Chapter 220

Grace

The image of Charles and Elara embracing in the hallway followed me all the way back into the courtroom. The air crackled with tension as Sean addressed the assembled crowd. His face was twisted into a grimace. He looked mad, and I hoped that was a good thing for me.

"As a result of the new information presented concerning the missing liaison," he began, his voice strained, "and after careful consideration of Ms. Wolfe's former and current state..."

He paused, his gaze flitting across the room, finally landing on me.

"The prosecution will be amending the charges against Ms. Wolfe. However," Sean continued, his voice regaining its usual edge, "this does not constitute a complete exoneration. Ms. Wolfe's choices did result in significant consequences, and accountability is paramount."

My stomach clenched. What was he leading up to?

"Therefore," he declared, his eyes boring into mine, "Mooncrest will be placed on a six-month probationary period, effective immediately."

A murmur of surprise rippled through the room. Probation? I hadn't anticipated this turn of events.

"During this probation," Sean continued, his tone patronizing, "Ms. Wolfe will be required to undergo extensive training and guidance regarding the proper management of a werewolf territory. This will be facilitated by an appointed liaison, who will provide ongoing support and ensure adherence to established protocols. He will also serve as a representative of the Inter-Pack Auditor assigned to the region."

My jaw clenched. If that wasn't a warning that he would be watching me, I didn't know what was.

"This arrangement," he added, a smug smile playing on his lips, "will allow Ms. Wolfe to demonstrate her commitment to responsible leadership and rectify the deficiencies that led to the unfortunate incidents within Mooncrest."

"How reasonable," Esme said. "However, my client reserves the right to challenge the specific terms, particularly the appointment of a liaison."

Sean's smile faltered, replaced by a flicker of irritation. "The liaison is non-negotiable. It's a mandatory condition of your probation."

"We are not concerned about having a liaison, simply which one." Esme's voice cut through the tension. "The law allows my client to make requests and to even choose a specific liaison, one trustworthy and qualified."

"First, you have no clue about the liaison, and now you want to select a specific one?"

"No, President Caldwell. Alpha Wolfe was not aware that a liaison should have been present. I, however, know that the former Alpha Wolfe had a liaison, and request that liaison," she paused and looked down at her paperwork. "A Mr. Kline be appointed."

A stunned silence descended upon the room.

Esme continued. "Mr. Kline had been the liaison for the Wolfe Family since the former Alpha Wolfe ascended to his position in very similar circumstances. By all records, he was fair, impartial, and respected by all. Is there a reason that Mr. Kline would be a problem?"

Sean sneered. "Mr. Kline is no longer available."

"It's not unheard of for a request to be made that an old liaison comes out of retirement," Esme said.

He bared his teeth. "He was retired with prejudice."

"On what grounds?"

"His reputation came into question. He chose to retire rather than be fired."

My heart sank. What now?

Esme set her jaw. "In light of that, we reserve the right to investigate. Consider this formal notice that until Mr. Kline's reasons for retiring and the circumstances around it can be determined as completely unrelated to the misconduct of Devin Bluevalley, any liaison appointed is to be considered temporary."

Sean snarled, but the Chief Justice spoke. "Acknowledged and accepted."

"As for the liaison appointment, there are parameters my client wants to be met for any and every liaison candidate, and this appointment should adhere to the general rules of liaison appointment, though it is part of a court-mandated probation."

"Accepted and Acknowledged," the Chief Justice.

"We'll start with a preliminary vetting process here in court based on the criteria necessary."

Sean's facade of composure faltered as Esme picked up a piece of paper. "Here is the list of requirements. All of which Mr. Kline certainly met before he was retired with prejudice."

The bailiff took the list and walked it over to the Chief Justice. She looked at it and hummed.

"A very thorough list," she said and stamped it. "Acknowledged and Accepted. I will review the candidates the president selected first to find a fit. If one cannot be found, we'll move on to the rest of the pool."

