Chapter Fourteen

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Deliah

As the guards guided me from the visitation room instead of going straight towards the door that led to the cells, they turned left heading towards to courtroom I assumed.

I bit the inside of my cheek in a pitiful attempt at not freaking out. It had been nice to see Dritran and even Thomas, and I felt better knowing that there were at least two people on my side and I had an official supporter. The Supporter was essentially a member of the pack who had a ranking and essentially a verified say. Having one could sometimes be the difference between being proven innocent or guilty.

Before I knew it we stopped and then stood in front of two giant wooden doors. A scene was engraved into the doors, depicting the creation of werewolves, seeing the scene of the story we have been told since we were kids was a haunting one. It wasn't a happy story, but things in werewolf history rarely were.

"Here we are." The guard who had been the most talkative said.

I drew in a shaky breath, and then straightened my shoulders making sure to look straight ahead.

One giant meaty fist came into view knocking on the door, the sounds echoing in the hallway.

"Come." That was all that was said before the two doors opened, I prayed to the moon goddess that I would get out of there alive.

***********

As the two guards tugged me into the courtroom. In the front of the wide room was two raised platforms side by side in which the accused and their supporter would stand. On an even more elevated bench sat the three elders of the pack. They were the deciding people as they had, in theory, lived long and full lives. Of course, as Dritan said they were extremely biased toward the Alpha's wants. But I was hoping to have a few things in my favor, both having Dritan and Thomas's support, and also the fact that I didn't actually touch Tiffany.

Another thing I hated about the court was that every member of the pack above the age of 16 was allowed into the court. And as the guards and I walked past them I could hear the room erupt in whispers, no doubt about me. I still kept my head straight and gaze forward as we walked down the long aisle, but I could see out of the corner of my eye the vast size of the crowd, it had to be the whole pack plus some visitors. It was sick how these people got a kick out of watching these trials like it was entertainment.

Finally reaching the raised platform, one of the guards helped me up but still kept me shackled. I could hear their retreating forms as I stood by myself in front of the elders.

A bell sounded, signaling the start of the trial.

The first elder, a woman with wrinkled deep brown skin and long kinky grey hair spoke first.

 "Today marks the day of the trial of Deliah Koro, general pack member, and musician." Her voice was raspy but rich with authority.

This was directed to the crowd before she set her gaze on me. It was steady and empty, making me even more nervous than I already was.

"Do you have a supporter with you for this trial?" She asked me, her eyes still emotionless.

I nodded, " Yes High Elder, it will be Thomas of the pack warriors."

I head the doors behind me open and with it the steady steps of Thomas. I didn't dare to turn around as doing so could be seen as a sign of disrespect. But I let go of the breath I didn't even know I had been holding on to. I guess I had still been doubtful Thomas would have come to help me, even with him being Dritan's mate.

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw him standing next to me. " Yes High Elder, I will be representing Delilah as her Supporter for this trial."

The Elder nodded and looked to her other two peers, one an older man with tawny brown skin, and features that hinted towards a South American heritage, and a slight balding spot. The other was a wrinkled white woman with a short straight bob streaked with grey.

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