🔥 He threw me away as unworthy. I survived, raised his triplets, and built a life without him. 👑 Chapter 1. CHAPTER ONE Aria's POV There is an old saying that the man you meet at nineteen will change your life forever. He will be your greatest love… or he will be the one who breaks you the most. I didn't believe it until I met Kael, the absolute love of my life. To the world, he was Kael Darkriver, the powerful Alpha of the Crimsonclaw Pack, a man feared and respected. But to me… he was just Kael, and he was everything I ever wanted in a man. He was the man who used to sneak away from pack meetings to sit beside me by the river, who knew every strange thought in my head and never once thought I was weird. He was the only person who truly saw me. I was always an odd duck, misunderstood by everyone but Kael. He understood me, he knew me, he loved me. With him, I felt like I belonged, and because of that I never cared what anyone thought about secretly fooling around with the alpha. I was ready to go through every miserable day with the pack, swallowing their snide remarks and sneering as long as I ended up in the warm embrace of Kael's arms at night under the moon where we would lie on the grass and talk for hours about everything and nothing. We may not be bonded mates, but we had a very strong bond. Whatever everyone had to say didn't matter, I was the love of Kael's life, he was my peace, and one day I was going to become his mate, his Luna. And they would have no choice but to accept me. “What are you doing?” Rowan's voice disrupted my train of thought. “You've been smiling at that mirror for hours, the blood moon is already almost here. I blinked and looked at him through the mirror. My older brother leaned against the doorframe with his arms crossed, his dark brows pulled together in amusement. “A girl always needs to look good, you know. Especially when you have an eventful evening to look forward to… but I don't expect you to understand.” I teased and rolled my eyes. “Eww... Please spare me the details of your forbidden romance with the Alpha. You have two minutes or I'll leave you, chop chop.” he said, walking away. I stuck my tongue out at his back then quickly wriggled into my dress, a long black off-shoulder gown and I paired it with silver shoes. “Legal Advisor,” Rowan called dramatically from the hallway. “Let’s go before the ceremony ends without you.” “Okay, okay, I'm coming.” I hurriedly packed my purse as I ran after him. Tonight was important — not only was it the Blood Moon gathering, but it was also my first official event as legal advisor to the pack. Kael had just appointed me legal advisor to the pack, and despite the fact that many people protested the decision and some elders had argued against it openly, Kael stood firm in his decision. He knew I was capable, he knew it was my dream, and he helped me get it. Just like always, it had been the two of us against the world. The sacred grove was already filled with the rest of the pack when we arrived. The air buzzed with tension, and everything glowed red from the reflection of the blood moon that hung heavy in the sky, making the shadows look darker. “What's going on?” I whispered to Rowan who also had a confused look. In front of the pack, Kael stood there with the pack elders. My heartbeat quickened the moment I saw him. Even in the red moonlight he stood out, tall and commanding. But something about him looked different tonight…and my stomach clenched in an anxiety I couldn't explain. My eyes strayed to the figure behind him and landed on her. Selene Vale. She stood a few paces behind Kael on an elevated platform, dressed in white so stark it seemed to glow under the crimson moonlight like fresh snow stained with red. Why was she standing there? My stomach twisted tightly. And why hadn't Kael looked at me once since we arrived? What the hell was happening, somebody say something already. Unease crept slowly through my chest as Elder Darius raised his staff and struck it against the ground, and sound echoed through the grove like thunder, so loudly that the groove fell silent. “Wolves of the Crimsonclaw Pack,” he announced, his voice echoing throughout the grove. “Tonight is more than the celebration for the Blood Moon. Many years ago, the Moon Goddess delivered a prophecy to this pack. A prophecy foretelling the arrival of the Alpha’s true Luna.” What stupid prophecy was he talking about, I was going to be the alpha's chosen mate, so what in fucks name was going on here. My fingers clenched at my sides as Elder Darius turned. Not toward me but toward Selene. “Tonight,” he announced, his voice rising like a final judgment, “the prophecy has been fulfilled.” For a moment, the world seemed to tilt upside down as gaps exploded through the clearing, followed by the sounds of bodies dropping to the floor as wolves began dropping to one knee around me. But I couldn't move, I could barely breathe as I watched Selene step forward and slip her hand into Kael’s. The sight hit me like a physical blow and before I realized what I was doing, I stepped forward. “Elder Darius,” I said, and every head turned to me. “Aria…” Rowan’s hand closed quickly around my arm, but it was too late. “How can you be so certain?” I asked. My voice sounded calm, but inside me something was breaking. “Prophecies are not simple riddles,” I continued. “You taught us that yourself, didn't you? You cannot choose a Luna simply based on a howl.” Darius’ eyes hardened. “Be careful, child.” “I am being careful,” I replied quickly. “Blood and sound are not proof of destiny. What evidence do we have beyond…” “Enough.” Kael’s voice cut through the night like a blade. I turned to him instantly, my heart still filled with hope. There was no way he actually believed this, he loves me. I searched his face, looking for anything that told me he was still the man who loved me and I was still the one he loved. Tell them this is madness… I pleaded silently. Tell them you wouldn't marry a woman just because of a prophecy. But his eyes were cold and distant and he barely looked in my direction. “The elder has spoken,” he said evenly. “The