Chapter Twenty Nine

(Bryson's POV)

The trial dragged on as the Elders and The Pillars took turns in questioning Rebecca and Lynus with the same old thing just like a year ago.

Rebecca's family were on the edge of their seats waiting for the sentence while Lynus' family held in a blank expression on their faces. Yet, deep inside, I knew their emotions were in turmoil, fearing for Lynus' life. Though they may be purebloods, good old familial ties still applied them, no matter how arrogant and unfeeling they were.

Sighing, I managed to suppress my eyes from rolling at this. I didn't want to sound like an insensitive prick but was there a need to prolong the process? Clearly, the big dogs wanted to show off their superfluous words and their ostentatious way of dealing the justice system.

Unlike the humans, it was systematic and fair. There was a judge, a lawyer to represent the convicted, witnesses testifying and a jury to decide their fates.

If the humans saw this, I bet they would laugh at how idiotic our kind and the purebloods dealt with our offenders.

I would laugh too and I'm an Alerian.

It was just too incredulous.

"Rebecca Beale, any last words?" Ladden said with no emotion as he stared at her with cold unfeeling eyes.

I switched my gaze to Rebecca as she started to speak. "Yes," she said softly. "I have something to say."

"Go on."

She took a deep breath as she struggled to say her piece. "Uh...I know that..." she glanced to her side to look at Lynus. "I ah..." Crap, she was losing it.

Lynus gave her a loving smile, and mouthed "I love you" to her. For a moment, her eyes glistened with unshed tears. Though their circumstance was different, I envy their love. It was plain to see that it was genuine, sweet and tender.

Like I used to have with Reagan.

Lynus smiled at her once again that hinted encouragement and she nodded, a smile gracing her lips. That was all it took to get her groove back and spout the words with renewed confidence.

Still looking at Lynus, Rebecca spoke, her eyes still shining with unshed tears. "I just wanted to say that being in love with Lynus was worth it," she smiled. "We were aware about the rules, as any pureblood or Alerian out there. But, when you're in love, you can't help but break it. Love knows no boundaries. It doesn't choose who you were meant to love, " her smile withered as she went on. "Whatever the outcome, I'd gladly accept it without hesitation because I didn't have any regrets."

Marcus spoke after Ladden. "And you, Lynus. Any last words as well?" he asked with the same emotionless voice.

Still staring at Rebecca with love in his eyes, Lynus spoke with clarity and conviction in his voice. "Like the beautiful lady said, whatever the outcome, I'd gladly accept it without protest because I didn't have regrets. Loving Rebecca was worth it."

For a moment there, Rebecca sighed like a love struck girl and blushed at his words. Good grief.

"Pitiful," a deep voice piqued up and my eyes switched back to the tribunal. It was Marcus who made that remark due to his evident scowl plastered on his face. "A fish may love a bird but where would they live?" he asked out of spite."See, that's the thing about love. It makes you do stupid things."

Marcus' fellow Elder, Rockilian, put a hand on his shoulder and glared at him."Focus, idiot." he hissed.

The other two; Talon and Connor, looking bored out of their wits, just exchanged glances and shrugged. Dimwits.

Marcus rolled his eyes."Recess for 10 minutes," he said.

All seven of them stood up, with their heads held high, and left the room.

(Derek's POV)

The moment Reagan stepped in the hotel restaurant with Ryder, I didn't waste time going over and hugged the life out of her. To be honest, that heady feeling surprised the crap out of me. I wasn't this needy nor clingy with Miranda, my ex fiancee. Sure, I loved her with all my heart well, before I found out she was a lying deceitful woman but with Reagan, I couldn't help it.

I needed her like air to breathe and as morbid as this may sound, like blood to quench my thirst.

As her body melted into my embrace, all my worries drifted away as I squeezed her dainty frame tight. Never wanting to let go.

Burying my nose into her hair, I murmured as I inhaled her familiar White Cherry Blossom scent on the sly. "I miss you."

Good gracious! That was too cheesy but what the heck.

"Dee. Can't. Breathe," Reagan choked out as she patted my back for every word.

Loosening my hold on her, I leaned back to give her a sheepish look. "I'm sorry," I said remorsefully then turned my head to Ryder, sending him a telepathic message.

'Thank you, Ryder.'

He shrugged. 'Don't sweat it, dude.'

I quirked my eyebrows. Did he just call me dude?

