70: Darius's POV

Out of all of the mistakes I’d made in the past few months, feeling pride for my mate when she froze my father’s hand would turn out to be the most deadly. Mostly because that fleeting feeling was replaced by absolute fear. Fear was more potent than even jealousy for me, and it meant I was about to do something reckless. All of that careful planning for this night, to ensure that the members of the court could point the finger at the Midnight Pack— dealing with two problems at once— went away.

In that moment, there was only her. She froze my father’s hand, which was treason. The people were already rushing forward to grab her, my father’s expression already laced with deadly intention. I leapt into action. My once careful and slow steps toward her became rushed, targeted.

I’d made so many mistakes where she was concerned: being rough with her, being demanding, betraying her with both Elizabeth and my father... Letting her die wouldn’t be one of them. Her eyes were wide as she took a step back from my father, as if she couldn’t believe her own actions.

Finn appeared suddenly behind her left shoulder, grabbing her arms gently. She looked back at him and gave a short nod. Within the blink of an eye, the two of them disappeared with a show of smoke and shadow. I didn’t miss Nik’s flinch as he walked toward our father, who spun on him.

This was escalating quickly. If Finn could have gotten her out of here in any other way— any way that wouldn’t have insinuated my brother was somehow involved— I wished he would have. Our father spat at Nik, eyes blazing with accusations. Minus the one flinch Nik had done, which I was sure no one else had noticed, my brother was the picture of resolve. Shadows did swerve around him, keeping close. He wouldn’t interact with my father if he could help it. This wasn’t his deal. It was mine. Just because Finn had seemed to leave with Ada didn’t mean he wasn’t watching. And the deal was that it would be my hand that killed my father.

So the plan needed to pivot. Clearly, this was about to be a very public execution that could lead to my own death by the people in this room. I was a charmer, but I wasn’t sure I could charm these people enough to do this.

For her, I’d have to try.

I pushed forward with all my might, leaping between my father and Nik. My father recoiled, eyes wide as I snarled at him. He was many things— a King, a tyrant, a fool— but he was no warrior. There was no way he could survive me going at him full force, and we both knew it.

And somehow, this man always surprised me. My father dropped to his knees and bowed his head. I cocked my head to the side as Phoenix crossed his arms over his chest behind me. Nik froze behind me, and I felt his shadows recoiling back into him.

Our father’s voice flooded into my mind, using his link as my Alpha King, *Approach and tell them of the laws I’ve broken, my son*.

I wish I could say that my resolve didn’t waver with that. It had been so long since he’d given us any warmth. What could he possibly be playing at? Clearly, he’d linked my brother’s as well because they had both narrowed their eyes in suspicion. With a quick huff a breath, I stalked around my father. He was right, though. He’d broken several laws, and I *could* use that.

My voice boomed out through the ballroom, “I didn’t intend on this happening like this.” The members of the court and Lilith watched my every move. “My father has committed treason against his own crown and broken the laws of his own Kingdom.”

Gasps broke out around me. There were several outcries of disbelief. I glanced at Lilith, who was simply observing. My father sneered externally, “You’ll pay for this, Darius. You and each of your brothers.”

In my mind, his voice told me a different story. *Start with Ada being your mate. End your accusations with the story of my relationship with Elizabeth. There’s proof of Elizabeth in my suit pocket.* I faltered once more. Why the hell was he helping me with this? Phoenix held the same hesitancy in his expression. Nik was standing there with his usual expression of cold indifference.

Again, I spoke, “Ada Lennox is the fated mate of both me and my brothers. Do you deny this?” My father shook his head, eyes glaring daggers at me. “Do you deny that you have been using your reign as sovereign over this nation to manipulate us and keep us from fulfilling our bond with her?” Another shake of his head. I swallowed, still slowly circling him, “And you’ve done this with the full knowledge of our Kingdom’s laws against interfering with Fated Mate bonds?”

“That trash isn’t good enough for my three sons,” he looked around the room, trying to make eye contact with someone, anyone, “Of course, I couldn’t let her trap you into the mate bond. She isn’t fit for this Kingdom.”

*I was trying to protect you, but I now see that this is fate,* his voice echoed and clanged through my mind. I shook it from my mind. The whirlwind of his voice inside my mind and what he was saying aloud was confusing me. I growled, continuing, “Did you force me into a marriage with Lady Elizabeth Jane to pursue your own personal relationship with her?” A malicious grin spread across his face, and he didn’t grace me with an answer. Instead, I asked, “Do you have a sexual relationship with my wife, the future Luna Queen of the Kingdom?”

“Yes,” he hissed out, glancing over at the table where Elizabeth was still sitting, “You don’t seem to mind sharing with your brothers. I assumed I was fair game as well then.”

Anger coursed through my veins. I had known he and Elizabeth had something going on— and it shouldn’t bother me. It really shouldn’t. She wasn’t my mate, and I barely cared for her. But she was my wife. That should have been sacred to my father. Hearing him say what I already knew out loud was enough to make me see red.

“I, Darius Ashford, future Alpha King of the Kingdom of the Moonglade, sentence you to die for your crimes against the throne,” I announced clearly.

Just as my hands grabbed his head, he sent a final message: *Blue notebook. Upper left drawer in the desk of my study. It holds all the answers.* I didn’t process the words until after the snapping sound of his neck seemed to echo through the now-silent ballroom.