Moon Goddess has spoken.” Something inside my chest shattered and a bead of tears formed in my eye but I wiped it off almost immediately. Selene lowered her gaze modestly, but I saw a small smile curved at the corner of her lips. “I accept,” she said softly. “I will serve as Luna for the pack… and for my Alpha. I will give you strong, pure-blooded heirs.” My Alpha? Her words were like daggers stabbing through my heart. Kael nodded once, looking down at her. “Kael, what if this is a mistake—” Rowan stepped forward, anger flashing across his face. “It is not,” Elder Darius snapped sharply. “The Thornlocks would do well to remember their place.” And in that moment, everything became clear. This wasn’t fate or destiny or a prophecy. This was politics and about choosing a powerful lineage for the Alpha. And I was the wrong choice. They walked away from me, ignoring me like I was nothing more than a nuisance, and turned to face the pack. I heard Kael and Selene howl towards the moon and then the pack followed them, howling together in unison, but I could barely hear it, the sound of my heartbeat banging loudly in my chest and my thoughts filling my head drowning out everything else. How is this happening? Was Kael pretending all along? Where was this prophecy coming from all of a sudden? Did he know about it all this while? Had I been played for a fool? Rowan’s hand touched my shoulder gently and I flinched, coming back to reality. The blood moon had passed already and the groove was almost empty now. “Are you okay?” Rowan asked, and I nodded automatically. But of course I wasn't okay, my joy had turned to ashes in my mouth, my world was crumbling before my very eyes and there was nothing I could do about it. I was helpless, and the one person who used to fight all my battles was the demon I was fighting this time. “Can I have a moment?” Kael asked, walking towards us. Rowan frowned at him. “I don't think this is the right—” “It’s okay, I'll be fine.” I said softly, cutting him off, and he studied my face. “Are you sure Aria?” He asked and I nodded. He turned and walked to one corner of the grove to give us some privacy. Karl stood in front of me, looking down at me with a cold expression that speared through my chest. We should have been running off to our secret spot now, holding each other and talking about the future, but everything has fallen apart. For a moment, neither of us spoke, and I searched his face, looking for a hint. There was pain buried under the coldness. I could see it no matter how hard he tried to hide, because I knew him so well. But there was also a strong resolve that told me that there was nothing I could say or do to change his mind. “We can’t be seen together anymore,” He whispered, his voice hollow. “We had plans, but fate had other plans and we can't fight against destiny.” The words felt like ice sliding into my chest, and anger flickered in me. ‘‘Do you actually believe that bullshit?” “It's traditional and as alpha I can't do anything about it and neither can you!” He said , raising his voice at me. As if I were the problem, as if it was all my fault that he chose to be with someone else over me. I was the collateral damage in all this, and he didn't even care. He sighed and rubbed his forehead tiredly. “It's nobody's fault, it's just unfortunate we couldn't work out… Stay well Aria.” Unfortunate? My heart twisted painfully. That's all he could say? Unfortunate? No, I was the unfortunate one. I was just the foolish girl who dreamed of being Luna, while he was still an Alpha who had his pack and his Luna. I watched him walk away and vanish into the night without even as much as a backward glance. Chapter 2 CHAPTER TWO Aria's POV The walk home that night felt longer than any journey I had ever taken. Rowan stayed beside me the entire time, silent but watchful, like a guardian shadow. I could feel his worry as he watched me, angry, heartbroken and ashamed as I stumbled into the house. My vision blurred from tears that refused to stop falling and my makeup was a hot mess smeared across my face, but I didn't care enough to wipe it away. My heart felt hollow, as if someone had reached into my chest and scooped everything out, leaving only an aching emptiness behind. I entered my room, and the moment my body touched the mattress, the quiet tears turned into loud sobs, and I had to bury my face into the pillow to muffle the sound. The pain inside me felt unbearable and I could still hear Kael’s voice echo in my mind. “It’s unfortunate we couldn’t work out.” Unfortunate. That word kept ringing in my head. It felt like the past year of my life had been nothing more than an inconvenience. As if the love I believed in had never existed at all. I cried until my throat burned and my chest ached, and my eyes could barely stay open, but before I drifted off to sleep, I whispered a small prayer. Please… don’t let me wake up tomorrow. Unfortunately, my prayer went unanswered and I woke up the next morning. The next few days passed like a blur. I didn't leave the house for days, hell I couldn't even leave the bed. Sometimes I stared at the ceiling for hours, my thoughts drifting in painful circles. Other times I cried until my head throbbed and my body felt too heavy to move. It wasn't just that I felt betrayed, it felt as if my heart had shattered into a thousand sharp pieces inside my chest. Every memory of Kael felt like poison now, and it felt like my soul, my whole world had cracked. I refused to eat or shower for two days straight, all I did was cry, drink water when Rowan forced a glass into my hands… and then cry again. By the third day, Rowan finally lost his patience. I heard him moving around the kitchen, and a while later, he pushed open my bedroom door and walked in with a bowl of pudding and sat beside me on the bed, nudging my shoulder gently. “Sit up.” “I’m not hungry,” I muttered weakly. “I didn’t ask if you were.” “Go away.” I groaned, but he ignored me and dipped the spoon into the pudding and held it in front of my mouth. “You can cry all you want,” he said quietly. “You can curse Kael and curse the Moon Goddess if it