Chapter 2: Blood on the Edge of Exile

Mirael’s POV:

“Get her up. The rogues are not waiting for us to finish this conversation.”

Riven’s voice snapped through the small medical room like a whip. I lay on the cot still dizzy from blood loss. The healer hovered near me with fresh bandages but he waved her away.

I pushed myself upright. Pain shot through my middle. “You heard her. They are asking for me by name. For the child you just helped destroy.”

He grabbed my arm and pulled me off the cot. My legs nearly gave out. “Move Mirael. Or I will drag you out there myself.”

The healer protested. “Alpha she needs rest. She lost the baby less than an hour ago.”

Riven ignored her completely. He hauled me toward the door. The night air felt colder than before. Distant howls echoed from the southern border. Pack warriors ran past us shouting orders.

Liora waited near the main path. She crossed her arms when she saw me. “Still causing problems even after rejection? Pathetic.”

“Shut up Liora!” Riven pushed me forward. “Mirael you will face them and tell them the marriage is over. Make this quick.”

I stumbled beside him. Blood seeped through the bandages again. Every step sent fresh pain through me. “What if they attack? I’m in no condition to stand there like a target.”

“That’s your problem now.” He did not look at me. “You wanted to reveal secrets about your bloodline. Here is your chance.”

Warriors formed a line at the edge of pack territory. The rogue group emerged from the trees. Their leader stepped forward. Tall and scarred. His eyes that scanned the line until they landed on me.

“Mirael Lockwood.” His voice carried across the clearing. “Or should I say the rejected Luna? We heard the news. The Alpha cast you out tonight.”

Riven stiffened beside me. “She is no longer part of this pack. Say what you want and leave.”

The rogue leader smiled. “We did not come for you Alpha Blackthorn. We came for her. The child she carried belongs to an old bloodline. One your pack forgot.”

I swayed on my feet. “How do you know about the child?”

He took another step closer. “Your mother sent word months ago. She knew the danger. The child would have awakened something powerful. Something your weak mate could never handle.”

Liora laughed nervously. “This is ridiculous. She is nobody.”

“Quiet woman!” The rogue leader pointed at me. “Mirael, come with us willingly. We offer protection. The Eclipse Pack does not deserve your blood.”

Riven grabbed my wrist hard. “She stays until sunrise. Then she leaves alone.”

I pulled against his grip. “You threw me away Riven. You said I was nothing. Now you want to keep me here while rogues claim my child?”

The pain intensified. I gasped and clutched my stomach. Fresh blood trickled down my leg. The healer who had followed us rushed forward. “Alpha she is still bleeding. This is too much.”

“Stay out of this!” Riven shoved me toward the rogue line a little. “Tell them Mirael. Tell them you want nothing to do with their lies.”

I looked at the rogue leader. My voice came out weak but clear. “You say my mother sent you. Prove it.”

He pulled a small pendant from his pocket. Silver with my family crest. “She gave this to me before she died. She knew Riven Blackthorn would destroy you eventually.”

Riven snarled. “Lies. All of it!”

The rogue leader ignored him and spoke directly to me. “Come with us. We can help you heal. The power in your blood can still be awakened even after the loss tonight.”

Warriors on both sides tensed. One of Riven’s betas stepped forward. “Alpha we cannot let her go with them. If there is truth to the bloodline.”

Riven’s grip on my wrist tightened until I cried out. “She belongs to no one. Not them. Not me. Not anymore.”

I wrenched free and stumbled toward the healer. “I lost everything tonight. My child. My home. My dignity in front of the whole pack. And now this.”

The rogue leader extended his hand. “Mirael. Your mother wanted better for you. Better than this cruel Alpha who never deserved you.”

Riven pulled a blade from his belt. “One more word and we fight.”

I stood between them shaking. Blood continued to soak through my clothes. The pain made my vision blur. My wolf stirred again. This time stronger. She pushed images into my mind. Flashes of my mother warning me about the Blackthorn family. Secrets about my true strength.

Liora moved to Riven’s side. “End this Alpha. Send her with them or kill her. I do not care which.”

“Shut your mouth Liora.” Riven’s voice was low and dangerous. He turned to me. “Decide Mirael. Them or exile alone at sunrise.”

The rogue leader waited. His group shifted restlessly behind him. “Choose us. We know what you are.”

I opened my mouth to answer when a sharp howl cut through the night. More rogues poured from the trees. Dozens more. The healer screamed.

Riven pushed me behind him roughly. “Betrayal! They planned this.”

The leader smiled wider. “Not betrayal. Justice. Mirael Lockwood carries the last pure line of the Shadow Walkers. Your pack killed her father for it. Tonight we take back what is ours.”

I collapsed to my knees as another wave of pain hit. Blood pooled beneath me. My vision darkened at the edges.

The rogue leader called out one final time. “Mirael come to us now or watch the Eclipse Pack burn for what they did to you and your child.”

Riven looked down at me on the ground. For one second, something like regret crossed his face. Then it vanished. “Choose Mirael. And choose quickly.”

I looked up at him through tears and blood. My voice broke completely. “After everything you still demand choices from me while I bleed out?”

The rogue leader raised his hand. His wolves charged forward.