ALDRIC
The head elder's voice cut through the murmuring crowd.
"Alpha Aldric Donlon. You have heard the charges brought against you. How do you answer them?"
I stood with my hands loose at my sides. The healing Madeline had performed still sat warm in my chest. My nails had returned to their normal color. The tremor was gone. I felt steady again. Strong enough to do what needed to be done.
"Not guilty," I said. My voice carried clearly through the hall. "To every single charge."
Elder Callum nodded once.
"Then you will be given the opportunity to defend yourself against the testimony brought forward." He gestured toward the gallery. "We will begin with the witnesses who have come forward."
I watched him shuffle through the papers in front of him. He was moving slower than necessary. Drawing it out. Making a show of the process. I knew what he was doing. He was buying time. Trying to figure out which way the wind was blowing before he committed too hard in any direction.