helps. But you are not going to starve yourself to death over that idiot.” My throat tightened, and I suddenly realised that I wasn't alone in this. Rowan must have been heartbroken seeing me slowly starve myself to death these past few days. The food tasted like water and raw egg in my mouth, but I ate it anyway. It took five days before I finally stepped outside, and when I did, I could feel stares on me everywhere I went. Of course they stared. I was Aria Thornlock, the girl who was foolish enough to love the Alpha. I pretended not to hear the whispers and words they said behind my back, I tried to tell myself that their words didn't matter and I was stronger than this, until I ran into her… Selene. When her eyes met mine, her lips curved slowly into a cruel smile. “Aria,” she said sweetly. I tried to walk past her but her hand shot out and grabbed my arm. “Are you okay?” she asked, tilting her head slightly. “I noticed you seemed very… upset the night I was made Luna.” Her voice dripped with mock concern and a bit of condescension that I tried to ignore. “I’m fine.” I said, forcing a smile and trying to pull my arm free but she tightened her grip. “You know, we're all part of this pack. We all help it grow and thrive. In a way, we are all Lunas, aren’t we?” She laughed as if she had just made a funny joke. “But of course… only one of us has the Alpha.” I wanted to smack her, I wanted to slap the smirk off her face, but I had to suck it up because she was the Luna, so instead I glared at her in response, my eyes showing my hatred and disgust, and then I yanked my arm free and walked away without saying another word. Selene knew about my relationship with Kael and she knew I was a threat, so she treated me as one. And because of her, my life in the pack became a slow and painful battle. She never missed a chance to remind me of my place, to remind me that she was the Luna and not me. Kael, meanwhile… he seemed to have moved on and forgotten my existence entirely. Whenever we crossed paths, he didn't even bother to look at me. The man who once knew every thought in my mind now treated me like a stranger, and it was like the past year never meant anything to him. But despite the chaos in my life, I refused to give up the one thing I had left — my work as the Pack's legal advisor. Aside from Rowan it was the one other thing I still had going on for me. They were the only moments of happiness in my very sad life. The full moon festival was happening next week and as one of the organisers, I wasn't going to let anyone or anything stop me from enjoying it. I tried to fill myself with false hope that after a few days, I would get over Kael and seeing him at the festival wouldn't ruin my composure…but I couldn't have been more wrong. The Crimsonclaw Pack gathered in the sacred grove at the heart of Silverpine Forest. A massive bonfire roared at the center, and laughter and excited voices filled the night. Drums were beaten so loudly I could feel the reverberations beneath the earth. Werewolves howled into the full moon as they danced around the fire. This was the night sacrifices were made to the moon goddess for protection. The night the pack renewed its loyalty to the Alpha… and now, to his new Luna. I moved through the sea of pack members, my ceremonial black sash boldly inscribed “LEGAL ADVISOR” brushing against my thigh as I ensured the opening rites ran smoothly. Everyone in the pack knew my name and my position by now, and despite everything that happened, they had no choice but to respect my authority. I was a wise, intelligent, bold, beautiful and kind woman. My voice was always calm, but I carried a quiet strength that spoke volumes. My dark brown hair was packed into a bun, though a few auburn strands escaped to frame my face, and my stormy grey eyes watched everything carefully. The night was running smoothly, and I was settling an argument between two sentinels when I noticed a small boy, an omega, trembling as he clutched a basket to his chest and stared towards the dark woods. I frowned and walked towards him. It wasn't safe to be alone on a full moon, especially for a young omega child. I stepped into his path, placing a gentle hand on his shoulder. “Easy,” I murmured. “Where are you going with that?” “T… the Luna sent me,” he stammered. “Luna Selene. She asked me to collect some fresh hemlock for the rituals.” My blood chilled. Hemlock? At this hour? In the dark woods? On a full moon? My voice softened, but my tone was firm. “You can't go alone tonight. Let me send someone with…” “You shouldn’t interfere!” Selene's voice sounded sharply behind me. She walked toward us slowly, her silver gown shimmered under the moonlight, hugging her body like liquid metal. Her blonde hair fell in perfect waves over her shoulders, and her pale green eyes moved from the omega… to me. And they were filled with pure disgust and contempt. “Do you think I give out orders for you to question?” She asked. I inhaled slowly, trying to control my temper. “I only meant…” SMACK! The slap came without warning. My head whipped to the side as Selene's hand struck against my cheek, and pain bloomed in my face. Her slap was so hard that I tasted blood in my mouth, and it was loud enough that the sound of the slap echoed through the grove, even louder than the drums, and everyone stopped to stare at us. The music slowly faded and soon the groove was silent as everyone's attention was on us. My cheek burned where her hand had struck me but I didn't move or show any pain. I simply stood still and stared into her eyes, seeing the satisfaction in her expression because she knew that I couldn't do anything to her despite my desire to slap the smirk off her face. Selene stepped closer, sneering. “I despise how the Thornhills always meddle where they are not wanted.” She spoke softly, but her words dropped with poison. “You're nothing but lapdogs who serve the Alpha. You serve and serve, yet you'll always remain at the bottom, never being acknowledged. You're not pure enough or powerful enough or worthy enough to amount to anything, and that's what you'll always be. Murmurs rose from the