Chapter 13 +15 Dominic was the first person I noticed , but it was because he was seated in my direct line of sight as soon as I entered . The doors were closed behind us . We took our places , and as soon as the main judge , an older man who probably believed that women were only worth something if they were married , called the court in session , Philip started screaming . " My apologies for my wayward , stupid daughter for wasting the panel's time with this nonsense ! " He snarled . " If anything , her fiance's family should be here to sue her for infidelity ! I didn't raise her to be so blatantly whoreish or disrespectful to show up to this farce of a case flaunting her affair . " I didn't flinch at Philip's outburst . I didn't even acknowledge it . Instead , I kept my head high as I waited to be addressed , occupying my mind and energy with taking in the expressions of the council men . I didn't have to wait long for one of them to speak . " Renee Caldwell , " one of the council members snapped , his voice laced with disapproval . " Do you have any idea the chaos you've caused ? A public lawsuit against your own Alpha ? Your own father ? " Another scoffed . " And showing up with a man ? What exactly are we supposed to think ? " I didn't need to speak because the man beside me did , his voice as calm , vicious , and sharp as a blade . If any of you had done your jobs correctly , you would know that I am the estate lawyer overseeing Renee Caldwell's mother's assets , " he said smoothly , his tone unimpressed . " This is the first time I've been able to speak with Ms. Caldwell due to her father's interference . And if that's not enough of a concern for this council , then I'd question whether you're truly fit to judge this case at all . " Silence . " Philip Caldwell's interference in my fiduciary duty should be of far more consequence to you than his hurt feelings about Ms. Caldwell deciding to seek justice for herself , second only the very justice she seeks . " 1 didn't looked at Philip , keeping my eyes on the council , just as my lawyer told me was key for all of this , but I didn't need to see Philip's face to know that his expression had changed . It was probably the same expression that had taken over several members of the Panel : fear . The face that Dominic remained , seemingly completely unaffected , gave me hope that even if Dominic would not directly help me , he would hear my case fairly . " And given that every member of the council was witness to at least the catalyst incident for today's case , one would think that the Panel would have observed a bit more decorum and rebuked Philip Caldwell for his outburst rather than joining into it . " Dominic didn't even flinch at the implication , but the rest of the panel shuffled their pages and stalled . My lawyer had made it clear when we met that he would never make a secret of his disdain for the Council - especially Dominic . He knew as well as I did that every single one of them had been there at the ceremony , standing silent as Philip had used his compulsion on me , and only Dominic had interceded . " That she had to file the case at all rather than having it filed for her and Philip arrested the same night is appalling , to say the least , but … my feelings aside , I'm not here to represent Ms. Caldwell in this case ," he announced coolly , sweeping his gaze across the room . " I'm here as a resource regarding her mother's estate - nothing more . She will be presenting her own case . " A ripple of murmurs swept through the chamber . They had expected a lawyer to speak for me , and now that he had called them all out for their behavior , they weren't sure what to do or say . It was just as he said it would be . Disarm them with accountability , and they would have to fall in line in an attempt to negate his words . " Do I have leave to present my case ? " The lead judge hesitated , but after a moment , after the flush in his face had faded a bit , he nodded . " I may be under twenty - five , but I am not a child , " I began , my voice steady . " The law recognizes werewolf minors for the sake of pack structure and governance . But for all intents and purposes it is a formality . I have a job . I attend a renowned master's program . I was old enough to confirm a chosen mate in ceremony . I am an adult . And no adult should have to fight this hard just to live their own life . And - " Philip scoffed , folding his arms . " You're being childish , " he said dismissively . " This is nothing but a tantrum from a girl who didn't get her way . You broke off your engagement on a whim , and now you expect to be free of all consequences ? " The words that wanted to come beat at my teeth . I swallowed them , pushing the memories of the wind , the betrayal , the despair of my death away . I was here . Now . There was still time to evade that . " I would appreciate not being interrupted ," I said , not glancing his way . " And I was going to say that no child should have had to put up with the abuse that I have . I assure the Panel that my desire and decision to end my engagement was not done on a whim . " I swallowed , feeling my mouth go dry as I prepared to say the words I had rehearsed . They had been true before , they were true now , as much of a bitter taste as that left in my mouth . " Yes , I loved Tyler , and had things been different that night , I might have gone through with the marriage , willingly . But things were not different . " I 11/2 J Chapter 13 @ let the words hang between us for a moment , then exhaled slowly . " I am here today because I am filing for legal emancipation from Philip Caldwell and from the Frostborne pack because that night was not the first time that Philip used his compulsion on me , not even that week . " I swallowed . " Today has not been the first time he has insulted me publicly to tear me down , to debase me for his own ends . The fact that Tyler did not intercede on my behalf , that he was content to marry me despite his betrayal and my blatant refusal , was merely a catalyst to give me the strength to come here today because I realized that to marry him would be to condemn myself to a lifetime of what I had already experience at the hands of Philip , and I did not want it . " I looked up at Dominic . " I will forever be grateful and indebt to Alpha Dominic for stepping in from me . " His eyes widened just a bit before the unmoved expression returned . I breathed deeply and pulled the folder of medical records out . " It is socially agreed upon that the only fair use of the alpha compulsion are instances of treason and imminent physical threat . Breaking my engagement did not meet that burden … Nor did getting a B on an exam , or buying a new set of underwear , or… " As I listed all the instances in which Philip had used compulsion on me before the ceremony , my eyes burned with unshed tears . My chest was tight . Something in me grew hollow . I had never let myself think critically about my life at Frostborne , but separating each individual record in order made it hard not to think about it . When I reached the last set of documents , I looked up . " These are medical records are to serve as proof for the theory of prolonged mental and emotional abuse as well as imminent danger . " The murmurs surged into full - fledged shock . " My bank records and signed testimony about the day after the broken ceremony are to serve as proof for the theory of financial abuse . For all these reasons , I am suing for emancipation from him and the Frostborne pack ." " You little- " Philip sputtered . " You would be nothing without me ! How dare you speak of me like that ? " " I want to be clear that this suit isn't about the past abuse , " I said , ignoring Philip's near screech beside me . " It's about my future . If could be assured that it was secure , if I could count on the law to be completely on my side , I would not have brought any of this up , but I am underage , and I only have a limited amount of time before my prime window or applying for internships for my licensure closes and emancipation is the fastest path forward . I am going into public accounting , I can't be affiliated with an embezzler . " They murmured among themselves , shuffling paper . " After all , I am at the top of my class , what other reason would every company I've applied to have to reject me and rescind interview offers , other than knowing about his fiduciary criminal behavior and fear that I may be a part of it ? " 2/2