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Raven
Walking back toward the pack grounds felt surreal. I felt a mixture of emotions: anger, anticipation, and something close to relief. My heart thudded with an ache I couldn’t shake, and the sight of the packhouse
stirred memories of a home that had
almost been taken from me.
Beside me, Alpha Xavier walked with determination. The murmurs of pack members drifted as they spotted us. Their wide–eyed stares grew as we approached, and disbelief and curiosity painted their faces. But I kept my head high, meeting each gaze without flinching.
Elder Malik stepped out and met us, confused.
“Alpha Xavier, what is going on? Why is the outcast with you?”
I almost wanted to yell at him for calling
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me an outcast, but I understood. Instead of explaining, Alpha Xavier ordered us to gather inside the council room.
As we stepped inside, a heavy silence settled. Every elder was present and their expressions varied from suspicion to shock.
“Alpha Xavier,” Elder Malik spoke again.
“What is the meaning of this? Her presence here is…”
“Necessary,” Alpha Xavier cut in, his voice firm.
“It’s time for the truth to come out. We
were wrong to cast Raven out. We were misled by lies and manipulation.”
There were murmurs as the elders exchanged glances. Some of them
narrowed their eyes like they wanted to kill me. One of them was Elder Yasmin who asked, “What lies are you referring to, Alpha? We made decisions because of the solid evidence presented to us. Elara, the
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head healer, herself verified Celeste‘ s pregnancy.
Alpha Xavier didn’t waver and turned to Elara. She stood near the back almost shrinking.
“Elara, come forward and tell the council
what you told me about Celeste’s so- called pregnancy,” he commanded.
Elara looked between the council and me. Guilt was etched all over her face. She lowered her head and spoke with a voice barely audible.
“The test… it was tampered. Celeste asked me to alter the results. She knew the herbs she’d been taking would mimic pregnancy symptoms, but she wanted to make sure the council believed her.”
Elder Malik was filled with disgust as he darted between Elara and Alpha Xavier.
“You‘ re saying Celeste‘ s pregnancy was fabricated?”
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Elara nodded, her voice trembling.
“Yes, Elder Malik. She threatened to ruin my family if I didn’t comply. I should have come forward sooner, but… I feared what she would do.”
Disbelief showed across the council members‘ faces and rage erupted. Elder Yasmin went from being cold to feeling that she was betrayed.
“And what of Raven‘ s accusations?” Elder Malik asked with a sharp tone.
“Did she know of this deception?”
“Yes,” Alpha Xavier replied.
“She tried to expose Celeste, but we ignored her. I ignored her. I let my desire for an heir cloud my judgment, and because of that, I failed this pack. Raven paid the price for my mistakes.”
Everyone went silent with Alpha Xavier‘ s admission. Initially, no one seemed to accept that they had made a mistake.
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Finally, Elder Yasmin cleared her throat and looked at me.
“You were right to question Celeste, Luna Raven. The councils were supposed to be the wise of this pack but… we let ourselves be deceived.” Her voice softened, but regret was evident on her face.
“We misjudged you. And I am sorry.”
I forced myself to meet her gaze, despite feeling the hurt of what they had done.
“You cast me out right away. I stood by Alpha Xavier for years, fought for this pack, and you discarded me the moment. someone claimed to offer an heir.”
Elder Malik bowed his head slightly, acknowledging the truth.
“We owe you an apology, Luna Raven. We’ve judged and wronged you.”
“But words won’t be enough,” I continued, my tone firm.
“If I am to return as Luna, I expect full
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transparency. I will not stand by and be betrayed again.”
The council members nodded, chastened, and then Elder Yasmin‘ s eyes turned to Alpha Xavier, who stood silently by my
side.
“Alpha Xavier, you understand the consequences of your admission?” she
asked.
“Such a confession will shake the pack‘ s faith in you.”
Alpha Xavier’s gaze didn’t waver.
“I am prepared to take full responsibility for my actions. I failed as Alpha and as a mate, but I will spend every day earning back your and Raven‘ s trust. I just need you to give me a chance to prove that I am still a good leader.”
The elders looked at each other, waited for complaints from the pack members, and
nodded.
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“Then let it be known that Raven is
reinstated as our Luna. And Celeste will be banned from stepping foot within our territory again,” Elder Malik declared.
Alpha Xavier and I exchanged glances, his hand brushing against mine, and grounding me. My heart, however, felt torn. Yes, I had been reinstated as Luna, but the wounds from the betrayal and exile still throbbed.
When the council finally left, the room grew quiet. I turned to Xavier, he looked exhausted, but there was somehow relief in
his eyes.
“Thank you,” I said softly.
“Raven… I should have trusted you from the beginning. I am so sorry that I didn’t. I know words are not enough to ease the pain I caused. But from now on, I’ll spend every day proving I’m worthy of your forgiveness.”
I looked at him and studied him for a
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moment. Alpha Xavier looked again like the man I fell in love with the day we realized we were mates. And I think someday, I could fully trust him again.
“Alpha Xavier, this is your last chance. If you doubt me again, there won’t be forgiveness, no second chances.”
He met my gaze and firmly said, “I understand. I swear I won’t disappoint you this time.”
For the first time in weeks, a sense of peace filled the space between us. Together, we stepped out of the room, side by side, ready to rebuild the trust that had once been
shattered.
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