Chapter 7: Cast Out
Raven
I stood in the council room, hearing low murmurs of accusation. The council members‘ gazes bore into me–a mixture of disappointment, anger, and contempt. How did it come to this? After years of loyalty, I was now the one they doubted.
“Luna Raven,” Elder Malik‘ s steady voice cut through the murmur.
“We have called this meeting because your recent actions have disrupted the stability of our pack.”
I held my ground, fighting the urge to snap
back.
“I’m only doing what’s right for this pack. If I‘ m questioning Celeste, it’s because I have reason to believe she’s lying about her pregnancy,” I said firmly.
A ripple went through the council
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members, some of them shaking their heads, frowning in disapproval. Elder Yasmin stepped forward, her icy gaze meeting mine.
“So, you accuse the woman carrying the Alpha‘ s child?” she demanded.
“I doubt that Celeste is carrying Alpha Xavier‘ s child. And yes, I accuse her of lying–to all of you.”
“Blinded by jealousy,” Yasmin sneered.
“Celeste represents a future for this pack, a future you failed to
failed to secure. You‘ re threatened because she’s given Alpha Xavier something you never could–an heir.”
I felt my fists tighten further. But I held her gaze, refusing to waver.
“You think I’d lie to all of you just because I’m jealous? You‘ ve known me for years. I’ve stood by Alpha Xavier through everything. I am his Luna. I would never put my pride before this pack‘ s
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Chapter 7: Cast Out
well–being.”
The council exchanged glances. They had known me–or at least I thought they had. But because of Celeste‘ s deception, I became the villain.
“Luna Raven, the pack, again, sees Celeste as the future. They believe in the promise of an heir. You should be supporting that future, not sowing doubts,” Elder Malik said calmly.
“That’s exactly what Celeste wants you to believe. She’s manipulating everyone, including you.”
Malik‘ s gaze
cs gaze hardened.
“The council stands with the Alpha‘ s decision. Your accusations are not only unfounded but damaging to the pack‘ s unity. Do you truly wish to bring chaos upon us, all for personal grievances?”
“You‘ re all fools. Celeste’s entire pregnancy is a fabrication, and the only chaos here is that you‘ re so willing to let
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her replace me without question.”
The door creaked open, and the council‘ s attention shifted. Cassandra stood there, pale, but her eyes glinted with determination.
“Elders,” Cassandra said, her voice shaking.
“I need to speak. I believe Luna Raven is right.”
Elder Yasmin‘ s expression turned cold, and she practically hissed, “And what basis do you have for such a claim,
Cassandra? Didn’t Elara and her team of
skilled healers confirm that Celeste is pregnant?”
Cassandra glanced at me, and I gave her a small nod, urging her to continue. Her hand trembled slightly as she stepped
forward.
“Celeste… she’s done something to the test. I believe the results were tampered with.”
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Malik raised a brow, unimpressed.
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“Tampered with? What is that supposed to mean, Cassandra?”
“The fact that Celeste came to for the herbs and I was told to keep quiet was an indication that she had a hidden agenda. She must have done something that caused the results to be tampered with. She wouldn’t let herself get caught.”
“You‘ re accusing her of deceiving Elara, as well?” Yasmin demanded.
“No–I’m saying that she set up the healers. There are ways to use these herbs that would result in false positives, even if she wasn’t truly pregnant. I suspect she dosed herself right before the test. Celeste‘ s symptoms, as far as I can tell, could very well be fabricated.”
“Cassandra, are you aware of the punishment of your accusation? These are skilled healers we’re talking about. If Celeste deceived them, it would mean an
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elaborate scheme.”
“Yes, and that’s exactly what I believe it is–a scheme. A calculated attempt to secure a position.”
I felt anger surge within me.
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“Do you think she’s lying? Cassandra has put herself at risk, knowing that telling the truth might mean the end of her role in this pack. She’s risked her place here to show you the truth.”
Malik shot me a cold look.
“Watch your words, Luna Raven.”
“Or what? You‘ ll believe Celeste–a woman who has barely proven herself over me?”
The door opened again, and all eyes turned as Alpha Xavier entered the room.
“Alpha Xavier, tell them I would never lie to you.”
He stepped forward, eyes fixed on mine,
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but his face hardened.
“This has gone far enough, Raven,” he
said.
“What… what do you mean?”
“The pack s unity is shaky right now. Your accusations–whether you believe them or not–are creating a rift we can’t afford. We need stability, and you‘ re undermining that.”
“You think this is my fault?”
Alpha Xavier’s silence was deafening. His eyes stayed fixed on me, but he didn‘ t believe me.
“So, you‘ re casting me aside for a
woman who’s lied to you?”
“Raven, this isn‘ t about us. It’s about the pack.
“Don’t pretend this is about the pack!” I
shouted.
“This is about your pride, your need for an
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heir. You‘ re letting that blind you to the
truth.”
“Enough! You leave me no choice.”
“What… what are you saying?”
Elder Malik spoke, his tone cold.
“Luna Raven, by the authority of the Alpha and the council, you are hereby stripped of your title and cast from this pack. You are no longer one of us.”
I stared at them, barely able to comprehend. I looked at Alpha Xavier, searching for any hint of regret, but nothing.
“You‘ d throw me out like I’m nothing?”
“You gave me no choice,” Alpha Xavier said coldly.
I turned toward the door, refusing to let them see my tears. Cassandra hurried to follow me.
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Chapter 7: Cast Out
“Luna Raven, I didn’t know it would end
like this,” she whispered.
I forced a sad smile.
“It’s not your fault, Cassandra.”
She squeezed my hand.
“What will you do?”
I looked back, taking in the faces of those who’d turned their backs on me.
“This isn‘ t over,” I vowed and left.
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