Outcast: The Alpha King's Beloved

Chapter 264: Everything Is Settled 

Anthony's POV:

Upon hearing Grace's plea, I nodded.

"Since you are willing to admit to your crimes and show remorse for your actions, I am willing to consider giving you a lighter sentence." I declared.

Then, turning to my attendant, I ordered, "Bring Mandy here."

Minutes later, a sobbing Mandy was escorted towards me.I looked at her and relayed what had just happened at the funeral.After hearing about what happened, she pointed at Devin with a crazed look in her eyes. Nôvel/Dr(a)ma.Org - Content owner.

"You bastard!" She laughed hysterically.

Devin hung his head low and sank to the floor like a stray dog.He drowned in a sea of curses as everyone around him shamed him for what he had done.I surveyed the indignant crowd before signaling for them to calm down.When they had grown quiet, I explained to everyone how Marlon had died.Then, I started announcing my judgments expressionlessly.

"Mandy, you were used by Devin.Thinking you could kill the future Luna, Helen, you gave the poisoned perfume to her, indirectly killing Alpha Marlon.You also framed Helen, throwing the case off course.You're sentenced to five years in prison.Do you admit to your crimes?" I asked.

"I do.I was wrong.I won't do it again.Thank you for your magnanimity, Mr.Jones."

Mandy knelt on the floor and spoke in a hoarse voice, sobbing softly.I turned to the true murderer and announced his punishment.

"As for you, Devin, you poisoned your father, Marlon, in order to become the next Alpha.Then, you framed Helen, then Mandy.You're sentenced to a life in prison."

The guards pressed Devin against the floor, pinning him in place.He looked up at me wordlessly, refusing to respond.

"And Grace, you were an accomplice to Devin's crimes.You also didn't tell the truth at first.But now, you have confessed and shown remorse.Plus, it was Devin who coerced you, meaning you did not commit the crimes actively.You are sentenced to three years' imprisonment.If you behave well in prison, you can be commuted," I announced.

"Thank you for your magnanimity, Mr.Jones."

Grace hurriedly knelt down and accepted her sentencing.

"As for Adonis, although you sold some illicit drug, you admitted your fault in time to aid in the investigation.Moreover, you didn't know what Devin was going to do with the drug, so your punishment will be the lightest.You will be fined twenty thousand dollars and you have to hand over all the illegal substances in your possession.From now on, you are not allowed to sell any illicit drugs, or else, you will be severely punished." I turned to Adonis seriously.

"Thank you for being merciful, Mr.Jones!"

Tears welled up in Adonis' eyes.

Thus, the trial was over, and everything was settled.

"Mr.Jones, you're brilliant!"

Everyone looked at me with respect and applauded.

"It's evident Mr.Jones can tell right from wrong.He will make a virtuous king!"

Betty also applauded me with tears in her eyes.She gently dabbed them away and bowed before me.

"I'm deeply grateful to you, Mr.Jones.Without you, we wouldn't have upheld justice for Marlon."

"It's no big deal, Luna Betty.It's my duty as the prince." I nodded to her and smiled.

"Take them away,"

Jennifer instructed the guards, pointing at Devin and the others.

The guards nodded in unison and proceeded to do as they were told.

"I haven't done anything wrong! You're lying! You bitch! I didn't kill my father, you idiots! Prince? Bah! He's nothing but a bastard!"

As the guards dragged him away, Devin kept cursing and struggling.He looked and sounded like a lunatic, and nobody paid him any heed.

"Thanks again, Mr.Jones.I can't thank you enough!"

Betty walked bowed to me again.

Tears welled up in her eyes.

"Mr.Jones, if it weren't for you, my father would have died for no reason and we wouldn't have found out the truth."

Daniel, holding Helen's hand tightly, expressed his gratitude to me as well.

"Yes, thank you so much—all of you! Thank you for coming to save me!"

Helen threw her arms around Jennifer and burst into tears.

"Luna Betty, please don't be too sad.I hope you can still live happily, despite your grief," I told Betty.

"Thank you, Mr.Jones.I really don't know what to say.How could Devin do such a thing? Never in my wildest dreams would I have thought he would turn out like this.It's all my fault.I didn't raise him well..." Betty wiped her tears with a tissue.

"I beg to disagree, Luna Betty."

Jennifer hugged her and patted her back comfortingly.

"You brought up an educated and excellent son, too.I believe Daniel will become a wonderful Alpha."

Helen's POV:

The truth surrounding Marlon's death was finally brought to light and justice had been served.I heaved a heavy sigh of relief, feeling both excited and conflicted.

"It's all thanks to you and Anthony that my name was cleared, Jennifer." I took her hand and squeezed it lightly.

"I don't think I could ever repay you."

"Don't say that, Helen.You and Daniel are both good friends of mine.We would never just stand by and watch if our friends were in trouble!"Jennifer scolded me playfully.

But her words touched me to my core.What a good friend she was! I was so lucky to have met her.In that moment, I realized I had found a lifelong friend.

"I still can't believe that the real murderer is my brother..."

All of a sudden, Daniel, who was standing next to me, sighed heavily.

"It's my fault, really.I never noticed how distorted he had become.I could've stopped all of this!"

Betty echoed, blaming herself.

Seeing the one I loved so sad felt like a knife stabbing at my heart.I could only imagine how Daniel must've felt.

Devin was his brother, after all.

"Don't be too sad, Daniel and Luna Betty.I know in my heart that Alpha Marlon would've wanted us to live happy lives." I tried my best to comfort them.

"Good girl, thank you.You're so considerate.And you're right.I still have Daniel and you." Betty held my hand and looked at me with a gentle smile.

"After the funeral, we will hold the ascension ceremony.Our pack will have a new Alpha.As such, Helen, you must be ready to be Daniel's Luna."

"I will try my best!" I nodded firmly.

"Mr.Jones, Luna Betty, it's almost the time for the burial ceremony," the priest announced.

Anthony nodded.

Then, the coffin of Alpha Marlon was carried to the hearse.

Everyone followed it to the cemetery.

As the coffin was lowered into the ground, I burst into tears again.

After the burial ceremony, everyone headed back to the hall of Black Stone House for dinner.My father and I sat together.

"Helen, you will be responsible for the pack once you become Daniel's Luna.Don't let him worry about you," my father advised me.

"Okay, Dad." I lowered my head, glancing shyly at Daniel.

Just then, a gunshot rang out.

Alarmed, I stared in the direction where it came from.

Devin rushed into the hall, waving a gun in his hand.

"I'm going to kill you!" Eyes red with crazed rage, he yelled at Daniel and me.

"No!" Daniel flung himself at me in an effort to dodge Devin's attack.

The hall broke instantly into chaos.

"I'm sorry, Mr.Jones.We couldn't stop him!" The guards rushed in, following Devin.

"Be careful!"