NAIDIRA'S POV

It felt like the world had been tilted on its axis and my heart was pounding systematically in my chest. Each loud thud felt like a death knell.

"What do you mean?" I rasped, my throat suddenly running dry.

She looked at my father and sat back down, pulling a glass of water to herself.

Why was no one saying anything?

Calanthe stood up, muttering something under her breath before she walked to her room, but not before casting me a small smirk with a slight twitch of her lips.

"You know how it is, Naidira. Sit." My father gestured to the chair where Calanthe had sat a while ago.

My legs wobbled as I collapsed heavily on the seat. "Explain."

One word.

But the weight it carried was evident.

My father had this blank on his face. Like I was supposed to just get it. That the man who could be my mateㅡ the one I had waited for for such a long timeㅡ was betrothed to my sister.

Why couldn't I have something to myself for once?

"Don't you get it?" He started. "You're not good enough for Alpha Orion."

The words hit me smack in the face and I gripped the edge of the table, my knuckles turning white due to how hard I held on to it. "What do you mean? I'm also your daughter, are you saying I don't deserve happiness?" My voice cracked on the last statement.

My mother spoke up before my father could. "No one is saying that. Just not with Alpha Orion. Do you know how powerful he is? He's the next big thing. He's so powerful that Alphas bow to him, Naidira. Be a realist. Do you know who he needs as a mate?"

My heart chipped at the edges. "A powerful Luna..." I whispered.

My mother clicked her fingers. "Exactly. And let's face it, you're not up to that. You can't even shift. We're doing this for your own sakeㅡwe just want to protect you. It's gonna be too much of a power imbalance and you wouldn't be able to keep up, no one would accept a weak woman for a Luna."

Her words cut deep and pain seared through me. Hot. Blinding. I swallowed hard, my eyes stinging with tears.

So, this was it?

Once more, I had lost another thing.

Because I wasn't enough.

And I would never be.

And as much as it hurt me, they were rightㅡ I wasn't fit to rule.

Calanthe was.

***************

TWO WEEKS LATER

Accepting my fate didn't make it any easier. I saw him more often, he came around the house, giving me small smiles what my heart ached with the knowledge of what I lost.

I should be happy. Rejoice with Calanthe and squeal when she presented the wedding dress to me last night.

But I couldn't bring myself to feel joy for someone else when it had evaded me.

That's why I spent longer than necessary, staring at the mirror in my room. Was it visible? What I thought about this marriage? It was all sudden.

There was a short rap on the door and I jerked, swallowing hard. "Uhㅡ Yeah, I'll be out in a minute," I croaked.

My mother's voice filtered in, merry and sweet. "Hurry, dear. The ceremony is about to start."

Of course she was happy. Her daughter was getting married into a family that she could only dream about. The connections. Power. Alliances. That was all that mattered to her.

I took a deep breath, looking at my reflection in the mirror again. The pale dress clung to my curves, barely bringing any form of attention to myself. Of course this was what mum picked out. It didn't matter if I was the bride's sister, I shouldn't hold a candle to the beauty of her gown.

Everything seemed tailored to make me fade off into the background.

As always.

Less than 30 minutes, I forced myself to keep a frozen smile on my face as I watched the priest say the vows to Alpha Orion and Calanthe who was beaming.

My fingers gripped the hem of my gown in habit.

Everyone was so happy.

The pack grounds was bustling with energy and from where I sat, wedged between my mum and my dad, I had an unobstructed view of the whole event.

Yay, lucky me, I guess.

The murmurs behind us didn't do anything to help too. In fact, it only added to the anger thrumming in my veins.

"I can't believe she's getting married to Alpha Orion."

Yeah, me neither.

Another hushed voice behind whispered. "That's so cool and impressive. I can only imagine how proud the family must be having a daughter who brings nothing but good things to them."

Something ugly stirred in my stomach at that but I swallowed it back.

Thenㅡ

"The other one didn't find her mate. She's probably cursed. Can't even shift. The moon goddess couldn't even give her anything. She probably doesn't deserve it too. She's pretty useless to such a powerful family."

That made me pause, my cheeks flushing as I adjusted uncomfortably in my seat, the silk suddenly feeling too tight around my skin.

Useless?

Something told me they knew I heard. They could see the way my shoulders tensed in front of them. And they only snickered.

Tears burned in my eyes. I was undeserving of Alpha Orion? Calanthe also didn't deserve him. I knew her first hand.

My gaze burned with fury and I clenched my fists in anger. Fuck them all.

There was still time. To object to the wedding and stop this madness.

Everyone was clapping silently, focused on the vows being exchanged.

My feet moved before I could stop them and I sprang to my feet.

