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Chapter 2

Author: Zoe bear
I jumped out of the Bugatti’s back seat, the cold air biting through the thin fabric of my dress.

My voice, no longer trembling with emotion, had settled into a dead calm. “Alpha Joe, Beta Steve, you must have had a hard time traveling all this way.” My gaze dropped to the filthy hem of my dress, stained with the dirt of this rogue den.

“Five years is a long time. I’ve gotten used to it.”

“This place suits me just fine. I don’t miss home anymore.”

Joe’s lips pressed into a thin line, his wolf’s energy crackling faintly in the air.

“And besides,” I continued, glancing at the sleek, spotless car beside us, “I’m covered in dirt and filth. Wouldn’t want to stain your precious Bugatti.”

Alpha Joe’s chest rose and fell as he took a deep breath, trying to leash his growing anger.

“Julia Barrett,” he growled, his voice low and threatening, “what exactly are you trying to say?”

“I think I’m saying it pretty clearly,” I replied, crossing my arms.

Joe’s composure finally snapped. “Are you still blaming us? We came all this way to bring you home, and you’re still throwing a tantrum? How much longer are you going to act like this?”

His wolf flared just beneath his skin, his tone harsh and unrelenting. “Yes, we made mistakes five years ago, but were you completely innocent? Penny spent years wandering outside before finally returning to Midnight Ridge Pack. If you hadn’t constantly bullied her, gone against her in secret—”

“Would we have ever suspected you?”

A loud bang echoed as Joe slammed his fist against the car door. His voice turned icy, each word cutting like a blade.

“If you don’t want to come back, then don’t!” he snapped. “I no longer thought of you as my sister.”

My heart should have cracked at his words, but all I felt was a distant numbness.

“I’ll tell Mom and Dad you died in the rogue den,” Joe added coldly. Without waiting for my response, he got into the car and slammed the door.

The Bugatti roared to life, leaving me standing in the cold.

The winter wind wasn’t nearly as frigid as Joe’s words.

Even after five years of false accusations, exile, and suffering, they still couldn’t see past Penny’s inveracious mask. It didn’t matter anymore. Five years had hardened me. My heart was little more than a calloused wound, so numb that even a blade wouldn’t cut deep enough to hurt.

Beta Steve lingered, sighing softly like a man forced to deal with an unruly child. He reached into a bag they had brought from Midnight Ridge Pack and pulled out an ornate gift box.

“Your parents still care about you, Julia. Blood ties don’t break so easily,” he said, holding the box out to me like some peace offering.

I stared at it, unimpressed.

Steve’s voice softened. “Julia, don’t be stubborn. These pastries—Luna Felicia made them for you herself. And inside this bag is a dress they picked out just for you.”

A small laugh escaped me, sharp and bitter. My mate—Beta Steve Dolton—was Midnight Ridge Pack’s most talented warrior, the future Beta, and, once upon a time, my fated mate.

The memory of my first shift at eighteen surfaced unbidden. The strong scent of mint and pine had filled my senses, and my wolf had howled with joy in my mind. Mate.

Steve had always been the golden boy of Midnight Ridge Pack, a prince among wolves. And for a short, fleeting moment, I had thanked the Moon Goddess for blessing me with him as my partner.

But everything changed when Penny appeared.

The day she collapsed, coughing up blood, Steve had cradled her in his arms, glaring at me like I’d personally poisoned her. The bond we shared—the one I thought was unbreakable—frayed and snapped in that single moment.

I swallowed hard, forcing the memory away as my gaze fell on the box of pastries. Inside were dainty little macarons, each molded into the shape of a kitten.

Cute. Except I hated macarons. They were too sweet, too perfect. Penny’s favorite, not mine.

Then there was the dress—a soft pink monstrosity made of the finest silk. Penny’s favorite color. Mine love was midnight blue, the color of the sky just before it gave way to the stars.

Noticing my lack of gratitude, Steve’s expression turned cold, tinged with impatience.

“Julia, don’t be greedy,” he said, his tone sharper now. “Alpha Kenelm and the others have done their best to make it up to you. Penny was their real daughter!”

I stared at him, incredulous. “Greedy? I never asked you for anything."?”

His jaw tightened, but he said nothing.

“You have two days to think about it,” Steve continued, his tone dismissive. “After that, Joe and I are leaving. It’s your last chance, Julia.”

Chance. That was rich coming from him.

