That morning began like any other. The sky was painted a soft pink with the crisp air. I walked to the training grounds, hoping the fresh air would clear my restless thoughts. However, Allegra had been unusually quiet since the night before.
It made me feel unease.
'Something feels wrong, Gwen,' she finally said, her voice low and cautious.
I stopped in my tracks, my eyes scanning the quiet courtyard. My wolf was right. There was a strange tension in the air, like the forest before a storm.
Suddenly, a sharp howl pierced the stillness. My heart dropped. It wasn’t a howl of joy or strength. It was a howl of grief.
I ran toward the source of the sound, my chest tightening with every step. When I reached the packhouse, a crowd had already gathered in the great hall. The sight before me made my blood run cold.
Alpha Owen lay motionless on the stone floor, his eyes closed as if in sleep. His once-strong body was pale and lifeless. Gasps and whispers filled the room.
"No," I whispered, stepping forward.
"This can’t be."
Allegra’s growl rumbled in my mind as she said, 'This wasn’t natural. Gwen, I can feel it. This was done to him.'
"Father!" Nicholas’ voice boomed as he stormed into the hall with Selena trailing behind him.
His face was a mask of fury and grief, though I could see the glint of something darker in his eyes.
"What happened?" I asked, my voice trembling.
The young Alpha turned to me as he coldly responded, "You tell me, Gwen."
The room fell silent. I stared at him, confused. Somehow, my gut felt that it wasn’t good.
"What are you saying?" I asked my husband.
He stepped closer, his towering frame casting a shadow over me.
"You were the last person seen with my father last night. You’ve always been close to him. Too close, perhaps. How do we know you didn’t do this?" the man accusingly said.
A gasp rippled through the crowd. My heart pounded. I would never expect this to happen.
Immediately, I responded, "You can’t be serious. Alpha Owen was like a father to me. I would never hurt him!"
Selena’s soft, mocking laugh cut through the tension.
"Oh, Gwen," my sister said mockingly.
The mistress then said, "It’s always the ones who seem the most loyal. Maybe you thought you could take over the pack after Nicholas."
"That’s enough!" I shouted, my voice shaking with anger.
Nicholas raised a hand, silencing me. His eyes glinted with triumph. As soon as I saw his eyes, I knew that my own husband was trying to get rid of me. The Alpha was truly despicable!
To my surprise, he then commanded in his Alpha voice, "As Alpha, I must act for the good of the pack. Gwen Albright, you are hereby stripped of your title as Luna."
The power of his Alpha voice washed over me like a tidal wave, demanding obedience. My knees buckled, but I gritted my teeth. This time, I no longer wanted to obey him.
'Don’t give in,' Allegra said, her voice fierce.
I told myself, 'Allegra is right, you are stronger than this.'
I straightened, meeting Nicholas’ gaze.
"No," I said firmly.
He blinked, shocked at what I just said.
The man asked, "What did you say?"
"I said no," I repeated.
My voice grew louder and steadier as I spoke defiantly, "I won’t accept this. I loved Alpha Owen like he was my own father. I swear by the Moon Goddess, I had nothing to do with his death!"
The pack members murmured among themselves, their loyalty to Alpha Owen and me evident in their doubtful expressions. Obviously, they knew that there was no way that I would harm someone whom I considered to be my own father. It clearly made my husband’s plan go awry.
Nicholas’ face darkened at the crowd’s reaction.
He coldly said, "Then break our mating bond. If you are truly innocent, release me, Gwen. Let me be with someone who understands me."
Selena stepped closer, her smirk widening.
I clenched my fists as I responded angrily, "You think I’ll make it easy for you? That I’ll just walk away while you destroy this pack with your lies? No, Nicholas. I will not break the bond. If you want it gone, you’ll have to do it yourself."
His jaw tightened, and for a moment, I saw a flicker of doubt in his eyes. But Selena placed a hand on his arm. Unfortunately for me, his resolve returned.
The Alpha then raised his voice, addressing the pack with his Alpha voice, "She defies her Alpha. She disrespects me and dishonors our family. She cannot remain here!"
He turned back to me, his face twisted with anger.
"Gwen Albright, I banish you from the Black Wings Pack!" he ordered me with his Alpha voice.
The words hit me like a blow. For a moment, the room spun, and I struggled to breathe. But Allegra’s steady presence kept me grounded.
'Stand tall, Gwen,' she said.
After that, my wolf cont'They may strip you of titles, but they can’t take your strength or your truth.'
I lifted my chin, meeting Nicholas’ gaze with all the defiance I could muster. "You can banish me, Nicholas. But one day, the truth will come out. And when it does, you’ll regret every word you’ve said."
Selena’s laugh echoed in the hall.
"Poor Gwen. Always so dramatic," she mockingly said.
I ignored her, turning to the pack members who had gathered.
"You all knew Alpha Owen," I said.
Then, I kept speaking, "You knew the kind of man he was. Ask yourselves. Who had more to gain from his death? Me, or the ones who have been tearing this pack apart from the inside?"
The crowd shifted uneasily. I could see the doubt in their eyes, the seeds of rebellion beginning to sprout. Still, it was enough.
Nicholas stepped forward, his voice cold and commanding as he told me, "Enough. Leave now, Gwen. Or I will force you out!"
I met his gaze one last time, my heart breaking for the mate I had once loved. Without another word, I turned and walked out of the great hall. Without further ado, I left behind the only home I had known since our mating ceremony.
As I stepped into the cold morning air, Allegra spoke again, 'You did well, Gwen. But this isn’t over. Be careful. They’re planning something worse.'
I nodded, my resolve hardening. I didn’t know where I would go or what I would do next, but one thing was certain. I would find the truth about Alpha Owen’s death. And I would make Nicholas and Selena pay.
