Chapter 3

The Wasted Vale stretched for miles—silent, decaying, endless. I walked for two days without food, my body trembling, my thoughts looping the betrayal like a curse.

I was Framed, Casted out and Forgotten.

Only Nelly's words kept me going.

"They left you alive."

By the third morning, the rain had stopped. Mist rolled low between crooked trees, and I stumbled through them like a ghost, until I collapsed near a stream, too weak to stand.

That's when I heard footsteps.

It was Soft,Careful and Not a predator—at least not yet.

Then came a voice.

"She's breathing."

Another voice answered, sharper. "Or she's bait. Could be a trap."

"Look at her—she's barely alive."

I forced my eyes open.

Two figures stood above me—a girl with honey-brown curls and worried eyes, and a taller boy with a sharp jaw and arms folded tightly across his chest.

The girl crouched beside me. "Hey. Can you talk?"

My lips cracked as I whispered, "Who…?"

"I'm Elara," she said gently. "You're on Shadowfang territory."

The boy didn't smile. "You shouldn't be here. Outsiders get killed—or worse."

"Elric," she warned. "She's not a threat."

"I'll decide that when she's not half-dead."

"Please," I whispered. "I was banished. Framed. I didn't kill anyone."

They exchanged a look. Elric still looked doubtful, but Elara pulled something from her pouch—a soft fruit, sweet-smelling.

I grabbed it, devouring it like an animal. "Thank you," I rasped.

She nodded. "We need to get her somewhere safe."

Elric snorted. "You want to bring her back? She could be a spy."

"Then we'll watch her," she replied.

Elric gave me a final glare, but didn't argue.

They lifted me gently, my legs limp, and half-carried me through the woods.

Elara took me to a small cottage on the edge of a ravine. It didn't look like a normal pack settlement—more like an outpost. Quiet. Hidden.

"I live here with my uncle," she said. "He's a Healer. You'll be safe, I promise."

Elric didn't stay. "I'll inform the Alpha," he said coldly before disappearing into the woods.

I wanted to ask questions, but Elara pressed a warm cloth to my forehead. "Rest first. You can tell me everything later."

I woke up sometime after dusk, wrapped in a clean blanket. The fire crackled nearby. Elara was sitting on the floor, peeling roots. She looked up when she noticed me stirring.

"You're stronger already," she smiled.

I nodded slowly. "I… I don't know why you helped me."

Her gaze softened. "Because once, someone helped me when I was alone too."

I stared at her. "You're different. Not like the rest."

She hesitated. "My parents were banished when I was young. I grew up as the Healer's ward. The Alpha tolerates me—but only barely."

Her words made something ache in my chest. "Then you understand."

"I do," she said. "And I believe you, Mira."

I stiffened. "I never told you my name."

She froze.

Then Silence fell between us.

Then she smiled quickly. "Elric must have told me."

But something in her eyes flickered. Something hidden.

Still, I let it go. I was too tired.

Until the next day.

I was outside, gathering water when I heard whispering in the woods.

Creeping closer, I saw Elric and Elara arguing.

"She's not ready," he hissed.

"She has no choice," she said. "We don't have time. The signs are clear—she's the one."

"Elara, if she finds out what we did—"

"She won't," Elara snapped. "Not yet."

I froze.

What did they do?

I stepped on a twig. The sound cracked like thunder.

They turned sharply.

"Mira?" Elara called. "Is that you?"

I backed away slowly. "I… I was just getting water."

Elric stepped forward. "You shouldn't wander."

"I was thirsty."

Elara forced a smile. "Let's go back. We'll talk."

But something had moved.

That night, I didn't sleep. My instincts screamed. The Moonmark on my shoulder tingles.

I needed answers.

While they slept, I searched the back room of the cottage. I found scrolls, herbs, vials of strange liquid—but what made me stop was a sealed book carved with a silver moon and a name.

Mira of the Lost Line.

My name.

I opened it.

The pages detailed a prophecy. A Moonborn girl cast into exile. A girl with "ashes in her blood" and "fire in her voice." She would either save the realm… or destroy it.

At the bottom of the page was a drawing Of me.

Trembling, I stepped back.

Behind me, the floor creaked.

Elara stood in the doorway, eyes dark.

"I was hoping you'd find it on your own," she whispered.

I stared at her. "You knew who I was. From the beginning."

"Yes," she said softly. "I've been searching for you for years."

"Why?"

She stepped closer. "Because you're the only one who can stop what's coming."

A shadow moved behind her.

Elric.

"But first," he said, eyes flashing, "we need to make sure you're not the destroyer."