Ophelia POV
The Grand Hall of the Moonlit Pack was filled with warmth, flickering little lights that lit up the darkness around us, its tiny golden beam beautiful to see , but despite the warmth, wave of anxiety hit me.
I adjusted the silver circle head ornaments on my head, it announces my status and authority as the Alpha's chosen mate.
With each step I took, my anxiety sipped deeply into me and my fingers trembled slightly.
This was the first time Eric ever called for me in the night. Not into his chamber but to the courtroom.
chills ran down my spine as I locked eyes with some pack members that stood at the corners of the hall, their whispers filled my ears making me wonder what was going on.
I could feel their gaze on me as my steps echoed into the hall and I approached the dais where Eric stood, his commanding figure framed by the well-made throne of the alpha.
“ Alpha Eric,” I greeted softly, my voice firm masking the nervousness I was feeling. I bowed my head in respect and my heart pounded,” Could this be it? Is he finally going to crown me” I thought . The hope he might finally announce my ascension to Luna killed my anxiety
Even though I was his chosen mate, he never regarded me as his Luna. He only cared about the benefits I give to the pack but I am now useless as the pack’s healer, I had lost my abilities after healing a wolf that was only a step away from death. After a couple of months without my powers Eric stopped visiting my chamber or calling for me.
My eyes met with his cold gaze and he cleared his throat . “Ophelia,” he said, his tone devoid of affection. “Step forward.”
Just at his mere cold words, my chest pounded faster and louder. Something was wrong and I could sense it.
The scents of fear.
“I am here and ready,” I replied, with my shoulders held hight Whatever this was, I would Face it with the strength and dignity my status required.
It wasn’t the first he humiliated me in front of the elders after I lost my powers. And each time I stood firm and made sure i got to my chamber before bawling my eyes out.
Eric made a sign, and from the shadows, three enforcers came forward. Their presence invoked power and authority and my heart leaped in fear. Elder Seraphina followed, her silver hair shining under the little lights as she raised her brows at me.
Now, I was even more curious. What could be happening here? Elder seraphina was a scarce commodity, she attends only the high profiled meetings and surprisingly she was here in the blink of an eye. She was one of the authority breakers.
Murmurs echoed through the crowd and I couldn't hold onto the questions I had.
“What is this?” I asked, trying to keep my voice calm which I failed at.
My mate, Alpha Eric, stepped down from the days and he took a few steps towards me with a cold glare.
“You are accused of treason,” he declared, his voice echoing through the hall and my eyes widened in shock.
The words struck me like a ton of bricks. I blinked repeatedly, my mind struggling to grasp their meaning. “Treason?” I repeated my voice barely a whisper.
“You have been conspiring with rogues,” Eric continued, his tone sharp as a blade. “Undermining the pack. Planning to overthrow me.”
The hall was filled with loud murmurs . I stared at him in Disbelief. “That’s a lie,” I shrieked , almost tearing my voice apart.“I have done no such thing!”
Elder Seraphina stepped forward, her mean and croaked. “The evidence is clear, child. We have intercepted messages bearing your signature and seal, addressed to known rogue leaders.”
“That’s impossible!” my voice broke, my gaze darting to the crowd as I shook my head, seeking any sign of support. But all I found were averted eyes and whispers of suspicion.
My gaze snapped back to Eric. “You know me,” I pleaded. “I have stood by you, fought for this pack, bled for it! How can you believe this?”
But his expression didn’t falter at all as he said coldly. “The weight of the evidence is undeniable,”
My chest became heavy as I couldn't control my anger. “This is a setup,” I spat, my voice trembling with emotion. “Someone is framing me.!”
Eric stepped closer to me, his voice oozing to a dangerous whisper. “If it is a setup, you have no proof to defend yourself. And a pack cannot afford to take risks with a traitor in its midst.”
My world crumbled at his weight of words.
The enforcers closed in around me, their hands ready to restrain me should I resist.
“No!” I roared, my wolf optioning to come forward, my eyes glowing with the silvery sheen of my transformation. “I will not stand for this!”
No matter how hard it is. I was one of the strongest wolves, with my power as a bonus he chose me as his mate.
But before I could shift, Elder Seraphina raised her staff, whispered some spell that cage my wolf.
I stood hopeless as they layered charges against me, my eyes scanning through the faces in the hall hoping for just one person that believed me. The people I had healed even at the expense of my health wearing disgust and disdain as they ogle me
Finally Eric rose to deliver the verdict. “Ophelia,” his voice echoed through the room, “for the crime of treason, you are hereby exiled from the Moonlit Pack and I, Alpha Eric of the Moonlit Pack Reject you as Luna Ophelia of the crescent Pack. You will leave our lands before the next sunrise. Should you return, your life will be forfeit.”
The crowd howled in approval or perhaps fear but I couldn't even tell anymore. I was in pain, I could feel my heart shredding in my body as hot tears rolled down.
I held my chest tightly as I cried out. “Eric, you rejected me? You couldn't even make investigations. How much of a bad Alpha are you? Is that how you make your judgment?” I yelled and before I could make another sound, a hard slap landed on my cheeks, causing me to gasp in shock.
“Now, lead her out. Only if she wants to become a maid here, she is allowed.”
My body went numb when I heard these words and I couldn't help but collapse.