144

Luca’s POV

The drive to the police station felt longer than it should have. My hands gripped the steering wheel tightly, frustration bubbling under the surface. Lia didn’t belong behind bars, and I was determined to get her out. When I arrived, I approached the front desk with a steady resolve.

“I’m here to see Lia,” I said to the officer seated behind the desk.

The officer barely glanced at me before shaking his head. “No visitors allowed.”

“What do you mean, ‘no visitors allowed’? She’s my wife—” I started, but he cut me off.

“She’s under investigation, and Alina has put in a directive barring all visitors until further notice.”

Alina. Her name felt like a curse. Her influence over everything was suffocating. I clenched my fists, anger simmering just beneath the surface.

“This is ridiculous. You can’t just deny me access—”

“It’s not up to me,” the officer interrupted, his tone flat and dismissive. “Rules are rules.”

I left the station, my blood boiling. The audacity of Alina to meddle like this only fueled my determination. Lia needed me, and I wouldn’t sit back while Alina pulled all the strings.

Back in my car, I slammed my fist against the steering wheel. If Lia couldn’t defend herself, I would have to do it for her. I decided to visit my lawyer

When I arrived at my lawyer’s office, the receptionist informed me he was available. I didn’t wait for an invitation; I pushed open the door and walked in.

“Luca,” he greeted, his brow furrowing at the sight of my obvious distress. “What’s going on?”

I wasted no time diving into the issue. “It’s about Lia. She’s been accused of killing Finn, but she’s innocent. Dean—he confessed to me that he killed Finn and framed Lia. He claims he did it to protect her, but I know there’s more to the story.”

The lawyer leaned back in his chair, steepling his fingers. “That’s a serious accusation, Luca. Do you have any proof?”

“Not yet,” I admitted, “but that’s why I’m here. Dean said there was a gun with Lia’s fingerprints on it, the one used to kill Finn. We need to find that gun. And we need to find the gun with Dean’s fingerprints. That’s our only chance of clearing Lia’s name.”

He nodded thoughtfully. “If we can locate both weapons, we can start building a case against Dean. But this won’t be easy. If Alina is as influential as you say, she’ll do everything she can to keep the truth buried.”

“I don’t care how hard it is,” I said firmly. “I’ll do whatever it takes.”

The lawyer scribbled some notes on a pad. “We’ll need a private investigator to start digging into this. In the meantime, I’ll begin drafting a motion to challenge the evidence against Lia. We’ll argue that the investigation was influenced by Alina’s personal vendetta.”

“Thank you,” I said, standing up. “I’ll find those guns.”

As I left his office, a sense of purpose settled over me. It wasn’t much, but it was a start.


---

When I returned to Benedicta’s house, the weight of the day pressed heavily on my shoulders. I found her in the living room, knitting quietly. She looked up when I walked in, concern etched on her face.

“What happened?” she asked.

“Alina’s barred anyone from visiting Lia,” I said, sinking into a chair. “She’s pulling all the strings, and the police are eating out of her hand.”

Benedicta frowned. “That woman is dangerous. We need to be careful.”

“I know,” I said, running a hand through my hair. “I just don’t know what to do next. The lawyer’s working on a strategy, but it’s going to take time. And time is the one thing we don’t have.”

Before Benedicta could respond, Merlin came bounding into the room, his face lighting up when he saw me.

“Uncle Luca!” he exclaimed, rushing over to hug me.

I forced a smile, hugging him back. “Hey, buddy. What’s up?”

“I miss Mama,” he said, his big eyes looking up at me. “When is she coming back?”

I swallowed hard, struggling to find the right words. “Soon, Merlin. I promise.”

“Can we go to the park tomorrow?” he asked, his tone hopeful.

Before I could answer, Benedicta chimed in. “Luca will take you to the park, won’t you, Luca?”

I blinked, taken aback. Merlin grinned and ran off, excited. Once he was out of earshot, I turned to Benedicta.

“Why did you say that?” I asked, my voice low.

She leaned closer, her expression serious. “Because I think Dean might come after Merlin. He’s Lia’s son, and that makes him a target. Taking him to the park is the perfect way to keep an eye on him—and maybe even gather evidence against Dean.”

I stared at her, her words sinking in. “You think Dean would stoop that low?”

“Dean is dangerous, Luca. We can’t take any chances,” she said firmly.

