Last time on Blind Hope

"Now we proudly stand," John said, lifting his arms in the air, "with Castiglione, the great werewolf Hunter, at our feet!" The audience went crazy. Cheering, shouting, howling - any noise of celebration they could make. However, there was still a major problem.

There were still two Alphas who tried to kill their own.

"In light of these new events," Dorian's booming voice cut the cheers instantly, "the trial is dismissed for one day. The Queen and I wish to convene with the High Elder and the jurors." Hope squeezed Dorian's hand.

~~~~~~~~~~

The Councilman paced up and down the throne room where the jurors met with the King and Queen. "This is absurd. Absolutely insane."

"Why? Because you didn't figure it out?" 

"Dorian!" Hope snapped, looking at him. "Are you a King or a child?" A few Lunas in the jury snickered, and Dorian frowned, looking away. "Councilman, you kept hinting throughout the trial that John and Tammy might be alive. Why?" The Councilman puffed out his chest slightly, thrilled at least one Royal was on his side. 

"Because in my investigating, I couldn't find graves, bodies, or evidence of murder." 

"Regardless," Dorian sighed, taking Hope's hand and rubbing small circles on her palm, "we still have a problem. Bruce and Victoria didn't kill anyone, so rightfully they cannot be charged with murder. They did however, use unlawful authority and commit child endangerment by attempting to..." His hand tightened on Hope's and his jaw clenched as he desperately tried to keep his wolf and anger down. "Kill Hope." 

"That's true," an elder Alpha of the jury said. "However, they did try to rectify the mistake." His Luna patted his arm. 

"The jury originally voted to have both Alpha Victoria and Alpha Bruce killed for their crimes. Given the circumstance, I no longer think that is the right method." A few other juror's expressed their opinions, though they were similar in nature. 

The group went back and forth discussing varying opinions on guilty and not guilty. The Councilman would occasionally weigh in, along with the High Elder; however the King and Queen merely listened. Tired of listening to the back and forth babble, Dorian huffed and stood. 

"It seems to me that the general opinion is that Victoria and Bruce are still guilty, correct? I have a suggestion." He announced his take on the matter, and the elder Alpha nodded slowly, looking at each juror separately. They were all in agreeance. They traveled back to the courtroom where everyone waited anxiously. 

"Ladies and gentlemen," the High Elder called out, drawing everyone's attention to the front of the room, "unless there be any word, His Majesty will now announce the fate of Alpha Victoria and Alpha Bruce." No one spoke. 

Relieved, Dorian stood. "It was a difficult decision, but one that must be made. Alpha Victoria and Alpha Bruce, originally you were to face the death penalty; however, being told the truth of the matter, you are saved from that fate." Emily sighed and whimpered, relieved. "The both of you are hereby stripped of your Alpha titles and any position you might have concerning the pack." Victoria and Bruce's heads dropped in shame, but they knew that was how it must be. "Currently ruling for the Heart Pack, is their eldest son Gramm. He will continue to takeover the pack." Gramm stood, nodding his understanding. "Currently ruling for the Kindred Pack, is a combination of Luna Emily and her eldest son Larry." They both stood. "Luna Emily, would you like to be installed as Alpha knowing Bruce will be unable to be by your side as a ruling partner?" Emily hesitated, looking at Bruce. She bit her lip and looked back up at Dorian. 

"No, Your Majesty. Larry is almost ready to takeover. May I propose that our Betas become temporary Alphas until Larry is ready?" 

"Yes. I trust you will oversee the matter before stepping down?"

"Of course, Majesty." Emily bowed and sat back down. Larry followed suit. 

"This concludes the trial of former Alphas Victoria and Bruce. Release them." The High Elder bowed to the King and everyone dispersed as Victoria and Bruce were uncuffed and handed to their mates. The trial had lasted far longer than anyone could have imagined and the Alpha families were anxious to return to their territories. 

Bruce walked over to Emily looking like a scalded dog. "Hello, love." It was barely a whisper. "I'm sorry." Emily threw herself at him and hugged him, rocking back and forth. 

"I thought you were going to die!" He picked up her little frame, trembling from the sobs, and nodded slowly at Larry. 

"The rest?"

"They stayed in our room." Larry wasn't cordial, but he wasn't unfriendly either. He was indifferent to his father, knowing but not comprehending his father's motives. Larry lead his father to their room, and Hope listened to them go, her heart clenching in sadness. 

Drake wouldn't look at Victoria, and Gramm stood before them, looking devastated. "What will you do?" He asked. 

"Drake?" Victoria murmured, taking his arm. While he didn't respond, he didn't push her arm away either. Sighing, she faced Gramm. "I don't know. I... I just don't know." She leaned forward, wrapping Gramm in a hug and kissing his forehead. "You can go back to the pack and explain things, if you need." He nodded and began walking away. Victoria's grip tightened on Drake as she looked over where Vivian stood with John and Tammy. "Thank you."

"Of course, Victoria," Tammy smiled easily. "It'll be alright." With a nudge from her mother, Vivian faked a smile. Drake and Victoria left. 

Neither family said a word to Hope, and her heart hurt.

 "Well, Dorian," John said, unashamedly calling out his King by first name, "Blake, I think we should have a talk. Man to man." 

"Dad-" Vivian began, but Tammy silenced her with a pat on the arm. 

"And we girls can have ourselves a little chat." Tammy took Hope and Vivian, linking her arms through theirs and off they went. Vivian waved at Blake, mouthing "good luck," and Blake's eyes shot up. It was just a talk... right?

If Dorian was scared of the aura Vivian could put out, he was terrified of John's. How the family managed to become so strong with no Alpha or Beta blood was beyond his understanding. "Well, Dorian, do you have a nice spot we can talk?"

Taken off guard, Dorian barely managed an answer. "Ah, yes. I have... a parlor?" He waved towards a door off to the side, and John nodded, heading towards it. 

"Have to respect a man with a parlor."

"Hear that?" Dorian whispered, brushing past Blake. "Better get yourself a parlor."

"Oh, I'll get myself a parlor," Blake muttered, following behind. "It'll be a big parlor. A grand parlor. Better than any parlor you ha-" His words were cut off when he entered the small room. It was small and cozy, but nearly as elegant as the throne room. "Ah, dang."