Jason Dolley as Cal Yorke

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Well, that seals it. Unless Freddy has a twin sister that I'm unaware of, the girl in the pawnshop, talking to Oleg is Freddy. Freddy walked into the shop, check. Freddy's voice loud and clear, talking to Oleg, check. Freddy putting all her 'loot' on Oleg's counter and bargaining with him, check. Freddy leaving the shop, check. The outside camera shows Freddy getting in her car and Summer in the front seat, checkmate!

Alpha Conan Herrick came prepared. No one can deny that was Freddy. All we can hope for is a sentence that will not be detrimental to her mental and physical state. Sun God helps us.

"I think we've seen enough, don't you?" Original Drago asks me.

"Yes sir, we have."

"Now shall we proceed to the sentencing." Elder Conan says.

"Not yet, sir. We aim to present a defense and ask why Summer Taylor is charged with anything at all?"

"If you will look again your honor, Summer Taylor was in the car waiting for her partner," Alpha Conan says.

"Summer didn't know where we were going. I told her I was there to see a friend, sir." Freddy yells.

"Quiet. You will maintain an ounce of decorum in this room, young woman," Original Vlad says.

"But she..."

"Freddy, quiet," I tell her.

"Cal, she really had nothing to do with this, I swear."

"I know. Don't worry, we'll work something out."

"How do we defend her? She is prominently featured in color, on live TV, Cal."

"I know Esme. The best we can do is use this sadist's actions to decrease Freddy's punishment."

"That might just work."

"Freddy, may I have permission to read your mind?" I also mind link her.

"Why?"

"To help Summer, I need to get some information from you."

"Okay," she agrees reluctantly.

"Alpha Conan sir, do you have any proof that Summer Taylor is involved in this crime?"

"Like I said she was in the car, Omega! Or are you blind? And what are you doing here? Since when, your honors, do low-rank weres speak in your presence?"

"Well, hmm, for now, he's allowed to represent the accused," Elder Alexi coughs.

"Alpha Conan, you have no proof of Summer's involvement. In fact, the only reason you added Summer Taylor to the charge is that you hope the council will hand her over to you for punishment isn't that right?"

"How do you know..."

"... And should the council do so, you know her brother, my Alpha, will not sit by idly and will most definitely challenge you."

"Your Alpha? I have no issue with werewolves."

"I'm sorry. Did I forget to mention that Alpha Salim Taylor is my alpha and I'm a member of his pack?"

"But you're a werewolf, and he's a werecat. What kind of Alpha pollutes his pack like that? A mutt in a werecat pack? That's why I must..."

"You must what? Take over his pack? Not while I'm alive, you won't."

"And you will stop me? I'll like to see you try, mutt!"

"Yes, I am, and I will stop you."

"And just for fun, I'll help him," Esme says, stares at him while blowing air on her fingers.

"So, your honors, we can all agree that Summer had nothing to do with the burglary, right? We have confirmed that the only reason Alpha Conan added her, by his own admission, was to orchestrate a challenge between him and Alpha Salim for control of Crimson River Pack."

"Alpha Conan, do you have any other proof that Summer Taylor was involved in Freddy's crimes? Even Freddy has stated that she was not involved."

"Your honors, she is outside the establishment that my stolen items were sold. Stands to reason she must have known what's going on."

"Your honors, Freddy never told her 'mate' about her hobby..."

"Hobby? That's a rich hobby. What? The vamps are suddenly low on funds she has to make do with my things?" Alpha Conan smirks.

I turn to Alpha Conan, so glad that he brought up what he believes to be Freddy's monetary gains from her theft.

"Yes, hobby because Freddy has not kept a dime from the items she took. What she did was help the pack members that you systematically threatened, abused, raped, and tortured."

"What? That is a lie your honors," he stammers. "My pack members are well cared for and I will not stand here and allow this Omega to malign my character. I discipline as needed as a good leader should, that's all."

"Your honors, may I request that we address the 'pack disruption' charges after you make a ruling on Summer Taylor?"

"Fine," Elder Alexi says. "Ah, these things used to be so easy and clear cut. Lucien, verdict please."

"Summer Taylor, rise!"

Summer gets up, holding Freddy's hand.

