Kali
Banished?
The word echoes in my mind like a death sentence, but I school my face into indifference, forcing down the spike of fear clawing at my chest. I can’t show weakness—especially not in front of them.
“What?” I straighten my back. “You can’t just throw me out like this. I’ve done nothing to deserve it.”
Luna Diana sneers, her disgust unmistakable. “Oh, I think you’ve done more than enough.Your defiance, your attitude—you’ve brought nothing but disrespect to this pack. You refuse to submit to your Alpha, refuse to know your place. It’s only fitting you lose your place.”
My hands curl into fists, nails biting into my palms. My mother—what about my mother? I can’t just leave her behind. “Where the hell am I supposed to go?” I snap.
Grace snorts, crossing her arms over her chest, eyes dancing with amusement . “To the dirt where you belong,” she mocks. “Honestly, it’s about time. You walk around like you’re untouchable, like you’re better than everyone else. But without this pack, you’re nothing but a worthless rogue.” She smirks. “Let’s see how long you survive out there without a pack’s protection, Kali.”
Luna Diana lets out a humorless laugh. “She’s right. No one will take in a disobedient, unruly wolf like you. You’ve burned every bridge.” Her voice is sickly sweet, but her eyes are ice. “You’ll learn your lesson soon enough. Let’s see how long you last before crawling back on your knees.”
A bitter laugh escapes me, though my chest feels like it’s caving in. “And what about Grace?” I demand, leveling a glare at her. “She rejected her mate, but she’s not getting banished.” My eyes narrow. “Bit of a double standard, don’t you think?”
Grace scoffs. “That’s different.”
“Oh? How?” I challenge.
“The Moon Goddess made a mistake pairing me with some pathetic warrior,” Grace snaps. “I deserve better—I deserve to be Luna.”
I shake my head in disgust. “The poor bastard you rejected is lucky. Being tied to someone as selfish and cruel as you would be a fate worse than death.”
“Enough,” she hisses, turning to Luna Diana. “Let’s get rid of her before the pack finds out the truth.”
Luna Diana nods. “Very well. I’ll inform the Alpha. By this evening, she’ll be out.”
“Mum, don’t you think you’re taking this too far?” Travis interrupts, his face hard but conflicted.
Luna Diana’s expression turns frigid as she fixes him with a glare. “She’s the one who took things too far when she rejected you, my son. The future Alpha.”
And with that, she spins on her heel and storms out of the room.Travis groans, rubbing his temples before chasing after her. “Mum, listen to me—” His voice fades as they disappear down the hall.
I move to follow, desperation clawing at my chest. I need to stop this madness. But before I can take a step, a hand grips my arm, nails digging into my skin.
Grace.
She’s smiling.
“You really think running after her is going to change anything?” she purrs. “You’ve tested her patience for long enough, Kali. It’s about time someone put you in your place.”
I yank my arm free from her grasp, glaring at her. “Is that why you did this? I know you hate me, but convincing her to banish me? That’s a new level of pathetic, even for you.”
Grace tilts her head, her grin never faltering. “It’s the only way to keep you from lingering around my Travis.”
I let out a bitter laugh. “Your Travis? He’s my mate, Grace. Or did you conveniently forget that part?”
"You rejected him. But the bond still lingers. Stronger than you think. And I’ll do everything in my power to make sure you’re nowhere near him.”
I smirk, stepping closer, watching as her confident facade falters. “You think banishing me will be enough? What if I decide to take back my rejection? I could be your Luna, Grace. And you’d have no choice but to bow to me for the rest of your miserable life.”
Her face pales for a second before she quickly recovers, shaking her head. “No, you wouldn’t. I am fucking sure you’d rather die than submit to Travis.”
I stare at her, unblinking. “You’re really this desperate to be Luna? You rejected your own mate for a title?”
Her eyes flash with something unreadable, but then she scoffs. “I would reject that poor bastard a hundred times if I had to. I’m too much of a woman for him.”
"That poor guy is really lucky. Imagine being stuck in a forever bond with you.”
Her expression twists into something ugly, but before she can speak, she smirks again. “You know, I could convince Luna Diana to let you stay.”
I raise an eyebrow. “And what, exactly, would I have to do?”
She steps closer, her voice sickly sweet. “Kneel. In front of me. Admit that I’m the real Luna.”
“You want me to kneel?”
Her smirk widens. “Yes. Right here, right now. Submit, and I might show mercy.”
My blood boils at her audacity. I stare at her for a moment before slowly lowering myself—just enough to make her believe. Her grin stretches, triumph lighting up her face.
