Chapter 2

The moon hung low the next night, blood-tinged and eerie, as if the heavens already knew what was coming.

I stood before the stone hearth of the Council Hall, wrapped in a borrowed cloak, the Luna mark still burning against my skin. I hadn't slept.

The whispers hadn't stopped since Nelly vanished. My name now passed between their lips like a curse. They keep blabbering something I don't know about among themselves.

Many of them were giving me the annoying look, while some were giving me the unreadable look.

Mira, the one with glowing blood.

Mira, Moonborn.

Mira, daughter of betrayal.

They all whispered among themselves.

When the alarm bell rang at dawn, I was already awake.

Moments later, warriors burst into the hall. Their boots slammed against the stone like war drums. I froze.

"What do they want from me this time?" I thought.

"The Head Chief is dead," one of them barked. "Slain in his quarters last night."

Gasps rang out. My stomach dropped. I cover my mouth with my palm.

"Dead?" I whispered.

He was the oldest Elder. The only one who seemed truly kind. He was the one who whispered to me yesterday, "Don't let them bury your light."

Alpha Rael shoved past the others, glaring straight at me. "Where were you last night?"

I blinked. "I—I was here. In the hall. I never left."

But they were already searching my sleeping corner. A warrior stepped forward, holding a bloodstained dagger.

"This was found beneath her bedding."

"No—no, that's not mine," I said quickly. "I don't own any—"

But the look on Rael's face was final. It was Cold and vicious.

"Arrest her," he commanded.

I struggled. "Wait! You all saw what happened yesterday—someone's afraid of what I am. Nelly warned you!"

"You expect us to believe a traitor who vanished into thin air?" he snarled. "The Moonbrand must've poisoned your mind."

The Seer watched in silence, her mouth tight, her hands folded. She said nothing. Why wasn't she defending me? She knew I was being framed.

I was dragged to the judgment circle—barefoot, bruised, and humiliated.

The council stood in a ring, their cloaks swaying, their masks on. They didn't show their faces. It was Just their voices.

"Mira of the Ashback line," one said. "You are accused of murdering the Head Chief in cold blood."

"I'm innocent!" I shouted. "I've done nothing wrong. I only just discovered what I am—"

"And that is exactly what makes you dangerous."

The voice was female. It was Familiar.

I peered closer.

It was my mother.

She stepped out from behind the circle, revealing her face.

Her eyes were sharp and Empty.

"Mother?" I croaked. "You know I would never—"

"You are not my daughter anymore," she said. "You bear the mark of the Moonborn. That blood brings only death. Your birth was a mistake."

My legs buckled. It was worse than exile. She had abandoned me in front of the entire pack.

Alpha Rael turned to the others.

"All in favor of exile to the Wasted Vale?"

Every hand raised.

Even the Seer's.

"No…" I whispered.

But the council had spoken.

I was dragged through the village in chains. Once, children had watched me pass with bored eyes. Now they stared as if I was a beast.

Someone threw a rock. It struck my cheek, sending a Sharp pain through my body.

"Witch!" they shouted.

"Murderer!"

By the time we reached the edge of the northern ridge, my heart had already shattered.

They took my Luna mark robe. They ripped off the necklace my grandmother gave me.

"Any last words?" Rael asked, standing beside the Wasted Vale's edge.

"Yes," I said, voice steady.

"When the truth comes out, may the moon judge you all."

He smirked. "Then you better pray she doesn't."

He shoved me forward.

I fell—tumbling into darkness, branches snapping, ground shifting.

And then… Nothing.

I woke on cold earth, rain pattering softly above.

The trees were dead here. Grey and lifeless. No scent of wolves. No signs of life.

I was in Exile.

I was Abandoned and Forgotten.

But as I tried to sit up, something glowed on my skin again.

The Luna mark on my shoulder flared bright—and the voice returned.

"The lie has begun. But so has your awakening."

I turned, my heart hammering, and saw a figure cloaked in silver leaning against a dead tree.

Nelly.

She was Smiling.

"You had to fall," she said softly, "for the world to see you rise."

Then she tossed me something—a rolled parchment sealed in wax.

With trembling fingers, I opened it.

Inside was a sketch.

The murder weapon.

Below it, a signature.

Rael. And beside it? My mother's seal. They planned it. They framed me.

I looked up.

"Why?" I croaked.

"Because they fear what you are becoming," Nelly said. "They needed you gone before you could unlock your true bloodline."

Tears blurred my vision. Anger simmered beneath.

"They made a mistake," I whispered.

Nelly nodded.

"Yes, child. They left you alive."