LYDIA'S POV

　　"Mother," Heckim began, his voice trembling. "I… I didn't know that you were in a vulnerable state. I swear. I would never intentionally hurt Lydia. I was drunk and emotionally driven."

　　Beta Joey stepped forward, his eyes cast downward. "Princess Lydia, I am deeply ashamed of my actions. I thought I was protecting my son, but I crossed a line that should never have been crossed. I spiked your drink to ensure you would be vulnerable, hoping to push Heckim and you together. It was wrong, and I take full responsibility."

　　I felt a mix of anger and confusion. My voice shook as I spoke. "Why? Why would you do such a thing?"

　　Beta Joey sighed deeply. "I believed that securing a bond between you and Heckim would strengthen our pack's alliance with the kingdom. I thought I was doing the right thing for our people, but in doing so, I betrayed your trust and compromised your safety."

　　Heckim looked at me, his eyes filled with regret. "Lydia, I never wanted any of this. I care about you, but I would never want you to be forced into anything."

　　As Beta Joey and Heckim stood before me, I could sense there was more to the story. Joey seemed particularly uneasy, avoiding eye contact and fidgeting nervously. I decided to press him further.

　　"Beta Joey, is there something else you need to tell me?" I asked, my voice firm.

　　Joey swallowed hard and nodded. "Yes, Princess Lydia, there is more. I... I wasn't entirely honest earlier. It wasn't entirely my idea to spike your drink."

　　I frowned, confusion and anger swirling within me. "What do you mean? Who else was involved?"

　　Joey took a deep breath, his eyes filled with regret. "I received a call from the kingdom. Specifically, from members of Jason's family. They orchestrated everything through me. I thought I was just helping my son, but it turned out to be part of a larger scheme."

　　"Jason's family?" I repeated, shocked. Jason, who had caused so much pain and chaos before. The idea that his family was still plotting against me was unsettling. "Why would they want to hurt me like this?"

　　"They convinced me that aligning you with Heckim would be beneficial for everyone involved," Joey explained. "They promised it would secure a stronger alliance and help stabilize the kingdom. I believed them. I thought I was protecting my son and serving the best interests of both our pack and the kingdom."

　　I felt a surge of anger and betrayal. "So you were their pawn? You let them manipulate you into harming me?"

　　Joey nodded, tears streaming down his face. "I see that now. I was a fool, Princess. I let my desire to see my son happy cloud my judgment. I should have known better."

　　Heckim, who had been silently listening, stepped forward. "Lydia, I had no idea about any of this. I swear. I never wanted you to be hurt or manipulated."

　　I took a deep breath, trying to process this new information. "So, Jason's family is still trying to control my life from the shadows. They used you, Beta Joey, to get to me. This changes everything."

　　Alpha Chloe, who had been standing quietly, finally spoke. "Lydia, I had no idea about this involvement from the kingdom. This is serious. We need to address this not just within our pack, but at a higher level."

　　I nodded, feeling a mixture of determination and frustration. "Yes, we do. But first, we need to deal with the immediate issue. Joey, despite your intentions, you allowed yourself to be manipulated into harming me. That cannot be overlooked."

　　Joey lowered his head in shame.

　　I glanced at Alpha Chloe, who stood silently, allowing me to process the situation. Turning back to Heckim and Beta Joey, I took a deep breath. "You both have caused me immense pain and put me in a vulnerable position. Your actions were deceitful and manipulative. However, the decision for your punishment is not something I take lightly."

　　Beta Joey nodded, accepting my words. "We are prepared to face the consequences, Princess."

　　I looked at Alpha Chloe, seeking her guidance. She met my gaze with a supportive nod, indicating that she trusted me to make the right decision. "Beta Joey, Heckim, your actions have shown a complete disregard for my autonomy and safety. You both need to understand the severity of what you've done."

　　Heckim's eyes filled with tears. "I will accept any punishment you deem fit, Lydia. I just want you to know that I truly care about you."

　　I took a deep breath, trying to find the strength to speak. "Beta Joey, you will step down from your position as Beta. Trust is the foundation of leadership, and you have shattered that trust. Heckim, you will be stripped of any titles or privileges within the pack until you have proven that you can be trusted again."

　　Both men nodded, accepting their fate. Beta Joey looked up, tears streaming down his face. "Thank you for your mercy, Princess Lydia. I promise to spend the rest of my life making amends."

　　Heckim stepped forward, his voice breaking. "I will prove to you that I can be a better person. I'm so sorry for everything."

　　I turned to Alpha Chloe, who gave me a reassuring smile. "You handled this with grace and strength, Lydia. Your decision reflects wisdom beyond your years."

　　After this tense confrontation, Alpha Chloe approached me with a grave expression. "Lydia, given the recent revelations, I believe it's imperative for your safety that you have additional protection. I want to offer my army to escort you back to the kingdom."

　　I was taken aback by her generosity. "Alpha Chloe, that's incredibly kind of you. I appreciate your concern and your willingness to make amends for your family's mistakes. I won't refuse your offer."

　　With the decision made, I returned to my room to pack my belongings. The events of the past night and morning had left me emotionally drained, but I knew I needed to stay focused. As I gathered my things, I couldn't help but think about the Miller twins. The bond we shared was undeniable, yet their insistence on duty over love had wounded me deeply.

　　Just as I was fastening the last buckle on my bag, there was a knock at the door. I sighed, knowing who it was before I even opened it. Evan and Brandon stood there, their expressions a mix of desperation and sorrow.