watching crowd, and my chest tightened painfully as she continued talking. I could feel my control slipping, and her words were like adding fuel to the fire. Not here, I begged silently. Not tonight…please. But Selene wasn't done. She leaned in closer and continued talking. “And your brother Rowan,” she laughed cruelly. “The loyal Beta… Kael’s obedient dog. Your entire bloodline reeks of desperation for approval.” My vision was starting to blur, but not with tears. Inside my mind my wolf was begging to be let out. Nyra growled in anger, pacing back and forth in my mind. No, I pushed back desperately, not here. But she wasn't listening to me anymore. “She wants to break us,” Nyra snarled. “And you are letting her.” My heart pounded like it would burst from my chest and the full moon amplified everything… the pain, the rage, the instinct to protect my family name. “No,” I whispered inside my mind. But Selene’s next words shattered everything. Selene leaned in until I could feel her breath as she whispered cruelly. “Perhaps if your mother had opened her legs for a real Alpha,” she sneered, “your bloodline wouldn’t be tainted and stuck in eternal mediocrity.” Something inside me snapped, and I saw red. My eyes flashed silver as Nyra surged upward with a roar. I didn’t even remember moving. One second Selene was standing in front of me, and the next she was screaming as her body was flying backwards across the ground, crashing hard against the dirt, and a long, bloody slash was running down her arm. The grove exploded into chaos as shouts filled the air and people rushed forward to Selene. And I stood frozen in horror, my hands trembling and my breathing coming in short gasps as I realised what I had just done. I just hit the Luna. Chapter 3. CHAPTER THREE Aria's POV Selene’s shrill voice pierced through the noise, shaking with anger. “She attacked me!” Her eyes burned with fury as she pointed at me “She attacked your Luna! What are you waiting for? Seize her!” My heart crashed violently against my ribs. An attack on the Luna was an attack on the Alpha and was considered treason and punishable by death. Exile was the best I could hope for, and that was if the Alpha decided to show me mercy. But with how cold he had been to me in these last few weeks, I wasn't expecting mercy from him. Two sentinels grabbed my arms from behind, their strong grip pinning my hand from behind. I struggled instinctively, with Nyra also raging inside me, but I forced her back down. “It was an accident,” I said breathlessly. “I didn’t mean to…” “How dare you!” Selene shrieked. “You harm your Luna unprovoked and dare blame me for your treacherous act born of envy and wickedness!” Sentinels helped her to her feet as the grove fell silent and the entire pack watched. Then the atmosphere changed all of a sudden, and we all watched with bated breath as the Alpha, Kael Darkriver, walked into the crowd. He appeared at the edge of the crowd, the moon blazing behind him so brightly it formed a pale halo around his tall silhouette, and wolves parted to make way for him as he walked to the center of the gathering. His expression was unreadable as his golden amber eyes shone through the darkness like the sun, midnight black hair framing a presence that needed no crown. One by one, wolves dropped to their knees as he passed. The sentinels holding me tightened their grip on my arms, forcing me to remain still. I could barely breathe as I watched Kael step into the circle of light. For a long moment he said nothing, then his gaze lifted and landed on me. Those golden eyes had once looked at me with warmth, with laughter, but today they held nothing but cold judgement. “Aria Thornlock,” he said, his voice as cold as silver steel, “for the crime of striking the Luna…” He paused, the muscles in his jaw tightening. Around us, the entire pack held its breath. Even the wind seemed to fall silent. Then he finished the sentence. “...you will stand trial at dawn.” A gasp moved through the crowd like a ripple through water, some people staring at me with sympathy while others whispered that this is what I deserve for daring to go after the Alpha. “She has to get the death sentence! She must be executed!” Selene screamed. “She attacked your Luna! She deserves death!” My heart sank to my stomach as the sentinels dragged me away. I was done for, I knew it. The grove blurred as they pulled me toward the pack prison, and my thoughts raced wildly. This is the end for me. I knew Kael would never choose me over his Luna. Not now, not after everything that had happened. I was thrown into a dark dungeon, surrounded by cold stone walls that made the small space feel even smaller and colder. I sat there for hours with my back against the wall and my knees pulled to my chest. Through the small iron window above the bars, I could still see the full moon hanging in the sky. Of course Kael would support his Luna, he had dismissed me so coldly that there was no doubt where his loyalty now lay. Everything had happened so fast. And it wasn’t even my fault. But would the Alpha care enough to hear my side of the story? My chest tightened painfully. He had already decided my fate the moment he chose her, so maybe this was simply the perfect opportunity to remove me from his mind completely. Thoughts and questions swirled endlessly in my mind, and I had no answers. Who would speak for me at the trial? Who would defend me? What would be my fate? Exile or death? Lost in these thoughts, I eventually fell asleep beneath the pale light of the moon. Morning arrived too quickly, and I was dragged to the judgement room. I stood in the center of the large circular chamber, my wrists bound with silver cuffs that burned faintly against my skin, suppressing my wolf and draining my strength. I guess I'm a criminal now, I thought wryly as I stared at my bound hands. Ancient runes were carved into the stone floor beneath my feet and they glowed faintly in the morning sunlight that streamed through the tall moon shaped window above. Wolves crowded the shadowed edges of the hall, whispering behind their hands, their eyes glowing with fear, pity… and