THAT SAME NIGHT. IN THE JONES ESTATE.
The room was quiet, but a thick air of fury blew across every corner.
Williams Jones stood in the middle of the room, his face red with anger. His voice was loud and sharp. "You made a fool of this family, Mitch. In front of the whole Council!"
Andrea Jones, sitting beside his son, looked tired. His hands were shaking slightly. "He didn't mean to disrespect anyone, Williams. He just—"
"Don't!" Williams barked. "Don't defend him! That girl, broke the mate bond with Edward. She went against our laws. The punishment was clear, silver suppressing injection. It needed seven seals. Seven. And your son was the only one who didn't sign it!"
Mitch sat on the sofa, legs spread, arms folded. He looked calm. Too calm. "I didn't think she deserved that punishment," he said indifferently.
"She's an omega!" Edward shouted from near the window where he stood, fuming in anger.
"She broke the bond with me in front of everyone! And you still stood with her?" Edward barked.
"I didn't stand with her," Mitch said, not looking at him. "I just didn't want to torture her. Five years of servitude is already enough."
"You made me look weak!" Edward yelled. "You let her walk away with no real punishment."
"She didn't walk away," Mitch said. "She's trapped in your house. She's hurting. You're just angry because she didn't beg."
Edward stepped closer. "Yes. You're right. She didn't beg, because she feels equal with me. If you had signed the silver suppression, her wolf would have been restricted, a reminder of the omega she is!"
"Youre really mean," Mitch shot back. "Is that what you wanted? What if the table is turned around, will you accept that punishment?"
Williams slammed his hand on the table. The sound made everyone jump. "You don't get to pick and choose the law, Mitch! You're on the Council because of this family. Because of me. Don't forget that!"
Mitch stood now, his eyes burning. "No. I'm on that Council because I worked for it. I fought in the rogue wars, I helped rebuild this country, even in my young age. I—"
"You had support," Williams snapped, interrupting him
"You had a name! Jones! It worked for you! Don't pretend you did it all alone." Williams thundered, but Mitch didn't flinch.
Edward stepped in again. "You let me down, Mitch. You're my cousin. You should've stood by me."
Mitch turned to him slowly. "I don't support injustice. Even if it's family."
"Don't act like you care about justice," Edward said. "You just wanted to look like a hero."
"I care about what's right!" Mitch shouted.
"And mind how you speak to me! I'm still your elder!" Mitch yelled.
"An elder with four years!" Edward sneered.
"That four years is something! So show some respect!" Mitch snapped.
"Enough!" Williams roared. His voice shook the walls. His eyes flashed fire for a second, his wolf close to the surface.
Andrea rubbed his forehead and spoke softly. "He's still young, Williams. He'll learn."
Williams looked at Mitch with cold eyes. "He better. Because if he keeps acting like this, the Council will turn on him. And I won't stop them." then he stormed out of the sitting room.
Mitch didn't say another word. He just looked out the window, his face blank. After a while, he walked over to the sofa and slumped into it.
Edward stood still, fists clenched, breathing hard. After a moment, he stormed out.
Andrea rose quietly from the sofa, and proceeded to Mitch. He didn't speak right away. Just looked steadily at his son.
"You okay?" he asked softly.
Mitch didn't look at him. "Go ahead and keep scolding me if you want," he said in a cold voice.
Andrea let out a tired sigh and sat beside him. There was silence, which stretched for a few seconds.
"You made a big choice today," Andrea said. "And it wasn't an easy one."
"I did what I thought was right," Mitch said quietly. "Everyone's acting like I betrayed the family."
Andrea nodded slowly. "I know. But this family... we've lived by rules for so long, Mitch. When someone breaks them, even for a good reason, it shakes everything."
Mitch finally looked at his father. "So you think I was wrong too?"
Andrea shook his head. "No. I think you were brave. But bravery doesn't always come with applause. Sometimes it comes with anger, silence... or worse, distance."
Mitch's jaw tightened. "I didn't want to fight with Edward. He's my cousin. But I couldn't sign that paper. I couldn't do that to that fragile girl."
"I know," Andrea said. "I saw the look in your eyes when the sentence was read. You were thinking with your heart."
"I'm on the Council to do what's right," Mitch whispered. "Not just what's expected."
Andrea put a hand on his shoulder. "And that's exactly why I'm proud of you."Mitch's eyes burned for a second, but he blinked the feeling away.
"Your uncle... he's a strong man," Andrea went on. "But strength without compassion can be cruel. What you showed today was strength with heart. Not many leaders have that."
"They hate me for it," Mitch muttered.
"They're just angry," Andrea said gently. "Let them cool off. Time has a way of showing truth."
Andrea stood, walking toward the door, then halted.
"Don't lose yourself in all this noise, Mitch. And don't stop standing for what's right. Even if it means standing alone."
Mitch looked up at him, and for the first time all night, he felt a rekindling in his heart.
"Thanks, Dad."
Andrea gave a small, proud smile. "Get some sleep, son. Tomorrow's another battle."
And with that, he left the sitting room, closing the door softly behind him.
Mitch heaved a sigh of relief. His father was in support of his action, and that made his heart swell in joy.
He glanced at the huge wall clock, the night was far spent. He needed to get some sleep, but there was one more thing he had to do.