Then, I slam my boot down on her foot.
Grace howls in pain, stumbling back as she clutches her foot. “You bitch!”
I straighten, rolling my shoulders. “Did you really think I’d grovel for you? That I’d beg to stay in this pathetic excuse for a pack? You think I’m afraid of being banished?” I scoff. “I never liked this damn pack anyway.”
Grace gasps, eyes blazing with rage. “You’ll regret this, Kali!”
I turn on my heel, throwing the door open. “No, Grace,” I say, glancing back with a smirk. “You will.”
Without looking back, I step outside, leaving her cursing behind me. Let them banish me. I’ll survive. And when I return, they’ll wish they had killed me instead.
As I step outside the Alpha’s house, I freeze. A crowd of furious pack members stands waiting. Their faces are twisted with hatred, eyes burning with contempt. Then, the first stone flies. It barely misses my shoulder, but the second one strikes my arm. Pain flares up, but I bite down on my lip, refusing to show weakness.
“How dare you reject our Alpha?” someone shouts, and a chorus of agreement follows.
“Who do you think you are?” another voice yells.
More rocks and debris are hurled my way. My body tenses, preparing for the worst.
Then, Grace’s desperate voice rings out above the chaos. “She isn’t the Alpha’s mate. I am.”
I sigh in irritation. I can’t get a break from her, can I?
A hush spreads through the crowd before murmurs ripple through them.
“She’s lying,” someone mutters.
“What does it matter?” another sneers. “This one is disrespectful and defied our Alpha. She deserves to be thrown out like the dirt she is.”
“I agree,” Grace’s voice cuts through the noise. “That’s why she’ll be gone by evening—never to return until she learns to submit.”
A deafening cheer erupts from the pack. They’re celebrating. Rejoicing in my downfall.
I lift my chin, swallowing the bitterness threatening to consume me. Then, suddenly, warmth envelops me as a jacket is draped over my shoulders. A familiar scent washes over me, and I don’t need to look up to know who it belongs to.
Caspian.
He steps beside me, his strong grip closing around my hand, his body acting as a shield against the angry mob. His presence alone silences them for a moment, just enough for him to start leading me away.
I keep my head down, but inside, I curse the Moon Goddess. Why couldn’t she have given me someone like Caspian as my mate? Someone who sees me. Someone who stands by me even when the world turns against me.
We walk in silence until we’re far enough from the crowd. I stop, taking a step back to put some distance between us. I glance at his hand still holding mine before pulling away.
“Your mate won’t like what you just did,” I murmur, forcing myself to look anywhere but at him.
“My mate rejected me.”
I snap my head up, staring at him. “What?”
He smirks, shaking his head. “Yeah. And you know what? I’m glad she did first. She saved me from being the asshole who rejected her.”
Shock courses through me. “Which sane woman would reject a man like you?”
He chuckles darkly. “Unfortunately, she isn’t sane. She’s desperate to be Luna.”
My eyes widen as I take a step closer. “Don’t tell me…”
He tilts his head, watching me with amusement.
“Grace?” I whisper. “She was your mate?”
Caspian nods. “The one and only.”
A bitter laugh escapes me. “The Moon Goddess must have been drunk when she paired you two.”
“She really must have.” he mocks but there’s an edge of hurt beneath it.
I exhale, shaking my head. “Don’t worry. The Moon Goddess will give you a second chance mate.”
He arches a brow. “Isn’t that rare?”
“Maybe,” I say with a shrug. “But if anyone deserves one, it’s you.”
His gaze locks onto mine, something unreadable swirling in his eyes. “I don’t need a second chance mate. I just want to be with you. Without guilt.”
My heart stutters for a brief second before I force a small, sad smile. “That’s not possible, Caspian. I’m about to be banished, remember?”
“I don’t care,” he says firmly. “I’ll follow you anywhere.”
I shake my head quickly. “No. You need to stay here. If you leave, who will protect my mother?”
His jaw tightens, but after a moment, he sighs. “Fine. But promise me you’ll be safe. And write to me.”
I nod. “I will.”
Caspian stares at me for a long moment before asking the question I didn’t expect. “What about you? What if the Moon Goddess gives you a second chance mate? Will you reject him too?”
I snort. “I pray I don’t get a second-chance mate.”
He frowns. “Why?”
I smirk, folding my arms. “Because I don’t have the energy to deal with more mate problems. But if I’m given another Alpha like Travis?” My smirk widens into something dangerous. “I won’t think twice before rejecting his ass.”
