Violet
I watched Damon’s throat work as he swallowed.
"The wolf and I had a... personal connection," he said carefully. "A mate bond. But, the bond was not suitable, and I made the decision to reject it. This is within my rights as an Alpha. An Oga is no fit for the average wolf, much less one of my standing."
My throat tightened and the fresh wave of murmurs that swept through the hall nearly toppled to the floor. I could pick out the faint snickers within them.
I had expected the truth. That would benefit him in this situation, but the insult was completely unnecessary.
And just like him!
"And then?" Lord Calder prompted when Damon fell silent.
A part of died inside at how he treated this as nothing.
’Why am I even surprised?’
"She left the pack shortly after." Damon’s voice had taken on a defensive edge as he emphasized his next words. "Without seeking my permission or even following proper protocol. The rejection was handled according to tradition. It was her responsibility to remain within the pack and accept the outco with dignity."
My hands were still clasped at my stomach and I fought the urge to clench them into fists.
Dignity?!
As if there had been any dignity in how he had humiliated before the entire pack. As if I had been given any choice but to run or die.
"Violet, is it?"
I nearly flinched, not expecting to be addressed so soon as I slightly shifted to look at the Supre Alpha staring at with a disinterested look.
"Yes, Supre Alpha," I weakly mumbled then slightly frowned at how low my voice had co out.
"What gave you the right and authority to leave your pack without alerting your Alpha?" he asked.
What was the aning of this?
He was supposed to ask what led to leaving the way he had requested the sa from Damon.
And why wasn’t Gregor pointing this out?!
Lord Calder lifted his eyes from the paper before him to pin down. "Are you mute?"
"You will not ask what the circumstances were that led up to her leaving?"
I went still at Rowan’s voice.
I was grateful but was scared to look at him at the sa ti.
Why should I even be grateful? He could also treat Ogas wrongly and was only speaking out on my behalf because of the bond.
"Please, be calm," Gregor whispered in my ear as Lord Calder spoke back to Rowan.
I gripped my stomach, trying to focus.
"... more or less ans the sa thing," Lord Calder grumbled and Rowan’s lips pressed together in a slight tight-lipped frown as the older Supre Alpha looked away from him.
Kael stared at Lord Calder, watching him closely. It was faint, but anyone focusing closely would be able to note the displeasure in his eyes.
"What gave you the authority to leave your pack without alerting your Alpha?" he repeated the question at . "And explain the reason."
I forced myself to et the Supre Alpha’s disinterested gaze. "I had no authority to leave. I was raised as an Oga in Shadowpine. We received no formal education. And we were never taught pack laws or proper protocols."
"Ignorance of the law is no excuse," Lord Calder said flatly, not even bothering to look up from the papers before him.
"I am not claiming ignorance as an excuse," I replied, my voice strengthening despite the slight tremor in my hands. "Unlike other wolves, Ogas in Shadowpine receive no education at all. We are taught nothing about pack hierarchy or protocol. Almost everything I knew was from observation. And throughout my life there, I watched wolves leave the pack peacefully with no punishnt. And based on what I could observe, I believed that was how it simply worked."
Lord Calder’s eyes finally lifted from his papers, a frown creasing his weathered face. "The households are ant to carry out the educating unless one is an orphan. Did you grow up an orphan?"
’Yes.’
"No."
"Did your parents teach you nothing?" he questioned.
"My parents taught nothing," I said, feeling a tight sensation in my throat as unpleasant mories flooded my mind. "They wanted nothing to do with from the mont I turned six when I was presented as an Oga."
Even before then, I was frail growing up, and they might as well have had the belief that I would turn out to be an Oga. Their ignorance had turned straight into disdain when I turned of age to receive my wolf rank.
"Supre Alpha Calder," Damon’s voice cut through the whispers among those seated. "May I address this?"
What was he supposed to address?
Lord Calder gestured with obvious irritation. "Go ahead."
Damon stepped forward. "With all due respect, she has no excuse for her supposed ignorance."
What?!
"My father favoured her despite her status," Damon continued, "Her grandmother taught her extensively about pack traditions and laws. Violet told so herself."
My stomach dropped and I could not help the frown that twisted my face. I should have been used to the betrayal by now, but this was horrid. My grandmother had mostly told legends and stories and I had told him so.
How could he twist it like this?
"Also," Damon’s voice gained confidence with each second in his urge to defa like this. "She was often present whenever I was receiving instructions from my father. At the very least, she had access to education that other Ogas would never have."
I felt every eye in the hall turn back to , weighing his words against mine.
’Stay calm. Stay calm.’
The nerves were not what I was worried about. It was the anger.
’Even if things don’t seem to be going your way, still do not panic...’
"Is this true?" Lord Calder demanded.
"No."
Damon flinched and looked at , incredulous.
"Are you saying your Alpha is lying?" Lord Calder questioned.
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