bSecond /bFiddle

Quin’s p.o.v.

I look at all the empty seats in the morning, and it is strange to see that not all the Elders I grew up with are present.

Dad had given his orders again before he asked the Guardians to bring in the next prisoners. Dezra and Darron got their orders from Dad in their cell and walked into the Throne Room in silence.

“Alphas, you were all present during the trial and have heard all the evidence against my Sister and her Mate. We will revisit that evidence for the sake of your Pack–members, who might not be aware of what they did.” Uncle Vaughn says.

None of the Alphas looks happy; they probably don’t want to hear everything again or they don’t believe that the crimes Dezra and Darronmitted are enough to result in a death penalty.

“I will exin to you how our Sessionw works. It has been in ce for centuries and has only caused a problem twice in its existence.” Dad says.

He exins that the first Royal in a generation who shifts into a Lycan will be the King or Queen, followed by the second Lycan for the Beta position and the third for the Gamma position.

“This can mean that a particr bloodline gets represented in each leadership and it can mean that a bloodline isn’t represented every generation. I have taken a look at our history and there has never been a bloodline that was always or never represented.

We can decline our position if we don’t want to be a part of the leadership in that generation. No one is ever pushed into a position they don’t wish to; there is enough other work they can do for the family.” Dad exins.

We want to make it clear that we don’t force anyone to be the Royal Alpha, Royal Beta, or Royal

Gamma. If I didn’t want the position of King, I could decline it and work for the Royal family in another

capacity.

“A long time ago, Princess Dy left the Pce to find her connection. She hoped that he would ept a Shifter who hadn’t shifted and that she could find her happiness. While visiting Silver Eclipse Pack, she

was asked to remove her ne.

The Luna felt something was off with the ne, and within a week, Dy shifted into a Lycan. Her Brother had gifted it to her with the request never to take it off and we all understand why he did that.” Das says.

She informs everyone about the journal that Dy kept and how her life ended at the hands of her Mate.

“As you can imagine, the Royal family put that ne behind lock and key. It bwas /btaken out of the family vault by Dezra and handed to her first Mate, Beta Walker of Shadow Valley Pack.b” /bDas

Second Fiddle

continues and all everyone can do is look at one another, because none of them can say a word.

Das recounts her childhood in big lines and many Alphas re at Alpha Leon. He didn’t bring his Beta along, but then again, he wouldn’t have been allowed into the territory. We assume that Walker is still the Beta, because we haven’t received a request to rece him yet.

Dad tells them about Dezra’s story on her search for her connection and we hear a few soft growlsing from the lower–ranking Shifters.

“We will give you time to make a decision. After lunch, we will continue this trial.” Dad says and a few Alphas look at him. “No, I will not break the orders. Your Pack–members have to make a choice themselves and not get an order from their Alpha.”

“If there is anything from the first trial you would like to see or read, you can find it here and take a look at it.” Das says.

Guardians escort our guests to their wing, while a handful remain behind to monitor the evidence.

Das wanted to give everyone the chance to see everything that Dezra and Darron did to keep Das hidden from the family and why Darron was convinced that he deserved to be a part of the Royal family.

“Let’s hope that the votes end in our favor. I want to make it clear that we will never tolerate something like this happening to our family ever again.” Brogan says.

We leave the Throne room to discuss this trial in the King’s chamber, and Larissa follows Mom out of the room to head to our private wing.

“How do you think they will vote?” Dad asks and I know he wants an answer from all of us present.

“I think that Yellow and Red will have the majority of the votes. Anyone with a brain will understand that handing them their freedom isn’t smart. Dezra and Darron could try to use Dave or Benton to their

advantage.” Daxton says.

Damn, that is a disturbing thought. I let it run through my brain for a minute and realize that it makes

perfect sense. Darron has already done the worst to get what he wants and Dezra did the worst she could do to get rid of what she had.

Das and Darius agree with Daxton on the tight vote, but Das is convinced that there will be high- ranking Shifters who will vote for their release.

b“/bNot happening.” Dad mumbles. “Green will be life at Silent Grover Pack.”

“Alpha Leon took his Gamma female with him, but no one to represent the Beta position.” I point it out,

and for a moment, we sit there in silence.

“He couldn’t take Walker with him and I doubt he trusts him enough to leave him in charge of the Pack by himself. I know I wouldn’t trust him after what he did to Das.” Dad responds.

b2/4 /b

Second Fiddle

b+15 /bbBONUS /b

There won’t be many Alphas who would be willing to leave him in charge of their Pack. At least not ban /bAlpha with a brain. We try to figure out why Alpha Leon hasn’t requested another Beta, but we can’t be /bup with a reason. After all, we have no idea if Alpha Leon wasn’t aware of Lucy. If he was awareb, /bhe bwas /bwilling to look past it.

He will have to find another Beta soon anyway. He still wants to step down and with Das no longer being a part of Shadow Valley Pack, he needs a recement for Walker.

“Not if he ns on making Nico and Lucy take over that position.” Brogan states. I growl softly at the idea of having to face that Idiot now and then as we visit Packs.

I did the growling out loud, because everyone is staring at me and I take a deep breath before I tell them what Brogan came up with.

“Damn, that Lycan of yours is probably on to something. Lucy is Walker’s Daughter and that makes her a

Beta and as her Mate, Nico could take over the position from Walker if Lucy doesn’t want toi./i” Daxton says.

Yikes. Would Nico be willing to y second fiddle to his baby Brother? Does Lucy even understand what

she is giving up?

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