How odd. Very very odd.

Shaking my head, I embraced once more the love of my life and smiled. Indeed I was grateful for his voluntary efforts though we sort of, pardon the use of expression, forced him to talk to Reagan. None of us were able to get through to her so that left him on the equation. He didn't mind though, much to our disbelief.

The brooding Ryder was being nice.

Reagan chuckled, soft and husky. That sound alone increased that heady feeling to a triple, and it wasn't even funny."There, there. I'm here now," she said amusement clear in her voice as she rubbed my back affectionately.

"Took you long enough," I muttered. Oh yes she did.

She giggled. "Oh shush you whiny pureblood," she teased.

Did she just call me a whiny pureblood? I pulled back from the hug and glared at her playfully."What did you just call me?"

She rolled her eyes. "Ryder told me you were whining nonstop."

I shot Ryder a glare. "I did not whine," I said indignantly.

Ryder smirked and folded his arms to look intimidating. The reason? I had no idea. "Hell yeah you did Derek," he said in his low baritone voice. "You were so annoying and kept spouting nonsense like," he paused then cleared his throat as though to recompose himself. That glint in his eye had me wary. "I hope she's alright or what if she gets sick or--" he didn't get to finished what I assumed was an imitation of my voice as I cut him off on mid sentence.

"I didn't say that!" I interjected. "You're making that up and of course I was worried about her but I didn't whine like a brat."

I went on. "By the way, that was a poor imitation of my voice. You made me sound girly, Ryder."

Suddenly, Reagan laughed out loud, preventing Ryder from retorting a smart ass reply.

Oh my god," Reagan chortled. "You boys are so cute when you're arguing."

Really now?

I quirked my eyebrow. "Boys?"

Ryder was back to his brooding expression. "Cute?"

Reagan darted her eyes from me to Ryder then back to me. "Oh uh...haha...ha," she laughed nervously.

Boys and cute were tabooed words for men, experienced men to be exact. Sure, I had my share of being sweet and cheesy but cute wasn't the appropriate term for that. But one thing she failed to realize was that she made a mistake when she referred us as boys.

I'll show her what a man, an experienced one, was capable of. Although, I had to be extra careful with romancing Reagan. She hadn't turned 18 and I didn't want to push her to do something that she wasn't ready or maybe I was just overthinking it but we'll never know. But, yet again, what's the harm in doing a little bit of innocent teasing?

That thought had me smirking like the devil and um...felt a stirring in my pants.

Reagan looked at me warily. "I don't like that look, Derek."

I chuckled, low and deep on purpose then slid my arms around her waist pulling her closer to me. I ground the blunt length of my little buddy on her front and then, to my satisfaction, she gasped.

I smirked. Oh yeah, you felt that huh?

Reagan was turning me into a pervert.

I leaned in to her parted lips and nipped the bottom of her lip softly. "So, am I still a boy?" I mumbled, my lips still hovering over hers.

Reagan gulped and shook her head. "N-N-nno." she stammered.

I nuzzled her nose with my mine. "Good," I said then chuckled low and deep again for effect. She trembled in my arms and mumbled somewhere along the lines of stupid hormones.


'God, get a room you two,' Ryder said into my mind.

I leaned my head back a little, but still close to Reagan's beautiful face, and chuckled. 'You're just jealous, Ryder,' I teased.

He shot me a scornful look. 'I am not, pureblood. Why would I be jealous?'

I shook my head, not bothering to answer back. He should at least try falling in love and he would get what I mean.

Looking back at Reagan, I smiled as I saw her blush. That alone was the exact definition of cute. Seeing her uncomfortable and squirmy amused me to no end but, this was the side of her what made Reagan her own person. The expression that would reveal her endearing side despite her spunkiness.

"Explain, my dear daughter."

Reagan's eyes widened and attempted to back away but my arm was still wrapped around her waist. I couldn't let Luke see my bulge down there or he would flip his lid. She squirmed around and I had to fight the urge to moan from the movement.

She was making it worst, damn it!

'Ma cherie, you need to stop squirming. You're making it worst for my...uh...you know what I'm saying.' I said to her telepathically.

She looked panicked. 'But dad is giving us the stink eye.'

I sighed. 'Move in front of me so that he can't see it.'

With a sigh, she conceded. 'Alright.'

I let her go and signaled her to go around me to face Luke. She did as she was told and that was my cue to turn around.

