Aric met his eyes. “Then I forsake my pureblood status and all the privileges that entails.”

When I was in high school, glares and taunts greeted me every time I stepped into that damned building. The kids hated me because they knew I was different. Some poured paint into my locker, others wrote disgusting things about me in the bathroom, a couple of girls even managed to toss gum into the back of my hair. At that moment, I really missed high school. In high school, I could beat the snot out of anyone who messed with me. I was stronger, faster, tougher. Here, I was a preternatural creature among many, and these packed ammo.

The entire audience lost their shit, taking Aric’s decision as a personal insult and attack. Disgusted growls erupted at an alarming rate. A female were rushed from her seat with her nose in the air and her bejeweled crown placed perfectly on her head to spit at Eliza’s feet. If it hadn’t been for Eliza’s grip on our arms, both Aric and I would have jumped her. Our loved ones encircled us to face the guards, although their backs were to us as they attempted to hold back the angry mob.

Omar flashed Tye a knowing smile. He didn’t see me notice him over the rising chaos. But I did. I also noticed Tye’s lack of enthusiasm at his father’s behavior.

Omar roared over the crowd and stared down at Aric with so much superiority, it sickened me. “You’re aware of the new laws that have recently come to pass.”

Our weres exchanged seething glances, but it was Martin who responded in a low, furious voice. “Do not tell me you still honor the laws suggested by a madman.”

Omar crossed his arms over his ridiculously bejeweled chest. “He might have been a madman, but his reasons for the laws passed were just ones. Furthermore, he didn’t act alone. Members of my council also provided their input and amended the laws to be fair.”

Martin’s remaining patience melted away, his rage forcing my claws to protrude. He pointed his finger at me. “The evil one tortured this innocent woman for weeks using our magic!” His entire body shook with his need to fight. “He took the most sacred of our power to do his bidding. His goal was to rule the entire were nation by commandeering your position. And yet you uphold the laws conjured to help him achieve his aspirations? That’s idiocy!”

Omar narrowed his eyes. “I’m neither weak nor a fool. Had the evil one attempted to release his malevolence in my presence he’d have felt my jaws crush his heart.” It took all the weres on our side to hold Martin back. Omar ignored them to address Aric. “Do you still wish to deny your birthright?”

I clutched Aric’s arm to try to stop him, recognizing the malice sizzling in Omar’s irises. Something dreadful was about to happen. If I hadn’t been so weak and fragile, he wouldn’t have kept me blind to the potential danger. But I was too late. He answered Omar without hesitation.

“Yes. I relinquish my title as a Leader and a pureblood.”

Omar’s stare set like stone. “So be it. Aric Aidan Connor, you are hereby stripped of your supreme status of Leader.” Aric kept his eyes trained on the podium. “You will no longer enjoy the comforts of pureblood status and will relinquish your funds, property, possessions, and those of your mother to the North American Were Council.” Silently Aric and Eliza removed their capes and crowns and turned them over to an intern who’d remained quietly in a corner. It was so hard not to cry; they didn’t deserve this disgrace.

Omar continued, enjoying himself. “And in accordance with our new laws you and your mate are sentenced to a year of hard labor in our maximum-security were prison.”

Taran couldn’t take it, she started screaming and cursing. Violent blue and white flames blazed and crackled around her. Instead of trying to soothe her, primal growls erupted from Gemini. I froze, too astonished to move. Emme cried, large angry tears, ready to launch her force at anyone who approached me.

“You call this a just rule!” Koda growled.

“I call it our law,” Omar growled back. “Watch yourself.”

Shayna stepped in front of me, converting the seven toothpicks in her hands into long gold needles. “No way, dude. No freaking way are you sending my sister to prison!”

Aric placed his hand on her shoulder. “I’m the only one going.” He faced Omar again. “The new law also states that as the offending pureblood I can carry out any sentence for both myself and my mate.”

I lurched forward. “No! This is how you planned to take care of things?”

Aric gripped my waist, his eyes taming when they met mine. “I hadn’t expected the judgment to be so severe. But if two years away from you will guarantee us a lifetime together, I’ll do it.”

I sobbed into my hands. “No, Aric. You can’t do this. It isn’t right.”

Eliza wept in Makawee’s arms while our remaining group exploded in audible protests.

“Aric, your chivalrous offer is duly noticed and accepted.” Omar’s response was simply stated. He was ready to move on.

The wolf who’d regarded us with sympathy cleared her throat. “Sir President, in order for the offending were to take on the punishment of his mate, the mate must be deemed worthy of a pardon from a member of the North American Were Council.”

Omar’s upper lip curled. He obviously hadn’t expected anyone to bring this to our attention. He should have, though, if he really wanted me punished.

The wolf surprised me by not cowering at his feet. “Is there a member present who can speak on Celia’s Wird’s behalf?” she asked the audience.

“I’ll speak for Celia.” Tye glanced at his father, not bothering to hide his fury while he prowled to my side. The guards parted and allowed him to stand beside me. “Celia is honorable. She doesn’t deserve to be sentenced to prison and neither does Aric.”

A loud murmur spread throughout the crowd. A plume of pink feathers popped up as Destiny jumped out of her seat and onto the auditorium floor. The guards stepped away from her, too, more out of fear than respect for her position, I imagined. She pointed her finger in my direction. “Sir President, the lion is supposed to mate with the tigress. I have seen it.” She thought about her choice of words and let out a giggle. Her face flushed pink, clashing hideously with her hot pink glitter eye shadow and fuchsia lipstick.

“I am well aware of your prediction, Destiny.” The edges of Omar’s mouth curved into a pleased smile. That’s when I realized his intentions. He was sending Aric away so his son could fulfill Destiny’s prophecy.