Chapter 37

Lola's POV
All traces of laughter got wiped off my mate and best friend's faces. The expression they wore were alarming, enough to make anyone we walked past secure off in fright.
We entered his study, and to my surprise he was sitting on one of the couches instead of his usual seat behind his desk, shoulders straight and a leg crossed over the other
"Take a seat, we have a lot to talk about." He spoke and thankfully enough, his tone wasn't an angry one. I presumed that his meeting with the council hadn't taken a bad turn. Jake and Mark sat facing my dad, their hands clasped together in front of them whereas I took the place beside him.
"Nothing bad happened right?" I was the first to fire questions. The corner of his lips tugged upward –and though he masked his amusement pretty well, I already knew what he was thinking about
Always the impatient one, my guess of his thoughts were. But I can't help it, impatience runs in my blood just as it runs in my mother's. As he always used to and still tell me, I'm the absolute replica of my mom
"No, but I have a feeling that they're planning on letting the verdict be life imprisonment." I couldn't believe my own ears.
The council which is supposed to be siding with us to the very extreme, wants to sentence him with such an easy punishment?
"No way in hell am I letting that bastard live." Jake growled, his hands turning into tight fists. I could feel his anger, the frustration and disappointment evident on his features
"I didn't say we approve of that. Neither I nor the kings will accept such decision. His punishment should be death and nothing other than that." Dad spoke calmly, taking in and understanding Jake's outburst
I let out the breath I was holding, pleased to know that the kings are with us on this
"How can they be such fools?" Mark grit out, incapable of hiding his irritation
"Dad, are they be able to do so?" I questioned, my voice surprisingly quiet and collected. He straightened up, a dark expression crossing his face
"They don't withhold that much of power, the decision is in our hands, the kings and I." A burden got lifted off my shoulders and I found myself smiling.
"Well that's a huge relief. That rat deserves to die in the most horrible way for what he has done." Mark straightened his shoulders, the grimness of his expression easing off.
"When's his trial?" Jake who has been deep in his very own thoughts finally spoke and strangely enough, I felt the mind link between him and I disconnect.
"When's his trial?" Jake who has been deep in his very own thoughts finally spoke and strangely enough, I felt the mind link between him and I disconnect
'Jake, you okay?' I spoke through the mind link, but the closure was still there, as if he was blocking me from reaching out to him.
My brows ceased as I stared into the darkness of his eyes, his void face, my lover replaced by the strong merciless alpha he is known to be. I had an intense feeling that what's going on in his head isn't something I'll be too happy about.
And that's probably the case.
"That's the issue I wanted to discuss." My focus returned to my father, waiting for him to proceed just as Jake and Mark
"The trial's today, in a couple of hours to be more specific. We only have little time left to prepare." Dad's gaze fell on Jake. To say the least, I wasn't expecting that sort of bomb
I wasn't ready to put my eyes into that motherfucker's without going for his head and though my father had already informed me of the trial's probable date, I still didn't feel ready in any aspect
"But isn't that too early?" I asked, but a message of protest underlined within my tone, and of course my father instantly caught notice of that
"Not at all. The sooner we get rid of Silas the better, I can't wait to see the life leaving that man's eyes." His eyes turned pitch black for a second or two before changing back to their usual striking silver
"Mark, you are to stay beside Lola throughout the entire hearing in case Luke decided to pull something on which I doubt, but we have to take precautions." My father commanded making Mark lower his gaze and nod
"Of course, your majesty." He said, shifting his stare so it was directed my way, giving me a light smile. I couldn't smile genuinely, not with all the bad thoughts raking my head, the endless possibilities of how the trial might end up in
Mark sensed my worry, his smile long gone and replaced with sheer determination, and I knew right then that he's going to protect me with his life. I felt proud having Mark, my best friend and now general, so entrusted by my father.
"But I'm going to be with her as well." Jake nose scrunched up in confusion, his frown deepening, but to be honest he looked really cute. He wasn't jealous, but I could clearly see that he was puzzled, and so was I.
Now thinking about it, why should Mark be at my side when Jake is
"You won't be next to Lola, but next to your father. As the heir to the werewolf throne, your rightful place is beside your father." My mouth turned into an O understandingly.
That cleared the confusion on Jake's face, convinced with my father's logical approach
"Alright then, it's settled. Be ready in two hours." My dad was on his feet, and we followed suit, excusing ourselves and walking out
Jake left to speak to his father, promising that he'll see me before the trial begins. I waited for Mark as he talked to Mia on the phone to see where she was
"Your room." I rolled my eyes but nodded nonetheless. I still can't figure out the reason behind Mia picking my room as her daily hideout. Sometimes I feel it's more of her room than mine
"As usual." Sighing, I linked my hand with Mark's arm, heading to my chambers. The nagging feeling of my heart didn't stop, and Mark sure detected that
"You're going to have wrinkles if you keep on frowning like that." He pointed out, trying to get me to speak. I cracked a smile turning to look at him, noticing the worry in his eyes. I wanted to see whether Mark spotted anything unusual in Jake's behavior earlier in dad's study, so I asked him.
"Did you feel like Jake wasn't acting as himself?" I murmured, tilting my head to the side, studying Mark's expression change
"Your dad was in the room, of course he wouldn't be the Jake we know." I sighed heavily. Mark's sole focus was on my father, so he definitely wouldn't have sensed anything bizarre. I decided to drop it and change the topic
"So, are you planning on telling Mia to move in with you?" It was kind of sudden but I couldn't refrain myself from not asking him that. He and Mia have gone a long way, so I guess it's natural for them to move in together
"I am but I don't want her to feel that I'm rushing her into anything." He scratched the back of his neck, uncertainty coating his features. It was one of those moments that deserved an 'aww so cute' followed by a dreamy sigh.
