Chapter 34

Enjoy!!!

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Fumbling with my hands, I sit down between Taylor and Caden. My parents sat behind us along with Theo and a few guards. Caden isn't taking any chances with my life.

"You nervous?" Taylor grips my hand with a knowing smile. Today was the day we found out not only Nik's sentence, but Caden's past whore.

"What do you think?" During Nik's trial, I had stood up in front of all present and told my story. At least what I wanted them to hear. If it pertained to Nik, it was told. If it wasn't, they had no business knowing. If they believed I had threatened him with leaving and never returning, was up in the air. The council gave nothing away.

It warmed my heart when not only my parents, Taylor, Theo stood up and told of Nik's loyalty to his future Queen, but when Caden's mother began to speak. I had been completely shocked.

I had asked Caden in private if he knew she had planned it. To my delight, he confirmed he did.

As the wronged, he had to speak against Nik. Inform the council members how Nik had lied for years. Helping in hiding me, the future Queen not only from the present Prince, but from the people as well. Once we've completed the mating, I'll have a connection to the people. A motherly or even sisterly figure. If a female feared for her life, she knew without a doubt she could speak to me and seek protection.

 What confused me the most was when Caden spoke of how Nik confessed to him on wanting me to become his second mate. Nik forgot to mention that gigantic detail to me during our picnic. It now makes sense why the two guards had approached us while hanging out.

Hearing of a male attempting to steal their Princess away from their Prince didn't sit right with the wolves inside the banquet room. Snarls had echoed the hollow room until order had been called for.

It frightened me a tad bit. If Nik is found not-guilty will wolves continue to hold his actions against him?

I do believe for me, Caden had lessened the crimes. I do not know if it's to get on my good side or if he actually cares how I feel about Nik. I've feared him believing me and Nik were an item. With Nik's foolish words, I couldn't blame Caden for being apprehensive of mine and Nik's relationship.

 "If the council members have a tiny bit of common sense they will rule in your favor Claudia. They know Nik is your older brother. To sentence him to life in jail or worse, death would destroy you. If he were to die, the bond between you two would push you to the brink of murder."

Murder? Me? I couldn't murder a sole. "Where are you getting this information from Taylor?" How would he know I would snap?

Of course seeing and physically feeling the bond break between me and Nik would mess me up in the head.

When he didn't respond I glance up at him. His eyes were looking past me and without turning around, I knew who he was getting permission from.

"Are you forcing my brother to keep secrets from me?" I whisper without looking at him. We were surrounded by wolves. Starting a fight wasn't a good idea.

"The day after Caden learned you were his mate and the bond you and Nik shared he called on researchers to find a way to break the bond," Taylor said. Sorrow filled his eyes as he gripped my hands.

I felt Caden's hand on my thigh tightening as minutes tick by in silence. I knew he hated the bond I share with Nik, but to have it removed? How could he. I felt betrayed.

"Leave it in the past Claudia. Do not allow this to ruin what you two have built these past few weeks."Taylor whispers in my mind.

"How can I Taylor? He wanted to destroy a part of me. Who knows what could have happened to Nik or myself if the bond had been removed." Ignoring Caden's attempts to gain my attention, I focus solely on Taylor. Our conversation now completely through our mind links. No one needed to hear our bickering. "Has he found a way to destroy it? If no, are the researchers even now looking into the matter?"

"No there was no information on breaking the bond with both subjects living. The only way to break it as of now is to kill one of you. Which isn't an option and he knows that." I suck in a deep breath at Taylors words. Had Caden considered killing Nik? "And no, the researchers packed up their work and stored it away on Caden's orders."

"Why?"

"After the attack we were informed Nik had gone insane. Apparently a few guards rushed in once he started to scream. He had stripped off his clothing trying to find where the pain was coming from. The guards described is as a ghost drawing on his skin. Lines would slowly scribble across his skin. No blood flowed, only bright red marks. As if he was burned with a hot poker."

"Why wasn't I told this? Taylor you know what Nik means to me. How could you hold this a secret?" I tried to rip my hands from his, but his strong grip prevents me.

"Nik begged me not to Claudia. He knew you had a shit ton on your plate already. Adding to it wouldn't help. He figured once Caden realized he could feel your pain he would be let free."

"What do you mean?" Was Nik playing Caden? Forcing him to realize if I were to be kidnapped by the rogues, he would be the perfect insider to my pain?

"If you were to be hurt while running, or kidnapped and tortured Nik would suffer your pain. With no long lasting effects. If you were to be kidnapped it would ease Caden's mind to know if you were being harmed or not."

