One Week Later☆☆
On the day of the final hearing Valessia Evric sat stiffly beside her attorney, spine straight as steel, though her palms were soaked in sweat. Her fingers clenched in her lap, knuckles white. The weight in the courtroom was suffocating.
The low hum of chatter died instantly as Judge Marlowe Vale entered, a silver-maned wolf in black ceremonial robes, eyes like shards of frost. He scanned the room with quiet authority before his gaze landed on Fiona. A nod… subtle, but unmistakable.
Valessia caught it. Her heart slammed in her chest, loud and frantic, like war drums. She leaned slightly toward her attorney, wondering if he could hear it too.
She dared a glance behind her. The gallery was full of wolves and whispers… murmurs of those who can't wait to see her downfall. In the front row sat Virema, her only ally and support system in this storm. The only one who hadn't flinched, hadn't wavered. Her presence gave Valessia a thread to hold onto.
Although the court had denied her request to have her daughter present, Valessia could still feel Seraphine's tiny hand clasped in hers, could still hear the little voice whispering, "Mama, you come back, okay?"
"Mama, you come back, okay?"
Across the aisle, the real predators waited. Her dead husband's family.
Madam Fiona was dressed in black as though only she alone had earned the right to grieve.
Elder Fisher looked at Valessia like she was filth beneath his boots.
Mr. Martins, smug and detached, was already flipping through papers, clearly confident that victory was theirs.
They were ready to take Seraphine from her. Ready to snatch her daughter away like vultures circling a wounded creature.
Judge Marlowe adjusted his glasses, disinterested. He barely glanced at the file before him.
"We are here to determine whether Ms. Valessia Evric retains full custodial rights over her daughter, Seraphine Evric," he said flatly. "The petitioners, Madam Fiona, Elder Fisher, and Mr. Martins, allege Ms. Evric is mentally unfit to care for the child."
Valessia's lawyer rose quickly. "Your Honor, if I may~"
"Denied," the judge snapped, not even looking up. "Petitioners may proceed."
Valessia's heart twisted. Her hands trembled in her lap. She clenched them tighter, pressing her fingers into the swell of her belly to force herself still.
Madam Fiona rose first, her chin lifted high like a queen presiding over peasants.
"With due respect, Your Honor," she began smoothly, "this poor child lost her father barely three months ago. Ms. Evric is pregnant, emotionally unstable, and incapable of raising one child…let alone two. And her hasty marriage to a complete stranger during the mourning period is an abomination. Nothing more than a desperate ploy."
Valessia bit down hard, her jaw aching from the pressure.
Fiona dabbed at invisible tears with a silk handkerchief, playing her part with perfect precision.
Elder Fisher stood next, eyes narrowed. He held up a folder like it was a death sentence.
"Hospital records," he said. "Prescriptions for mood stabilizers. Evidence of severe forgetfulness."
He opened the folder, flipping through pages. "We have testimonies, from neighbors, staff, school administrators. Questions about Ms. Evric's mental and emotional stability. Including an incident where she left Seraphine waiting in the rain alone for hours."
Gasps broke out among the attendees. The gallery turned on her in a heartbeat. Fingers pointed. Murmurs spread like wildfire.
Valessia's nails dug into her palms. She felt the sting, and welcomed it. Elder Fisher knew damn well why she'd missed that pickup. He knew that was the day Cullen died. And still, he used it against her.
Mr. Martins cleared his throat. "There's concern over the child's environment. No stable routine. Multiple missed school days. Emotional volatility. And now a rushed marriage to a man whose identity we can't even confirm."
The judge made a note. Expression unreadable.
Finally, her moment came.
Valessia stood slowly. Her movements deliberate. One hand rested gently on the curve of her small bump. Her voice didn't waver.
"I admit my emotions have been... all over the place these past few months," she began, eyes burning. "And who can blame me? I am a grieving wife. A pregnant mother."
She scanned the room, meeting every accusing gaze with quiet defiance.
"My daughter hasn't missed school. Yes, I missed a few pickups. Because I was planning a funeral and fighting to keep her at the same time."
Her voice hardened. "I'm in therapy. I have a support system. I am not unstable. I'm a mother who has fought through grief and fear every single day just to stay standing."
"She's five. And do you know what she whispered to me last night?" Valessia's voice cracked, but she didn't break. "She said, 'Mama, are they going to steal me away because Daddy's gone?' That's not just a child's imagination. That's fear. Real fear. And I didn't put it there. You did."
She pointed across the aisle, her finger trembling with rage and heartbreak. "You did."
Madam Fiona scoffed. Her voice dripped with disdain. "A grieving wife, and you marry a stranger in the middle of a custody hearing? How convenient."
Valessia didn't blink. "I married someone who understands loyalty. Who protects what he loves," she said, voice stern. Even she was surprised she hadn't broken down.
Then the room fell still.
And just when the judge opened his mouth to pass the verdict, the heavy double doors of the courtroom creaked open, echoing through the chamber like a warning. Heads turned.
A tall figure stepped in, draped in a sleek black suit, his presence dark and commanding. The air shifted, thickened as every wolf in the room felt the pulse of power that followed him in.
Alpha Lucien Rhode.
A murmur swept through the crowd. Heads bowed. Even Judge Marlowe stiffened in his seat, unsure why an Alpha of Lucien's rank had appeared in a low-level custody hearing. He never interfered in matters like these.
Madam Fiona's eyes widened in disbelief. Her hands trembled as she dropped them beneath the table.
"I can't believe he really showed up," she whispered under her breath.
Elder Fisher had gone pale. He rose to his feet before realizing what he'd done. Mr. Martins shifted awkwardly in his chair, now visibly uncomfortable under the weight of Lucien's gaze.
The Alpha strode forward, unhurried but deadly sure. His cold aura swept over the room like frost.
He paused beside Valessia. His eyes briefly met hers then turned toward the judge.
"I have entered this trial as Seraphine's legal stepfather," he said, voice sharp and resolute. "Through official marriage bond to Valessia Evric, registered under Pack Union Law, Article 15."