"Oh trust me, she'll be over the moon with that kind of surprise." I snorted, a beam stretching onto my face and Mark chuckled shaking his head
"You really think so?" He boyishly grinned, eyes twinkling in amusement
"I don't think so, I know so." I shoved him playfully, laughing when I saw him roll his eyes, and I think I heard him murmur something on the lines of 'such a know it all'
Reaching my room, I was the first to step inside. Mia was in the far corner of the room, sprawled across the sofa and holding her phone above her head, going through whatever online shopping site she usually checks.
"Finally! I'm bored out of my fūcking mind!" She exclaimed, her exaggerating self emerging. Jumping onto her feet, she tossed the phone aside and stared at us expectantly, eyes wide and all ears.
"So? Tell me what you talked about?" She folded her arms over her chest, propping a hand under her chin
"Luke's court trial is in two hours." I said, watching as her expression morph into that of pleasant but as she sensed my discomfort, her brows dipped downward
"And isn't that a good thing?" She asked
"It is but I don't know, I have a bad feeling about it." I sighed and rubbed my temples.
A hand placed itself on my shoulder, and I turned my head slightly to look straight into Mark's comforting eyes
"Nothing will go wrong, stop worrying about it." His voice held warmth and I instantly felt my shoulders relax. I guess he's right, I really should stop thinking the worst. He's going to be convicted for his doings and will receive a proper punishment.
"Okay." I breathed out and rubbed my forearm, trying my best to keep my mind off today
I was about to stagger backward when all of a sudden Mia bolted from her place to stand just in front of us, her eyes sparkling in wonder as she stared at Mark like a little child wanting her teddy bear
"Can I come?" She asked sweetly
"No." It was a firm response. I stood there amused, watching Mia perfecting the puppy dog eyes and pout.
"Why?" She whined, stomping her foot childishly
"Because you'll cause trouble." He gave her a pointed look, crossing his arms over his chest, but I could see and though faintly the twitching of his lips
"I promise to keep my mouth shut and stay next to you guys." Her eyes lit up in hops
"Babe, you know that not anyone can enter a grand meeting, especially not as important as this one." Mia's smile dropped and she bobbled her head in understanding
"Mia, I'll tell my dad that I need you there for moral support. He won't say no to that." Her sudden squeal made me laugh whole heartedly, amused by her excitement.
"Thank you, thank you, thank you!" She gushed, throwing herself on me and practically crushing my bones with the tightness of her hug
We spent the next two hours talking about random topics, neither of them opening up any trial speculations knowing that it'll just make me even more nervous. Bottom line is, we ended up laughing our asses off remembering how Mark and Mia first met and how she was about to throw diet coke all over his head
All too soon, a guard notified us that we're needed in the council hall, as requested by my father. Just as Mia was about to move, the guard strictly told her that the king demanded only the two of us to come, which left Mia no choice but to comply
Mark sensed my hesitation, putting a hand behind my back and guiding me ahead. Jake hadn't come like he promised me too, and the mink link was still shut off
Something's not right, I can feel it
We were lead to the hall, and I was surprised to say the least seeing all the kings gathered each on his own thrown. The moment I walked in, all eyes landed on me, but I brushed the odd feeling aside and glanced at Jake, standing right behind his father with Jaxon beside him.
The hall was mostly round at its end where the kings sat. On the first throne sat uncle Jaylden, next to him uncle Greg, my father and then lastly, Roland. Greg welcomed me with a warm smile in a way to tell me not to be afraid whereas the rest of the kings held stoic expressions on the faces, including my father.
The council members were all sitting on both the left and the right side of the hall and from what I collected of them, I think they were about fifteen members. Mark lead the way, our footsteps tapping loudly against the marble floor until we reached my father's throne, taking our place behind him
I felt Jake's stare all along but didn't bother to spare him a glance, showing him that I was indeed angry at him. Once everything was settled, my father and uncle Greg glanced at each other before nodding
"Bring them in." Dad ordered, his booming voice making me flinch. Mark squeezed my wrist, reminding me that he was there never leaving my side which I was more than grateful for. I needed the support
The moment everyone anticipated arrived, and I could see the council members on their tiptoes to see who exactly is this Luke who threatened to destroy our nation
His hands were sealed behind his back, two guards gripping either sides of him arms and dragging him in but the triggering part was his menacing smile. I fisted my hands, fire bolting through my veins noting that his soul hadn't broke
A few seconds later, Vera was pulled in the same manner as Luke, but instead she had her head dropped to the ground, her body shaking in terror
Greg began uncovering Luke and Vera's doings, from all the planning to the kidnapping and almost killing the princess as he listed. I listened attentively, but my eyes never broke Luke's deathly gaze. As Greg finished, he turned to one of the council members that seemed to be the head of them, ushering him to voice their verdict
"Looking deep into this case, we council members came into conclusion that Luke is to be –
"I challenge Luke." His voice thundered in the entire room, causing waves of shock of manipulate themselves throughout my entire body. I gasped, seeing Jake step forward, his eyes narrowed at his opponent.
The hall was pin drop silence
No
"A fight of life and death."