Chapter 58
Valencia’s POV
The tension in the chamber was suffocating. Every glance, every shift of movement from the council members, felt like the weight of judgment pressing down on me. I tried to focus on my breathing, but my heart wouldn’t stop pounding.
“Mrs. Valencia, please take a seat inside the enclosure,” one of the guards instructed, gesturing to a glass box off to the side.
The enclosure was stark and sterile, a soundproof chamber wili walls of thick glass. The door closed with a soft hiss as ! stepped inside, sealing me off completely. I’couldn’t hear anything, and the eerie silence made the room feel even colder.
Through the glass, I could see Dante taking the center of the room. His posture was straight, his expression calm and unreadable. He was the picture of composure, his sharp suit only adding to his formidable presence.
The council began their questioning.
1 couldn’t hear a word, but I watched every nod, every twitch of their expressions, hoping to glean something–anything- from their reactions. Dante spoke evenly, his lips moving with practiced ease, never faltering. The council members exchanged glances, nodding in agreement more often than not
For the first time since this,ordeal began, hope flickered within me. Dante didn’t seem distressed. That was a good sign right?
Finally, after what felt like an eternity, Dante’s turn ended. He gave me a small, reassuring nod as he stepped toward the glass box, his gaze steady and unwavering
It was my turn now.
I swallowed hard as I stepped into the center of the room. My legs felt like lead, but I forced myself to stand tall. I couldn’t afford to show any weakness–not now.
“Mrs. Valencia,” Lupin Blanc began, his voice smooth yet commanding, “let us begin with introductions. Please state your name, age, and current pack affiliation for the record.”
1 complied, my voice steady though my hands trembled slightly
“Valencia Steele. 20 years old. Steele Pack.”
Of course, according to wolf traditions, now that I was married, was part of my husband’s pack.
The questions started simple enough: my relationship with Dante, the circumstances of our marriage. But then they turned
invasive.
“When did you first meet Alpha Dante?”
“Under what circumstances did your union take place?”
Thesitated slightly, glancing at Dante through the glass enclosure. His gaze was fixed on me, his presence grounding me. I steeled myself and answered honestly, recounting how I’d run away and how Dante had found me.
“And what transpired between the two of you upon your meeting?” Lupin’s voice was neutral, but the question made my skin crawl
My cheeks burned, and I honestly wanted to roll my eyes. Because what the fuck did they think happened? That we played Chess? but I refused to let my discomfort show and made it as clear as possible. “We had sex.” I replied evenly, though my hands clenched at my sides.
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Chapter 58
问题
“Were there prior relations?” Arnav Evangeline asked, his aquaririne eyes piercing. “With anyone other than Alpha Dante?”
My jaw tightened, anger flaring in my chest. Of course, they would ask this. Omegas were always subject to this kind of treatment, as if our worth depended solely on our purity and usefulness.
“No, I was a virgin before that.” I said, my voice slurp.
Their questioning continued, probing into every detail of my pregnancy, the symptoms I’d experienced, and the circumstances of Castor’s birth.
It was as if my running away was irrelevant–as if it were completely normal for an Alpha to hunt down their mate, marry them, willing or hot.
The absurdity almost made me laugh.
I cast a glance at Dante. He was watching me closely, his expression neutral but his frown betraying his concern. My anger surged.
What did he know about this kind of scrutiny? About being treated as nothing more than a tool? An Alpha was born to be respected, loved, protected. What had I done to deserve being born a bastard Omega, a political pawn, a plaything, a machine for birthing heirs?
A bitter thought crossed my mind: Jaxon had only turned cruel after my first miscarriage. Before that, he’d been kind, doting even. But the moment he believed me to be broken, my worth in his eyes had crumbled.
Would Dante be the same?
My stomach twisted at the thought of losing Castor–of something happening to my child. The mere idea was enough to make my blood run cold.
I glanced at Dante again, and this time, his frown deepened. I cursed silently, realizing he could feel my emotions. Could he sense the turmoil in my mind? Did he know what I was thinkingi
I tore my gaze away, desperate to mask my feelings. I hated how exposed I felt around him–how vulnerable.
“Thank you
you for your cooperation so far, Mrs. Valencia,” Arnav said, his tone courteous. “There is just one last matter we need to address before this proceeding can conclude,”
Maya Bordeaux smiled faintly, her crimson lips curling upward, but something about her expression made my churn.
stort.c
The council turned their attention to Dante. “Alpha Dante, please step outside the chamber for a moment,” Lupin instructed.
Dante hesitated, his eyes darting to me. I felt the reassuring waves of his pheromones washing over me through the bond. steady and warm.
I gave him a small nod, though my body felt like a string pulled taut, ready to snap at any moment.
Dante stepped out of the room, the heavy doors closing behind him.
I sat back in my chair, my hands clenched into fists on my lap. My gaze flickered to Castor, still encased in the glass box at the center of the room. The black fog surrounding it had dissipated, but its absence did little to calm my nerves.
The silence stretched on, heavy and oppressive. Only a couple minutes passed.
And then it hit me.
14:55 Tue, Jan 14 GUO
Chapter 58
A sharp, searing pain lanced through my chest, like a string beit of the two strings going deadly silent
My breath hitched, and my heart felt like it had stopped beatin
“No,” I whispered, panic clawing at my throat. “No, no, no!”
The unbearable silence in my bond made me scream.
SEND GIFT
宙
14:55 Tue, Jan 14 GO
Chapter 58
A sharp, searing pain lanced through my chest, like a string being violently severed. My mind swerved, the constant melody of the two strings going deadly silent
My breath hitched, and my heart felt like it had stopped beating
“No,” I whispered, panic clawing at my throat. “No, no, no!”
The unbearable silence in my bond made me scream.