Calanthe whipped her neck to look at me, panic flashing in her eyes when she saw the defiance in mine. She knew I wanted to object to it. Stop her dream marriage.

"Iㅡ" I started, my voice loud enough for everyone pause and look at me confused.

Before I could utter another word, Calanthe beat me to it. "My sister, Naidira and I would like to inform everyone of something important."

Alpha Orion looked confused. Just like everyone else. "What's going on?"

I raised a brow, chest heaving silently. What did she want to say?

Her fingers dropped to her stomach and her next words were soft. "I'm with child for the Alpha."

My blood ran dry as gasps and murmurs rippled through the crowd.

Calanthe was...pregnant?

For Alpha Orion?

NAIDIRA POV

ONE YEAR LATER

Life had been hell on earth. It felt like I could not go one day without being belittled by Calanthe subtly.

She had given birth a month ago and of course, I was expected to take care of the baby while she 'healed', which was just a frontier for lazing around.

My fingers worked fast, stroking the little boy's head while trying to shush him. "It's okay... your aunt is here..." I whispered, stroking him with a reverence that I rarely used.

I shouldn't feel jealous. Why should I? It wasn't her fault that I hadn't gotten my mate. But she never missed a second to remind me about my plight.

My feet ached as I straightened up, leaning to the side as I stretched.

Fuck.

The baby was softly cooing in his cot, his small hands clenched into tight fists as he warbled.

Of course Calanthe wasn't here. She was never here with her kid. It was my jobㅡ always mine.

Satisfied with his current state, I walked out of the room, feet softly padding across the plush floor, making my way back to my room.

And thenㅡ hushed voices.

I paused, sure I had heard wrong. No one was usually at the abandoned wing of the building.

But there it was again. Another voice. This time unmistakable. Calanthe.

"Can you get it or not?!" She hissed, sounding pissed at whoever was on the receiving end.

I shuddered, not wanting to make my presence known yet as I lurked around the corner, listening in on the conversation.

Maybe it was wrong to listen in on her. But I couldn't help myself. Whatever they were discussing was urgent.

"ㅡI'm not sure. Baby scent blockers are hard to get." The other person sounded unsure.

Calanthe groaned, the sound low and harsh. "How hard can it be to get a scent blocker?!"

My ears perked up. A scent blocker for the baby? Why would she want to block the scent of the baby?

I gripped the edge of the wall, nails digging across the surface of it.

"I'll do it. But you know it'll cost a lot."

Calanthe spoke again. "As long as it can stop anyone from guessing that the child isn't his, I'm ready for it. Get it for me by noon tomorrow. I'll get the money ready."

My stomach lurched, mind working fast to make sense of what I just heard. The child wasn't his? Wasn't for Alpha Orion?

Something ugly stirred in my stomach.

Anger. Disgust. Shock. I didn't know what to feel.

My feet moved before I could stop it and I stepped into the open space, fury written on my face. "Calanthe."

They both spun to look at me. Panic flashed across Calanthe's face and the maid went pale with fear.

My gaze darted between the two, finally resting on the maid. "Leave..."

She didn't wait. She scrambled away, muttering apologies under her breath.

Slowly, I turned to Calanthe. "What the hell were you trying to get?" I asked, stepping closer.

Her face was pale, devoid of color as I approached her. "Why were you listening on me?" She screeched instead.

Fucking pathetic.

"That isn't the fucking question, Calanthe. The baby... who is the father of that baby?" I asked, preparing myself for the worst.

Her lips parted but no words made it out, her lips wobbling instead. "It's Alpha Orion. Are you crazy? What makes you think you can ask me questions like that?"

I let out a low scoff. "Do I look stupid to you? I heard you, you know. I'll ask again." I moved closer. "Who. Is. The. Father?"

This time, she faltered, fingers twiddling with the sleeves of her shirt. "It'sㅡ"

I waited with bated breath. "Who?"

"Cedric!" She snapped.

My eyes widened, shock flashing through my expression for a second. "Cedric?!"

Cedric was Alpha Orion's beta and adopted brother. The baby was...his? And she lied to the whole court?! For a whole year?!

"Oh you littleㅡ" I cursed. "You think this is funny? Lying to everyone? Cheating on the Alpha and then lying to us? I'm gonna tell everyoneㅡ"

Before I could make it a step away, her fingers wrapped around my arm, pulling me back forcefully, causing me to stumble.

Her eyes were wide and she shook her head, a crazed look in her eyes. "No. You can'tㅡ"

A bitter laugh crawled up my throat, the sound rough. "I can't?!" I tried to shrug her grip away but she held tight, nails digging into my skin. "Let go, Calanthe!" I warned.

