The Three Who Chose Me-Chapter 75: Trial by Fire

Kiel

I was already irritated the moment I walked into the meeting room and heard Varen’s voice. The way he said, "It’s about time you showed up," like I had nothing better to do than crawl to them on command, made something in me snap. But I said nothing. I was tired—tired of being misunderstood, tired of being blamed, and most of all, tired of being alone in this.

I turned away from Varen, ignoring the smug look on his face, and focused on the cluster of men gathered before me. The elders. Of course. Because why wouldn’t they be here? Just when I thought things couldn’t get any worse.

"What do you want?" I asked, my voice colder than I intended.

Elder Montreal stepped forward, his expression unreadable. "We’re here for questioning."

I let out a harsh laugh, shaking my head. "Questioning? You’re questioning me?" I turned toward Elder Archer, locking eyes with the man who had once praised my leadership. "Tell me, Elder Archer... does someone of my caliber really get questioned like some rogue off the street?"

I knew Varen was behind me, probably rolling his eyes like he always did when I pushed back. I didn’t need to see it—I could feel it. And all I could think was, Moon Goddess, please let those eyes roll so far back he trips over himself.

But I didn’t say it. I didn’t need to. My annoyance simmered beneath the surface, radiating from my body like heat waves. These were the same brothers who always expected me to show up, protect the pack, stand beside them. But the moment I needed them, where were they? Nowhere. Instead, I stood here, surrounded by people waiting to rip me apart.

Elder Archer didn’t even flinch. "You know the rules, Alpha Kiel. No one is above questioning. Not even you."

I let out a sharp breath through my nose and straightened. "Fine. Ask your questions. Let’s get this circus started."

Elder Graves stepped in next. "Is the man in the circulated image you?"

Thorne scoffed before I could even open my mouth. "Of course it’s him."

I turned on him so fast my vision blurred. "Stay out of this, Thorne," I growled. "You’ve done enough damage."

He had the nerve to look offended, but I didn’t care. I turned back to the elders, jaw clenched.

"I never imagined I’d be in a situation like this," I said, and for the first time, I let them see the strain behind my voice. "I’m going to get to the bottom of what happened. I’m investigating it myself."

Elder Montreal raised a brow. "Investigating yourself? Since when do criminals handle their own investigations? Or are you suggesting we should let this incident go—sweep it under the rug because you’re an Alpha?" 𝐟𝚛𝕖𝚎𝕨𝗲𝐛𝚗𝐨𝐯𝐞𝕝.𝐜𝗼𝗺

That stung.

"I’m not a criminal," I snapped. "And don’t twist my words. I’m telling you something isn’t right about what happened. I don’t remember going to any damn hotel. I went to a birthday party. I don’t care what the pictures say."

The other elders shifted uneasily. I could feel their judgment even in their silence. Varen said nothing. Neither did Thorne. The betrayal ran deep, and it was clawing at my insides.

"I have a mate now," I said tightly. "Do you really think I would throw that away for Michelle of all people?"

Elder Montreal didn’t waver. "It’s not about what we think, Kiel. It’s about what the pack sees. And right now, they see an Alpha who was caught in a compromising position with another woman."

"And that woman," he continued, "is trying to sue."

My head snapped toward him. "She’s what?"

"She’s threatened legal action. She wants justice. Claims her life has been ruined."

I laughed bitterly. "She wants justice? She’s the one who ruined mine!"

Elder Archer gave me a warning look. "You’re not helping your case by raising your voice, Alpha."

"She drugged me!" I growled. "She had someone take pictures and leak them. She tried to poison Josie! And you think she’s the victim here?"

Before they could answer, the door opened, and Michelle stepped into the room.

Of course. Because the Moon Goddess clearly hated me.

She was dressed in a soft blue gown that flowed around her like she was some tragic heroine in a romance play. Her face was pale, and her eyes were rimmed red. She sniffled as she stepped forward, hands folded over her stomach.

"No one will marry me now," she cried, her voice trembling. "Everyone saw the pictures. They think I’m a whore."

"Get out," I barked.

Her eyes widened at the venom in my tone.

"I don’t want to see your face again, Michelle. Leave the pack. Disappear. If I see you again, I swear to the Goddess, I’ll lock you up myself."

Michelle gasped. "You’d do that? After everything we shared? After what you did to me?"

"I didn’t do anything to you!" I shouted. "You drugged me. You staged all of this. And now you want sympathy? Get the hell out!"

The elders murmured amongst themselves, looking increasingly uncomfortable.

"Kiel," Elder Montreal said slowly, "you can’t do that. Michelle is right. The images are damning. You were with her, and—"

"I was not with her!" I roared.

"She was in your bed," Thorne said coldly. "And we all saw the pictures."

"I don’t care what you saw!" I turned to them all, voice shaking. "She’s lying. I’m telling you, I didn’t do anything."

Michelle stepped closer, eyes glinting beneath her tears. "You think you can just deny it and walk away? After getting between my legs? That’s not how it works, Kiel."

My entire body trembled with the effort it took not to snap. My wolf was howling inside, pacing, ready to explode.

"I will never claim you," I said through gritted teeth. "Not now. Not ever. You mean nothing to me."

Michelle’s lip trembled, and she looked toward the elders.

"Tell him," she whispered. "Tell him what happens now."

Elder Graves gave me a long, steady look. "Kiel... under our laws, you slept with her. That means she has a claim. You either deny it and submit to truth-binding—"

"I will," I said immediately.

"Or," he continued, "you accept the consequences. Marry her. Make her your Luna."

My vision blurred. My breath stopped.

"No," I said.

"You don’t have a choice," Michelle said, voice soft and saccharine. "You touched me. You made me yours."

"I will never—"

"That’s enough."

Thorne’s voice cut through the tension like a blade.

He stepped forward, finally, his hand raised.

"That’s enough," he repeated, this time quieter. "Everyone calm down. This isn’t helping."