06 Banished

Damon

Evelyn didn't flinch. Didn't cry out. Just stood there, hands folded in front of her, accepting the judgment with a composure I hadn't expected.

Before the elder could call for the ceremonial acceptance of judgment, the doors burst open. Three of my best warriors rushed in, their expressions grim, clothing torn and bloody.

"Alpha!" the first one called, dropping to one knee before me. "Rogues have breached the eastern border. Five of our head warriors are dead, and they've burned down the plantation fields."

The room erupted in chaos, pack members shouting questions, demanding answers. I raised my hand for silence.

"How did they get past our defenses?" I asked, cold fury replacing the conflicted emotions of moments before.

The warrior shook his head. "We don't know, Alpha. But we captured one of them. Under questioning, he revealed that—" He hesitated, glancing nervously at Evelyn.

"Speak," I commanded.

"He said the Luna gave them the location of the secret route into Moon Pack territory. Said she's been feeding them information for months."

The room went still. All eyes turned to Evelyn, whose face had drained of color.

"That's not true," she said, her voice barely audible. "I would never betray the pack."

But the seed of doubt had been planted. The timing was too convenient, coming right as our relationship fractured. And hadn't she already betrayed me once?

Hot rage flooded my veins, overtaking any lingering hesitation. The attacks, the deaths, the fires—all because of her?

"Enough," I growled, the wolf rising in my voice. "I've heard enough lies." I turned to the elders. "I change my judgment. Luna Evelyn is hereby divorced from her mate bond and banished from Moon Pack territory, effective immediately."

Evelyn swayed on her feet, reaching out to steady herself against a nearby bench. "Damon, please," she whispered. "You can't believe I would do this."

I couldn't listen. Couldn't risk being swayed by that pleading voice. Five warriors dead. Fields burning. How many more would die if I showed weakness now?

"Guards," I called, "escort the former Luna to the border. She has until sundown to clear pack lands."

"My baby," she said, desperation edging into her voice for the first time. "Let me take Ava with me. Please, Damon. She needs her mother."

Something inside me recoiled at the thought of releasing the child—my child, according to the mate bond, regardless of who had fathered her. And deeper, uglier: if Evelyn wanted Ava so badly, then taking her away would be the perfect punishment.

"No," I said, hardening my heart against her plea. "The child stays. She's part of this pack."

Evelyn lunged forward. Her eyes changed color—human brown to wolf amber in a heartbeat. The first guard reached for her arm. She backhanded him across the face, sending him sprawling onto the floor.

"Watch out!" someone yelled.

Her nails grew longer, sharper. She slashed at the second guard, ripping his uniform. When the third tried to grab her from behind, she threw her head back, cracking his nose. Blood sprayed across the stone floor.

Pack members scrambled back. More guards rushed in. I stood my ground.

Evelyn knocked two more aside, moving with her wolf's speed. Then she was right in front of me, breathing hard, half-shifted. Close enough that I could smell her—the soap she'd used that morning, the milk scent from the baby, the anger rolling off her in waves.

She raised her hand. Claws extended, ready to strike.

I didn't flinch. Didn't call for help.

Her eyes met mine, and something passed between us. The anger in her face crumbled. Her claws retracted. The amber faded from her eyes.

"Please," she said, barely above a whisper. "You know me. I wouldn't betray the pack." She swallowed hard. "Ava needs me."

I could have touched her then. Could have wiped the tears now tracking down her cheeks. My hand twitched at my side.

Instead, I turned away.

"Take her out," I said to the guards over my shoulder.

Behind me, I heard scuffling. The thud of bodies. Her scream when they finally pinned her arms.

"You'll regret this!" Her voice bounced off the walls. "You're making a mistake, Damon!"

I kept my back to her, eyes fixed on the empty ceremonial circle.

Her shouting turned into something worse—choked sobs that tore at something deep in my chest.

"Ava!" Her final cry as they dragged her through the doors.

Then silence.

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