As Steve turned and walked away, I stood there in the cold, the box of unwanted pastries still in my hands.

They all thought I was ungrateful. That I was insatiable.
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  • He Banished Me to the Rogue   Chapter 21

    When Alpha Joe and Beta Steve arrived, the first thing they saw was their beloved "sister" on her knees before me, tears streaming down her face, humiliated beyond measure. Alpha Joe rushed forward in a flash, his eyes dark and wary as he pulled Penny protectively into his arms. But with Xavier present, he dared not say a word. This would likely be my last time seeing the people of Midnight Ridge Pack. “There’s no need to look at me like that, Alpha Joe,” I said coolly. “I didn’t bully your precious sister. Miss Penny has paid her respects—our debts are settled.” I met his gaze, unwavering. “From now on, stay out of Rogue Den.” Alpha Joe tensed, his fists clenching at his sides. Beta Steve, however, had been staring at me since he arrived. Unlike Joe, he didn’t spare Penny a single glance, even as she knelt before me. “Julia, won’t you come home with us?” His voice was hoarse with emotion, his usually bright eyes clouded with guilt and sorrow. “I’m sorry.” At last, af

  • He Banished Me to the Rogue   Chapter 20

    The wedding ceremony had just wrapped up. The vows were said, the rings exchanged, and the crowd was buzzing with applause. I should’ve been basking in the afterglow of the moment, but instead, I was hit by something completely unexpected—a scent. At first, I thought it was some fragrance the wedding planners had sprayed everywhere. Then it hit me again. Stronger. And this time, I knew. "Julia, Xavier is our second mate!" My wolf practically somersaulted in my mind, her voice filled with excitement. She was so ecstatic I could almost see her wagging her tail like a deranged puppy. I froze. Second mate? His scent was pine and chocolate. It was pure heaven, My head spun, and my heart hammered against my ribs. "Second mate?" I asked, more to myself than anyone else. "Yes, Julia, I'm your fated mate." He whispered, his eyes locking onto mine, burning into me. The longing in his gaze was so intense it stole my breath away.On the night we soaked in the hot springs, as I ga

  • He Banished Me to the Rogue   Chapter 19

    Alpha Joe’s hand never landed on me.Xavier, clad in traditional groom’s attire, tall and imposing, strode over with his guards in tow."My woman—do you think you have the right to discipline her?"Alpha Joe and Beta Steve released me simultaneously.Beta Steve’s face was beyond pale, his eyes locked onto Xavier’s attire.His voice rasped out, hoarse and disbelieving:“Julia, the man you’re marrying… is him?”The rogue king of Rogue Den was leagues above a mere Beta of Midnight Ridge Pack in status. He had believed himself my best choice.How laughable. He was never even close.I didn’t need anyone’s pity.“Julia, why didn’t you tell us you were marrying the rogue king?” Alpha Joe’s tone softened, his earlier anger replaced with reproach.“So we could have sent a proper gift.”Compared to the entire Rogue Den, the Midnight Ridge Pack is utterly insignificant. Although Rogue Den is located in a remote area with an unfavorable climate, it boasts the largest territory. The harsh weather a

  • He Banished Me to the Rogue   Chapter 18

    Ten days passed in the blink of an eye.Without informing anyone, I donned a stunning wedding gown and joined the procession heading to the palace of the Rogue King.Xavier was right.Without his blood as a key ingredient, Penny’s condition didn’t improve despite taking my medicine.On the day of my wedding, she was coughing blood again, gasping for air, until she finally collapsed.My elder brother, Alpha Joe, and Beta Steve were running around like headless chickens, desperately searching for me, hoping I would give them another dose of the medicine to save Penny.The grand, opulent wedding procession of the Rogue King brushed past them.I sat inside the car, gazing out the window with a cold, detached look. Without a trace of emotion, I glanced at them before turning my gaze away.Beta Steve seemed to sense something. He abruptly turned around and stared at the car I was in.His eyes landed on me, dressed in the dazzling attire of the Rogue Queen. His expression froze. His eyes wide

