The Dark Side Of Fate by Karima Sa'ad Usman

22 The Verdict (Book 2)

~Leo~

Devin announced Kyle and Linda's case, and I saw Theodore tense. Linda stood up and moved towards the stairs to stand in the hall's centre.

Kyle moved towards the centre quickly, and people were murmuring.

I did not know why Kyle wanted trouble. All he had to do was give Linda back her land and the money her parents left her, which were in his control, but the man was stubborn.

"Councilman Leonardo Albert, you will oversee this hearing and pronounce judgment. Be warned that I will not allow sentiments concerning judgment," Sylvester ordered from his throne. I stood up to pay my respect to the king and queen. Then I greeted the Lords and everyone in attendance.

I picked up the paper before me to read the case.

"Alpha Kyle Nikson of Brent pack, once married to Lady Linda Orlov, has refused to return his ex- wife's belongings to her, stating they were joint possessions due to their marriage and he did not initiate a divorce of his free will; thus, he has the rights to keep what they jointly owned during their marriage, and if there is need for a division, the wealth, both fixed and liquid assets, should be divided evenly between the two as he has helped increase the wealth in question.

The alpha claims that his pack members own properties on the land and thus cannot relinquish his hold because it was with the understanding and agreement of his ex-wife.

He also claims he has grown the wealth by investment, and the liquid asset has tripled in value.

Although Lady Orlov claims she wants both fixed and Liquid assets back, Alpha Kyle has refused, which has led to the second hearing today. " I said and then sat down.

The noise in the hall had increased, so I had to bang the gavel to silence the crowd. I hated my job, but Devin and I had to place ourselves high to ensure what happened with Larry did not repeat itself.

"I am giving Lady Linda the floor to state her arguments," I said, and everywhere was silent.

"Thank you, councilman Albert," Linda said, sounding formal.

She bowed to the king and queen, and Tamia nodded, indicating she could speak.

"Both Liquid and fixed assets were given to me by my parents as part of their last will and testament before they passed away. There was no time that I officially handed over anything to Kyle. My marriage to Alpha Nikson has been rocky.

During the last period of our marriage, he forcefully settled his pack members on my land, claiming his land was not enough for their expansion. I had no voice then, so I let it be.

He took over my bank accounts after he mated with his fated, cutting me off financially to ensure I suffered.

I do not want to mention things he did to me within this period, but he planned to make sure I rotted in the cells for trying to escape the cruelty he had subjected me to. Luckily the north came, and he gave me away as a tribute.

I do not seek retribution for the crimes he has committed against me. All I am asking is that he gives me back the things he took by force.

He initially claimed I gave him these things, yet he couldn't show any document of transfer of ownership signed by me.

He now claims we owned them jointly, which means I also own his pack. Thus everything we own together should be split in the middle, the pack inclusive, as I have helped nurture and build the pack during my tenure as Luna. I do not seek this; I am just stating the implications of his argument.

Even though I am married to a northern lord, I am still an easterner. It is my right as an easterner to keep my assets in the east," she said, and there was a rage in her voice that let me know that Kyle would not have it easy if this did not go Linda's way.

" All I ask for is that Kyle Nikson return everything I originally owned, both fixed and liquid assets, so we can part in peace," She stated plainly, and there was silence. I waited for her to say something, but her silence indicated she was done speaking.

"Kyle Nikson, you may argue your case," I said, and he stepped forward. I hope, for all our sakes, he says something reasonable and agrees with Linda so we can move on.

"According to eastern tradition, both parties own each other's property by virtue of marriage. I did not divorce my wife; she was taken away from me as tribute. I was forced to let her go. I had pleaded with the north to return my wife and even tried to replace her with my fated as my tribute, but.." He started, and people began to murmur. I knew Kyle's angle. It was stupid. I banged the gavel to silence the people, and he looked around.

"Continue," I said, and he nodded.

"My people are on that land. They have built their homes and businesses on the land. This will displace them. As for the money, my pack currently depends on the investments made by the funds; pulling out the funds will render my pack completely penniless. We won't have enough to survive, let alone defend ourselves from threats. Alpha Leonardo Albert is very aware of this since we recently have a case of an Alpha losing his pack in the east," He stated, and I banged the gavel because he was out of line.