"So," Luke started crossing his arms as he bunched up his taut biceps. "Are you guys dating?"

Luke wasn't that angry. He was just playing the part of a dad protecting her daughter's chastity. Come to think of it, was Reagan a virgin? She had dated Bryson for a year so maybe they did more than a fumble or something.

This was after all the 21st century. Society had gone diverse with their opinions on sex before marriage but some, in fact on rare cases still uphold that traditional notion.

Reagan was tongue tied, unable to answer her dad so I took that chance to speak in her behalf. To give her some reassurance, I slid my arm back around her waist and pulled her closer to me. "Yes, we are Luke," I smiled. "You're daughter and I are dating." It sounded weird to use the term dating. I'm accustomed to lover or other old school endearments but dating sure sounded alien to me.

He frowned. "Do you love her?"

I smiled. "Yes, with all my heart."

He smiled but it didn't reached his eyes. I knew what that look meant.

The law.

"You know what this means, Derek," Luke said warily. " You know the law and I don't want to see my daughter hurt."

I held in a steady gaze. "I am aware of the law."

Silence filled after that. We sized each other up as Luke stared into my eyes intensely, finding some sort of reassurance that I was genuinely in love with her daughter and see if I'd do anything for her. I conveyed to him all the love I felt for Reagan directly to his pale blue eyes and finally, he sighed and spoke.

"Elder Kolinkar," he stared at me with pleading eyes. "Promise me that you won't break her heart into pieces."

Tightening my hold on Reagan, I knew what Reagan had went through most of her life. She was abused, had her heart broken by her first love and betrayed by her very own best friend.

She was a broken girl.

The crucial part of our relationship was the fact it was forbidden. Both Alerian and pureblood law forbade both races to consort with one another and the punishment for that was harsh.

But, if we played our cards right, maybe the fact that Reagan being a Galerian could change things.

And also, the fact that she could turn into a Pureblood Galerian. After all, she was part pureblood. That had to mean something right? Besides, it's about time the Alerians and Purebloods knew the whole truth.

As for Reagan, I needed to have a talk with her about her choice when she turns into a full Galerian on her 18th birthday.

With renewed conviction, I replied back.

"I promise."


(Bryson's POV)

Recess finally ended and we all went back inside for Rebecca and Lynus' verdict.

The tribunal was late, once again, for five minutes as they sashayed towards the bench and took their respective seats, still looking arrogant as ever.

It was tense as we waited one of them to spoke up, ending this poor couple's misery. I'd only hoped that their sentence wasn't harsh but I doubt that they would get a lighter one. Giving them a third chance was a long shot but certainly out of the question.

I'm not even sure I was making sense.

Ladden spoke up, the dread for Rebecca and Lynus' fate washed over me. "We have finally come up with a decision," he announced with a smirk gracing his lips.

Oh I bet he was loving the verdict.

He went on. "Rebecca, you are charged for illegally consorting with a pureblood, as stipulated in Alerian law. You are hereby sentenced to life imprisonment in an Alerian prison in Utah. " That was worst that death itself, being imprisoned in that horrid place. As far as any Alerian was concerned, some of us avoided all means of convicting a crime because being locked up in that place was like hell on earth. The most suckiest part of the imprisonment was that you don't get the chance to use your powers as the place was laced with a power damper, rendering you helpless, if you're weak physically that is.

Teeming with dangerous Alerian offenders, chances are you get to be cellmates with a rapist.

Yeah, Alerians have rapist too.

"Oh god," someone choked out and I swiveled my head towards that voice.

It was Rebecca's mom, Lydia.

She had changed drastically since the last time I saw her. Her warm gentle brown eyes was now tired and weary, the worry lines was now visible due to stress, and her red feiry hair that Rebecca inherited from her was dull and sloppy.

She was in a mess.

It was Marcus' turn to deliver Lynus sentence. "Lynus McCain, you are charged for illegally consorting with an Alerian as well, as stipulated in Pureblood law. You are hereby sentence to life deprivation at a pureblood deprivation facility in Berlin, Germany, where you will be buried alive and held deprived of blood till you're dry as a husk. No chance for regeneration."

As I switched my gaze to the pair, my heart went out for them. They just merely nodded and accepted their fate without question because as they said, it was worth it.

But, a question lingered at the back of my mine.

What about fighting for what you believe in?