Imelda’s Forbidden Love

Chapter One

Imelda’s Pov

"Imelda, you are banished from this pack, until death," his cold voice echoed throughout the stone courtyard where my tribe had gathered.

I was accused of treason for getting into a relationship with our swore enemy, Tristan. Can falling in love really be a crime?

I looked down in shame. I knew loving Tristan was against the rules but I could not help it. My heart chose him.

"Do you have anything to say?" Owen asked.

I shook my head no. I had no defense.

"You are banished from the pack lands forever!" Owen shouted. "Guards, take her away!"

I cried as the guards grabbed my arms firmly and dragged me out of Owen's den. My life in Bloodmoon Pack was over. I was alone and afraid.

How did I get here? I asked myself. My thoughts went back to when I first saw Tristan last summer...

I was picking berries in the forest when he appeared. I did not realize he was from Crimson Pack then. His red fur shone brightly in the sun. He looked strong and handsome.

"Hello," he said. "I'm Tristan. What is your name?"

I blushed shyly. "My name is Imelda," I replied. We talked for hours and I immediately liked everything about him. He was kind, funny and charming.

We met secretly over the next few months. We knew being together was forbidden but we could not resist our feelings. I fell deeply in love. Tristan said he loved me too. He gave me a carved wooden flower one day, promising I had his heart forever. I gave him my yellow hair ribbon to tie around his wrist to remember me by.

Sometimes Tristan spoke of the future where we could be together openly. I dreamed about becoming his mate one day. The more time we spent side by side, the harder it was to hide our romance from everyone.

One day, Owen called me to his den.

"Imelda, there are rumors you frequently leave our territory alone," he said sternly. "And I have reports you were seen hugging an unknown male wolf."

My heart pounded rapidly in fear but I lied to protect my relationship with Tristan. "I do not know what they speak of. I would never break pack law."

Owen gave me a warning to follow the rules. I should have listened to him then. But the next day I escaped to the meadow on neutral land to see Tristan again. We could not stop meeting - being close made me feel alive and happy.

A few weeks later, Owen summoned me once more. This time his face held great fury.

"Sentry wolves saw you with the Crimson son!" Owen yelled. "You have betrayed your pack and our law!"

I knew there was no more denying or hiding it now. They had discovered me and Tristan's forbidden love at last. My punishment for loving my sweetheart was banishment from my home forever...

My mind came back to the present as the guards forced me across our pack border. I took one last look at the forest I loved before the trees faded from view. I was alone and devastated.

Despite breaking the rules, I still loved Tristan desperately. With nowhere else to go, I decided to head for Crimson Pack lands to find my darling one last time...

I wandered the forest alone for many suns after Alpha Owen forced me to leave my pack. I felt very sad and afraid. I was hungry and thirsty all the time. My feet hurt badly from walking so far.

I had no food or fresh water. My tummy rumbled loudly in hunger. I found small ponds to drink from but the water did not taste good. I tried eating hard nuts and bitter leaves but it was not enough.

Each night, I had to sleep curled on the ground under trees. The dirt was hard. Sticks and rocks poked me. Sometimes rain made my fur wet and cold. Other times scary night animals made noises and I could not rest.

One morning I walked slowly on injured feet to a tiny pool. I looked down at my reflection in the water and felt even worse. My fur was dirty with leaves and mud stuck in it. My face looked very thin from no food. My eyes seemed tired and sad. I was alone with no friends or pack to help me.

I missed having a nice, warm den and other kind wolves to talk to. Most of all, I missed Tristan. I needed to see his handsome red fur and sweet green eyes again. He made me feel happy and safe whenever we were side by side.

Even though it was dangerous, I decided to go find Tristan in Crimson Pack lands. I knew their Alpha might hurt me or tell me to leave. But I did not care. Being alone forever without Tristan seemed worse. I needed to try seeing him again no matter what.

So I started walking across the border into Crimson Pack’s area even though I shook in fear. It took me two days and nights to get there because I moved slowly from sore paws. Whenever the sun rose into the sky I hid in bushes so no one would see me pass by.

Finally, I reached the edge of Crimson Pack main camp. I hid again in some very tall bushes. I peered between leaves and my heart leapt joyfully. There was Tristan! He looked so big and handsome. He was talking to two brown guards near a big wooden den. He smiled and my knees went all soft and wobbly because I loved him so much.

I waited until the camp grew very quiet when night fell. I crept out slowly from my hiding place into the shadows. I went behind Tristan’s sleeping quarters so no one would see me. Then I tapped lightly on the back wall near where my sweetheart rested.

Tristan came out swiftly, his green eyes wide in surprise and happiness. “Imelda!” he whispered. “I am so very glad you are here, my darling!” He quickly pulled me inside away from any wandering eyes.

I cried big tears as I snuggled into Tristan’s wonderful red fur once more. I was so happy to be with him again at last! But Tristan still seemed worried even as he held me very close.

“Even though I want you here, it is dangerous if the pack finds an exile from Bloodmoon,” Tristan said nervously. “Some may demand you die if they catch you, my dear one.”

My heart dropped down in fear. But being next to Tristan still felt better than awful loneliness without him.

“Do not worry, I will hide very well,” I promised. “I only want to stay anywhere you are.”

Tristan nuzzled me sweetly. “We will make this work out,” he replied. “Now you should rest from your long walk to get here. No one will take you from me again.”

I curled up happily to sleep beside my darling Tristan, finally feeling at peace again. But my mind still spun with lingering fear. What if Alpha Caleb's warriors stormed in and found a hated exile sleeping here? Would this be the last night I ever spent in my sweetheart's protective embrace?