Banished Before Dawn
655 Words
The village never slept that night.
Every warrior remained at the borders, waiting for another sign of the Blood Moon Alpha. Every elder whispered prayers to the Moon Goddess, hoping the ominous howl had been nothing more than a warning.
But inside the council chamber, another fate was being decided.
Elara's.
The twelve elders sat in a circle around the Eternal Flame, their expressions grim.
"The Moon Crystal has shattered," Elder Cedric declared. "This has never happened in our history."
"It shattered because of the rejection," Elder Helena argued. "Not because of the girl."
Cedric slammed his staff against the stone floor.
"Or perhaps the girl caused the rejection!"
Murmurs of agreement echoed through the chamber.
Alpha Gareth remained silent, his fingers drumming against the arm of his chair.
Finally, his gaze settled on Ryder.
"You started this."
Ryder's jaw tightened.
"I know."
"Then explain yourself."
Silence.
"I can't."
"You won't," Cedric snapped.
Ryder met his father's eyes.
"If I speak... innocent people will die."
The room fell deathly quiet.
Several elders exchanged uneasy glances.
"What kind of answer is that?" Helena demanded.
"The only one I can give."
Alpha Gareth studied his son for a long moment. He had raised Ryder to be fearless. To never bow to anyone.
Yet tonight...
His son looked like a man carrying a burden too heavy to bear.
Elara sat on the edge of her bed, staring at the rain streaking down the window.
Sleep refused to come.
Every time she closed her eyes, she heard Ryder's voice.
"I reject Elara Ashwood as my fated mate."
A sharp knock interrupted her thoughts.
The door opened before she could answer.
Two warriors stepped inside.
Their faces were unreadable.
"Elara Ashwood."
She stood.
"The council has reached its decision."
Her stomach twisted.
"What decision?"
The older warrior lowered his head.
"You are to leave Silver Fang Pack before sunrise."
Elara blinked.
"...Leave?"
"You've been banished."
The word struck harder than the rejection.
"This is my home."
"Not anymore."
She looked from one warrior to the other, hoping someone would tell her this was a mistake.
No one did.
"You may take only what you can carry."
Her knees nearly gave way.
Everything...
Gone.
Her home.
Her future.
Her family.
By the time the first rays of dawn touched the mountains, the entire village had gathered outside the main gates.
Some came to watch.
Some came to judge.
Very few came to say goodbye.
Mira fought through the crowd and wrapped Elara in a fierce embrace.
"I'll find you," she whispered through tears.
"I promise."
Elara smiled weakly.
"You'd better."
Mira slipped a small leather pouch into her hand.
Inside were a few silver coins and a delicate moonstone pendant.
"My mother wanted you to have this."
Elara's eyes filled with tears once more.
"I can't—"
"You can."
"It's not much..."
"It's hope."
Before Elara could thank her, Elder Cedric's voice rang out.
"The banished shall leave immediately."
The massive wooden gates creaked open.
Beyond them stretched the Shadow Forest.
A place every pup was taught to fear.
No escort.
No supplies.
No chance of survival.
Elara took one last look at the pack she'd loved all her life.
Not a single person stepped forward to stop her.
Then...
Her eyes found Ryder.
He stood atop the wall, watching in silence.
For one fleeting moment, their gazes met.
His hands clenched into fists.
He looked as though he wanted to say something.
To stop her.
Instead...
He turned away.
The gates slammed shut behind her.
The sound echoed through the valley like the closing of a coffin.
Elara was alone.
She pulled her cloak tighter and began walking into the endless forest.
She didn't notice the pair of golden eyes watching her from the trees.
Nor did she hear the deep voice that spoke from the shadows.
"So..."
The unseen man smiled.
"They really sent my Luna to me."
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