Amber, Come Here
+25 BONUS
Amber, Come Here
(Amber’s POV)
I pushed open the doors to the Blackwood Pack House, my heart pounding in my chest. The scene before me made me freeze in my tracks. Lucas was curled up on the floor, his back a mess of bloody welts. The discipline cane lay nearby, its wooden surface stained red
My eyes narrowed as I look in the crowd gathered around. William Blackwood stood tall and imposing, his face a mask of controlled fury. Walter Steele held the cause now, looking uncomfortable with his duty. Rebeca was being restrained by by Reed and Olivia, tears streaming down her face.
“Amber? Lucas’s voice was barely audible, his eyes finding mine with desperate relief.
Everyone turned to look at me. I was acutely aware of my appearance- dressed in Dominic’s oversized clothes, the sleeves rolled up multiple times to fit my arms. The sweater hang off one houlder despite my attempts to keep it in place.
Ethan’s eyes widened at the sight of me. “Why are you wearing Dominic’s clothes?” be blurted out
Tignored him completely, rushing to Lucas’s side. The poor boy looked terrible. His back was a mess of crisscrossing welts, some deep enough to draw blood. His face was pale from pain and exhaustion.
“What happened to you?” asked softly, kneeling beside him. “You look terrible.”
“Look who’s talking.” Lucas managed a weak smile, his eyes taking in my disheveled appearance
I glanced at Walter Steele, who shifted nervously under my gaze. The pack steward’s hands were trembling slightly, revealing his reluctance to continue the punishment.
Reaching out, I gently poked one of the wounds on Lucas’s back. My fingertip came away stained with blood.
“Seems like we’ve both had some bad luck lately,” I remarked, showing him my bloodied finger. “Maybe your mother should take you to see a doctor.”
(William’s POV)
I watched the Chase girl with growing irritation. Her interruption was unwelcome, yet I remembered my son Dominic’s explicit warning: “If anything happens to Amber, you’ll answer to me.”
The girl was clearly injured herself. Dark bruises peeked from beneath the collar of what was unmistakably Dominic’s clothing. My wolf growled with displeasure at her presumption, but caution held me back.
“What happened to you?” I asked, keeping my voice neutral.
Amber looked up at me, her amber eyes cold. “I got into a tight and lost,” she replied curtly. Then, to my shock, she added, ” Dad, why are you beating Lucas?”
“Dad?” I repeated, momentarily thrown off balance. No one had ever dared address me so casually outside my immediate family.
“Aren’t you going to be my father–in–law soon?” she asked with an innocent smile that didn’t reach her eyes. “I thought! should start practicing ‘
Η
The room fell silent. Even Lucas stopped groaning to stare at her.
Icleared my throat, unsettled by her boldness. “He’s being punished for breaking something valuable.”
“And what would that be?” she pressed.
Igestured to Walter Steele, giving him permission to explain struation. The loyal steward had served our family for decades and would present the facts clearly.
Walter stepped forward, still holding the discipline cane at his side. “This morning, Young Master Lucas and Young Master Ethan had an altercation in the main ball. During their fight, they mocked over Alpha King William’s prized dual–tone heirloom
Amber, Come Here
+25 BONUS
Vase.”
Amber’s eyes flickered to the broken pieces displayed on the velvet cloth.
“Young Master Ethan, Miss Melissa, and Mrs. Reed all witnessed Young Master Locas being responsible for breaking the vase,” Walter contined “When confronted, he denied it, which led to the current… disciplinary action.”
“I see,” Amber said, her expression unreadable. “And you believe them over Euca?”
Walter looked uncomfortable. “It’s not my place to
“I can prove Lucas is innocent,” Amber interrupted, her voice clear and confident.
My interest
was
- piqued. “How?”
“First, Lucas needs medical attention,” she insisted. “Those wounds look serious.”
Relief washed over me. This gave me an honorable way to end the punishment without appearing weak, “Very well. Walter, have the servants bring the healing salve.”
(Amber’s POV)
Two servants quickly applied moonlight healing salve to Lucas’s back while Rebecca hovered nearby, murmuring thanks to me. The strong herbal scent filled the room as Lucas winced through the treatment
Now,” William said once they’d finished, “how do you intend to prove Lucas’s innocence?”
I took a deep breath. Rebecca had called me earlier, explaining Lucas’s version of events. She’d also mentioned how precious the vase was to William – it had belonged to his late mate, Grace. I couldn’t directly clear Lucas’s name without evidence, but I could create enough confusion to cast doubt on everyone involved.
“I’d like to ask a question,” I began, turning to face Melissa, Ethan, and Ivy. “What evidence do any of you have that Lucas broke the vase?”
They exchanged glances.
“We saw him,” Ethan said firmly.
“All three of you? From the exact same angle? At the exact same moment? I pressed. “That seems unlikely.”
Melissa shifted uncomfortably. “He knocked into it during the fight.”
“And why were they fighting?” I asked, looking directly at her. “Lucas tells me you’ve been making disparaging remarks about his mother. Perhaps you accused him of breaking the vase because he called you out on your behavior?”
Melissa’s face flushed. “That’s not true!”
I turned to Ethan “Or maybe you’re covering for your wife? We all know how protective you are of ber”
Ethan’s jaw tightened. “You’re out of line, Amber.”
“And you,” I said, facing Ivy Reed, “aren’t you approaching menopause? I’ve heard that can affect a werewolf’s eyesight. Perhaps you misidentified who actually broke the vase?”
Ivy gasped in outrage. “How dare you! I’m only forty–three!”
“My point,” I said, turning back to William, “is that their testimonies are hardly reliable. Without actual evidence, how can you be sure Lucas is guilty?”
Ethan glared at me. “This is ridiculous. Three witnesses against one”
“Three witnesses with clear motives to lie,” Lcountered.
Melissa’s eyes filled with tears. “Why are you always so mean to in
Amber, Come Here
+25 BONUS
“I’m simply pointing out facts,” I replied coolly. “If Lacas says he didn’t do it, and you three say he did, it’s your word against
his.”
Olivia Blackwood stepped forward, her expression severe. “Laicas has no evidence to support his innocence either”
I raised an eyebrow at her. “In civilized society, the burden of proof lies with the accusers, not the accused. Are we werewolves so primitive that we’ve abandoned that principle?”
Olivia’s cheeks colored at the insult. “Watch your tone, young lady.
“Maybe we should call the law enforcement team,” I casually suggested.” Let the Joint Council’s law enforcement team Investigate. They have a way of determining who’s telling the trut
A tense silence tell over the living room.
“Are you sure?” Melissa squeaked, her face paling dramatically.
Ethan stepped forward. “That’s unnecessary. This is a pack matter.
Is that right?” I asked innocently.” It seems to me that this is something beloved by the Alpha King and should be taken senously.”
Ivy Reed shook her head vigorously.“We can’t have the Council involved in PACK matters. It’s a small matter, think of the scandal!”
“So you’d rather beat an innocent boy than risk a scandal?” I challenged, looking directly at William, who remained silent, his expression unreadable.
I was about to press further when a familiar deep voice called from behind me.
er.come here.”
Amber,
The room fell silent as everyone turned to look at the doorway where Dominic Blackwood stood, his powerful presence immediately commanding attention.
Your Alpha Dend?
Is Your Alpha Dead?
