~Aurora~

　　World leaders, adjudicators, my pack's elders and Leif all sat in a semicircle at the top of the court. Beneath them were us, the accused. Right beside my foot was Alexia Thorn, somehow way too happy to be here at this moment. Such a little attention seeker she was being. She wore a scarlet dress which would need no introduction to define her personality.

　　"It's going to be alright. I've got powerful people from my side as well." On his throne beside me, Emeric held my hand softly and assured me. I could see Alexia looking at our hands on his throne's armrest. She was eyeing our intertwined hands, probably to collect more 'evidence' to accuse us of being together.

　　"I'm a naturally affectionate person. You've got it all wrong from the beginning, Thorn." Without even looking at her, Emeric spoke to her. I gently retracted my hand back to myself. Alexia, on the other hand, twisted her entire body like an excited child. I refrained heavily from rolling my eyes at her!

　　"Let's see about that, Prince Emeric. I have a strong argument to pose as well." I could feel the rage from Emeric as she said that. Leif, and probably my pack's elders would take her side. Aside from them, there is no one sitting here in the courtroom who knows her that well to take her side.

　　It's going be one hell of a discussion today, with her trying to accuse Emeric and I.

　　"All members of court are present here, on this day, to talk about the possible scandal proposed by Alexia Thorn of Nightshade pack.

　　Behalf of the court of ministers and several kings and rulers of nations, I hereby take the role of the speaker." Said Beta Roman as we all took a deep breath in.

　　After formally introducing everyone of us sitting on the level above, Beta Roman had asked Alexia to forward her statement.

　　"Yes. So as I was saying, Prince Emeric of Whispering Pines Lycan Kingdom and Aurora Fangborn of Darkforest pack have been maintaining a relationship. I wouldn't tag it illicit. But what makes them unfaithful to these prestigious trials of Heirs is that he is supporting her from behind the scenes. There is no other reason how Aurora Fangborn - the spoiled daughter of Den Fangborn - would have won the Trials of Heirs. There is simply no way, unless she's had help from a powerful person. And the powerful person as we speak, was holding her hand and assuring her." Said Alexia.

　　"Your honor," Emeric stood up after Alexia presented her initial argument, "I show no interest towards women. Whatever has been given as pieces of advice and assurance to a woman like Aurora Fangborn were nothing but acts of service as a Prince of this Kingdom. If Alexia Thorn is daring to accuse me of helping Aurora Fangborn and possibly being the reason for her victory, why did other members join the special training regime I proposed? With the help of our Kingdom's Guard Captain, I asked him to pick fifteen candidates - first come, first serve basis - to train them to the best of their abilities." I turned to look at the judge, he's from a different nation.

　　"I object to his statement, your honor." My eyes widened when I heard his voice, yet again. I gulped heavily. And I know, I just know that he's looking down at me from his level above me.

　　"Alexia Thorn has gone to the Trials to represent my pack, The Frostmoon pack. However, due to her personal reasons she used unauthorized hallucinogens on Aurora Fangborn, my ex-fiancée. However, that doesn't dismiss the fact that Aurora Fangborn and Prince Emeric Wildhart have been meeting at discretion. In the corridors, in his study, and probably, in each other's rooms as well." Saying, Leif sat back down. He made a small sound, similar to a scoff…when I rose from my seat to speak against him.

　　"I dismiss the accusation of Leif Lupus, your honor. Prince Emeric and I used to meet discreetly, only to discuss more about the investigation surrounding Alexia Thorn's act against me. Before that, I went to meet him at his study only twice. Those were times when I was curious about the Trials. Everyone from the contestant list was allowed to meet the host of the Trials at a specific time a day. Following that, he's given me no such special attention. Clara, a fellow contestant, received the same kind of treatment when she was wounded as well. Prince Emeric is not inclined towards me at all, nor I towards him. That's all, your honor."

　　With my final words with evidence given out, the judge with other rulers and alphas discussed discreetly within themselves. The ministers were involved after a few minutes, and they helped their Prince. They had his meeting schedule, camera footage around specific times and all those ready to back up their Prince.

　　"We have come to a conclusion, but before that, we need confirmation and opinion from Aurora Fangborn's pack elders. The five elders of the Darkforest pack, please tell us about the Heiress of your pack."

　　"Allow me. I have been observing Aurora Fangborn since she was a child, so I shall speak on behalf of all us five elders, post seeking permission to." My eyes widened and I turned around slightly to face the…Third Elder. I blinked, trying to justify if he's the right person to talk about me or not.

　　He's been involved with my life more than anyone else. No one from the five bothered to know about me. But Elder John has been curious, and judgemental of me since the beginning of time. He might be the best person to talk about me, but at the same time…he must be the worst of them all to speak ill about me as well. He will be as frank as possible, straightforward too.

　　For some reason, my heart couldn't stop pounding against my chest.

　　"Where do I even begin?" Elder John sighed, "Aurora Fangborn was born to Den Fangborn - in my opinion, the most adept alpha I've ever seen in my life. Den Fangborn's genes of being aggressive and standing her ground at all times led us all to believe Aurora Fangborn was a bad person. Although, in reality, she reminds us all of Den Fangborn's vigor, his vitality."

　　Am I hearing the right things?

　　Elder John was trying to compliment me? He's comparing me to dad, who we all still believe is a great, great alpha. He's many alphas' inspiration, even to this day!

　　Suddenly, my eyes opened a little more as I began to view the world with brighter colors.

　　"If there is anything I can say against my own future alpha, it's just that she needs to show less aggression, and a little more love to her people.

　　She could never accept anyone's help to win in these trials. That is what I believe, and that is how I shall conclude."

　　I blinked twice, then thrice.

　　"However, we shall propose an idea after the discussion. To dismiss accusations fallen upon both parties, we Elders along with Leif Lupus have come up with a simple, yet effective way to judge Den Fangborn's daughter's true strength."

　　I knew Elder John wouldn't make this seem easy for me. But I'm just glad he didn't say anything falsely wrong and bad about my character. I'm grateful for his honesty.

　　"And what might that be, Elder?" The judge asked curiously.

　　"It is for alpha Leif Lupus to explain,"

　　Saying sweetly, Elder John sat back on his chair, elegantly.

　　We all turned to Leif Lupus.

　　Yet, my heart couldn't stop drumming in anticipation, at all.

　　With papers from the discussion in his hand, he looked at me briefly, and started speaking…