curiosity as they wondered what my fate would be. At the far end of the raised platform sat Alpha Kael Darkriver, on a big throne carved from stone, inscripted with ancient runes all over. My Kael. My alpha. My first love. His jaw was clenched so tightly the muscles stood out sharply along his face, and his eyes that used to look at me so warmly were now fixed on me with an expression I couldn’t decipher. I wondered what he saw when he looked at me. A criminal? Beside him sat Selene Vale. She was clinging to his arm like fragile glass, leaning against him as if she needed his strength and acting all fragile and delicate, with tear tracks glistening down her cheeks. Every breath she took was delicate, pitiful, and attention stealing. She truly deserved an award for her perfect performance. Elder Darius, the pack’s law keeper, stood tall between Kael and Selene. His staff struck the floor once and the hall fell silent. “Aria Thornlock, you stand accused of treason. You struck the Luna under the full Moon.” His gaze softened slightly as he looked at me. “If there is anything you wish to say in your defense…” “She attacked me!” Selene’s voice broke through the hall like a wail, cutting him off. She stepped forward dramatically, clutching Kael’s arm even tighter. “Alpha, she threw me to the ground like I was nothing. Like I was beneath her. Out of jealousy. Out of spite!” Murmurs aroused from the crowd all over the room. I lifted my head. “That’s not what happened…” “She has always hated me,” Selene pushed on louder, drowning me out, her voice cracking in precisely the right places. “She wanted you to reject me. She wanted to take my place. She is dangerous, Alpha. Dangerous to you… dangerous to us all.” My heart twisted, but I said nothing. What could I even say to defend myself in front of a man who once promised to love me, but now refused to meet my gaze? The silver cuffs dug deeper into my wrists but the pain was nothing compared to the pain of betrayal stabbing my chest. Suddenly, my thoughts went back to the night Kael made all those promises to me. I remembered the scent of pine trees, the soft silver glow of moonlight filtering through the forest, and Kael’s arms wrapped around me as he kissed me under the ancient silverpine trees where we spent hours talking about our future. “You’re my peace, Aria,” he had whispered, his breath warm against my skin as he my earlobe softly and tugged slowly, his breath all over my face. My fingers tangled in his hair as he pressed his lips gently against mine and he pulled me into his arms, his scent filling my lungs. I could feel how hard he was as our lips clashed over and over again. He slipped his tongue into my mouth, sucking the breath out of me like I was the only source of oxygen and he was holding on for dear life. At that point, the world disappeared around us. The only sounds filling the air was the sound of our breathing, his heartbeat against my chest, the warmth of his body pressed against mine. When his hands slid gently along my waist, I hesitated. “Wait,” I mumbled, my voice barely a whisper. “We’re not supposed to until we’re mates.” “One day,” he murmured, “I’ll make it right. Us right. I promise.” That promise had meant everything to me. His lips left mine and strayed to my neck, placing feather light kisses all over as his hands moved under my dress and pushed it up until I was laying naked under him. “For… Now… all… I… want… is… you,” he growled between kisses. I wrapped my arms around him and spread my legs apart wantonly, my claws digging into his skin as I held onto him. He pushed himself into me with a deep thrust and I let out a loud gasp as pain shot through me. “Are you hurt? Should I stop?” Kael asked, cupping my face. “Just go slow,” I muttered. He lowered his lips to mine and continued with gentle strokes until the pain faded away and all I could feel was the waves of ecstasy and pleasure that washed over me. I moaned as my orgasm hit me, and Kael followed a few seconds later, groaning as he lay on me. That night we had stayed wrapped in each other’s arms until the moon began to fade. I had fallen asleep against his chest feeling safe. The past year had been filled with moments like that, until my illusions were shattered and my heart was torn to shreds. Selene was a pure blood and Kael's fated mate. A woman handpicked by the Moon Goddess to give Kael pure blooded heirs, children fit to be alphas, and I was nothing more than a memory that was to be tossed aside. Chapter 4. CHAPTER FOUR Aria's POV The memory shattered like glass and my vision snapped back to the judgement hall. “Aria!” Elder Darius’s voice echoed through the chamber. I blinked back to reality and lifted my head, pulling myself back to the present. “You haven’t said anything in your defense,” he said. I stayed quiet, staring at him silently. What could I possibly say? What words could change the mind of a pack that had already decided my guilt? Before I could answer, Selene’s voice cut through the room. “She has nothing to defend!” her voice rose to a shrill pitch, filled with fake outrage. “She hates me because I am the Alpha's fated mate,” Selene continued dramatically. “Because the Moon Goddess chose me and not her!” My entire body stiffened as I stared at her in disbelief. She was smart… that single lie carried more power than any truth I could offer. Selene raised trembling fingers to cover her mouth as if trying to hide her tears, but I could see right through her, and I could see the smirk she was trying to conceal. A small, satisfied smile curved her lips. I wondered why no one else seemed able to see through her schemes. Elder Darius cleared his throat. “Alpha Kael,” he said carefully, “the council recommends mercy. It was the night of the full moon, and instincts can run strong during such times. No lasting harm was—” “No lasting harm? She nearly killed me!” Selene’s voice rose to a piercing scream as she pointed at me with a shaking hand. “Everyone saw her, those eyes, that… that monster inside her!” My chest tightened painfully. Nyra snarled inside my chest but stayed contained, wounded by shame and