The Banished Queen of Moonspire

AMELERA There was a time when I walked into the throne room with the manner of ownership, but tonight, my gait is that of a silent outcast. Tonight, one of us must perish. My heart leaps in my chest as I reel over what I'm about to do. Even as my rage leads me on, my fingers tremble, yet I fix my eyes on the target. On the man I once endearingly called husband. "Look who is here." I remember when the bass of this man's voice used to tickle butterflies in my stomach. Now, it's a retch, my stomach twisting as his looming gaze takes me in. "Amelera Lysandriel, princess of Moonspire pack and daughter of Aldorin and Elowen Lysandriel." He spreads his arms wide. My breathing hitches at the sight of the crown on his head. "Once, I was an illegitimate son, discarded by my father like trash. Until we fell in love and you redeemed me, made me Alpha King. Now, I rule over Moonspire." The pride in his voice, knowing how he stole everything from me, makes me nauseous. Only for a split second though, because the spite in my expression returns. "Right, because you not only stole my life from me but my son too," I speak with vile bitterness. I'm close to him. Just a bit more. I stare at his chest, narrowing my focus exactly where I plan to pierce. Then, the sound of the door bursting open steals our attention, followed by my son yelling at the top of his lungs. "Mother wants to kill you, Father. Stay away from her!" "Orion, what are you doing?" I cry out. How did he even know? From my peripheral vision, I catch the horrified look on Malrik's face—like he isn't worse. Quickly, I pull out the dagger hidden under my veil. Planning to rip his heart open, he weaves out of the way just in time. To hell with his wolf reflexes. "Guards, get the traitor." The guards capture my hands, pinning me to the ground. On my knees, I attempt a fruitless struggle. I've learned being a non-shifter has always been worse than being regarded as one. The insult never levels with the reality of it. "How could you, Amelera?" Malrik speaks with a tone that would make him sound like a saint. My brows furrow as I spit at his feet. "You're the monster. You deserve to die. You took everything from me. Everything!" I emphasize, breathing heavily. Unable to turn my head, Orion's voice reaches me from behind. "Are you going to hurt her, Father?" "No, son. Your mother only needs to learn a few things." Malrik walks away to meet Orion. My face tightens, bile rising in my gut. "Why don't you head to your room? Your mother and I must speak in private." After Orion leaves, my nostrils flare as Malrik approaches again. I expect anything from him. He is a beast in human form, after all. "So, what are you going to do? Kill me here?" "You must really think I'm as gruesome as you've made me out to be." He pats my cheek. "You used to be so soft-spoken, but now I don't even recognize you anymore." I scoff before rolling my eyes. "Shame on you, Malrik. I loved you. I was young, and you manipulated me. My parents died only a month ago, and you're already taking their place. Just like you took the Lysandriel throne and the pack from me, you're taking my son from me too." "You'd blame me for our son warning me about being almost stabbed by you?" He tuts. The veins in my neck stand out. "You bastard, yes, I blame you. He's becoming the same barbarian that you are." I'll never forget the way the air seized in my throat when I saw the look of satisfaction on Orion's face as he ordered the hand of a servant boy to be chopped off, only because he beat him in a race. It was only a game, and he was smiling as the boy cried out. Of course, Malrik applauded him for putting the boy in his place, claiming a lowborn must remain a lowborn. But that is not what Moonspire stands for, nor how my parents ruled. "That crown is mine! Give it back!" I scream, struggling to no avail. Malrik turns around, wiping his lips. When he faces me again, his eyes darken, his wolf present. A malicious feeling rises with the tone he speaks in. "You know, I thought by now you'd have learned your place—to remain silent. But it seems I've got to do this the hard way." The pause before he delivers his order makes my skin crawl. "I, Malrik Draevon, acting Alpha King of Moonspire, banish you, Amelera Lysandriel, from the pack. You must leave immediately and never return." The guards release my wrists. The pain from their grip doesn't come close to my shattering heart. Even so, I laugh like a maniac. Tears brim my eyes while my lips stretch wide. Malrik watches me with calculating eyes. "Mad you are, husband. I am blood of Moonspire. You cannot banish me. If I am gone, there is no Moonspire." My laughter dies as he speaks. "Oh, Amelera, you really are still naive. Orion will be the next King. Until he comes of age, I am Alpha King. I make the rules." That can't be right. Is it because I am a woman? Or because I'm a non-shifter? Why would the court elders support a man who is a stranger to this land? If we never married, he wouldn't even deserve to step foot in this throne room. I was foolishly young in love, and it cost me twelve years of a failed and miserable marriage. I was his prisoner all those years. Even now that I've realized my mistake, fate still chooses him while I suffer. "That can't be..." I mutter as he orders the guards to throw me out with nothing to my name. "No, I order you to stop!" They lift me like I weigh nothing and drag me toward the exit. Malrik laughs as he returns to the throne. "I swear to you, Malrik, you will regret this. By my hands, you will perish." Malrik snickers. "You lose, woman. Know your place and when to accept defeat." Fortunately, that has never been me. I'll fight until my last breath. Just before the doors slam in my face, I shout once more. "With fire and blood, I swear in my father's and mother's name, I will take my son and my throne back from you. You will return everything you've taken from me!" He will regret this. I swear it.