"And if no candidate aside from Mr. Kline can't be found?" Esme asked.

"We'll consider which of these requirements are flexible and go from there, though it should not be a problem..."

"Very well," Sean conceded through gritted teeth.

The courtroom buzzed with murmurs of speculation as the Chief Justice reviewed the list.

"I find that Mr. Edgar Thorne meets the criteria," the Chief Justice said. "Luckily, he is in the pool of pre-selected candidates, so no delays will be necessary. If you could bring Mr. Thorne in.."

Esme went stiff as another set of doors opened, and a man glided in. He more oozed into place, reeking of prejudice and radiating enough negativity to power a small town. His disdain for me and Esme was palpable. Sean looked too pleased, and I knew this was going to be a problem.

"I'll be taking up residence at Mooncrest, naturally," he declared, his voice laced with entitlement. "And I expect accommodations befitting my position. I'm certain a half-breed such as yourself can manage that."

My jaw clenched. Was he delusional? I gave him a sickeningly polite smile.

"There's a perfectly suitable motel on the city's north side," I countered, my voice calm yet firm. "It's just off the main highway leading into the city."

Sean bristled, his irritation evident. "The liaison deserves proper lodgings, Ms. Wolfe. Not some subpar establishment."

"The law only stipulates I provide him with space within the city limits," I pointed out. I looked at Esme for confirmation, and she grinned, nodding. "While hospitality is a Wolfe family tradition, extending it to someone harboring such blatant prejudice towards me to enter my home, let alone be around my children, isn't going to happen."

He flushed. "You're not off to the greatest start."

I cocked an eyebrow at him. "The rate's cheaper than your suit."

Esme intervened; her voice laced with amusement. "Given the state's negligence in addressing Mooncrest's concerns, and this being a court-mandated probation, I motion for the state to shoulder the financial responsibility for the liaison's accommodations as part of their reparations to Mooncrest."

I looked at her. Was that something she could ask for? I looked over at Charles who looked impressed, grinning a little. Elara looked amused.

"Granted, Counselor Brighthollow," the Chief Justice.

They talked a little longer about other reparations. Esme seemed to be having fun, nickel and diming the states for every infraction she could think of against me. It seemed like the States would end up owing me money if the look on Sean's face were anything to go by.

It felt like hours had passed before Sean dismissed the court, and we were free to leave. Fenris was pissed off, as was Edgar and Sean, but Esme looked like she'd won the day. We stopped off at the Chief Justice's desk for something before I followed Esme out to the waiting area in front of a clerk's desk.

She checked her watch as the rest of the court filed out ahead of us. "We should be able to get on a flight heading back to Mooncrest within the hour."

I called Eason again but got no answer. Then, I called George and got a busy signal. Esme went up to the clerk's desk when she called the docket number and collected a thick packet. We hurried out of the Red House into a car that had been ordered by the president if Esme's silence was anything to go by. About an hour after we'd left the Red House, we were on another jet, buckled in, and Esme was pouring us cups of whiskey with a deep sigh.

"By all the spirits and the light," Esme whispered and drank.

I smiled. "I'm so glad that's over."

Esme cocked an eyebrow. "Over?"

"Well, yes. I mean, a few thousand dollars in fines, a liaison... everything worked out the way I'd hoped... Even with me messing it up in the middle."

She frowned, looking over the rim of her glass. "Perhaps you should open the full judgment before we take off... And perhaps have a drink, too."

I frowned. "What does that mean?"

She gestured to the packet. "Read it."

I opened the packet, wondering what on earth she was talking about, but as I skimmed the documents outlining the financial implications of the trial, I was shocked. Esme was supposed to make this go away. I was prepared for a few thousand dollars in fines, up to about ten thousand, but the number at the bottom after all the reparations from the court had been tallied against the charges I faced was way more than I expected.

I was practically back to when Wolfe Medical was in the red, and I was drowning in debt, except this probably wasn't a debt Charles could just swoop in and pay for me.

"Son of a bitch."