"Summer Taylor, we have found no evidence that you knew or taken part in the burglary. Also, we find no act of 'pack disruption' from you. We find you not guilty. Remove her!"

"Your honors, she was in the car," Alpha Conan screams.

"Quiet, cub!" Original Lucien tells Alpha Conan. "Her 'mate' has stated that she was not aware of her plans. Did you forget that we can determine if someone is lying or not, Conan? Keep that in mind."

"Now remove her!" He repeats.

"FREDDY!!! Let go of me," Summer screams, struggles against the guard's hold, as he takes her away from the room.

"Thank you, Cal," Freddy says.

"We're not done yet."

"No, but you saved my mate, and that is the most important thing. Now, I'm ready."

In a flash, gone is the terrified young lady. Now sitting up straight, legs crossed and a 'do your worst' attitude is Fredericka Klyne-Winters. I love this brave, naïve person and I will do everything in my power to protect her.

"Esme, I know we promised not to bring witnesses, but we need these two, Miranda Crowe and Allen Polley. They are two of the ones Freddy help move from Silver Eclipse Pack. Also, Luka Smith. He is a former member of Alpha Conan's pack; Can you get them here?"

"Get me the whereabouts of the first two from Freddy, and I'll be right back."

"I'll deal with burglary charge and wait on you for 'pack disruption' charge."

"Be right back."

"Your honors, may I be excused for a few minutes?" Esme asks.

"Witch, this is not a playground for your own amusement. We plan to proceed on to Freddy's charges," Elder Sheng tells Esme angrily.

"I understand sir, but we agreed to defend Freddy and I need to get some witnesses for our defense. If as Alpha Conan maintains that Freddy disrupted his pack, she has the right to defend herself against his charges."

"What witnesses? I said no witnesses, Cal." Freddy tells me.

"Trust me, please?"

"Fine. Just protect them, okay?"

"I will."

"You have ten minutes, High Priestess Esme," Elder Alexi tells her.

"Thank you, sir." And Esme disappears.

"How did she do that in YOUR chambers," Alpha Conan asks the council members.

"You ain't seen nothing yet, Alpha. You messed with the wrong witch," I tell him gleefully.

The council members teleport out of the chambers, leaving the three of us alone with the guards. Sun god help me, but I am so tempted to whoop this werecat's ass before we resume.

"One down, one to go," I whisper.

Darric and Rafe have been giving us play-by-play information on what's going on in the chambers. My respect for Cal grew immensely. He has defused Conan's plan for now. I must be more vigilant with my pack members. I cannot give that son of a bitch another opportunity to mess with me and mine.

"Right. Now I pray he does something for Freddy too," Georgiana says, leaning into Raul.

Rafe walks up to Georgiana, stoops down, holds her hand and tells her, "One thing we've learned about Cal is that, when you think he's one step ahead and you've caught up to him, you realize he is several steps ahead of you and you are left in the dust. So, don't worry Georgie, my mate knows what he's doing." He gets up, kisses her forehead and walks back to Darric.

The door opens and in walks a guard with Summer.

"Summer," she runs to me and I give her a hug, inhaling her scent. "Thank goddess!"

"Salim, they still have Freddy. You must help her. She was only helping those people;" she cries into my chest.

"Don't worry, Cal will help her. He won't leave without Freddy," and she cries harder.

"Summer come here," Georgiana calls her. She walks over and Raul gets up while Summer takes his place by Georgiana. She places Summer head on her shoulder, patting her on the back.

"Two things I know. One, Cal will not let the council hurt Freddy and two, he will bring her back to us, so no more crying. There's one thing you can do, though."

"What," she sniffles.

"Pray to your Moon goddess to help your mate. I have been bombarding my Sun-god with prayers since we got here. One of them has to listen, right?" she smiles.

"I see where Freddy gets it," Summer says smiling.

"Gets what? Her beauty, charm, intelligence, radiance, what?"

"Her stubbornness."

"You say stubbornness, I say grit," Georgiana says laughing.

It's good that the gloomy mood livened a bit. We all sit back down to wait for Freddy's trial to resume. Now we have some hope that she just might make it out alive.

"Freddy, I won't bring up the other burglaries. Let's just concentrate on this one. If they ask you questions about prior acts, just point to me and let me handle it, okay."

"Okay. What's the plan, Cal?"

"Just follow our lead. Esme's back."

