Chapter 78

*Poppy*

I struggled to maintain a steady breath, my nerves on edge as I sat in the courtroom for an eternity. The absence of the Council and Seamus only heightened my anxiety. Easton's attempts to reassure me fell on deaf ears, my heart pounding in my chest, a relentless drumbeat of anticipation.

My phone vibrated in my pocket again, and I pulled it out to see what disheartening update Rose had sent me this time.

"Put it away. They're on their way." Easton, my new loyal friend and ally, leaned down and whispered. Without looking, I put the phone back down and glanced nervously over my left shoulder, meeting the cynical gaze of my mate, Seamus, who had appeared alone this time without his vixen clinging to his arm.

"I hope we can get this over with quickly. After all, it's New Year's, and there's no better way to celebrate it than in the Werewolf Council building."

His representative threw it our way as he walked past to sit in the dock reserved for the accused. Seamus didn't say a wor