She shook her head stubbornly. "I would rather die than let you ruin everything I've worked for."

Footsteps faintly echoed through the hallway but I wasn't thinking again, I shoved her. Hard. She stumbled, crashing to the floor and I spun on my heels, ready to expose her for who she really was.

Thenㅡ

I froze, my eyes widening as I saw Alpha Orion and his parents beside him, their gazes wide and flicking from mine to Calanthe's slumped figure as she struggled to sit up, an exaggerated howl of pain escaping her.

"What's going on here?" Alpha Orion stepped forward, eyes wide with concern.

"I can explaㅡ"

"She pushed me! She tried to kill me!" Calanthe wailed, throwing herself into Orion's arms. "I told you this would happen!"

Waitㅡ what?!

I struggled to form words. "Wait, I can explain. She's lying!"

His mum stepped forward, fury written across her face. "Is it not enough? The havoc and the rumors you've spread against your own sister?!" She seethed, voice harsh.

I took a step back, struggling to form words. "Youㅡ That's not what happened, hear me outㅡ she's lying to you all! She cheated on Alpha Orionㅡ"

"Silence!" A voice thundered and Alpha Orion looked at me, his eyes blazing with fury. "Don't say another word."

My heart clenched in my chest and tears stung my eyes. "Iㅡ"

He looked away, pulling Calanthe closer as he checked her for injuries. "Are you okay?" He whispered, brows knitted together in concern.

His father tilted his chin up. "We've given you so many chances to prove yourself, Naidira. But you keep proving that you're a threat to the royal family. I don't think you are fit to stay here. We cannot risk harm to the Luna because of her jealous sister."

Something in me twisted. Jealous? Harm? I didn't even do anything to her. Why didn't they take my word.

His next words sliced through me.

"Naidira, you are hereby banished from this pack. Effective immediately."

NAIDIRA POV

It felt like I had stabbed in the guts, panic flashing in my eyes for a second.

"What?"

Alpha Orion didn't say anything, he simply held Calanthe close, stroking her hair.

I looked round the small group. "You can't do that! I'm telling the truth!"

His mother stepped forward, hand raised as though to hit me across the face but Alpha Orion's voice snapped through, disrupting the moment. "Enough. Mother, don't put your hand on her."

She froze, palm still raised but she huffed, taking a step back while still glaring at me.

Tears were already rolling down my cheeks without ceasing. "Alpha Orion ㅡ"

He straightened, still holding Calanthe close but his gaze softened for a second. "Do you realize the magnitude of what you're accusing the Luna of?"

I nodded rapidly, sniffling. "Yes. I know. I'm telling the truth, the baby isn't yours."

"If your words turn out to be false, you will be banished from this pack, Naidira." He warned.

Calanthe looked up at him, eyes wide. "Are you even serious right now? You're trying to give her a chance to lie even moreㅡ"

"Silence."

A crown was beginning to form, people muttering under their breath with hushed voices while they pointed to me, glaring at me with accusation clearly written over their faces.

"I agree." I tilted my chin.

I wouldn't go down this time. They would call the seer and the doctor and they would find out about the child's true origin. I wouldn't be the sister who was the bad egg. Wouldn't be wrong again. Maybe they would finally see Calanthe's true colors.

They had to.

***********

"What?!" I shrieked, feeling like I had just heard the most shocking news ever.

The doctor shrugged, straightening as he addressed the court, barely paying me any attention. "The child belongs to the Alpha."

No. Something was wrong.

Calanthe looked smug from where she sat by Alpha Orion and people broke into hushed whispers, nodding solemnly to themselves like they knew I was lying.

But I wasn't!

I sprang to my feet, knees knocking together as I looked at Alpha Orion. "Alphaㅡ something is fishy here. I swearㅡ"

He looked tired. Almost defeated as he pinched his nose bridge. "I've done everything I could. Given you the benefit of doubt and had the doctor come in. And now what? You still want to accuse the Luna of adultery?" His voice rose at the last sentence.

My heart cracked a bit and my gaze darted to spot my mum and dad in the crowd, faces blank.

"MumㅡDad..." I whispered. Praying that someone would believe me. That they would understand.

Mum glared at me and Father simply looked away. Like I wasn't here begging them to trust me just this once.

"I didn't lie," I whispered hoarsely. "I wouldn't lie about something like this."

The crowd murmured again, louder this time. Their voices were filled with Demonization. Condemnation. Judgment.

Alpha Orion straightened slowly, the weight of the pack pressing down on his shoulders. "Bring the seer."

Hope flickered weakly in my chest. The seer would come and debunk what the doctor said in front of everyone.