  • He Banished Me to the Rogue   Chapter 17

    I didn’t learn that Penny and Xavier had crossed paths until the next day, when I went to the ranch to tend to the sheep. Thanks to my medicine, Penny had recovered quickly. She was now able to wrap herself in thick coats and wander around Rogue Den, her delicate little face peeking out from beneath the fur-lined hood. Meanwhile, Xavier had taken down an eagle mid-flight with a single arrow, claiming it as his prey. That was when Penny appeared. With wide, misty eyes, she stood before Xavier, indignant. "Eagles are meant to soar freely in the sky. Why did you have to shoot it down?" There weren’t many onlookers. But that didn’t stop Penny’s eyes from welling up with unshed tears, her shimmering gaze locked onto Xavier’s silver-masked face. Only his cold amber eyes were visible, distant and untouchable. A faint blush crept up her cheeks. Her voice quivered, soft and delicate. "Xavier Highness… If you refuse to let it go, I’d like to buy it from you." "My brother has

  • He Banished Me to the Rogue   Chapter 16

    I sat quietly in the dim light, staring at the fresh wounds on the back of my hand.Did it hurt?Yes.But it was worth it.Back when I was the only princess of Midnight Ridge Pack, the very thought of pain made me flinch.Bruises? Terrifying. Scratching? Practically the end of the world. I had avoided combat training like a cat avoids water, which was ironic for someone destined to be around wolves. Then Penny returned, and everything I cherished was yanked away. To salvage what little dignity I had left, I forced myself into training. It was ugly. Bruises. Broken nails. One time, I even dislocated my shoulder doing something as "simple" as a forward roll. But I persisted. Six months later, I won my first beginner-level combat competition. I practically howled with pride. That shiny gold medal was my trophy, my triumph! Naturally, I presented it to My favorite brother Alpha Joe, expecting praise. Only for him to turn around and give it to Penny.As if it meant nothing.Xavier ca

  • He Banished Me to the Rogue   Chapter 15

    After careful consideration, I decided to use Xavier’s late mother as my leverage. The rogue den had taught me one thing: survival wasn’t about brute strength. It was about playing the long game. And today, I was going all in.On the anniversary of her death, I donned the very gown she had worn when she first met the old Rogue King. A sheer veil concealed my face. When Xavier saw me, his eyes darkened, swirling with emotion, unable to look away. Half the battle was already won. But captivating him wasn’t enough. I steadied myself, adjusting my posture, stepping past him into the shadowed hall.The air inside was heavy, carrying the scent of dust, decay, and faint traces of wolf musk .The moment the old Rogue King stepped into the long-abandoned palace to mourn the woman he had once loved to the extreme—and hated just as deeply—I pressed down on the first piano key. A forbidden sound filled the air. It was the same melody the late Rogue Queen had once played—Mariage d’Amo

  • He Banished Me to the Rogue   Chapter 14

    Why was I treated differently by Xavier?Why was I the one who tamed the fiercest beast of the rogue den—the future Rogue King?Maybe it was because I was ruthless. Even to myself.I had vowed to survive, no matter the cost.The old Rogue King had over a dozen sons. But Xavier… he was different.Born of an Omega, he carried half Omega blood—an eternal stain on the royal lineage of the rogue den.His mother, though an Omega, was the famed beauty of the Mississippi River, once deeply favored by the old Rogue King. But she never smiled. The Rogue King was not her fated mate. She withered away in grief.When she died, the Rogue King locked himself in his chambers for three days, only to emerge with a decree: her body was to be burned to ashes, her title as Rogue Queen stripped, her very existence erased.And Xavier, once the most favored prince, became nothing more than a mutt, a target for ridicule.To survive by his side, I had to prove my worth.The night his own kin came for his life,

  • He Banished Me to the Rogue   Chapter 13

    The night was deep. Rather inconveniently, as soon as my last life-saving medicine was gone, my illness struck again. I curled up on the wooden bed, the chill seeping through my bones. No matter how many layers of blankets I covered myself with, I couldn’t resist the piercing cold and pain. My body trembled uncontrollably, cold sweat quickly soaking through my inner garments. My teeth chattered loudly, I wanted to summon my wolf, sadly, none seemed to be responding. It remained silent deep within me, enduring the same pain I was.Clutching my shoulder, where the Panthera tigris had bitten me, my mind blurred, and I was dragged back to that snowy night in the rogue den. Crying, I had called out Alpha Joe’s name, Beta Steve’s, my parents'… over and over. But they were far away, in Midnight Ridge Pack. They could never hear me. I had jumped into the freezing lake to escape the Panthera tigris, my hair frozen stiff, my body shaking violently. The icy water had cut into me li

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