Kidnapped in Sister’s Place and Emotionally Numbed: The Tragic Twin Cuts All Ties Chapter 09
The trial started not long after. The Pack Council tribunal.
Veyra’s side showed up in force: the whole Rothmere family, two lawyers, and enough confidence to fill the
courtroom.
On my side, it was just me and Mr. Wren.
The judge read out the rules. Both sides started making their cases.
Veyra’s lawyer went straight for the angle that I was suicidal.
“Liora was raised in isolation and has a deeply fractured relationship with the Rothmere family.”
“After returning to the Frostmere Pack, she made repeated attempts to gain her family’s affection. But that
kind of bond can’t be built overnight.”
“When she realized that the Alpha and Luna’s love was reserved for Veyra, she became consumed by
jealousy and despair.”
“On the day in question, Liora threw herself into the road. Veyra couldn’t brake in time and, in a state of panic,
left the scene.”
He was good. I’d give him that.
The Rothmeres had treated me like I didn’t exist. If I’d been the person I used to be, the story might’ve been
believable.
But that girl was gone. The one who could be broken by her parents choosing Veyra didn’t exist anymore.
“I have no reason to kill myself,” I said.
“Yes, you do!” Veyra shot to her feet. “You’re jealous that Mom and Dad love me more! You used to hide and
cry all the time. I saw you!”
She was so desperate to sell the suicide story that she didn’t realize what she was admitting to.
She didn’t notice Mom and Dad’s faces change when she said it.
Mom was staring at me.
“You used to… cry alone?”
I didn’t answer. I faced the judge.
“Due to extreme trauma, my wolf absorbed my emotional capacity and went dormant. I was diagnosed with emotional apathy syndrome last month.”
The courtroom erupted.
Every face in the room looked the same: stunned.
Jealousy. Envy. Grief. I didn’t have any of it.
Whatever the Rothmeres did or didn’t do, it didn’t register.
Mr. Wren stepped forward. “Your Honor, we’d like to submit evidence.”
The bailiff brought over my medical file.
Along with it came the parking lot surveillance, the SUV’s driving data, and Evander’s sworn statement.
None of it had anything to do with whether I was emotionally impaired.
It proved one thing. Veyra aimed that car at me.
“So you really can’t feel anything.” A laugh tore out of her, high and jagged. “Nothing at all.”
She couldn’t stop laughing.
The judge called for order.
The case was straightforward after that.
Once the suicide angle collapsed, all that was left was what Veyra actually did.
Veyra’s eyes locked on me, pure murder.
The Pack Tribunal found her guilty on both counts. Attempted murder. Fleeing the scene.
A Council conviction. Her shot at pack leadership, academy enrollment, and everything else was gone.
“Liora, you little…”
Pack enforcers pulled her out before she could finish.
Mom watched them take her. For the first time, she didn’t run after Veyra.
When the courtroom cleared, she came to me. Slowly, like she was afraid I’d leave.
“Liora, we didn’t know about your wolf. I swear we didn’t.”
Her eyes were red, her voice shaking.
“We thought you were tough. You came home in one piece, so we assumed you were fine. I didn’t know you
sat in that hospital room alone all that time…”
“You knew,” I said. “You just never asked.”
She had nothing to say to that.
Dad came over. Every trace of the Alpha was gone from his face.
“This was our fault.”
His voice was low.
“Keep the charges against Veyra. Ask for whatever restitution you want. We won’t stand in your way.”
“But come home. Please. I’ll have your room redone however you want. And I’ll find the best healer in the
country for your wolf.”
“Frostmere will always be your home.”
Before I could answer, Mr. Wren opened his briefcase.
“Alpha Rothmere. Luna Rothmere. This declaration severs Liora’s familial ties and withdraws her from the Frostmere Pack bloodline. If there are no objections, your signatures are required.”