"Your honor, can Esme bring in our witnesses?"

"Yes, she may," Original Drago says.

And she appears with folks I presume are Miranda Crowe and Allen Polley. And Luka Smith.

"Miranda, Allen, how are you? You didn't have to come;" Freddy gets up and hugs them both.

"Hello, Miranda, Allen? I'm Cal Yorke and need your help to defend Freddy. Did Esme fill you in on what's going on here?"

"Yes, she did. Wow! We're in the ruling council chambers? Never thought I'll ever be here in my lifetime," the female said.

"You okay?" I mindlink Esme.

"Yeah! Freddy must have done something great for them because they were eager to come even when I told them we were coming here. Most low ranked supernaturals dread coming here."

"I wonder why," I sneer.

"Did I miss anything?"

"Nothing yet."

Miranda is a slim werecat. I guess she's five feet five inches tall and in her early twenties. Her face is oval with a scar on her hairline. She covers the scar with her dirty blonde hair. And she's pregnant. Allen is tall, almost six feet, muscular werecat. He has long black hair, an eye patch over his left eye, and stands behind Freddy.

"What are you doing here, Luka?" Freddy asks.

"I was a member of Alpha Conan's pack."

"I didn't know."

"Yeah. I ran away from the pack after a brawl with Alpha's brother, Shamus. The Alpha didn't take too kindly to anyone thrashing his younger brother in front of the pack."

"Okay, everyone, listen up. Freddy is in a jam, and we're trying to get her out of the pickle she's found herself in. Don't answer questions directed at you, especially from Alpha Conan. Answer my questions and if the council members ask you a question, look at me first and I'll show if you should answer or not. Don't worry you all are protected here so don't be afraid."

"I hear the council always supports the leader no matter what, so how are we protected?" Allen asks.

"Esme and I will protect you."

"Trust them, Allen, if they say they'll protect you, they will," Freddy smiles at Allen. "And Cal, I want to fight back so do me a favor, have the video of the items I burgled shown again. This time let Miranda and Allen see it."

"Why?"

"You'll see." She smiles and sits down, back straight, eyes forward. Her order given and expected to be obeyed. I swear Klyne women can be a pain in the ass, sometimes.

"They're back," I tell them.

Everyone bows as the council members appear in their seats.

"Your honors, may I present Miranda Crowe, Allen Polley and Luka Smith, all former members of Alpha Conan Herrick's pack. They are all here as witnesses for Fredricka Klyne-Winters," I introduce the group.

"Fine. Now we have confirmed that Freddy stole Alpha Conan's belongings..."

"Elder Sheng if you please, can we show the video one more time? For the witnesses?"

"Again?" Elder Conan growls. "Is this some delaying tactic? You are testing our patience, pup!"

"I wouldn't. Please your honor."

"Fine. Go ahead."

They show the video again, and I hear Miranda gasp, and Allen growls when the items were shown. I quietly ask them what was wrong. I smile at their answers. Freddy you sneaky, burgling little vamp!

"Okay, I repeat we have confirmed that Freddy stole Alpha Conan's belongings..."

"You're wrong, Elder Sheng sir," I interrupt him.

"What do you mean?"

"Alpha Conan, are these items your belongings, family heirlooms as you previously stated?"

"Yes, they have been in my family for generations," he replies.

"I see. On the contrary, the ruby Freddy was holding belonged to Miranda Crowe's grandmother. If the guard will zoom into the right side of the gem, you'll see the letter 'E' ingrained in it, for Eastley her grandmother's maiden name."

"Is that correct young lady," Original Lucien asks Miranda.

"Yes, your highness, I mean your honor, I mean sir," she curtsys.

"And the diamond belonged to Allen's mother. A gift to her from his father, her mate. Luka Smith also recognizes the emerald and crystal set as belonging to another family in the pack."

"Alpha Conan keep in mind that if you lie, we will deal with you. Do these items belong to the individuals stated?" Original Vlad turns to Alpha Conan, seething in anger.

"Your honors. These items were seized from the families and rightfully confiscated by the previous Alpha..."

"... talk about passing the buck and throwing his father under the bus, tsk, tsk, tsk," Esme says loud enough for everyone to hear, earn a roar from Alpha Conan and a giggle? From El Dargon?