"Remain on the subject, Alpha Nikson. Do not derail," I warned, and he had no choice but to apologise.

"Lady Linda is not in need but in search of revenge for grievances between us, of which I have apologised. It is cruel for her to want to displace people and plunge an entire pack into poverty as revenge. I am pleading with this council to help me, plead with Lady Linda to let this go." He said, and the crack in his voice showed the state of his mind. He was desperate, and he hoped he would win.

"Council?" I heard Sylvester say, and I stood up, knowing I would have to proffer a solution. © 2024 Nôv/el/Dram/a.Org.

"Lady Orlov, Alpha Kyle," I began, and they were attentive.

"This is a difficult and an easy case, depending on the angle. Difficult because of the number of people affected by the verdict but easy because of the obvious solution. As head Alpha of the east, I know what it means for people to be displaced and a pack to be rendered defenceless. However, I know what Lady Orlov went through while married to Alpha Kyle, so I won't fault her for her decision. Here is my solution," I said and sighed.

"I proffer that Alpha Kyle hands over the land ownership to Lady Orlov, but instead of chasing the people that have settled there, I request that Alpha Kyle be asked to pay rent at the current value to keep his people on the land. Failure to do this should result in the eviction of the people." I said, and people were murmuring, but that was the best option because some people had permanent structures on the land.

"I also proffer that Alpha Kyle returns the original sum of money he took from Lady Orlov and return to her either in the form of shares, investments or cash. He must also pay her thirty per cent of the profit gained from these investments. In comparison, he keeps the seventy per cent he invested to keep the finances of his pack afloat. This is because the investments were purely alpha Kyles's idea, and because of that, the money used for these investments will be treated as a loan. The thirty

per cent extra he will pay will be treated as the interest that occurred from the loan," I said, and neither party seemed pleased or disappointed, but Kyle would be burnt the most because he needed money to pay rent.

"Well, I will gladly relinquish my hold on the land if Alpha Kyle is willing to buy it at the current market value. I would not want anything to keep us in contact with each other," Linda said, and as wise as it sounded, Kyle did not have the funds to purchase the area from Linda.

"Does anyone have an issue with the solutions proffered by the council leader?" Devin asked, and no one spoke.

"Does anyone have issues with the solution proffered by Lady Linda?" He asked, and no one said anything. So I banged the gavel to pass judgement.

"Alpha Kyle Nikson is to either pay Lady Linda rent or purchase the land at current market value. He is to return the original sum he took from Lady Linda with an interest of thirty per cent," I gave the order and banged the gavel.

Theodore stood up immediately after I did that and spoke. The whole place was silent.

"You are lucky that your friend saved you today. One thing that Alpha Leo has failed to do is mention the punishment for you failing to do as the council has ordered," he said, and I knew I messed up there.

"If you fail to do what is required of you within two months, I will seize your pack and place my representative as the alpha. I do not need permission, nor do I have to table my grievances before the king and the council. You have been warned, Kyle. I am giving you two months simply because you have come through for the north in the past. Do not test my patience," Theodore said and sat down.

People murmured, mainly because they were afraid for Kyle.

Kyle looked at me angrily before bowing to Sylvester and Tamia and walking away.

Linda returned to her loge to sit beside her husband. This was honestly the best outcome for Kyle. I hoped he wouldn't be stupid enough to wait until Theodore came for his pack because we had more significant issues pending.

"Alpah Maxwell Blanch," Sylvester called out, and I knew he was most interested in Max's case because he did not wait for me to announce Max.

Max stepped forward and stated everything that happened as he had told me. Sylvester did not seem surprised, and I knew he knew something I would soon find out at the estate.

We discussed other matters, and the meeting ended.

I went to say hello to Sylvester and Tamia and linked Amelia to join me.

When I got to their loge, Sylvester got up and extended his hand for a handshake. It was clear they were happy to see me. He looked at Amelia and smiled at her extending his hand for a shake; he stared at her for a while.

" Mother was right; she does look like a Stephanov," He said, and I looked at Amelia, who was confused. We had a long way to go, but I hoped I might find her family and her true home.