"I thought the sharing of pain only happened when Caden and Nik fought? How come Caden didn't get those marks?" All this is confusing. I swear, life would be easier with a damn manual on werewolves.

"Honestly Claudia, no one knows the reason why Nik was the only one to feel your pain. We could only guess on the fact you two share a blood bond. As the male, he is your protector. During your coma we had many discussions on this subject and we all came up with a conclusion. You and Nik shared blood. It's a scared bond between two people who are willing to die for each other. Because of that bond, the male takes on a part of your pain. We believe he shared your pain."

"If that is true, why didn't Caden retract his treason conviction?"

"He couldn't appear weak to his people, Claudia. To them, Nik held you captive. He forced Cadent to suffer for eight years without you. Males with mates know how painful it is to be away from their mates for a few days. Considering Caden had to go eight years without you, they want Nik's head on a spike."

"But he didn't hold me captive, Taylor! It was all my fault. I am the one who stayed away. If anyone should be punished, it should be me." Going to stand up, I feel Caden's hands wrap around my waist, holding me still. Softly growling I try to yank my body away from him.

"He has been listening in on our conversation Claudia. You can't fault him for fearing your rejection. He's panicking because he worries his actions over the blood bond will force you away once more. Talk to him. Explain how you feel betrayed. Which we both know you are feeling right now. Demand he never go behind your back about a loved one again, or he will regret it."

"How could he regret it Caden? Do you honestly believe he or for that matter anyone in this kingdom would allow me to leave?"

"Well I do know a few females that would love you gone." Slapping his hands away, I give him my meanest glare. Stupid brother. "Claudia, you're a female." I look at him confused when he stares up at the ceiling groaning. His hand rubbing down his face.

"Now here I thought you were a male this whole time," Annabelle scoffs.

"Shut up." Rolling my eyes, I silently laugh at her.

 "Claudi what your dear brother is trying to explain to you is to flaunt what your mother gave you. Take Caden's credit card and have a shopping spree in Fredrick's. I can guarantee you if you walk out on the bathroom in a robe with sexy lingerie underneath, he will drop to his knees and beg forgiveness. That man would do anything you ask him to, if you allow him to see you without that robe on," Theo chuckles.

"Is everyone listening into this damn conversation?" Pouting, I turn away from Taylor. I couldn't look at anyone other than the back of Nik's head as we await his sentence.

"Only the three of us. We figured if we needed to knock a little sense into that brain of yours, I would be the one to." Theo was right. He isn't blood, though we treat him as if he is. He tells me the truth, blunt if need be.

"If I forgive you for this, will you promise to destroy all the notes involving the blood bond?" I knew if I didn't look into Caden's eyes, I wouldn't know if he was truly lying or not.

"If it's what will get me back in your good graces, then yes. Tonight, I will take you to where they are hidden. You will be the one to burn them," Caden said. I could feel his tense body next to mine. His hand never once left my body.

"Never again Caden. Never will you hide such a secret from me. If we are to live the rest of our lives together, I will not stand back and let you decide my fate."

As my words floated in his mind, I felt his body relax. "You have my word Claudia. Never again will I hide information involving you or our kingdom from you."

Nodding, I lean into his shoulder as his arm wraps around my back, pulling me flush against his side.

Sighing, I realize how easy it's been to forgive him now that I've been in his arms. It's as if there is nothing he could do wrong that couldn't be forgiven in time.

"It's the pull between mates. He will forgive you just as quickly if you'd done what he had," Annabelle commented on my thoughts.

"Is it always going to be like this? One of us screwing up and other forgiving within moments?" I question as I watch the council members walk through a side door.

"Yes. That is unless he crushes your heart. If by chance he slept with another. I comprehend we would never forgive or trust him ever again."

"Let's pray he's learned his lesson then, shall we?" Just the thought made my heart beat in pain. I've grown to love the man holding me with all my heart. As I grew up, what I had for him doesn't the slightest compare to what I feel for him now.

"If he does, we are super gluing his ass to the toilet seat, putting pink hair dye in his shampoo and shaving Marcus," Annabelle growls wickedly.

Coughing, I feel Caden's hand pat my back until the spit in my throat clears. "Are you trying to get us caught?"

"Hey its pay back baby. No one messes with us a second time and gets away with it." If she was a human, she would be chuckling evilly while rubbing her hands together. Glad she isn't, otherwise that would be plain weird.

"And how do you expect to accomplish shaving Marcus without Marcus noticing?" Shaking, my head I sit back against Caden's side. My airwaves clear for the time being.

"Easy, drug Caden's ass right before we run for it. Your brother and Theo will bring out battery operated shavers once Marcus passes out during the chase. He will wake up a naked puppy."

