Lacking Humanity | Moon Ridge

Chapter Twenty-Five

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The dress Sage wore was tight and not at all what she expected Aurora to present her with for today. But she dressed the part and frowned to see that even the pups were mellow this morning, it irked her wolf that such a pressing matter had to be done this way.

But a trial is what their world considered fair and honest, and everyone needed to know how awful the family is, even those mated into it.

The journey to the designated room was swirling with scents. Guests already sitting in the audience while Hayes was trying to set up the computer and greet all the packs who were checking in.

A forum would be scent at the final verdict, and every Alpha, Luna, Beta, Delta, and Gammas could be able to vote on behalf of the Snyder's fate. To contain their privacy, however, the majority would be claimed a singular vote for each pack.

The only ones that Sage recognized is Kevin, Kelly's father—Kara, the young she-wolf who called her a retarted mutt on her first day of school and no doubt spread her family's lies. And last but not least, Patricia—The one who had started a bit of commotion during the pup ceremony and was removed from the circle.

The motives were all there, but even Sage felt a pang of guilt in seeing Kara sobbing at both the situation and the silver strapped to her wrists.

Sage absolutely despised the treatment of cuffs, but she didn't want to take any chances.

As the last few guests trickled in, a small ping silenced the room. Indicating that the scale was fully charged and ready to judge. And summoned right then and there, Yudan had configured—Shocking the better part of the room.

Snyder's not surprised by Demon...

Sage whispered throughout her fellow friends, and Luke smirked while twisting at his shirt's collar being too tight.

Having been Andrew's first witness of a Demon, he choked on his breath as his nostrils filled up with a sickening charcoal smell. A sure way to deny any foul play here.

"Greetings shifters, as you well know, we are gathered at the mercy of his highness and our lovely goddess above. Today we focus on the determination of guilt or innocence in the case of Crescent Moon versus the Snyder family...But a word of caution, my scale and I do not accept lies. Once you place your hand on our sacred book, I can see the very nature of your intention. It is in the other's interest to replay evidence and secure the information tip the scale and guide it to its seceding mark...Plaintiff, you may proceed with your opening statement." With that, Nicolas had risen to his feet with a folder in hand, for emphasis, Sage heard him say a few dozen times.
But the crowd watched as Julian had taken to his feet as well.

"Alpha Julian, please sit down. You are speaking for the defendant. We are filing against you, meaning I speak first." Embarrassment tipped the lowly Alpha's ears, and sure the computer off in the corner remained on mute—Sage could see her brother cackling into the high heavens on account of Julian already making a fool of himself.

"Good morning all, and I thank you for coming to this once-in-a-lifetime and historical moment. It isn't every day that a pack files a lawsuit, never-the-less on such a well-built and prestige family. But no, my fellow pack members, we all know these faces—Seen them. Yet did we suspect that they were so willing—So ready to put themselves on the front line of Randal's reign that they continue to follow his word? Even long after he is dead..." Nicholas took a breath, offering a smile, knowing that this was monumental to the future as they all well know it.

"...I am not here to remind this pack of the trials Randal Moon has put us through, but I am to tell you everything we thought we knew, may actually be false. As the evidence will prove, these pack members have kept hope alive in the most diabolical and inhumane way—And for what? To placate that they were under Randal's orders? Even after all these years?" The questions lingered for a moment, Nicolas nodding along to see how stiff Julian has already grown.