Chapter 417: Chapter 436

Chapter 0435 Chapter 0435 +25 BONUS “I would like to submit this DNA test along with this recording of my half–brother’s confession,” he said. “It proves conclusively that Scott, not Drake, is Adam’s biological father.”

A collective gasp went through the room as Noah played the audio tape of Scott confessing along with the DNA test to prove that Scott wasn’t lying.

For the first time since the trial began, I saw her composure crack. A little sliver of that monster that hid beneath the surface started to slip out in the form of a curled lip.

“Combined with my half–brother’s confession about their plot as well as the words that Zoe spoke at our wedding–talking about killing Hannah–Tbelleve that the truth becomes clear,” Noah said. “Zoe was planning to plant Adam as my heir and get rid of me, eventually using his birthright as Scott’s biological son to gain even more claim to Nightcrest. This was a long–term plan to overthrow me and take control of my pack.”

The room fell so silent you could hear a pin drop. I was practically on the edge of my seat, my knuckles white around the arms of my chair as I watched Zoe’s perfect mask crack just a little bit more.

With that, the Council members retreated to deliberate, leaving the rest of us to wait in tense silence.

They were in there for hours this time.

The courtroom grew restless, people murmuring amongst themselves, pacing, some even leaving. I could hardly move from my seat, my body frozen as I stared back and forth between Noah and Zoe.

Zoe remained stiff. Impassive.

But I could practically smell her fear from here.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity, the Council members filed back in. One of the Alphas stood, tapping a gavel on the panel to quiet the murmuring crowd.

“After careful consideration of all evidence presented,” the Alpha began, “we find Zoe guilty of treason against an Alpha. She is hereby sentenced to life in prison, with no possibility of parole.”

The room erupted into chaos, but I barely heard it. All I could see was Zoe’s trembling, beet red face, her mask of perfection finally shattering as the reality of her situation set in.

As Zoe was led away in handcuffs, silent and seething with barely–contained rage, I made my way to Noah. He opened his arms, and I fell into them, feeling the last of my tension melt away.

“It’s over,” I whispered, my voice muffled against his chest. “They’re really gone. All of them.”

Noah held me tightly, his chin resting on top of my head. “Yes, they are. We can finally move forward.”

As we stood there, wrapped in each other’s arms, I knew he was right. But I also knew that there would be many other obstacles in our path.

And there was one big one that we needed to tackle sooner rather than later.

I glanced at Viona, whose jaw was set hard. I could practically feel her annoyance radiating off of her as 1/2 +25 BOMUS Chapter 0435 she turned to leave.

Once we were alone in the chamber, I pulled back, and it was only then that I realized that my hands had begun to shake.

“You alright?” Noah asked, noticing my discomfort.

I took a deep breath, steeling myself for what I was about to say. “Noah, there’s something I need to tell you. Something I should have told you the truth about a long time ago.”

His face fell, and the expression broke my heart. “What is it?” he all but whispered.

I closed my eyes for a moment, gathering my courage. When I opened them again, it wasn’t easy, but somehow I managed to meet his gaze directly. “Remember that night we went out for dinner, and I told you that I’d died and come back to life?”

Noah nodded slowly, realization dawning in his eyes. “Yes...”

I swallowed hard.

“I wasn’t joking, Noah,” I said softly. “What I said that night is true... A year and some change ago, I died and came back to life.

And I can’t go another day without telling you my story.”