heartbreak. Even she felt the weight of the room pressing down on us. Then Kael finally spoke. His voice was low and strained, but mixed with a dangerous kind of rigidity. “Aria Thornlock.” My traitorous heart jumped at the sound of his voice. Slowly, I lifted my eyes to meet his… and regretted it instantly. For the first time since this trial started, emotion showed on his face. He looked conflicted, angry, torn… and beneath all of it… he looked tired. He looked like a man who wanted a different answer but could not find one. “You attacked the Luna,” he said, his voice painfully emotionless. “You defied pack law, and you disrupted the peace of the pack on a sacred night.” Selene quickly covered her mouth again, turning a pleased smile into another wave of fake tears. Kael’s voice remained calm and steady. “I will not sentence you to death.” A soft ripple of relief moved through the hall, and several wolves released quiet breaths they had been holding. But Selene's face twisted in fury. “Kael!” she cried. “She deserves—” He silenced her with a single raised hand. The gesture was small, but it carried absolute authority. The room fell silent again, and Karl stared at me. This time, there was more hurt and regret than anger in his eyes. “But I also cannot allow you to remain here,” he continued, his gaze painfully locked on me. Each word felt like a stone dropping into my chest. “Aria Thornlock of the Thornlock family… you are hereby banished from the Crimsonclaw Pack and its territory. That is my judgement.” The room went still. A soft gasp escaped my lips before I could stop it. My knees trembled, not because I was scared of being exiled, but because of how easily he said it… how quickly he discarded and erased me. One year of whispered promises, one year of stolen kisses, late-night confessions, warm embraces, shared hopes and dreams. Erased in a single breath as if it had never existed. As if we had never existed. Two sentinels stepped forward, their hands closing around my arms. I didn't cry or resist, and I dared not look at Kael again. If I did, I knew the last piece of my strength would shatter. So I simply let them lead me out of the hall. Later that day, the sentinels escorted me deep into the forest. The towering trees of Silverpine stretched endlessly around us, their branches blocking the sunlight. We walked in silence until the familiar scent of the pack territory began to fade, and we finally reached the outer borders of the pack. “This is far enough,” one of them said, his voice holding a trace of discomfort. Neither of them looked directly at me as they removed the restraints from my wrists. “You are no longer welcome within Crimsonclaw lands,” the other sentinel said quietly. “Do not return.” I turned around without uttering a word and walked away. I couldn’t cry, I couldn’t scream, I just walked… taking hard, heavy steps, weighed down by all the pain and anger I was carrying inside. They had given me a small bag before we left. It contained the few belongings I was allowed to take. I was still wearing the dress from the Full Moon Festival, they didn't give me any time to change or say my goodbyes before I was escorted out of the pack. So I had made a silent promise to myself. If I could not say goodbye then I would not shed tears either. “Aria.” A voice called out from behind me. My heart skipped as I turned, coming face to face with Rowan. Before I realised what I was doing, I was running towards him, tears streaming down my face. He wrapped his hands around me as I buried my face in his shoulder and sobbed, finally releasing all the pent up emotions I was holding back. Of course he had come. Nothing in this world would stop Rowan Thornlock from saying goodbye to his sister. Pain and rage burned in his dark eyes as we pulled away and he stared at my tear streaked face. “How could he do this to you? How could Kael ever claim he loved you and then throw you away like this?” I shook my head weakly. “It’s done,” I whispered. “Please… don’t make it harder.” Rowan’s expression darkened. “I’m going to challenge him,” he said suddenly. “I don’t care if he’s the Alpha. I’ll rip him apart for what he’s done.” Fear shot through me and I grabbed his arm, shaking my head fiercely. “No! You’ll lose everything. Rowan, don’t do it.” “I won’t let him treat you like this!” “You’ll die,” I whispered. The words hung between us like a blade. “I won’t let you die for me.” Rowan swallowed hard, looking away as his eyes glistened with tears. My brother never cried. But I knew this was breaking him. “I tried,” he said quietly. “I argued with the council for mercy. I even told them Aunt Astra still needed you.” Guilt tightened painfully in my chest. “I’m sorry,” he continued. “I should have done more.” “It’s not your fault,” I said softly. “You did everything you could.” He shook his head bitterly. “But it wasn’t enough. I hate this. I really hate this.” Silence stretched between us. Finally, I forced a small smile. “Take care of Aunt Astra for me,” I said. “If she wakes up and asks about me, tell her I finally went away to study law. Just like we always dreamed.” Rowan’s breath trembled as he held back his tears. He opened the bag I was carrying and slipped in some money, dried meat rations, and a folded map of the outer lands. Then he removed his black hooded coat and wrapped it around me. The heavy fabric smelled faintly like pine and home, and tears filled my eyes as I realised that I would never smell this again. Before I could react, Rowan pulled me into a tight embrace. He wrapped his arms around me and held me so tightly it felt like I’d break. “Go far,” he whispered against my hair. “Get away from here to somewhere no one knows you. Forget everything about Crimsonclaw and Silverpine.” He pulled back slightly and placed something around my neck. A small necklace with a carved moonstone pendant. “Study law like you always wanted,” he continued quietly. “Live, Aria. Just… live.” I nodded against his chest, fighting back the tears burning in my eyes. He lifted my chin and pulled the hood of the coat over my head. “And don't ever let anyone make you feel unworthy