Chapter 128

"Remember, shoulders straight and chin up, baby..."

Those were the final words Xavier had imparted to me just before the guards arrived to escort me to my own court trial. As I stepped into the room, those encouraging words echoed in my mind, and I made a conscious effort to follow his directive.

The courtroom was brimming with council members and various citizens from the Lemuel pack, most of whom were strangers to me—though I didn't take the time to scrutinize their faces. I squared my shoulders and lifted my gaze, ensuring my chin remained parallel to the floor.

As I walked through the sea of pack members, I could feel the weight of their scrutinizing stares, as rigid as iron. I reached deep within myself and summoned every ounce of dignity that I could muster, gathering up the last remnants of self-possession I had left. I marshaled every single fraction of my remaining fortitude, hoping desperately that my heart would lend me the strength to continue.

I