Choking once, more I try to stifle my laughter. Evidently Annabelle clued Theo and Taylor in on her plan of paying Caden back if he were to cheat on me because I could hear laughter seeping from them.

"The council members are about to speak. You three need to quiet down now," My father whispers in our heads. It instantly shut us up. I may be a higher ranking wolf now, but that didn't mean I didn't listen to my father when he spoke. He is still and will always be my father.

Sitting up straight, I feel Caden retract his arm from around my shoulders. Instead his fingers intertwine with mine. Taking a deep breath, I force myself to calm down. This is it. This is what I've been waiting for.

"After hours of listening to the charged, family, friends and the royal family we've decided the punishments for the crimes brought forward," one of the council members stood up and spoke. His voice echoing around the room. Clearly reaching the back of the rooms ears.

Gripping Taylor's hand, I squeeze it with a death grip. Nik had to get off. He just had to.

"Jessica Lawrence will you please stand up," a second council member spoke. I really should learn their names. As the future Queen I'm sure I'll be speak with them multiple times a month. "As the royal council we find you guilty of keeping the Princess's notes a secret from the Prince for personal gain. We find you guilty of kidnapping and attempted murder. You are hereby sentenced to twenty-five years to life in jail."

I feel my lips twitch in a slight smile as Jessica has to be carried away kicking and screaming.

"You! You stupid bitch! This is all your fault. You will pay. Mark my words. Your happily ever after will soon end," Jessica screams before two burly guards shove her out the same door they came through.

"You're safe Claudia. She will not get to you. I promise," Caden whispers to me through our link.

"Nicolai (I can't remember if I gave him a last name. IF I did please leave me a comment telling me.) will you please stand up," the same council member uttered. He stood tall and commanding with all the members beside him.

Wanting to reach out and sooth Nik, I squeeze Taylors hand once more. My heart pounding in my chest. Sweat sliding down the back of my neck as worry pierces my mind.

"As the royal council we find you guilty of keeping the identity of the Princess a secret from the Prince and werewolf kingdom." I feel my body go numb from that single word. Guilty. They found him guilty. "You are hereby sentenced to ten years in prison."

I feel the world cave out from under me. Caden's hand in mine is shove violently away. I couldn't stand to feel his touch. He did this. He put my brother in jail. He's stealing ten years of Nik's life.

No. I won't allow it. Standing up, I force my mouth to demand a change of verdict. "If you are charging him with guilty you have to send me to jail with him. I am the one who forced him to lie to Caden. It was me. Not Nik. All me." I glare down each member and their closed off faces.

"Princess Claudia you had no control over a royal commander before Prince Caden marked you as his. Nikolai had a duty to tell the truth as all times, even if it broke the heart of his friend. He had a duty to inform his Prince he found you. He failed to do just that, as a result he is being punished."

"I threated to run. It wouldn't have mattered if Caden knew. I would have been long gone before he could have found me," I scream. They can't do this. They can't take him away from me.

"Your picture would have been up everywhere the next day Princess. You wouldn't have been able to escape being found out. Once located, the royal guard would have brought you back safely sedated. Prince Caden would have you in his arms and Commander Nikolai would still have his title and rank. As he chose to disregard his duties, it lead him to his punishment."

Opening my mouth to sprout another reason, another member put his hand up. Silencing me.

"Please do not argue further, my Princess. We are not able to change a verdict once it's been made."

"Angelo Christophe please stand up." I hear one of the members say ending the discussion.

I watch as Nik is dragged out in handcuffs. His eyes telling me to be strong. Me be strong? I'm not the one going to jail for ten years. The moment the door closes behind him, I snap.

Tears falling down my cheeks in waves. Angry heart breaking sobs tear through my chest. This is all my fault. Staring at the door, I will it to open up and Nik come running back in yelling gotcha!

Instead a rough hand grips my arm, pulling me into a solid chest. A chest, which belonged to a man, I wanted to hate. He did this. He threw my brother in jail.

Yanking my arm away I openly growl at Caden with all the angry and pain I can manage. "Don't touch me." I spit out. "You're the reason my brother will spend the next ten years in jail." I watch as he take a step towards me as if to comfort me. "Leave me alone. Stay away from me."

Turning around I sift into my wolf and race out the open doors. I needed to get away. I needed to allow my pain to seep out otherwise I knew I would do something drastic. Like rejecting my own soul-mate for destroying my brother's life.

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So that wasn't expected at all was it?

Who thought Nik would be getting out of a punishment?

Sorry I couldn't kill Jessica off just yet. I have plans for her.

So what do you think will happen next? Trouble in paradise?

Don't forget to vote, comment and follow me. :) 

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