again,” he said firmly. “Not even him.” I stepped back, giving Rowan one last look, carving him into my memory, then I turned and ran away from silverpine and towards the direction of the border. I ran through the forest as fast as my legs could carry me. Away from my home. Away from my family. Away from Kael. Away from everything I had ever loved. Behind me, Rowan stood silently among the trees, watching until the forest swallowed me completely. Chapter 5. CHAPTER FIVE Aria's POV Hours passed as I walked, and the sun climbed high in the sky until it was burning down on me. My legs ached with exhaustion and my throat was parched as I had gone hours without any water. And slowly, a terrible truth began to sink into my bones as a sense of solitude enveloped me. I understood why exile was considered the harshest punishment a wolf could receive after death. A wolf without a pack was vulnerable, especially in a forest as dangerous as this. I pulled one of the dried meat bars Rowan had given me, chewing on it slowly. The meat was tough and salty, but it filled the hollow ache in my stomach. For a while, I walked and ate at the same time, my boots crunching softly over dry leaves and twigs. I wondered what was happening at Silverpine at that moment. Selene was definitely rejoicing over my expulsion. And what about Kael? Was he doing the same too? Was he even giving me a second thought? My chest tightened painfully. A dry twig snapped somewhere behind me and I spun around instantly, my eyes already glowing in the dim light before I could stop them. My muscles tensed, ready to fight or run, but then I saw the deer standing a few feet away from me, staring at me with wide, startled eyes. “Relax, Nyra,” I murmured under my breath. “It’s just a deer.” The animal bounded away a moment later, disappearing into the trees, and I turned back to the road and kept walking. After a day of nonstop walking, my feet ached, my legs felt heavy, but I forced myself forward until the forest gradually transitioned into wide open fields and farmland. I started to see signs of human life — wooden fences surrounding the farms, and barns, and even tractors crawling across the farms. The sky appeared immense, clearer and more radiant, no longer covered by towering trees and dense woodland. Without the trees, the sunlight felt warmer on my face. It felt strange… almost too open. I walked along the dusty roads, and sometimes I even managed to hitch rides with farmers around the area. “You in some kind of trouble, miss?” one of the men asked, looking at me with concern, and I shook my head and forced a weak smile. He let it go, but I could see that he was clearly wondering why a young woman was wandering alone on rural roads. My storm grey eyes were dull with exhaustion, and my face carried the expression of someone who was tired of living, but at least I was moving farther away from the place I once called home. With every mile, Kael’s scent faded, getting weaker and weaker until one afternoon I realized I could no longer smell him at all. It gave me so much relief, but the realization that I was really leaving Silverpine forever hit me like a storm. Everything I had ever known was behind me now. My home, my family… all of it was lost to me forever. I swallowed hard and kept going. I didn’t even know where I was going, I just kept moving forward. On the third night, the moon was very bright. It was only a quarter moon, but its pale light spilled across the fields like silver water, and it was enough to make Nyra stir inside me. I was beginning to shift and I couldn’t control it. Nyra only went out of control when there was an immediate danger, but I couldn’t sense anything… yet. “No…” I whispered, wrapping my arms around myself. “Not now. Please… not now.” If I shifted out here, someone might see me, and that would be extremely dangerous. Moonlight filtered through the branches overhead, and my hands trembled violently as I tried to push down my instincts to shift. Suddenly I heard a loud howl in the distance, but it wasn't as far as I wanted it to be. My heart dropped as another howl sounded closed and the sound of running paws thundered from the woods. Rogues. Three shadows emerged from the trees beside the road, six pairs of yellow eyes glaring at me and growling. I didn’t even wait to see them clearly. Run. Nyra surged forward inside me. I sprinted, instincts sharpening my senses. My feet pounded against the ground faster than I thought possible. The world blurred past me as branches whipped across my arms. I dashed through the trees, twisting between trunks, making sharp swerves. My heart pounded like it would fall out my chest, and behind me the rogues chased after me with savage hunger, their sparks echoing through the forest. Nyra’s voice guided me silently. Move to your left. Jump in three seconds. Duck behind that tree now. The ground sloped downward suddenly and a river appeared ahead. I jumped over a fallen cedar tree and scrambled down to the riverbank. Then I squeezed into a narrow crack between two rocks near the water’s edge. A few seconds later, the rogues burst through the trees. They circled wildly, sniffing the air and growling in confusion. My scent had vanished into the river, and after a few seconds, they crossed it and continued running, trying to catch me. I pressed a trembling hand over my mouth to keep from breathing too loudly. And after a few more minutes, my heartbeat finally slowed and calmed down as the forest grew quiet again. By the time dawn arrived, I crawled out from my hiding place and looked around, realising I was on a countryside road. My clothes were soaked with mud, and my body shook from exhaustion. A rusty old pickup truck slowed beside me and an elderly woman leaned out the window, her gray hair tucked under a scarf and her eyes filled with worry. “My goodness!” she exclaimed. “Sweetheart, are you alright? You look like you escaped a gang.” Her husband climbed out of the driver’s seat, shaking his head. “See what these gangs are doing to these youngsters these days,” he muttered. “Darling, let’s assist her inside.” I almost burst into laughter