All Chapters of Rebirth Of A Broken Luna : Chapter 111 - Chapter 120

Jessie's POV It was Maria. But she looked different than I had ever seen her; she was colder, more predatory. Her eyes were devoid of any humanity; they were replaced by something dark and calculating. This wasn't the grieving stepmother playing the victim. This was the true Maria, stripped of all pretense."Because you know too much," Maria said calmly, her voice devoid of emotion. "And because Ethan trusts you. With you gone, he will have no one to turn to. No one to keep him grounded. He will make mistakes, show the world what we have been saying all along, that he is unstable, dangerous, and unfit to lead.""This is insane," Victoria gasped, still backing away, her back hitting the wall. There was nowhere left to run. "You can't, Ethan will know it was you. He is not stupid. He will figure it out.""Will he?" Maria smiled, and it was the most chilling thing I had ever seen. "A grieving man, already unstable, who finds his most trusted ally murdered in his own bathroom? Who will h

Ethan's POVThe cold metal of the handcuffs dug into my wrists as the police vehicle pulled up to the courthouse. Through the tinted windows, I could see them, a crowd of reporters and cameras were flashing as lightning and microphones thrust forward like weapons. "Murderer!""Alpha Ethan, did you kill Victoria Chen?""Is it true you attacked your own family?"The voices merged into a noise of accusation as the officers opened my door. I stepped out, keeping my head high despite the cuffs, despite the shame of being paraded like a criminal in front of the world.This was what Maria and Dennis wanted. This public humiliation. This destruction of everything I had built.The courthouse steps seemed endless. Each one felt like walking toward my own execution. The crowd pressed closer, but was held back only by a thin line of security. I scanned the faces automatically, looking for allies or threats.That was when I saw them.Maria stood near the front of the crowd, her face arranged in p

Ethan's POV Everyone stood as the judge entered, an elderly wolf with gray hair and eyes that missed nothing. She had been a judge for forty years and had a reputation for fairness but also for harsh sentences when warranted.She settled into her seat and surveyed the courtroom. "Be seated. We are here today for the preliminary hearing in the case of The State versus Ethan Blackwood, Alpha of Shadow Crest Pack. The defendant is charged with the murder of Victoria Chen and the attack on family members. How does the defendant plead?"Richard stood. "Not guilty, Your Honor.""Very well. Torres, you may begin with your opening statement."The prosecutor rose, and I could practically see her enjoying this moment. "Your Honor, ladies and gentlemen, this case is about power, specifically, the abuse of power by someone who believed himself above the law."She began pacing; her voice was high through the courtroom. "Alpha Ethan Blackwood is one of the most powerful wolves in this region. He c

Ethan's POV "Alpha Ethan," Richard's hand touched my shoulder. "Alpha Ethan, please."I looked up at him through blurred vision. His face was compassionate but also urgent, trying to tell me silently that falling apart in court wasn't helping our case.But what case did we have left?Without Jessie and James, we had nothing. No counter-narrative. No witnesses to provide context. No way to prove that there were other forces at play, that Victoria's death was part of a larger conspiracy, that I was being set up.We had nothing but my word against a mountain of carefully constructed lies."Your Honor," Richard said, turning back to the judge while keeping one hand on my shoulder, "I apologize for the disruption. My client is understandably distressed. The witnesses he was counting on, people who could provide crucial testimony, have not arrived. I request just a brief recess to make additional phone calls, to determine what has prevented their appearance.""Mr. Richard," Judge Blackthor

Ethan's POVIt was Maria, Dennis, and Elena."What are you doing here?" I growled and rose to my feet. I turned sharply to the guard who stood at the door. "Why did you bring these people here? The law states that no one but my attorney has the right to see me! Why did you bring these demons in here?"The guard shifted uncomfortably, avoiding my eyes. "Please be fast," he muttered to my stepfamily, then stepped back and left, closing the door but remaining just outside.My blood boiled. Even here, even in custody, corruption found its way in. Someone had paid him off, or pulled strings, or called in favors."Oh, Ethan," Maria said, her voice dripping with false sympathy as she stepped closer. "We just wanted to check on you. After that... display in court today. So emotional. So unlike the strong Alpha we all know.""Get out," I said."Now, now," Dennis interrupted, stepping closer. "Is that any way to treat family? We are concerned about you.""You are not my family," I spat. "You n