Surrogate for My Brother-in-law - Chapter 72: Chapter 72

The council of alphas was convened only a few days after the meeting. Alpha Titian had traveled quickly despite his advanced age. Eva’s choice, Alpha Drake, only had to drive a few hours. Leo’s choice, Alpha Richard, had to travel for about a day.
The archivists chose one of the rare female alphas, Alpha Raine. The lottery had to be drawn twice because Ethan’s name was drawn and he had to remove himself from the selection. The next draw called Alpha Jason, who happened to be the alpha from Dr. Lee’s original pack.
As host, Ethan provided the venue. Ethan’s manor didn’t have a grand ballroom like Alpha Arthur’s manor had. Instead, when Ethan hosted pack events, he opened up an old converted barn as a dance hall. It was a cheerful place for a wedding or a pup’s naming ceremony, but a little odd for a council meeting.
Alpha Titian took one look at the barn, and nodded.
“Thank you, Alpha Ethan, for providing us with such a fine, traditional venue. It’s good to do things the old way sometimes.”
And that ended any thought anyone might have about objecting to convening a council of alphas in an old barn.
Personally, I liked the barn. It was cozy, and smelled of hay and wildflowers. I wondered if I might be able to convince Ethan to let me hold Sable’s naming ceremony there.
Leo, as the one bringing the complaint, was allowed to speak first. He explained the bargain he had made with Arthur, the promise he’d made to protect Arthur’s pack in exchange for his daughter’s hand.
Leo claimed, and I believed him, that he had no idea Eva had protested the match. He added that Arthur had insinuated that it was, in fact, Eva’s own idea although he admitted that Arthur never directly said it.
Leo then explained what he’d learned of Eva’s deceptions, including her affair with his now banished brother, Zane. When he went on to describe the false pregnancy and the theft of my baby, the council broke out in rapid, hushed speech.
When they fell silent again, Leo finished his statement.
“I did not, and do not, want to harm Eva or her pack. I merely want to see justice done. If I was the only injured party I would insist on a quiet divorce and be done with it. But I am not the only one she and her parents have hurt, so I must bring this matter before the council.”
“Thank you, Alpha Leo,” the head archivist, who was acting as a moderator, said. “Luna Eva, it is your turn to make a statement.”
Eva’s statement was nowhere near as concise or as fair as Leo’s. She immediately proceeded to blame Leo and her father for forcing her into an arranged marriage. She blamed Zane for “leading her astray” and insisted that he was the only one who had been involved with the Rogues.
She then spent the bulk of her statement trying to shift the blame for everything she’d done onto me. She claimed that I was treacherous, scheming, and untrustworthy. She said that I’d spent her entire life trying to supplant her rightful place as Alpha Daughter. She even tried to claim that the plot to switch me for her on their wedding night was my idea.
“Are you finished?” the head archivist asked when she finally stopped talking.
Eva crossed her arms and nodded.
“Very well then. It is now time to hear the testimony of witnesses and examine any physical evidence which might exist,” the archivist declared. “Healer Tessa, as you seem to be central to all of this, you must speak first.”
I swallowed hard and nodded. I had known I would be called on to testify both to my part in events and to what I knew of Eva and Leo’s relationship. It was still difficult to step up before all those alphas and speak.
“I,” my voice cracked and I had to start again, “I don’t know what I’m supposed to say. I didn’t prepare a speech or anything.”
I’d tried to plan what to say, but everything sounded like either pathetic excuses or insane conspiracies when I practiced.
“You only have to answer our questions,” the archivist said, “You must answer truthfully and to the best of your knowledge. Each council member is permitted one question, and at the end you may make a concluding statement if you wish.” He paused, and his voice softened. “Remember that you are a witness, Healer Tessa. You are not on trial.”
After everything Eva had said it felt like I was, but I nodded.
Alpha Drake went first. “You claim to be the mother of Leo’s pup,” he said. “And you do not deny that the conception of that pup occurred while Alpha Leo was convinced that you were in fact his wife, Eva.”
I hesitated. “Was that a question?”
“No. My question is, why did you go along with this supposed plot to deceive an alpha when you could easily have gone to either Alpha Leo, or your own biological father, Alpha Arthur, and reported this proposed conspiracy?”
“I was afraid,” I admitted. “Eva had my mother as a hostage, and Arthur had never stepped in to protect her. I didn’t know Leo, and I was certain he would favor Eva over me.” I shrugged. “When I became pregnant, Eva revealed the situation to both of her parents. Arthur was delighted, because he wanted to use the pup to manipulate Leo. He said as much in my presence. He didn’t seem to care that I had slept with Leo instead of Eva. He never asked why.” I paused, and then because it would be my only chance, added, “He never even asked if I was okay.”
Alpha Drake nodded once and stepped back.
Alpha Richard asked, “You were released from your pack by Alpha Leo, into Alpha Ethan’s pack. Was this because he had learned of the deception?”
“No,” I answered. “Eva framed me as a traitor. Leo believed her and was going to banish me, but Ethan convinced him to let me join his pack instead.”
Alpha Jason said, “On the subject of Eva and Leo’s marriage. You served as Leo’s personal maid, and you spent time in his bed. Would you say he was a good mate and husband to her?”
I nodded. “He tried to be. When he thought I was her, he was always attentive and gentle. He doted on her when I saw them together. He was strict but fair with me as his maid, as well.”
Alpha Raine asked, “Do you know why Luna Eva wanted to switch places with you, instead of carrying Leo’s pup herself?”
“Yes,” I answered. “At the time, Leo was still injured from his battle with the Rogue King. He was blind and wolf-less. Eva objected, vocally, to being forced to bear a pup for a crippled wolf.”
The alphas traded angry glances at that. Even Alpha Drake, who was presumably on Eva’s side, frowned deeply.
Alpha Titian asked his question. “You are not on trial here, Healer. But we know that you have been forced to keep many secrets and to participate in multiple deceptions. Is there anything that you would like to say, anything you feel should be brought to light in this matter?”
I thought about it for a moment, and then nodded. “May I address Alpha Leo directly?”
“You may,” Titian said.
I turned and faced Leo. “I’m sorry,” I said. “This whole thing has been unfair to you. I should have trusted you to be a good and fair alpha, and I should have told you the truth. I was afraid, but that’s no excuse. My actions hurt you, and I am sorry for that.”
Leo nodded once, gravely. He remained silent. I turned back to the council.
“Do you have any further statement to make?” the archivist asked.
“Only that Alpha Leo was treated unfairly, but he probably should have made certain personally that his bride wanted to marry him. If the council will accept my advice on this matter, I think it’s only right to grant him a divorce.”
I was dismissed from the witness circle. Then, it was time for evidence to be presented.