I nodded slowly. “Alright. I’ll take Merlin to the park tomorrow. But we need to be prepared for anything.”

As I headed to my room that night, my mind raced with everything that had happened. Lia’s arrest, Dean’s confession, Alina’s interference—it all felt like an elaborate game, and I was determined to beat them at it.

For Lia. For Merlin. For the truth.

____

Alina’s POV

The grand hall was buzzing with tension as I stepped inside, the weight of the elders’ eyes pressing heavily on me. They sat in a semi-circle, their expressions a mix of sternness and disapproval. I clenched my fists at my sides, forcing myself to remain composed. They didn’t understand. None of them did.

"Alina," Elder Marcus began, his voice deep and measured, "we've convened this meeting to address the matter of Lia’s detainment. This is a werewolf affair, not a human one. The pack elders should handle this investigation, not the human authorities."

I narrowed my eyes. "With all due respect, Elder Marcus, this is my decision. Finn was my brother. I have every right to handle this the way I see fit."

Elder Helena, always the voice of calm but firm reasoning, leaned forward. "We understand your grief, Alina. Finn’s death is a tragedy, but that does not give you the authority to make unilateral decisions for the pack. Lia is part of this pack, and as such, her fate should be decided by us."

"Her fate is already decided!" I snapped, my voice echoing through the hall. "She killed Finn. The evidence is clear. What more is there to discuss?"

Elder Marcus shook his head. "The evidence is circumstantial at best. A gun with her fingerprints does not confirm guilt. We need a thorough investigation conducted by our own."

I scoffed, barely able to contain my frustration. "And what will your investigation achieve? Wasting time while the culprit walks free? Lia is already in custody. Let the humans handle it."

The elders exchanged glances, their disapproval palpable. Elder Helena spoke again, her tone firm. "You are letting your personal feelings cloud your judgment, Alina. This is bigger than you or your grief. The pack’s stability is at stake. If the members see that we cannot even handle our own affairs, they will lose faith in us."

"Without the council," Elder Marcus added, "the pack would descend into chaos. You know this, Alina. We are the bedrock of this clan."

Their words stung, but I refused to back down. "And what about my pain? What about my loss? Finn was my brother! Do any of you even know how that feels? To lose someone you love so suddenly and so violently?!" My voice cracked, but I didn’t care. Let them see my anger, my grief.

Elder Marcus sighed, his gaze softening. "We do not wish to diminish your pain, Alina. But emotions cannot dictate justice. We have decided—"

"You’ve decided?!" I cut in, my voice rising. "What have you decided now?!"

Elder Marcus didn’t flinch. "We are sending a team to retrieve Lia. She will be brought back to the pack and held as a prisoner until the investigation is complete. Her guilt or innocence will be determined by us, not humans."

My chest tightened, rage boiling within me. "You can’t do that!"

"We can," Elder Helena said calmly. "And we will. This is not just about Finn. It’s about the pack. The longer this drags on, the more unstable things become. We must act swiftly and decisively."

I slammed my hands on the table, leaning forward. "So you don’t believe she’s guilty? Is that what you’re saying? After everything, you’re still doubting me?"

Elder Marcus frowned. "This isn’t about belief, Alina. It’s about due process. If Lia is guilty, we will find out. But until then, she is innocent in the eyes of the pack."

Their words felt like a slap to the face. I straightened, my hands trembling with barely suppressed fury. "You’re making a mistake," I hissed.

Elder Helena’s gaze was steady. "The mistake would be allowing emotions to rule over logic and justice. This meeting is adjourned. The retrieval team will be dispatched by dawn."

I didn’t wait for further discussion. I turned on my heel and stormed out of the hall, my heels clicking loudly against the marble floor.


---

Once outside, I leaned against a pillar, breathing heavily. How could they do this? After everything I had done for the pack, after everything I had sacrificed, they still doubted me. Lia was guilty. She had to be. There was no other explanation.

But now they were undermining me, questioning my judgment, treating me like some grieving fool incapable of making decisions.

A sharp pang of betrayal coursed through me. Finn had been more than just my brother; he had been my anchor, my confidant. His loss had left a gaping hole in my heart, one that I was desperate to fill with justice—or vengeance, if necessary.

The elders didn’t understand. They couldn’t.

But they would see. Once Lia was exposed as the murderer she was, they would all see that I was right. And when that day came, I would make sure they regretted doubting me.