Chapter 2

The heavy oak doors of the Lycan Council courtroom swung open, and I stumbled forward, still struggling to process what was happening. This wasn't a dream. The Moon Goddess had answered my prayers in the most unexpected way—by sending me back to the moment that changed everything.

The officer's hand pressed against my back, guiding me forward. "Keep moving," he growled.

I stepped into the courtroom, my eyes adjusting to the harsh fluorescent lighting. Everything looked exactly as I remembered—the imposing stone columns, the raised judge's bench, the gallery filled with curious onlookers. But this time, I saw it all with new eyes.

Judge Valerius sat at the center of the bench, his silver-streaked hair and stern expression exactly as I remembered from five years ago. The sight of him sent a chill down my spine—the last time I'd stood before him, I'd sacrificed everything for a lie.

"Prisoner Serena Mills," he intoned, his voice echoing through the chamber. "You have confessed to the charges of money laundering and conspiracy against the Lycan Council. Are you prepared to accept sentencing?"

I felt the weight of silver cuffs around my wrists—not the prison-issued ones I'd worn for five years, but the temporary restraints used during trials. My wolf stirred within me, stronger than she'd been in years, sensing the importance of this moment.

From the corner of my eye, I spotted Damon in the gallery. He sat beside Lilith, his hand casually resting on her thigh, looking every bit the concerned pack Alpha. The sight of him—so smug, so confident—ignited a fire in my chest.

"Serena Mills," Judge Valerius repeated, impatience creeping into his voice. "Do you understand the charges against you?"

I took a deep breath, feeling the weight of five years of suffering pressing down on me. The betrayal. The prison cell. My daughter's terrified scream. Damon's cold eyes as he pushed me away.

"No," I said, my voice stronger than I expected. "I don't."

A murmur rippled through the courtroom.

"I don't understand," I continued, turning to face the judge directly, "because I never committed those crimes."

The gavel slammed down as Judge Valerius leaned forward. "Are you recanting your confession?"

"Yes." The word felt like freedom on my tongue. "I was never involved in any illegal activities. The money laundering was orchestrated by Alpha Damon Mills, my former mate."

Damon shot to his feet. "Your Honor, this is absurd! She's clearly trying to avoid punishment—"

"Silence!" Judge Valerius's gavel cracked again. "Prisoner Serena, these are serious allegations. You confessed to these crimes just hours ago."

"I know." I lifted my chin, meeting his gaze steadily. "And I was wrong."

The courtroom erupted in chaos. Lawyers whispered urgently to one another. Reporters scribbled frantically. Damon's face had gone pale, his eyes darting nervously around the room.

Then, cutting through the noise like a blade, a voice spoke from the gallery.

"I find this interesting."

The courtroom fell silent instantly. Every head turned toward the back of the room, where a tall figure had risen from his seat.

My breath caught in my throat.

He moved with the fluid grace of a predator, his broad shoulders and commanding presence drawing every eye in the room. His dark hair was swept back from a face that could have been carved from marble—sharp jaw, piercing gray eyes that seemed to see straight through me.

"Your Majesty," Judge Valerius stammered, rising hastily to his feet. "I didn't realize you were in attendance."

The Lycan King. Kael. I'd heard stories of him—how he'd ascended to the throne just a year ago, how his reign had already brought sweeping changes to our world. But nothing had prepared me for the reality of him—the raw power that radiated from him, the absolute authority in his stance.

"Clearly," Kael replied, his voice deceptively soft as he descended the steps toward the center of the courtroom. "Otherwise, I'm certain I would have been informed of these... developments."

His eyes found mine, and something electric passed between us. Not recognition—we'd never met—but something deeper, more primal.

"Serena Mills," he said, my name sounding different in his mouth. "Explain yourself."

I straightened my spine, refusing to be intimidated despite the silver burning against my skin. "I was protecting someone who didn't deserve it. I believed my mate was innocent, that he'd been framed. I was wrong."

"And now you expect us to believe this sudden change of heart?" Kael's eyebrow arched slightly.

"I expect nothing," I replied honestly. "But I won't let an innocent person suffer for crimes they didn't commit."

"Innocent?" Kael's lips curved in a smile that didn't reach his eyes. "You just admitted to lying to the Council."

"I did." I met his gaze steadily. "And I'm willing to face the consequences of that. But first, I need to make things right."

Judge Valerius cleared his throat. "Your Majesty, while I appreciate your interest, this is highly irregular—"

"Irregular?" Kael's voice dropped dangerously low. "What's irregular is that a Luna would confess to crimes her Alpha committed."

The courtroom fell silent again. Even Damon had gone still, his face a mask of barely controlled panic.

"I want to expose Damon's crimes," I said, my voice ringing clear through the silence. "I want to bring the truth to light."

Kael studied me for a long moment, his gray eyes unreadable. Then he turned to Judge Valerius.

"I'm overriding your authority in this matter," he declared.

Gasps echoed through the courtroom. Judge Valerius looked like he'd been slapped.

"Your Majesty, the evidence—"

"Is clearly insufficient if the accused is now claiming innocence." Kael cut him off with a wave of his hand. "I'm granting Serena Mills seven days to prove her claims."

"Seven days?" I echoed, disbelief coloring my voice.

"Seven days," Kael confirmed, his eyes never leaving mine. "With conditions."

My heart sank as he continued.

"You will remain shackled at all times." His gaze dropped to the silver cuffs on my wrists. "And you will be under my personal supervision."

"What?" Damon burst out. "Your Majesty, this is—"

"Are you questioning my authority, Alpha Mills?" Kael's voice was soft, but the threat beneath it was unmistakable.

Damon paled and stepped back. "No, Your Majesty."

Kael turned back to me, his expression unreadable. "Do you accept these terms, Serena Mills?"

I thought of Mira—my daughter who didn't know me, who screamed at the sight of me. I thought of the five years I'd lost, the freedom I'd sacrificed for a man who had betrayed me in every possible way.

"Yes," I said firmly. "I accept."

Something flickered in Kael's eyes—surprise, perhaps, or respect. He nodded once.

"Then it's settled." He turned to address the courtroom. "This session is adjourned. The prisoner will be taken into custody pending investigation."

As the guards moved toward me, Kael's voice dropped to a whisper meant only for me.

"You've made a bold move, Serena Mills. I hope you know what you're doing."

I lifted my chin, meeting his gaze without flinching. "I know exactly what I'm doing."

What I didn't say was that I had no idea if it would be enough—or if seven days would be long enough to unravel Damon's web of lies before he destroyed what little I had left.