Cursed And Crowned

Ophelia’s POV The grand Hall of the Moonlit Pack was filled with warmth, flickering little lights because it was too dark. And amidst this, I felt tension everywhere. I adjusted the silver circlet on my head, it was a sign of my status as the Alpha's chosen mate. As I took a step, my fingers trembled slightly, but I still kept a confident smile. This was the first time Eric ever called for me in the night. The night felt cold for some reason as my eyes fell on the pack members that stood at the corners of the hall, their whispers containing the air. Their gazes fell 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 despite the nervousness I was feeling. I bowed my head in respect and my heart pounded, not for anything but with the hope he might finally announce my ascension to Luna. Even though I was his Luna, he never accepted me as one. He only cared about the benefits I give to the pack but now that I am even more useless as the healer, I had lost my abilities and he could easily do anything. My eyes met with his cold gaze and he prepared his throat before starting. “Ophelia,” he said, his tone devoid of affection. “Step forward.” Just at his mere cold words, my chest pounded faster and louder. Something was definitely wrong and I could sense it. The scents of fear. “I am here and ready,” I replied, bringing forth my shoulders. Whatever this was, I would meet it with the strength and dignity my status required. 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? To see Elder Seraphina, it needed a three day connection and surprisingly she was here in the blink of an eye. She was one of the authority breakers. Murmurs started to come through the crowd and I couldn't hold onto the questions I had. “What is this?” I asked, keeping my voice calm even when it didn't seem to be responding to my own authority. My mate, Alpha Eric, stepped down from the days and he took a few inches 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 crowd was filled with loud noises and I couldn't even feel my breath. I stared at him in Disbelief. “That’s a lie,” I said, my voice rising now, cutting through the noise. “I have done no such thing!” Elder Seraphina stepped forward, her voice crackling with authority. “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 struggling to come forward, my eyes glowed with the silvery sheen of my transformation. “I will not stand for this!” No matter how hard it was. I was one of the strongest mates and he couldn't even resist me. But before I could shift, Elder Seraphina raised her staff, murmuring an incantation and before I knew it, I was forced to come back, leaving me gasping for air. They continued to make charges against me and the atrocities I didn't even commit. How funny. No one came to my aid. No one spoke to me. Not even the man I had loved for years. He was just there, staring like he wasn't involved with me and making out a strong face. At last, he 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 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 made a howl of approval or perhaps fear but I couldn't even tell anymore. I was in pain, I could feel my heart ripping from my body as hot tears that I had been keeping fell down my face. I held onto 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 collapsed to the floor, accepting the darkness that engulfed me.