A King Falls

Selene's eyes pass the Lycans one by one.
The Sages bow respectfully to her while Eric and Ralph turn red, their heads also down, albeit for a different reason. Jasper and Rain have their hands together honorably, while Jace and Cleo follow suit.
"You guys wonder why I summoned you to face me," she begins sarcastically. No one answers for fear of getting her wrath on them. "We'll start with Eric," she states and turns to the man. "What is your confession, Secretary? I've watched your missteps for too long". Eric has no choice but to tell his sins, the reason he had Natalie killed, his rejection of his fated and accepting a second chance, and the selfish reason he marked Rachel. A sigh of disbelief passes through those present.
Selene now turns to Ralph.
"Ralph, I gave you the Kingdom despite you not being the rightful heir," she starts. "Also, I gifted you Rain, you were infatuated with her and confident in making her your Queen. Even though I had already given her a mate, I still allowed you a place in her life," she holds out to the man hatefully. "Jasper suffered but still respected my decision. But you clearly don't intend to. Ralph, do you have more authority than me? Are you the creator of the werewolves and determine your own fate?" The King's hands visibly tremble under the Moon Goddess' reprimand, now beginning to understand only now does he understand that he is the main fugitive in the dock.
"Not at all, Moon Goddess. Our entire species are subject to your judgment. That is why we honor you every time for preserving our packs," he pleads submissively but not enough to improve Selene's mood. "Ralph, during your training, you were taught the history of the Palace. That legend is about an ancestor King who had a chosen mate and when his fated finally emerged, she caused a bloodbath. She could not bear spending her life without her fated and was not willing to accept a second chance," she refreshed the King's mind. "And you know what she did to claim her position?"
Ralph nods, unable to utter anything.
Selene doesn't want to spare him in all this. "Ralph, do you have a confession, too? I won't do it for you, this cross you will have to bear yourself. I demand that you take responsibility!" she gruffs. Now the King starts to tremble all over his body. Rain follows the conversation with full attention. A frown appears on her face. Her gut warns her that something life-changing is going on here. "Ralph, I want to hear what this is all about," she states, her eyes fixed on the man. "Eric has pretty much let us down. Don't tell me you actively participated in that, please."
Selene snarls as Ralph remains silent.
His Adam's apple rams down his throat as he finally faces Rain. "Baby, I adore you, you know that. Ever since I saw you the first time, you captivated my thoughts," he declares. "I made a few misjudgments. But it was only because I love you and want you with me for the rest of our lives, my love," he indicates, begging for understanding. Everyone in the room starts to move uncomfortably. Rain's reaction to Ralph's error is still incalculable. No one dares to believe that history will repeat itself today, although Selene's words indicate a lot in that direction. Reminding Ralph of the legend of the former King and the fated mate speaks volumes.
"Come clean, Ralph. Don't waste our time here," it sounds irritated from the Oracle.
The King walks over to his Queen and takes both her hands in his. "Rain, this is hard for me. I bow to whatever punishment you have for me. I swear I was drunk, vulnerable to all evil," he asserts sternly. "And I thought to hear you say that was all King Jasper's fault," echoes ironically behind him. Ralph turns to his old friend Ivor, only to meet eyes full of hatred there. He is startled by his friend's reversal.
"Rain, I committed adultery. On the night of you giving birth to the pups, I slept with an unknown she-wolf," he confesses, tears streaming down his cheeks. "It was a moment of weakness, I was drunk. Trust me, babe, it will never happen again". Ralph was not done speaking and everyone in the room witnessed how Rain's sharp claws emerged. Her Lycan forces itself out and stands on its hind legs. The pride of her stature rises above all heads, her razor-sharp fangs elongate. The roar bubbling up from deep within her chest shakes the Kingdom to its foundations.
"And if that wasn't enough, a few minutes ago, he was plotting another assassination. This time on Jasper. Just to cover up his evil mind and think he'll have you all to himself," Selene adds. "I was waiting for your pronouncement on how to handle this situation, King Ralph. Killing Jasper, the ancient Royal bloodline, was how you confirmed your own death sentence".
Hearing these words, Rain bowed to Ralph, locking her flaming silver eyes with his.

Killing Jasper and rendering her pups fatherless is the most heinous in this whole scheme. With a pinpoint swing of her razor-sharp claws, she rips his head from his torso. Blood spat from the open wound of his neck as she held his head in triumph in the air. Her Lycan picks up Ralph's lifeless body and tosses it onto a stone bench in front of the Moon Goddess. Selene blows forward and blazes a hot fire over Ralph's corpse. With eyes wide open, everyone stares at what is unfolding before them. Ralph's corpse burns as if in the hottest oven. The flesh roasts away, while the bones contain a smoldering fire.
"Sages, Ralph's crown must be at the Oracle within a day. And then begin the festivities on his installation of Jasper as the only King of the werewolf species and the Royal Kingdom," Selene commands. She raises her hand and Rain shifts back into her human form. Smiling, she raises her eyes to the Queen. "The Crown Prince will have the same name as the last King of the old Kingdom. Jarrett Jasper is the name I give him at the Name Giving Ceremony," Selene announces. "And I have heard your wish, Rain. You want to name the second Prince after you and Jasper's father. I approve of that. Marc Kenston will be his name, then. And the next pups, I grant you to name yourself". Queen Rain bows deeply to the Moon Goddess, clearly heavily emotional.
"Thank you, that means so much to me," she whispers before Jasper takes her comfortingly in his arms....