Auren POV


    words were such a shock that I felt earth shifting beneath my feet. I whipped my head to look at Lucien who was also staring at Bram. Confusion and anger warred inside me and it was palpable in the air.


    Elder Vincent raised his eyebrows as he turned his head in look at Elder Peter. "Is there something you would like to add, Elder Peter!"


    Peter coughed in his hand, his demeanor turning awkward. Then he nodded and said, "Yes. Kizvralled me a few days ago. He expressed his concern over how his daughter was being treated by the Shadowfang pack. He said that Luna Auren hated Sable and was looking for ways to either humiliate her or injure her. Ruzy was afraid that Sable might die at the hands of Luna Auren for no reason, and Alpha Lucien wouldn''t say a word." Saying that he took out a folder from his bag and pulled out a few paper. "These are phone records between Rizy and me. You can verify them" He gave those papers to Eller Vincent, who appeared to be bewildered by this sudden change in the direction of the case.


    Vincent flipped through the call details as I stared at him with knots in my stomach. I just couldn''t understand what Bram was doing. He had said


    as going toy his im on me that I was his mate. But why was he implicating Lucien!


    Vincent shook his head. "Yes, these call records say that Rizy was indeed scared for his daughter''s life" Then he looked at Lucien. "Alpha Lucien, I hope you know thew that killing a pack member without fault is a punishable offence. Your Alpha title can be stripped.


    It was then I realized Bram''s game. He was going to hit two birds with one stone. He would not only stake his im over me, but he was going to make sure that Lucien loses his position


    Lucien froze. For a moment he was quiet as his mind processed what Elder Vincent said. Then in a controlled voice, he said. "Elder Vincent, I am aware of that but firstly, Sable is not found as yet. So we can''t assume that she is dead. Secondly, I already proved that in the alley, it was Sable who attacked Auren, and not vice versa. As for my pack members, I don''t control their thinking. I wasn''t aware of Rizv''s fear. There were many instances in which I should have banished Sable earlier, but I didn''t I was lenient to her on many asions, and-" He held his chin high. "I regret not taking


    action earlier


    Vincer exhaled roughly, shaking his head. "This is not helping your case," he gritted. "It is already proven that since Sable wasn''t found anywhere. she is assumed dead along with four other wolves"


    Tears stung the back of my eye. We came back to square one. Lucien tried his best to help me out of this situation, but Bram was winning.


    "Elder Vincent," Bram interrupted. "While I know that what Auren did was heinous, but-" He looked at me tenderly. "I can''t let her die or rot in High Council prison.”


    I felt Lucien stiffening as I waited for Bram''s final blow


    Sind how are you going to save her?" Vincent growled. -


    Bram''s lips curled up. He dered loudly, "Auren is my moon mate.


    A collective gap erupted behind me. All the Elders were shocked. Murmurs bubbled in the air.


    or rot in the


    bram continued. "And so I beg you to release Auren Moon males are rare. Please give Athen back to me. I can''t live without her. I know that thew


    allow you to kill a moon mate" He turned to walk toward me confidently with a victorious smile. Til take her back with me. If you want. I


    wtaichi would protubat her from going out of the Crimson Howl pack for entire life Give Auren back to me"


    My blood as cold as my stomach twisted in revulsion at his words. The way he spoke, as if I was a possession he was bartering. It made me sich "No" Iberathed, but any voice was drowned out by the murmurs that rippled in the council hall.


    Lucien''s grow] shuttered the y


    space "Over my dead body," he snarled, stepping between us. His muscles tensed, and his eyes burned with fury: "She


    "She was mine brut" Bram countered stoody "Thews are clear. The moon mate bood prevails above all. You took what was mine, and now I''m here to take her back "Hu gaze flickered in Lider Vincent. "What is your verdict, Elder?"


    aurent stroked his beard. "Thew does protect moun m


    e papers


    moun mates. And so I pardon Auren. She will return to Alpha Bram Prepare the papers.


    with victory in has eyes, with that gleam, with that smug face, I felt like my heart was cleared in two. My chest constricted in pator Thick. Aures, tank. I couldn''t go back with Bram. Not after he rejected ine. Not after Lucien came into my life. But there was one thing I


    walk toward zur, korking. "Didn''t I tell you


    tell you this will happen


    Suddenly, I dared no Jucien and hugged him Lucien beld me tightly against him


    as he glued at Bram. "Tacien," I murmured, desperation Lacing


    cien jerked i


    tark ror!" Imanded him.


    restated, his jaw locked tight. "Auren" his voice was hoarse, tortured. He picked


    me up in his arms and I wrapped my legs around his waist.


    "What are you doing?" Bram shouted at me.


    pressed against Lucien, tilting my head, baring my neck. "Do it," I whispered. "Before he takes me away.


    Something inside him snapped. With a possessive snarl, he grazed my skin and then sank his fangs into my flesh. "Mine, Mine. Mine." He growled.


    stifling my scream. My body trembled as the bond red to life, searing through me like wildfire,


    Areazingly, my fangs also slipped out of my gums and without thinking twice, I marked him. He snarled, realizing what I did, cupping the back of my head and pressing it hard on his neck. Lucien reluctantly removed his fangs from me and licked over the mark, sealing it. I did the same with


    Godden. Now the emotions


    ms that su


    surged through me were so primal.


    He set me on my feet and we turned to Bram. Lucien''s eyes glowed gold, primal


    and fierce. "She is mine," he growled. "I''m her second chance


    mate


    His words shocked me. My second chance mate? But it felt natural. My gaze locked onto Bram''s stunned face, I said in a loud voice for everyone to hear. "You seem to have forgotten. I already epted your rejection several days ago. And until those papers are signed, I''m still Lucien''s wife. But


    now I''m his mate."


    Bram''s face darkened, rage shing in his eyes. All the Elders stared at us. bewildered as hell.


    Lucien pulled me closer and smirked, "Guess you''ll have to find another mate. Suddenly, all the phones in the hall chimed together. A video surfaced.