"Shut up witch!"

"Alpha Conan, we cannot proceed with your case. None of the items shown on this tape belonged to you. For a burglary charge to stand, you must be the owner of items you claim were stolen from you. Burglary claim dismissed;" Elder Alexi says.

"Now as to the 'pack disruption' claim, proceed. And Conan, I suggest you do that carefully," Elder Sheng cautions him.

"Thank you, sir. As you all know, pack rule states that a member can only leave a pack through exile, marriage or death. Fredericka's action has cost my pack twenty members as of today. I have since found out that she helped them escape from my pack to places unknown. A pack strength depends on its numbers and her actions have diminished my pack population, your honors."

"No one should tamper with pack growth and numbers, this is the rule so what do you say to this charge, Fredricka?" Original Vlad asks.

"May I speak your honor?" Esme asks.

"Go ahead, High Priestess."

"Alpha Conan said he lost twenty members? If your honors count the items in the video, they're seven in the video. They all belonged to the families that escaped from the tyranny of Alpha Conan."

"Tyranny? You better shut up witch," Alpha Conan runs up to Esme and hits an invisible wall and falls on his butt. "What the hell?"

"I warned you," I whisper.

"All these families as I will show the council have either been beaten, raped, tortured and just plain oppressed by this rabid kitty..."

"Language High Priestess," cautions Elder Sheng.

"Well, if the shoe fits and all. They escaped to a better life. And if you all don't change the rule about believing your so-called leaders when charges are brought to your attention, more pack disruptions will occur."

"Is that a threat?" Elder Conan asks.

"No, it's the reality of things to come. No one wants to be raped day in day out, ask Miranda. No one wants to be hanged on a tree for days without food or water, ask Allen. No one wants to be tortured for defending themselves against the Alpha's younger brother, ask Luka."

"This waste of a were has been torturing his people for years and you all turned blind eye to it. And now you want to hold a young lady accountable for doing what you should've done? You may want to rethink that."

"What my root means your honors..."

"You're her root? What the hell is going on here?" Alpha Conan asks the council. "This witch's root is a werewolf?"

"... is that Fredericka in all her youthful exuberance and naivety did what you all should've done. Do I think she needs to be punished? Yes, she does, but not harshly. Not for these crimes Alpha Conan brought forward but for her recklessness. Thank you."

"We will render our judgment. Fredericka Klyne -Winters, rise," Original Drago says.

"You have been found not guilty on all charges."

"YES!" Scream Miranda and Allen.

"Quiet! We're not done. This does not mean we are not aware of your activities. Once a person steps into these chambers we can see their actions on the charges brought against them. If you had not stopped what you're doing, your punishment would've been a demotion in status for life to 'fledging'..."

"Noooo!" I whisper.

"But since you stopped and was in fact, helping those, who, in our blindness have forgotten, we have decided to render the following punishment instead. You are a free spirit, who hates rules and regulations, right? For the next three years, you are to confine yourself to Nebraska where the school is being built. You will make that state your legal residence. You will work to open and run your uncle's school. You will help teach the students the benefits of making good decisions. If you step outside of the state except for the occasional visit to your family, you will be immediately brought back here for harsher punishment. And just so we know you are complying; Omega Cal Yorke will supply us with monthly updates on your activities. Is that clear?"

"Wait a minute, Original Drago, sir. Please reconsider putting me in charge of Freddy. I have a lot on my plate, I can't monitor her," I implore. "What about Esme?"

"You mean the one who gave Fredericka protective aura for her activities? She'll be no help."

"Esme, you didn't?" I turn to my root.

"Oops! Busted," Esme laughs.

"That's our ruling, Omega. It is your responsibility to direct this free spirit who does whatever she wants, and from all we've heard, acts first and thinks later. You need to teach her structure and thinking before acting. And if she so much as steals a pencil in the next three years, we will see both of you back here. Are we clear?"

"Yes, your honor," Freddy and I reply.

"You may all leave. Not you, Alpha Conan. We need to have a talk," Elder Alexi tells him.

We all bow and follow the guards out of the chambers.

"Bye, rabid kitty, don't wanna be you," Esme says as she walks by Alpha Conan.

He grabs Esme by the neck. She flips him over and slams him down hard on the floor. She whispers something in his ear and kicks him towards the council members.