if she's guilty?"

The question made me freeze. Somehow I had tried not to think of that possibility.

"I...I don't know," I admitted softly.

"Theon, you must be just in your judgment," she said, placing a hand on my shoulder.

I swallowed tightly. "If Selene is guilty... she will be punished according to the law."

"And if it means death?"

My chest tightened again. Selene wasn't just accused of harming another wolf but taking the life of my brother's unborn child. My own blood. If the council found her guilty, there was no punishment harsh enough to satisfy the law except death. And it would still be considered lenient.

"If the law demands it," I said quietly.

Mother nodded, as if my confirmation was all she needed. Then she turned and walked away. I remained alone in the empty council hall, that reality finally settling.

I looked toward the door. My first instinct was to see Selene. To speak to her alone, away from everything else.

Perhaps if I heard her calmly, something might make sense out of all of this.

But just as I took a few steps, the doors flew open.

"Alpha." One of Cora's handmaiden stood outside in a deep bow. "My lady is asking for you."

I frowned. "Is something wrong?"

"She is restless and cannot sleep. She needs you, Alpha."

My gaze drifted past her down the corridor leading to Selene's holding chambers. For a moment, I considered ignoring Cora's request.

But she had just lost her child. She was grieving. She needed someone by her side the most.

And perhaps, I could begin my investigation from her.

I turned back to Cora's handmaiden. "I'll see her."