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Chapter 50 | The Trial

"Choi Y/N?" A familiar voice called you out of your dazed state. You looked over and saw Lee Donghae, one of the prison guards standing right next to you. "Your mates are here to see you," he told you softly.

You took in a deep breath and nodded. Since two weeks ago, when you were placed into the prison system once again, your mates have made it almost their mission to visit you every single day. You had very mixed feelings about seeing your mates. On one hand, you were extremely grateful that they were supporting you every step of the way. On the other hand, you felt ashamed to see them. Although who actually pulled the trigger was a mystery, you still felt sick to your stomach that you had played an active role in killing a Hybrid.

Donghae brought you to the room where visitations were held. When you walked into the room, your seven mates were seated and their faces brightened when they saw you. When they saw that you weren't your usual self and seemed to have a dark cloud over you, their smiles faded quickly.

Taehyung, wordlessly, stood up and walked toward you before enveloping you in a hug. You stood there, unable to hug him back. He pulled back, still smiling as if nothing was wrong. He softly grabbed your hand and led you towards the other Hybrids who were seated, waiting for you.

"How are you?" Yoongi spoke up, his voice was very soft.

"I'm hanging on," you told your mates truthfully.

"You know we don't blame you, right?" Seokjin asked, softly stroking your hair.

"It's true," Jungkook chimed in. "You didn't have a choice. It was you or him, and I'm glad that you were okay."

You gave Jungkook a small smile, at his attempts to make you feel better.

"How are you feeling about the trial tomorrow?" Yoongi asked, changing the topic from the more sensitive one that Jungkook unknowingly brought up.

"Honestly I don't care about the outcome," you said looking down at your feet. "If they find me guilty of manslaughter, I'll accept it. If they don't find me guilty... I don't know. I still feel responsible for what happened."

"You were kidnapped," Namjoon reminded you. "The SWAT team took pictures and tested both your hands for gunshot residue. Your statement of what happened lines up with the evidence that we found-"

"Yeah, but he still died," you said, finally looking up at Namjoon. "No matter what happened, he still died. A life was taken away. And I had something to do with it."

"A terrible life," Jimin couldn't help mutter under his breath. Hoseok, who had heard the snarky comment, elbowed Jimin's side.

"As Jungkook said, it was either your life or his," Hoseok spoke up for the first time. "For us, even if you are found guilty and need to serve time in here. We're so happy that you are still alive and with us. Don't forget that. Please."

Tears started forming in your eyes. To have mates that are so supportive and loving was a gift that you didn't feel like you deserved. "Thank you," you breathed out. One by one, started by Yoongi, your mates began hugging you, giving you the strength you needed for the trial.


It was quiet as the entire audience waited for the result of the trial. The trial wasn't too long. Both sides had much to say but it all seemed to point in the same direction. The killing of Hwang Chanseong was either manslaughter, self-defense, or it was Chanseong, himself, who ended up pulling the trigger.

The Prosecutor's side was hesitant in bringing forth the charges. They weren't sure that they would win the case. But because a Hybrid was killed and you were the only other person in the room when he died, they had to arrest you and as a result, the case needed to be put on trial.

Since you had gunshot residue on your hands, they couldn't fully rule you out. They argued that because of your past trauma of being sexually assaulted, you might have felt the need to pull the trigger while fighting for the gun. It was weak, they had to admit, but they had to do their job.

Your lawyers, on the other hand, argued that while both you and Chanseong had gunshot residue on your hands, most of the residue was found on Chanseong's hands; leading them to believe that he was the one who pulled the trigger accidentally. They concluded that this was all a terrible accident, one that wouldn't have happened if Chanseong didn't kidnap you in the first place.

"Has the jury reached a unanimous verdict?" the judge asked the jury.

Immediately all those who were present in the court paid close attention. Your mates were seated right behind you, supporting you even though they couldn't touch to speak to you. Hyojung, Seunghe, and Minho were also present, anxiously awaiting the verdict. The other members of the Hybrid Unit were present on your side of the court as well. So was Sungjae and his mates, who were all present in support.

One of the jury members, a Hybrid stood up from his seat and held the piece of paper. "Yes. We the jury finds the defendant not guilty of all charges."

As soon as the final verdict of not guilty was spoken, the entire courtroom erupted into cheers and tears fell from your eyes as you let out a sob. It was all over. It was as if a burden had lifted from your chest; the trauma of being sexually assaulted at a young age could finally be put behind you. Your mates all let out a sigh of relief. They couldn't be too happy as they saw you sob. The strong woman that they all loved broke down after the chapter of her trauma had come to an end.

"Court is adjourned," the judge announced with a rare smile on her face.

When you turned around, your mates all rushed towards you and brought you in for a group hug. Each member took turns kissing you as they were in full celebration mode.

Hyojung cleared her throat, causing the small group hug to end. She looked at you with a smile on her face. "Looks like you won't be able to fulfill your bucket list," she commented with a genuine smile. "You don't know how much that makes me happy."

"Well, technically, I was in prison before the trial..." you said with a small smile. Hyojung responded with a roll of her eye but a smile on her face knowing that you made a cheeky remark and that perhaps you would be okay.

"Move aside, noona," Sungjae's voice called out as he pushed his way over to you. He still had a cast on from the surgery that he had to go through. "I'm waiting for you to thank me," he said wiggling his eyebrows.

You couldn't help but softly laugh at Sungjae's dramatics. Your mates all rolled their eyes as well.

"Thank you Sungjae, if it wasn't for you-"

"Me too!" Eunwoo chimed in, causing you to roll your eyes and your mates to laugh.

"-and Eunwoo, I don't know where I'd be right now," you thanked Sungjae and Eunwoo genuinely.

"Aw, I love you too," Sungjae cooed as he pulled you in for a hug.

"Alright, that's enough," Minho laughed. "Let's all go out for dinner. It's on me. It's not every day I get to spoil my baby sister."

As everyone began to follow Minho out of the courtroom, you couldn't help but shed a tear. You felt so blessed to have found such amazing friends, family, and mates. You still felt guilty about what happened to Chanseong and the words Chanseong's mate, the Black Tiger Hybrid spoke kept repeating in your head.

But with the verdict of not guilty, you made a promise to yourself. You were given a chance at a new beginning and you were going to take it. You were going to help Hybrids in every way you could and prove the Black Tiger Hybrid wrong.




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