Claim her

On their way to the courtroom, Selena's thoughts churned with unease. There was still a chance her father might insist on marrying her to Alpha Lucian despite the scandal. She could not allow that to happen. Without hesitation, she moved to his side and urged, "Father, give me to Alpha Williams instead."

Alpha Brian came to an abrupt halt, his head snapping up to meet her gaze.

"What?" He asked, disbelief evident in his tone.

"Do you truly expect me to hold my head high if you still force me to marry Lucian after this disaster?" She pressed, her voice laced with urgency. "Word must have already spread, and I will be mocked for what my sister has done to me. I refuse to live in disgrace."

Her father sighed, rubbing his temple. "I understand, but you could choose any other man. Persuading Williams to marry you instead of your sister will not be easy. Besides, their engagement has already been arranged, it would be difficult to break it off."

Selena, however, had anticipated this objection and was more than prepared.

"You haven't announced their engagement to the public yet. No one will question your decision," she pointed out. "Besides, I have always loved Williams, even before my sister. And I know he has feelings for me too. All you need to do is make the announcement, and I will handle persuading him before everyone gathers in the courtroom."

Alpha Brian arched a brow, surprised by how quickly she had pieced this together.

"But…"

Before he could protest further, Selena's eyes welled with tears. "Father, do you love me?" She whimpered. "How can you not take justice for me after the humiliation I have just suffered?"

She knew well that her father's greatest weakness was her tears. He was rarely moved by words, but the moment she cried, he would crumble.

"If you truly love us, you will do this for me," she added, her voice trembling as she clung to her mother's arm.

As expected, her mother stepped in, placing a hand on Selena's shoulder before turning a sharp glare toward her husband.

Alpha Brian inhaled deeply before exhaling with a smile, taking Selena's hands in his own. "I will do whatever you want, my princess. Leave everything to me."

A triumphant smile spread across Selena's lips, though she quickly masked it with an expression of gratitude.

Hurriedly, she embraced him, sniffling as though overcome with emotion.

"Alright, I will see you later." He patted her back before striding away, his guards following closely behind.

The moment he was gone, Selena's mother scoffed, crossing her arms. "Finally, we have rid ourselves of that pest. It was unbearable raising that bastard myself."

Selena's smirk darkened as she watched her father disappear down the hall. "I told you, Mother, I would bring you justice and I will make you the mother of the greatest Luna." Her fingers curled into tight fists. "That bitch dared to covet Williams? She always tries to steal what's mine. But I will never let her have him."

A twisted satisfaction gleamed in her eyes. Years ago, when Lily first arrived, she had been adored by everyone. Had Selena not acted quickly, the girl might have taken her place entirely. Fortunately, Lily was weak, pitifully so. And it made things much easier. She should have died with her mother if she would only grow up to be a loser.

"Quick, go and meet Williams before the court meeting starts," Selena's mother urged. Selena's lips curled into a satisfied smile before she turned on her heel and hurried off.

Now in the courtroom, the hall was filled, the air heavy with tension. Everyone was seated, awaiting the arrival of the criminal to be judged. While some were merely curious about the sudden gathering, others already knew the scandal that had prompted it.

Moments later, Lily was escorted in, flanked by guards. Her gown was torn, her body battered, clear signs that she had been beaten before being brought in. Though Alpha Brian's eyes flickered with brief surprise at her condition, disappointment quickly overshadowed any concern. He did not bother asking the guards what had transpired in the last few minutes.

Murmurs spread through the crowd as they took in the sight of the Alpha's illegitimate daughter in such a state. At first, there was shock, but it swiftly shifted into something else, contempt, disgust, judgment.

Lily was no stranger to such gazes. She had been judged, insulted, and scorned all her life, so she paid them no mind. Instead, she curled up where she knelt, her heart silently hoping and praying that her fiancé would come to her defense.

The room fell into silence as Alpha Brian struck the gavel against the podium. His voice was cold and unyielding as he spoke.

"I have called this meeting today to punish my illegitimate daughter for the crime of seducing and sleeping with Alpha Lucian, her sister's betrothed, thereby staining my legacy."

A burst of noise erupted through the crowd, different speculations flying about.

"Stanley Lily, do you have anything to say in your defense, or do you admit to your crime with your silence?" Alpha Brian's voice rang through the room, commanding and merciless.

Lily lifted her head, her eyes locking onto his. There was so much she wanted to say, so many questions she longed to ask. Why did he hate her so much? Why did everyone hate her? Why had no one ever given her a chance? Yet, no words left her lips. The courage to speak failed her, just as it always did. Slowly, she dropped her head, and Alpha Brian clenched his fists in fury.

"Stanley Lily, you will no longer be associated with this family and will be sentenced to death for disgracing our name."

With another decisive strike of the gavel, he delivered her fate.

"You dare seduce my fiancé after everything this family has done for you? Why are you so despicable?!" Selena shrieked, her voice thick with feigned anguish. She clung to her now-fiancé, who had once been Lily's while he held her protectively, as though shielding her from Lily's supposed treachery.

Lily's heart sank as she watched the man who had once sworn to love her now stand in another woman's embrace. Her remaining sliver of hope faded into nothingness.

If only she wasn't an illegitimate daughter… If only she was as beautiful as Selena… If only her wolf had manifested… Then maybe… just maybe, they would have accepted her.

"Behead her!" Her father commanded.

Lily closed her eyes, awaiting the cold steel of death.

But just as the executioner raised his blade, a voice rang out from the crowd, halting everything.

"I will claim her!"