I stand there, staring at the man in front of me. He's tall, well-built and attractive. He has that soft, gentle look about him that Landon doesn't have. But compared to Landon...Well, he can't even compare.

"Ah, Coen. I see you have finally met your mate," Kaden says smoothly. Does everyone know about this, except me? I'm mated, to Landon...Why can't everyone understand that?

Kaden steps back, grabbing the man’s shoulder. He pushes him forward, so he stumbles closer to me. I take an apprehensive step back, not wanting to be as close to this stranger. Even he eyes me carefully.

"I'm sorry," he mutters, once Kaden walks away. He is apologising for Kaden nearly killing me, but not for the knowledge they are spoon feeding me.

"What's going on?" I question. He frowns, slight lines forming on his forehead.

"What do you-"

"Why is everyone telling me you're my mate?" I question. He blanches at my tone.

I glance around. No one seems to notice our conversation, despite my outburst. I want to cry, I want to scream. I even want to punch and kick him until he tells me what's going on. But I don't. I remain calm and composed.

"Because you are my mate..."

"No. I have another man’s mark upon my neck," I tell him. He shakes his head in disbelief. Without my consent, he brushes my hair back, revealing the mark. The look on his face says it all.

He gently runs his hand over it, making me jump. There is a spark there. An unexplainable jolt between us. I push him away, scared.

"Did he mark you against your will...I’ll kill him," he mutters, his face going red in anger. His fists clench at his sides.

"I chose him," I tell him desperately. "Because that's what you do..."

He shakes his head, grabbing it with both his hands. He looks like he's in tremendous amount of pain, grabbing his hair and pulling it as if he's trying to expel bad thoughts.

"You don't just choose your mate," he says in between pants.

"What-"

"Can't you feel this?" He grabs my hand, that strange feeling pulsing up my body. I rip away from him, taking a few steps back which he only matches forward.

"Stop-"

"Mates are given to you by the Moon Goddess," he says, his voice so desperate, I feel as though he might cry.

My head is spinning so fast I feel as though I'm about to faint. His words don't make sense to me.

"Coen-"

"Don't you want me?"

"I can't!" I yell at him. I yell so loud that everyone stops to look at us. It even shuts Coen up, as he stares at me with a betrayed look in his eyes. When I glare back at people, they turn back around, pretending they never heard anything in the first place.

"I don't know you," I exclaim. A sudden feeling of calmness settles over me. Maybe I'll be able to face this again without yelling.

Coen's shoulders deflate. "That's because we just met."

"I've already met the man I love. A man I've loved for many years," I say gently. My tone is soft, and understanding. Yet Coen still fights through it.

"How can you love someone, when your mate exists?" He questions, as if my words are completely infallible. The look of loss and misunderstanding is stretched firmly into his features. Despite my confusion, I still feel bad for him.

I brush it off. "I've grown up with a completely different background to you. Choosing your mate has been something I've grown up believing is the only option..."

My words break off, falling away at the edges.

I grab Coen's hands. "And I think I may be pregnant."

His eyes widen in disbelief.

"It's early, but we didn't use protection..."

Coen stumbles backward, the look in his eyes so cruel and torn. He looks me up and down, with a look that is almost like disgust.

"I can't believe you would betray me like this," he says. I shake my head, my shoulders deflating.

"I didn't know-"

"Is everything okay?"

A familiar voice makes me relax. The soft melodic tone of the one man that I am mated to.

Landon.

I spin around, seeing him stride over. He glances at Coen, but seems to brush him off. He instantly wraps his arms around me, drawing me to his chest. Letting him embrace me for a few moments, I slither out of his grip; I don't want to make Coen feel any worse.

"Who's this?" Landon asks, motioning at Coen. If looks could kill, Landon would be ten feet underground. A look of murderous distain on Coen's features makes me shiver.

"Coen," he says, thrusting his hand out. I watch nervously as they shake hands, Landon's knuckles turning white as Coen squeezes them rightly.

Landon draws his hand away, looking impressively calm. "Are you trying to challenge me?"

"No Alpha. I just wanted to congratulate you on your mating with Althea," Coen says smoothly. Landon glances at me, but I avoid his gaze.

"Thank-"

"Good luck with your baby," he finishes, before turning his back on us to walk off.

I can feel Landon's hot gaze on me, but I try my best to ignore it. I grab his hand instead, wrapping my fingers around his own.

"We should get back inside," I say. My attempt to walk away is stopped short by Landon's grip pulling me back. I'm forced to look up at him, his grip under my chin keeping my gaze from straying.

"You know I love you right?"

I smile. "I do. And I love you too."

"And whatever happens in that court room doesn't define you. I know you didn't do anything wrong," Landon tells me. His words spread a warmth across my skin, giving me a sudden boost of confidence.

***

I'm back in the box. Kael is here. My fate hangs loosely in the air.

My eyes scan the room for Landon, but instead I find the cold eyes of Coen. He stares at me with something that can only be explained as hatred.

The fact that he is a Vengeance Pack member makes everything worst. If anyone can hold grudges, they can. They turn their vendettas into something cruel and sadistic, and use it in their favour.

He stands beside Alpha Kaden. I hope those two aren't too close, otherwise I'm truly dead...

Dallas clears his throat, ceasing all hum of discussion in the room. I stand up tall, meeting his eyes.

"I have used my time to revaluate the evidence," he says smoothly. Lies. He was out back kissing Jada like Landon said.

"The new evidence that has risen has given me a clearer view of what happened that night," Kael continues. I glance at Kaden to see him frown. Then I avert my gaze to Jada, who winks at me.

What could this mean?

"As the dictator of this court room, I have made my decision."

My heart stops, and for a moment I think I might faint. Everyone in the room leans forward in their seats as they hungrily listen for my verdict.

"With no objections, I announce Althea to be not guilty."