Complete Percival Rackham's Trial Novels & Stories

No career to go back to, no family who hadn't been bought off by Julian’s PR team, and exactly forty-two dollars in her purse. "Fine," she whispered to the empty, damp room. "Let's play." She pressed the button. The First Trial The phone didn't vibrate. Instead, the motel room door creaked open. Elara froze, grabbing a heavy glass ashtray from the bedside table. "Who's there?" No one entered. But on the floor, just inside the threshold, sat a small, matte-black box with a silver wolf’s head embossed on the lid. Inside was a single earpiece and a card that read:

But I told myself anyway. By the time the light outside the windows shifted from black to grey, we’d gone through four books, two pots of tea, and more pack law than I’d absorbed in all my time at Ravenwood. I knew the trial’s history backwards. I knew the layout of the lower arena: stone floor, high walls, two entry gates at opposite ends. I knew that in the last recorded trial, the victor had shifted right in the middle of the fight, using her wolf’s speed to trap her opponent against the eastern wall. The paralytic compound Mira had carefully skipped over, came from a plant that grew only in the herb gardens on Ravenwood’s southern grounds. All of it was etched into my mind. I had two wee

“The trials are meant to be challenging, dear. But they're not meant to be impossible. Trust your instincts.” “Thank you, Elder Patricia.” “One more thing.” Elder Thompson's expression hardened. “Alpha Christian cannot assist you in any way. Any help from the Alpha will invalidate your trial. You succeed or fail on your merit.” I left the chamber clutching the folder like a lifeline, my hands shaking. Christian was waiting in the hallway. “What did they—” He stopped, taking in my white dress, my expression. “They called the trials.” “Three days to solve the Harrison-Kelly thing. No Alpha assistance allowed. Fail, and I'm permanently banished.” I tried to smile. “So, you know, no pressure.”

Victor frowned. “Just yesterday, Prince Lucas publicly released some of the Moon Trial rules. All other packs’ tentatively selected participants were invited. Guess which pack was deliberately excluded?” Damian swirled the wine in his glass, his eyes fixed on me with malice. “Our pack, the Thornridge Pack.”

~~~ Valic had stepped outside to take a call from the Council. It seemed that Jerry’s pack had petitioned the council to postpone the trial a day so new witnesses could be flown in. Alpha Marcus Ryle had looked over the new evidence the witness was claiming and ruled it out. The dates were two weeks after the attack on Paradise Falls Pack and Beta David and Alpha John’s death. He was about to return to the pack house and hunt down his mate when his cock and nose twitched at the scent in the air.

The trial was being held in the presence of all the Pack members, as the rules implied. Maybe for that reason, real justice will be served. Just maybe… I wasn’t bought in with shackles, but the cold stares of everyone around me were enough to pin me down into self-shame, and maybe…. Fear. Elder Malric sat at the center of the elders. His chin was raised almost like a judge with a long thirst for a hanging, and his eyes were extremely chilling. Elder Garrick, who was sitting closest to him, had a more relaxed expression on his face, as though he was sure of the outcome of this trial, even before it started.

“Step down?!” “You can’t be serious!” Harrick’s eyes narrowed. “And if you fail?” I answered without hesitation. “I leave the pack.” The hall exploded with murmurs. “That’s insane…” “She’s gambling everything…” Percy watched silently from the side. I could feel his steady gaze on me. Harrick studied me carefully. “You’re willing to stake your position on this?” “Yes.” His lips slowly curled into a smug smile. “You’re even more foolish than I thought.”

Surely, they hadn't actually expected me to admit guilt to such a heinous act? "Very well," Aleric replied. "We'll start by hearing the witness testimonies of those involved and any other supporting evidence. Once done, the ranked members, elders, and I will then vote, and your sentence will be set." I swallowed hard, my throat feeling so dry. …And, with that, the trial began. The trial started with the pack doctor, being called forth first to give a medical opinion and overview of his involvement. I didn't know the doctor well, having only met him once the previous pack doctor passed away; my mother.

Wardrick said, sounding apprehensive. "goodbye? What do you mean by that?” Norval asked, perplexed. "Well, I don't think I'll be able to participate in the trial any longer. I just don't think I'll be the proper fit,” Wardic added. Norval got off the bed and sat on its edge. "and who informed you you're not the proper fit. I have seen you battle, you might very literally be the strongest participant in this trial. no one has ever pushed me to the edge like that,” Norval praised him. but his compliments seemed to fall on deaf ears.

He looked up, surprised. “You think so?” he asked, eyes searching mine like he desperately needed someone to believe in him. And that broke me a little. I nodded. “I do.” He looked down again. “Thank you…” I stood slowly, brushing the dust from my cloak. “Get some rest. You’ll need your strength for the next trial.” “Yes, Demyan.” I walked away, heart heavier than before. Because I knew now—without a doubt. Perin wasn’t who he claimed to be.