and tears at the same time. Instead, I simply nodded while they helped me into their truck. The warmth inside the car felt heavenly compared to last night. They brought me to their small farmhouse and gave me warm soup. Then they gave me some clean clothes to change into and quietly slipped some money into my hand. “Where are you headed?” the man asked. I stared past him toward the wall where a picture was hanging. There were tall buildings that reached towards the sky and lights glowing everywhere, and written on it was New York City. “New York,” I whispered. The couple exchanged a knowing look and then the woman turned back to look at me. “That’s quite far,” the woman said softly. “But we’ll help you get on the right road.” That evening, they drove me to a small bus station and bought me a ticket to New York. I watched through the bus window as they waved goodbye. They were nothing but strangers who owed me nothing… but they helped me anyway. The ride to New York was a very long one, but when the bus finally rolled into the city, my breath caught. New York was unlike anything I had ever imagined. Everything was large enough to swallow me whole. Cars roared past like furious animals. Sirens wailed in the distance. Humans walked with so much purpose, fast, loud, endless. Numerous scents of food, smoke, perfumes, and metal overwhelmed my nose. It was too much, and my head was starting to spin. My stomach growled. I was hungry… starving. I staggered into a public bathroom and drank water straight from the sink. I was barely managing to stand upright and my hands shook violently as my vision blurred and the room tilted on its axis. My knees buckled and darkness swallowed me. Thud. I collapsed to the floor. A voice pulled me back. “Hey… hey! Are you okay?” someone was shaking me awake. I opened my eyes to see a woman with dark curly hair and gentle brown eyes. She carried a scent that was human, gentle and harmless. “I… I’m fine,” I whispered. “You’re not,” she retorted firmly. “I’m Lisa. Come on, I’m getting you out of here.” I should have refused. I didn’t know this human, and I definitely didn’t trust her. But I could barely walk, and her kindness felt like a rope thrown to someone drowning. It wasn’t something I could refuse, not if I wanted to live. “I’m… Aria,” I murmured. Lisa took me home, to a tiny apartment filled with blankets, books, cozy lamps, and the scent of vanilla. She fed me, offered me a bath and a bed to sleep in, and the moment my head touched the pillow, I dozed off and slept for almost an entire day. When I finally woke up, nausea hit me like a wave. My limbs ached as I staggered to the bathroom, and after vomiting until my ribs hurt, I sat on the cold tile floor, trying to take deep breaths. Something about me felt wrong… different. A thought crept into my mind, and my hands trembled as I counted the days on my fingers. My heart stopped, and I froze as it dawned on me. My cycle was late. Very, very late. “No!” I whispered. I stood up and rushed out to get test strips. I checked multiple times, but the result was the same. Three positive pregnancy tests stared back at me from the sink. I couldn’t breathe for a second. The world tilted and everything went quiet as I pressed both hands to my stomach. “No… no, this can’t be.” My voice broke as tears spilled down my cheeks. Lisa walked in and found me like that, curled on the floor, shaking. She knelt beside me without hesitation. “Aria… what’s wrong?” The fear in my voice was evident. “I’m… pregnant.” Lisa stared at me with confusion. Her voice softened. “Is that… bad news?” A flood of emotions hit me, fear, heartbreak, protectiveness, the ghost of Kael’s touch, the memory of his warmth, and the pain of his betrayal. “I’m alone,” I whispered. “I have no one.” Tears poured out of my eyes again. Lisa took my trembling hands, squeezing them in hers. “You have me, I’m here for you, I promise.” She embraced me gently, stroking my hair until I quieted down. Weeks passed, and Lisa took care of me with quiet patience, making sure I ate and rested. Then the next full moon came, and Lisa returned from her shift to find me chained to the radiator, my body contorting, my eyes glowing silver. My body twisted painfully as Nyra fought to shift. Lisa stared in stunned silence, frozen at the door. “You’re… a werewolf,” she whispered, staring at me in awe. When I finally returned to my human form, exhausted and terrified, Lisa wrapped me in a blanket and sat with me on the kitchen floor. “I’ve read about your kind,” she said quietly. “People talk, hunters talk. I believed it, but… I never thought I’d meet one.” My whole body was still shaking with a mix of panic, fear and shame. “Please don’t tell anyone. I mean absolutely no one can know,” I begged. She squeezed my hand. “Your secret is safe with me.” Lisa wrapped her arm around me and placed my head on her shoulder. And for the first time since exile… I believed in someone other than myself.. After a long silence, I whispered the words that had been growing inside me. “I’ve decided to keep my baby. I won't abandon my child,” I said softly. “Not the way I was abandoned.” A small, fragile life was growing inside me, and I made a quiet promise at that moment. “I will protect you,” I whispered. “Even if it costs me my life.” Chapter 6. CHAPTER SIX Aria's POV The first thing I learned about the human world was that it never slept. Back in the pack, the nights were quiet. But here, even at night, the city still hummed like a restless creature. Cars groaned along the roads, sirens wailed all night long, and the streets were filled with people laughing as they walked to restaurants, bars, clubs, and parties. “How does anyone get anything done during the day?” I had asked Lisa in frustration, and she laughed at me. “This is New York, baby. This city brings out the best and worst of all of us, but I'm sure you'll get used to it.” I in fact, did not get used to it. For the first few nights, I couldn’t sleep at all. I would lie awake in Lisa’s spare room, staring at the ceiling while my wolf listened to ever...
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