Laurel froze when she met Thora's icy stare. She stumbled back two steps, her face pale. "Thora, do you think being a general means you can do whatever you want? I can send you to a military court right now!" Norman yelled, his voice shaking with anger. Tristan spoke first, his tone dark and cold, "Colonel, my boss answers directly to the Lycan King. She holds the highest kill-on-sight authority. That means even if she put a bullet in you right now, she wouldn't face any trial or punishment. Do you understand?" He chuckled, but his eyes were filled with disdain. To him, it was sad and disgusting that someone like Norman was Thora's father. Norman's legs nearly gave out. He staggered back. Laurel grabbed his arm in fear. The Lawsons stayed silent. Marcus shot Caleb a warning look, telling him not to act rashly.But Caleb didn't see it at all. His eyes were glued to Thora. Hazel had just been slapped, and even though her heart burned with hatred, Tristan's words shut her up. She didn't dare make a sound. Thora took two steps forward. Her aura dropped like a mountain, pressing the air out of the room and forcing Laurel to shrink back. "Murdering the original Luna. Trying to kill a national hero and the rightful Alpha of Silverleaf Pack. Faking the succession decree." Thora let out a cold laugh. She spun her pistol in her hand, then pointed it straight at Laurel. "Tell me, which charges do you think can still keep you alive?" Thora's finger pulled back the safety. Laurel panicked at once. Her eyes darted everywhere, guilty and shaky. "I didn't! You're making things up! I never hurt Marlon, and I didn't fake the succession decree! That signature on it is his; he signed it himself! You accuse me of murder and forgery; where's your proof? Even if you're an officer, you can't smear people for no reason!" Terrified, Laurel grabbed Norman's arm like a lifeline. "Honey, you have to believe me! How could I ever dare do something like that? That bitch is accusing me without any basis!" Norman's expression tightened. He stared hard at Thora. But Thora's face was cold and unreadable, not even a ripple of emotion. Norman could tolerate Laurel, but only because she gave birth to a son and brought hope to the family. In his eyes, she was nothing more than someone who fulfilled his needs. But harming his father? Plotting against Marlon? That, he would never accept. Norman grabbed Laurel's wrist and snapped, "Is what Thora said true or not?!" "No! She's tricking you. You have to believe me!" Laurel cried, her voice cracking. "Why would I hurt Marlon? He's your father, which means he was my father too!""But you did try to kill someone, didn't you?" Thora's cold voice cut through the air. Her finger tightened slightly on the trigger. "You have no proof!" Laurel screamed. She knew Thora meant every word she said. She shrieked and rebuked, "Without evidence, this is slander! You're just throwing dirt on me!" "That's right!" Norman joined in, his tone full of calculation. "No evidence means you're abusing your power. If you shoot her, I'll report you to the military court myself! The charges would be severe, misuse of your power and killing the stepmother who raised you. Either one would ruin you. The army and the Lycan King would never let you stay in your position!" "You want proof? I'm the proof!" A deep, powerful voice exploded through the hall, cutting right through the standoff.