Dire(65)

“See you later.” Allie waved before hurrying down the hall.

“Why was the queen telling you she’d see you later?” Denny asked as we walked back to the court room.

“Girl talk.” I smiled.

“I’m sure,” he grumbled.

***



I tried to stay calm as I waited in the witness chair. They’d referred to me as “the wolf’s mate,” when they called me to sit. I’d been so nervous I’d barely listened to Hunter or Denny’s testimony. They kept their stories short depicting Gage as an enraged lover trying to protect the honor of his mate. I wanted everything to be over.

I took a few deep breaths as I finally saw Gage sitting in the front row. His hands were tied behind his back, and he was watching me with a mix of concern and curiosity.

“Please state your name for the record,” a man in the dark suit asked.

I froze. I’d seriously screwed up. I’d told Allie my name was Mary Anne. I was never supposed to do that. My name was Jane for all everyone knew. Oh my god.

“Jane Mary Anne Sterling.” Maybe they’d believe Mary Anne was my middle name? I didn’t dare look at the queen. We’d decided the easiest solution to explaining why my ID last name matched Hunter’s was that I was his human step-sister. That made what Gage did even more excusable because he was also defending his Alpha’s sister.

I knew Hunter wasn’t happy about me pretending to be his sister, but considering he was annoyed at me for sharing my honest feelings about Gage, it probably wasn’t the biggest of his concerns.

“Jane?” The king rose and looked at me. “Do you understand that you’re under oath here?”

“Yes.”

I crossed my fingers behind me. I couldn’t believe I was going to do what I was about to do.

“Can I take this one, Levi?” Allie stood up.

“Oh. You want to interview the witness?” The king looked at his wife.

“Yes.”

“Sure.” He sat down.

“Jane.” She smiled slightly. Did she understand I was lying? “Are you in love with that Were over there?” She pointed to Gage.

That was an easy one. “Yes.”

“And have you committed yourself to spending your life with him?”

I could picture it. I wanted it. “Yes.”

Gage smiled slightly.

“And will you do a better job keeping him out of trouble?”

“Excuse me?” Her question took me by surprise.

“If he’d been with you, we could probably have all avoided this mess.”

“I’ll do everything possible to keep him out of trouble.”

“That’s my last question for you.” Allie grinned. “Witness dismissed.” Allie sat down. Levi leaned over to talk to her and shook his head. She just smiled.

I stood and started toward Denny.

“You may sit with your mate if you prefer.” The king stopped me in my tracks.

I turned around to look at him. “Thank you.” I took a seat next to Gage.

Gage smiled lightly, but said nothing.

The king cleared his throat. “After hearing all of the evidence, I don’t believe a severe punishment is necessary in this case. We all understand what draws a man to defend his mate’s honor. However, his wrong doing cannot go unpunished. He seriously injured three humans and revealed his true nature to a room full of humans. Such behavior can put the entire Society at risk.”

“Would the Alpha please approach the bench?” Hunter strode up to the front.

“The punishment I have in mind seems fair under the circumstances. Your wolf will spend six months in Society custody. At that time, if he behaves correctly he can return to his pack.”

“What of his mate?” Allie interrupted. “What happens to her?”

The king looked at me. “She can stay under her brother’s care.”

“I can keep him under control.” Hunter’s voice had the king turning away from me.

“You didn’t last time.”

“I will do a better job. I will keep him under my watch at all times.”

I sent a silent thank you to Hunter. I knew his natural instinct would be to allow Gage to be sent away. Or would it? If they watched him would they discover what he was?

“I appreciate your loyalty to your pack member, but I can’t allow that. He will be returned to you in six months as long as his behavior warrants it.”

Allie’s face fell and she gave me a sympathetic look. I guess this was something she couldn’t override him on.

The king took Allie’s arm, and they walked toward the doors of the courtroom. He stopped momentarily. “Guards please escort the Were out of the courtroom.”