Chapter 17: Final verdict

The judges announced, "Silence the court is in session, trials may now continue" and everyone got back to their seat.

Immediately the lawyer for Waterwoods got up, "Sire, Ms Selene had accused us of the attack on John Walter, we have the Alpha of Waterwoods- Fang Warchild here in the court to clarify that claim"

The judge signalled to call him in the box and Fang stepped inside the square.

"Mr Fang'', said the elderly judge in his slow pace, "I have heard you keep knowledge of all the subject matters of Waterwoods despite living in the minister's quarter. We already know the attack on Channing was done by your people, what do you have to say about Selene's claim?"

I had a little smile on my face knowing this was going to be over now. About the price Fang asked for, I never planned on paying it! And anyway there shouldn't be any price for the truth, he will learn that today.

Fang cleared his throat and spoke in his deep husky voice, "Selene's claim that one of us killed John..."

His gaze turned to look at me and a smirk played on his face as if the tables were turned on me as if he was about to say a big NO. I took a deep breath, breaking our eye contact and waiting for his words.

"...is true!"

The entire court was in commotion again. "Order in the court," said the female judge, "Please justify Mr Fang"

He did it! Finally, he said it!

Fang continued, "What Selene said is true. And to make the matter more clear, I killed John Walter!"

My eyes went wide at his claim, I thought he just knew the killer and was protecting them. I should have known better how devious this man is. The crowd was going nuts at his confession. Even their lawyer went speechless at it trying to understand what just happened!

"Let me justify Sire" continued Fang nonchalantly, "I looked into the letters that the rookies received and the one that I received, they both had the same handwriting. I matched it with a previously delivered official letter from all over the kingdom and the handwriting matched the one that I received from Winterwells"

He pulled out three letters from his pocket and handed them to his lawyer, which was then passed on to the judges by a small hole in the glass separating us. The judges looked at it and gave it to another person on the jury for verification.

"What was the conclusion to this evidence?" Asked the judge.

Fang had a devilish expression on his face and he answered, "It is John's handwriting. Provoking me was a different story, but John had laid such traps several times in the past to kill their previous Alpha as well. Every time he targeted our new recruits and in the process, all our new blood would be either killed or severely injured!

"I always tried to find proper evidence but nothing came in the lights. This particular letter was also instructed to be burned but luckily someone gave it to me! As soon as I got to know the whereabouts of the attack, I rushed to the scene and saw John's wolf there. That was a simple golden opportunity and I took it. I murdered John for killing and using my people for his selfish plan!" As Fang finished his story there was pin-drop silence in the court, everyone was shocked.

The person from the jury gave the letters back and said, "It is true, the handwriting in these letters match, and John's handwriting from some old Winterwells documents match all three of them. It was indeed John who did this!"

A gasp resonated inside the court in unison, John's plan of betrayal was out in the open. My mouth was open in shock but my body was shaking, I couldn't understand the emotion that I was feeling. I was happy and I wanted to cry yet I felt disgusted hearing what John has been doing! Since how long has he tried something like that!

"It's funny how John didn't even try to get it written from someone else, it could have been an undetectable crime then!", Fang said, simpering as if telling other criminals to not repeat this mistake. I glanced at him cross-eyes but leave it be, there are just a lot of evil-minded people out here.

The elder judge announced, "The judge and the jury will have a short discussion before continuing the trials, you may go back to your seat"

All the judges and the entire jury left. I just couldn't understand how I should be reacting and for that matter what exactly should I be feeling!?

I put my head down looking everywhere utterly confused, I knew this was the best-case scenario for me but why did it feel like something didn't go right?

While I was busy with my thoughts I suddenly felt a hand pat my head. I turned around to look at Channing who wasn't even looking at me, "Don't think about it a lot, if you want to be happy, be happy. It is over now, no need to worry anymore." His words comforted me as usual. Finally, a tear rolled down my eye.

I immediately wiped it away and said, "Thank you, Channing, for doing so much for me!" And I finally smiled with my head low so no one could notice it.

I was worried a lot that I might get stuck in this case more and more with passing days, but I would be free now!

The judges returned back to the panel and started with their final statement, "Today's trial was specifically arranged to find out about John's murder. But looking at the facts and evidence we hereby declare that Selene's actions were in an attempt to protect their Alpha, so no section of the law will be applied against her attack on John.

"The case regarding Waterwood's actions will continue in the court tomorrow. The panel verdict Selene as 'Not guilty!' And the court orders for her to be released from the suspect list." Saying this he banged the gavel and continued, "As for Selene, this will be a warning from the court that don't take action in such matters, let it be handled by the higher authorities henceforth!"

I got up and bowed as a sign of acceptance towards the judge's warning. And the judges then ended the session court, "The case will continue tomorrow at a given time, for today The court is adjourned!"

The strange instrument started playing again as all the judge and the jury took their exist. Everyone started to vacate the court but I was sitting there in my seat, the lawyers and the testimonials all left but my body just wouldn't move!

Channing unlocked my silver collar and I finally breathed the fresh air that I had been wanting to since I stepped out of the castle.

A warm hand came around me and I looked to my side, Channing was looking at me with a smile, "What happened Selene? Don't you want to go back?"

I smiled at his statement and replied, "Let's go back to our village, I have had enough of this case!"

He got up and extended his hand for me to take and I just took it, pulling me towards the door. We finally exited the place and the feeling that I was free flooded my entire being.

"SELENE!", a shriek came from the outside corridor and I saw Suzan waving at us with the entire pack beside her, she cupped her mouth and shouted, "Come out fast, I can't wait to hug you!"

I immediately laughed at her cheerfulness, it was exactly what I needed right now. I turned to Channing and he let go of my hand saying, "Go ahead Selene, don't wait for me."

I let go of him and ran outside, as I exited the lobby entering the brightly lit corridor, Suzan hugged me before I could even stand still and picked me up, twirling me around.

"Suzan!... put me down", I said, a bit terrified of her actions.

"I am so happy for you Selene! Let's head back to the village, I will treat you to a pizza!...No I'll treat everyone a pizza today!", Suzan beamed upholding both my hands.

"Thank you, Suzan and everyone, for giving me courage when I came here. I thought I was alone in this, but you all were here with me! Thank you", I bowed as a habit from the castle in gratitude.

"What are you saying," ridiculed Suzan, "Didn't I say, we always stand with our pack members. But honestly speaking, it was expected of John! He was a total leech."

"Yes," said Sam, "we always saw how he tried to defy Channing's orders and plans, it was only a matter of time that his cheap tricks came in front of the world!"

I creased my brow, "So he was always like this? Didn't Channing try to check out why John was acting like that!?"

Sam sighed and replied, "Channing is a very friendly type of person, he believes - with love the entire world can change. He was the only one who would say that John was doing all that because John had more familiarity, while we tried to always convince him otherwise. But Channing must be the most shocked person to hear about John's betrayal!"

As Sam finished, I finally realised that all this time Channing was probably going through a lot of hurts. He understood what I was feeling and looked after me this whole time, but I never once tried to know what he was going through.

"You guys go ahead I'll catch up with you in a while," I requested and Suzan was about to react with a big WHY, but sam put a hand around her neck and pulled her away saying,

"We will wait for you near the stairs."

I giggled and turned around to see Channing standing there talking to the lawyer seriously. I went ahead and as soon as he saw me he asked, "didn't you go ahead with them? I'll be staying in the capital today so..."

Before he could complete it, I hugged him.