All Chapters of He Called Me Worthless, so I Chose Another Alpha: Chapter 11 - Chapter 17

After Cora left, the courtyard went quiet again.For two days, the entire Pack Alliance had been buzzing. The talk was all about Damian's heroism and about me, the woman who had abandoned him while he was at war. I didn't have to guess where the rumors started.At least Nell could barely get around, and I had posted guards to keep visitors and gossip away, so none of it reached her.The situation grew more tense over those two days. Our Beta reported that many strangers had appeared in the territory and warned me not to go out unless necessary.I knew who they were: Damian's men, making no effort to hide. Was this how he meant to intimidate me?Or was there something else behind it?Back in my room, I told Rowan everything through the bond.[Rowan, I think we need a backup plan in case something goes wrong.][Can you hear me?] I asked quietly through the bond.[I'm here. These last two days I've noticed a lot fewer men watching me. Damian has probably pulled them off for something else

I looked at how frightened he was.I understood why Damian terrified him. I used to be exactly the same.I spoke slowly."You're an important witness too. Don't you want revenge for your family and friends?"Don't you want to watch Damian fall from power?"If I told you I was absolutely certain we would win, would you still leave?"His trembling gradually eased.After a moment he raised his head, and there was hesitation in his eyes."Can it really be done? That's Damian we're talking about. If... if it fails, we all die."I gave a short, bitter laugh. "Have you forgotten what you just went through?"If you don't testify and it fails anyway, you still die. Do you understand?"My words struck home.His mouth opened and no sound came out.At last, he bowed to me again."I understand. I'll come forward as a witness at the council."Then he went on."The man I trust is called Tobias Pell. He's been in the black crystal mine at Moonlight Shoal all this time. Those three packs came to their

They came forward, saluted the Alpha King, and spoke in unison."We wish to bring charges against Damian Blackwood."For years, under Damian's leadership, the Blackwood Pack has repeatedly seized our land and mineral rights."Blackwood men prowl near our borders constantly, warning that refusal to cooperate means annihilation."They paused, and one of the Alphas continued."And more than that. Because I refused to go along with what he was doing, he led his men in and killed my pack's guards to make an example of us.""No, this is a frame-up!" A furious shout cut across them."Alpha King, they came here to frame me. How could I be the kind of man who breaks the peace between packs? My pack has always coexisted peacefully with the others."As he spoke, Damian pointed toward several packs.The people from those packs turned their faces away at once and ignored him.The Alpha King watched the exchange and warned Damian."Disrupt this council again and you'll be dragged out."Continue."Th

Damian was dead.The proudest man I had ever known had died in the most humiliating way possible, in front of everyone.Everything the Blackwood Pack had done was laid bare for all to see.The Alpha King ordered a full investigation into the conduct of every pack, so that nothing like it could happen again.Rowan was acquitted and awarded substantial property as compensation.Rowan and I went home together.He was much thinner than before, but his eyes were as clear and bright as ever.I wrapped both hands around one of his.He looked at me and said nothing, only gripping my hand tightly in return.Sunlight warmed us. His hand was warm, and my heart was warmer still.We returned to the pack together. From far away, we could see Nell waiting at the gates with a guard beside her.Rowan ran to his mother and wrapped her tightly in his arms."Mom, I'm home."Nell's tears would not stop, falling one after another onto Rowan's shoulders.I stood off to one side and watched in silence as peac