All Chapters of Traded to the tyrant : Chapter 51 - Chapter 60

DRAVEN'S POV Kaelen appeared at my door just after midnight on the second day of our imprisonment. The guards had changed shifts, and somehow my brother had convinced them to give us privacy. That alone suggested he'd made his choice. "I'm helping you," he said without preamble. "Not because I think we'll succeed, but because Marcus deserves better than dying in father's prison for the crime of caring about me." Relief flooded through me despite my caution. "What changed your mind?" "I saw Vera's granddaughter today. She's seven years old and terrified, kept in a gilded cage while father uses her to control her grandmother." Kaelen's expression hardened. "It reminded me too much of Marcus. Of how father uses love as a weapon against anyone who might oppose him." "So you'll help us free both of them?" "I'll help you try. Success isn't guar

DRAVEN'S POV Watching the trial through Elara's eyes via our bond was torture. I stood in Theron's council chambers in Moonvale, surrounded by allies and advisors, experiencing everything Elara felt and saw without being able to physically protect her. Every hostile glare she received sent protective fury through me. Every supportive statement from witnesses brought fierce satisfaction. "Vera's testimony is changing minds," Kira observed, watching representatives from other territories through the viewing crystal Theron had arranged. "Look at the Ironwood delegation. They were firmly opposed an hour ago. Now they're uncertain." "Uncertainty isn't support," Rho cautioned. "We need active allies, not neutral parties." "Neutrality is better than opposition," Theron countered. "Each territory that shifts from hostile to uncertain weakens the Alpha King's position

DRAVEN'S POV Life in Moonvale settled into an unexpected rhythm over the following weeks. Theron had given us substantial autonomy within the restrictions, allowing us to participate in pack activities, attend council meetings as observers, and generally integrate into Moonvale society. The monitoring was present but not oppressive. Monthly check-ins with approved healers, quarterly reports to the oversight committee, regular Eclipse Omega energy assessments for Elara. Frustrating, yes. But manageable. What surprised me most was how quickly Moonvale pack members accepted us. Within days, wolves were greeting Elara warmly, asking about the pregnancy, offering advice and support. No fear. No suspicion. Just genuine welcome. "It's because Theron set the tone," Elara observed one evening as we walked through Moonvale's gardens. "He treats me

DRAVEN'S POVThe third mediation request arrived from an unexpected source.Silvercrest territory. Specifically, a dispute between two of my father's subordinate packs regarding hunting rights."It's a trap," Rho said immediately when I showed him the request. "Your father wouldn't ask for Elara's help unless he planned to use it against her somehow.""Probably. But refusing makes us look afraid and undermines everything we've built." I studied the formal request carefully. "The dispute is legitimate according to our intelligence. Both packs have been feuding for months.""So he's using a real problem to bait you into his territory where he has complete control." Rho's expression was grim. "If Elara mediates and succeeds, he'll claim she manipulated the outcome. If she fails or refuses, he uses it as evidence that Eclipse Omegas can't handle difficult situations.""We're trapped either way.""Not necessarily." Theron entered my study carrying his own analysis of the request. "If we ac

DRAVEN'S POVThe weeks following the Silvercrest mediation brought unexpected changes.Requests for Elara's mediation services increased dramatically. Territories that had been skeptical now wanted her expertise specifically."Your success in hostile territory convinced people you're the real thing," Theron explained during a strategy meeting. "Not just competent, but exceptional enough to handle difficult situations.""Which means more pressure and higher expectations," I observed. "Every mediation becomes a test.""Everything is a test when you're breaking new ground. But Elara's handling it remarkably well."She was. Despite being seven months pregnant, she'd successfully mediated five disputes in the past month. Each one documented, observed, and verified as ethical practice.The pattern was undeniable. Eclipse Omega mediation worked.But the physical toll was becoming visible. Elara looked exhausted constantly, dark circles under her eyes despite adequate sleep."You need to redu