The old woman was ushered forward moments later, her dark eyes sweeping over the court before settling on Calanthe... then on me. She inhaled deeply, fingers twitching at her sides. "The child's bloodline has been obscured," she said slowly.

What? What did that mean?

A ripple went through the crowd and I sucked in a breath. "You see? That means-"

Before I could finish, Calanthe suddenly let out a broken sob. "I knew this would happen," she cried, clutching her stomach as if it still housed the child. "I told you she would do this!"

She turned to the crowd, tears streaming freely now. "She's been spreading rumors for months-telling servants lies, poisoning minds. She hates me because I have everything she doesn't. A mate. A child. A future."

"That's not true!" I shouted, my voice cracking.

Calanthe shook violently in Orion's arms. "She tried to hurt me earlier. She grabbed me-pushed me. If you hadn't come-" Her voice broke. "I don't feel safe with her here."

The words slammed into me like a physical blow and I felt my vision swim.

That wasn't- She was twisting everything.

Alpha Orion's jaw clenched and he looked away.

The seer hesitated, then bowed her head. "With the scent muddled, I cannot contradict the doctor's findings."

The verdict was already decided.

"Enough." Alpha Orion's voice rang out, sharp and final. "Naidira has accused the Luna of adultery without proof. She has disrupted the court and endangered the peace of this pack."

I shook my head wildly. "Please-please don't do this. I swear on the Moon Goddess, I'm telling the truth!"

Silence. Like they had already chosen what they wanted to follow.

His eyes met mine one last time. "Naidira," he said, his tone stripped of warmth, "by the laws of this pack, you are found guilty of false accusation and treasonous intent."

The words echoed in my head, bouncing off the walls of my skull.

"You are banished."

A gasp tore through the crowd and I felt my heart deflate.

No.

"Effective immediately," he continued. "You will leave our lands before nightfall. If you return, you will be executed."

Something inside me shattered completely as guards moved toward me.

"No," I whispered. "No-wait-please-"

Hands seized my arms, rough and unyielding. I stumbled as they dragged me forward.

I searched the crowd desperately. My parents didn't move. Calanthe didn't even look at me. Only Malia did.

She broke from the crowd, tears streaming down her face. "Naidira!" she cried. "I'm sorry-I'm so sorry!"

Her sob was the last kindness I received. Nobody cared. They sneered, watching me lose everything.

The guards shoved me through the gates, hard enough that I fell to my knees in the dirt. The iron doors slammed shut behind me with a final, deafening bang.

Realization slammed into me.

I was exiled. And alone. In the forest.

The sun was already setting, shadows stretching long and dark across the forest ahead.

Rogues would be out soon.

I had never been out of the pack this late. Especially not in the forest. That would be a death sentence.

Everyone in the pack knew the dangers that lurked around the forest. I was no stranger to it either.

They hadn't just banished me, they had left me to die. They knew that if starvation didn't get to me first, then the things that lurked in the forest would get to me first.

I staggered to my feet, breath coming in short, panicked gasps as I stumbled into the trees.

Branches clawed at my skin and roots caught my feet with each step. Every sound felt amplified-too loud, too close. Like the forest and the night closing in was set to get me.

I didn't have a wolf. I didn't have powers. I didn't even know where I was going.

A twig snapped and I froze..

What was that?

Heart pounding, I spun around, searching for the source.

Nothing.

With a shaky breath, I forced myself forward again.

Another snap. Closer this time.

Fuck no.

Fear exploded through me and I ran-blindly, desperately-until my foot caught on something I didn't see and I went down hard, face-first into the forest floor.

Pain bloomed fast, but I barely felt it, struggling to scramble to my feet.

Thenㅡ

Boots stopped in front of me.

Oh goddess.

I sucked in a terrified breath and slowly looked up.

A man stood there, tall and unfamiliar, eyes sharp with curiosity rather than hostility. Dark hair framed his face, and his presence felt... ominous. Powerful.

Who was he?

He seemed like an Alpha. Or someone who...ran something.

"What are you doing out here alone?" he asked calmly, arms folded across his chest.

My lips trembled. "I-I don't have anywhere to go," I whispered, the truth spilling out before I could stop it. "I don't have anywhere to go and I'm just looking for safety, please don't harm me."

His gaze flicked to the darkening sky. "You won't survive the night. Wild rogues hunt these woods. They don't really answer to me."

I swallowed hard. What did that mean? Was he...rogue?

He studied me for a moment longer, then spoke again. "I run this territory. Call me Amon."

My heart skipped.

"You'll come with me," he said, extending his hand. "Or you won't see another sunrise."

I stared at his outstretched hand, heart thudding in my chest.

And because I had no choiceㅡ I took it.