A week passed, and the werewolf community heard of Romulus and Leah's doings. Everyone in the community headed to court. All had to attend. The elders wanted the werewolves and their mates to see the consequences of breaking the law.

Romulus was taken out of his cell. He only had his pants on, which were ripped and dirty. His body was filled with scars and bruises from the beatings he received. The week has been hell for him, not because of the physical pain but because of the pain of not being with Leah. Romulus didn't know if she was alive. The guards wouldn't speak to him about his mate. He was being taken out of his cell and outside the prison. Many citizens saw him and his condition; they looked at him with either pity or disappointment. It didn't matter for Romulus; all he wanted was Leah.

The young werewolf was being taken away from the village to a path that led towards a sizeable stone-made building that looked medieval. The outside of the building was only lit by torches of fire that other guards held. The guards opened the heavy wooden doors and led Romulus inside. The interior was shrouded by a bit of darkness; only the torches of fire lit the way.

It seemed like one would walk on an endless path to the abyss.

Once the doors were opened, a vast room had ample space. There was a substantial stage-like platform with three oversized chairs in the middle of the stage. On the right side were wooden benches where others could sit to see the trial. His brethren led Romulus inside, and then the villagers followed. The male werewolves were also with their mates and held them close as they went inside to get a spot for themselves.

Romulus had his hands chained to the ground, making him unable to move. As more villagers got inside the courthouse, Romulus saw his cousin. Remus entered, walked up to the stage, and stood by the chairs. Romulus glared at his cousin with so much hate and rage. He growled at him, but Remus paid no attention to him.

When all the villagers entered, they heard footsteps coming into the courthouse. Romulus looked at the entrance, and his eyes became filled with relief. He saw Leah in a plain, long-sleeved white dress; her hair was longer and in disarray. The guards led Leah inside, and tears formed when she saw Romulus. She tried to go to him as Romulus tried to go to her. The guards held onto them to keep them in their place.

The couple's hands were shackled, and the guards connected the chains to the ground. The two looked at one another with relief and joy to see one another. However, their small, joyous occasion was interrupted when one of the guards commanded that all the witnesses rise.

Four elders entered the courtroom and took their seats.

The trial was about to begin as Marcus and the other elders, Francis, Beimount, and Demious, sat in their respective seats. Far from them were their mates who sat in the seats that were apart from them. "You may all take your seats," said one of the guards.

The werewolves and their mates did as they were told. All were silent. The elders eyed Romulus and Leah with disdain and disappointment. Leah looked at the elders; she never thought they looked so intimidating. However, she would glance at Romulus, whose eyes never wavered from the elders.

He was fearless.

"Romulus, you and your mate have broken many laws of our kind. You knew it was against our laws to leave to the human world! The only reason our kind goes to the human world is to find our mates, so our species can prosper!" said Marcus. His voice was loud and full of authority.

Romulus glared at the elders. When he was a child, he was raised to believe that the elders knew everything and thought of the greater good of their kind. The elders needed to keep stability, but they exaggerated everything that went against their beliefs.

"You have also risked our world for returning to the human world! It would have been catastrophic!" yelled Elder Demious, 59.

"Do you know what could have happened!?" asked Beimount.

Then, the elder Francis, the youngest of the elders, 44, spoke. "Romulus, what was your reason for leaving for the human world?" he asked gently.

Romulus looked at Elder Francis, the most understanding elder among them. Even though he was young, he was still considered wise. "Elders, I only thought of my mate's well-being. Since her grandmother is elderly, my mate was very worried. I couldn't stand to see her in such a state."

Marcus pounded on the side of his seat. "That was the only reason!? Do you realize what you have done!? Someone could have followed you! Your mate's grandmother could tell others of our location!"

"No, she won't. Her grandmother knew about our kind long before; her daughter was once taken by one of the werewolves of the past. We all know about the story; the one killed due to jealousy and desperation. Her grandmother doesn't even know where our community is; she let her granddaughter go." Romulus looked at tear-stricken Leah. "Our laws have caused so much pain and suffering, especially to our mates! We have taken our mates from their families! The families' only wish is to be reunited with their daughters or at least know that they are alive!"

The onlookers spoke to one another; the human females were silent or crying. "Silence at the court! Silence!" ordered the guards. All were silent once again.

The elders were shocked that Romulus raised his voice at Marcus.

"Elders." Everyone was silent, and all eyes were on Leah. The young woman looked at Romulus and then at the elders. "Romulus only thought of my well-being, and I then realized that he truly loves me. If anyone is to be blamed, it is me. I don't want Romulus to suffer because of me." Leah bowed and put her face to the ground as if pleading. "Please, punish me if you have to."

"No! She is not to blame. Punish or kill me if necessary, but please keep Leah from harm's way! I will take all the blame!"

Remus then stepped in. "Elders, Romulus has broken our laws! Leah does not have much blame since she is just a human ruled by her emotions! Romulus should have known better!"

"Enough! The other elders and I will try to come up with a verdict. All should come back within the hour, and it will be done," said Elder Marcus.

All three elders stood and left, as did the witnesses. The guards took Leah and Romulus to their cells to await their verdict, and Remus stayed behind.