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Alaric sat back down with me in his lap.

“Yes, my darling,” Lucien said. “That is why she kept trying to persuade the Hart family to let her take you to the Royal Mental Institute.”

“And then what? I would’ve spent the rest of my life in an asylum because someone else didn’t want to get married?” I shook my head, unable to stop the tears. “How can someone be so selfish?”

I buried my face in Alaric’s chest as he held me tighter. Darius knelt beside us and put a hand on my back. Leon brought over a glass of water, but I couldn’t let go of Alaric long enough to take it. Caius stayed close.

They let me cry until I could breathe properly again.

“So it was just me? They only needed me, didn’t they?” I looked around at them. “They didn’t bring my sisters here too, did they? Mireya didn’t take them?”

“No, my heart. I believe they remain safe on C-17.”

“Oh, God. Thank you.” I clung to him, so relieved I could barely speak. “Mireya?”

“She is in our custody, my love,” Caius said. “She will be sentenced soon.”

“She won’t hurt anyone else?”

“No, my love. She and those who helped her are already paying for what they have done. They will never harm another innocent person.”

They’d torn my family apart and put me through all that pain over something so stupid. She could’ve said no. I might not have been raised with her family Pack, but surely they wouldn’t have forced her. She could’ve done anything but rip me away from my life. From my family! It was sheer luck it worked out for me. But what if it hadn’t?

All five of my mates were purring for me as I broke down in Alaric’s arms. I didn’t have to hold it all in. They were here, and I knew they’d help me through this.

My sisters were safe, and my babies were asleep in the nursery. I could be strong for them all a little later. Right now, I just needed to cry.

Chapter 44

Alaric

The meeting chamber was in the oldest part of House Vaelor. There were no windows and little furniture beyond the chairs and a stone table large enough to seat twenty.

The doors opened, and Cedric, Samir and Matthias Hart entered, closely followed by their counsel. No greetings were exchanged.

Cedric took the chair opposite mine, with Samir to his right and Matthias to his left. Counsel sat beside them and placed their copy of the proposal on the table. The arrangement was a rare concession, approved by my father and Octavian, High Lord of House Valenne and Supreme Law Master of High Mountain.

Lady Elowen Hart entered shortly after, escorted by two Vaelor guards. She had lost weight since presenting herself to my father. Her cheeks were hollow, and her skin had lost the natural glow of her designation. Her dark hair was washed and secured at the back of her neck. Her clothing was clean but as plain as that of a low-ranking servant. Iron restraints enclosed her wrists, joined by a short chain to the belt at her waist.

Cedric watched her cross the room. Samir drew a slow breath, and Matthias kept his gaze straight ahead. Lady Elowen kept her eyes on the floor as the guards seated her at the far end of the table. One secured her chain to an iron ring set into the stone before both guards left the room.

“You have reviewed the evidence,” I said to Cedric. “Do you contest it?”

Lady Elowen looked from Cedric to Samir, then to Matthias. None answered her silent appeal.

“No. Pack Hart will not dispute what she did or attempt to conceal it. We recognise that her conduct has disgraced our Pack,” Cedric replied.

She lowered her head.

“Then we can proceed from the facts. Your daughter breached the mating agreement between our Packs and conspired to conceal that breach by substituting another woman for herself. She knowingly arranged for Elowen C-17 to be taken from her world, expecting her to be declared mentally unfit and confined.”

Lady Elowen’s fingers tightened together.

“She did not know what Tureen ultimately intended for Elowen C-17,” Cedric said, “nor what they intended for her. We ask that this distinction be recorded. Pack Hart accepts liability for the breach of contract, and the stipulated restitution will be paid in full.”

“That distinction will be recorded,” I said.

Matthias turned towards his daughter as she wiped her cheek with the back of one restrained hand.