Moon Prophecy

Chapter 3- The Witness.

The wind howled across the cliff edge, cold and sharp as it tore through the trees. Mia stood frozen, her heels only inches from the drop behind her. The gorge stretched into darkness below, Jagged rocks barely visible in the moonlight. Her chest rose and fell in frantic breaths.

Nick and the warriors slowly surrounded her. There was nowhere left to run.

“Did you really think you could escape.” Nick asked, tilting his head slightly.

His voice was calm now. Too calm. That was always when he was the most dangerous. Mia shook her head weakly.

“I wasn’t trying to escape,” she whispered.

Nick laughed. “You were running.”

“You told me to.”

The warriors snickered. Nick’s eyes darkened.

“Careful, omega. You almost sound like you’re blaming me.”

Mia quickly lowered her gaze. “I’m sorry.”

She had said those words so many times they had lost all meaning. Sorry for breathing. Sorry for existing. Sorry for being born without a wolf.

Nick stepped closer. “You know what your problem is,” he asked quietly.

Mia didn’t answer.

“You still think you deserve mercy.”

His hand shot out suddenly, grabbing her arm and jerking her forward. Pain shot through her shoulder.

“You don’t.”

He shoved her hard and she crashed into the dirt. The warriors laughed again. Above them, hidden behind thick branches, the young prince watched everything. Cassian’s small body trembled as he crouched in the tree.

He had followed the warriors out of curiosity earlier that evening. He liked watching them train. They were strong and fast, everything he hoped to be one day.

But this…

This was different.

His blue eyes were wide with confusion and fear as he stared at the girl on the ground. He had seen her around the pack house before. Quiet. Always working. Always alone.

The omega.

Cassian didn’t understand why everyone hated her. She looked small. Fragile. Not dangerous. Yet the warriors treated her like she was the worst thing in the world.

Below him, Mia slowly pushed herself up onto her hands and knees. Her arms shook with exhaustion. Nick watched her like a predator studying wounded prey.

“Get up,” he ordered.

She obeyed. It took everything she had left to stand. Blood dripped slowly from a cut on her forehead, sliding down the side of her face. The wind whipped her hair across her eyes. Nick looked almost bored now.

“Your weak,” he said.

The warriors murmured their agreement.

“You bring shame to this pack.”

Mia’s hands clenched at her sides. Her nails dug into her palms. For a brief moment, something flashed in her eyes. Not fear. Anger. Nick noticed. His smile returning instantly.

“There it is,” he said.

Mia’s stomach twisted. “What,” she asked softly.

“That little spark.” Her leaned closer. “You hate us.”

Mia’s breathing quickened. “I don’t…”

Nick slapped her. The sound cracked through the quiet forest. Mia fell sideways, the world spinning as she hit the ground. Pain exploded across her cheek.

Tears filled her eyes instantly, but she forced herself not to cry. Nick crouched beside her.

“You should,” he said quietly.

“You should hate us.”

Cassian gripped the tree harder. Something felt wrong. Very wrong. His father, the alpha king, Always said the pack protected the weak. But no one was protecting her.

The warriors watched silently as Nick grabbed Mia by the collar and dragged her toward the cliff edge. Her boots scraped across the dirt.

“Please…” she whispered weakly.

Nick stopped only a few feet from the drop. The wind roared up from the gorge below.

“Look down,” he said.

Mia shook her head frantically.

“Look.”

He forced her head toward the edge. Her breath caught as she saw the rocks far below. If she fell… she wouldn’t survive.

“That’s where useless wolves belong,” Nick said.

The warriors laughed again.

Cassian’s heart pounded, he wanted to shout, to tell them to stop. But fear glued him to the tree. He was only five.

Nick suddenly released Mia, shoving her back into the dirt. She curled slightly, trying to catch her breath. Nick stood over her.

“You embarrass the pack every day you live,” he said.

Mia closed her eyes. Maybe he was right, maybe the pack would be better without her. But as that thought crossed her mind, another feeling rose deep inside her chest. A quiet voice, small but stubborn. Live. Nick turned toward the warriors.

“Let’s finish this.”

Mia’s eyes snapped open. Fear surged through her again. She scrambled backward, dirt sliding under her boots as she tried to get away. Nick stepped forward.

A distant howl echoed through the forest. All the warriors froze, Nick frowned.

“That’s alpha patrol,” one warrior muttered.

Nick’s jaw tightened. The Alpha kings patrol wasn’t supposed to be near this part of the territory tonight. Nick glance down at Mia for a moment, irritation crossed his face.

“Fine,” he muttered.

He grabbed Mia again and threw her towards the trees.

“Run.”

She stared at him, confused.

“Run,” he repeated.

The warriors began shifting nervously. If the Alpha patrol found them punishing an omega this far from the pack house… There would be questions.

Mia didn’t wait she ran. Her legs screamed with pain, but adrenaline pushed her forward. Branches slapped against her face as she pushed deeper into the forest. Behind her, Nick cursed.

“After her.”

The hunt began again. And this time… Mia didn’t know if she would survive.