Chapter 2: Unruly Banishment

Zyra's pov…

The ache remained, just like the mark that still lingered but never completely faded.

What was I thinking about being mates with an Alpha when I was nothing but a lowly maid?

I had not run into Roland since the rejection.

It was for the best I thought to myself, seeing him will only make the pain worse.

I scrubbed the floors as I overheard some Omegas bicker about the Luna initiation ceremony.

At least they were even invited, I wasn't even allowed to watch.

“Marcelline has demanded you prepare her special tea and bring it to her.” Melissa the new Luna spat at me.

I rolled my eyes as I continued scrubbing, “You could at least say it politely.”

The Omegas stopped their discussion to eavesdrop on our conversation that was quickly becoming heated.

“I have no business being polite to a mere human, you should at least be grateful you are allowed to work in the palace.”

She wasn’t wrong if not for my late mother and her relationship with Marcelline. I would have been out of the pack a long time ago. 

“Be fast with her tea, you know how Marcelline gets when you waste time.” She tipped over my bucket of water on her way out, not hiding the evil smirk on her face.

I prepared Marcelline's tea quickly, but my dress was still soaked from the water Melissa spilled.

If there was anything Marcelline hated more than tardiness, it was looking unkept.

So I left the tea to quickly change into something dry.

When I entered the room it was just Marcelline and Melissa seated.

"When will Roland be back, I miss him and now that we are fated mates all my wolf wants is to be around him.” 

Melissa spoke to Marcelline, faking a sad tone. 

My chest tightened as she continued talking, I served them both quickly, desperate for some fresh air, or anywhere that wasn't here.

“Wait!” Marcelline called out, stopping me in my tracks as I was about to leave.

“Yes, Marcelline.” I turned to face her again.

“Taste the tea.”

“What?” I was not sure I heard her correctly the first time.

“I believe I was clear.” Her face had morphed into a scowl highlighting the wrinkles on her face, making her appear scarier than she normally looked.

“Is something wrong?” I asked utterly confused as to why I would be tasting her tea, she had never asked me to do such.

“It smells off, so I would like you to taste it.” Melissa nodded beside her in agreement.

“Except you have something to hide, I see no reason why you should object to tasting it.” Melissa batted her eyelids.

I didn't have anything to hide nor could I smell anything off, though wolves had a really good sense of smell compared to humans.

“Okay, I would taste it.”

I picked up the cup holding it for a fraction of a minute before I brought it to my lips.

I was about to pour the hot liquid into my throat when a cough erupted from my chest causing the cup to slip out of my hands.

My chest felt hot as I coughed continuously, whatever was in the tea was really strong.

My vision blurred with tears from the cough, but I could still make out faint smoke lines that clouded the room erupting from where the tea had spilled.

“Wolf's bane!” Melissa hissed beside me, her eyes shone brighter, the same as Marcelline's. 

“You tried to poison me with Wolf’s bane?”

"I didn't…” Cough! “..try to poison…” Cough! "you.”

“Shut up!” My cheek was met with a slap.

I held the spot that was hit, trying to soothe it.

“I am calling pack Security!”

“I didn't put wolf's bane in your tea, I am not even in possession of it.”

“We will see about that.” 

Something about the statement made me wary. 

After some minutes some of the pack warriors trooped in with my belongings.

“We found this in her room.” The guard held out a small bottle.

“I have never seen this.”

"Liar! You tried to poison the Alpha's mother,”

One of the gammas picked me from the floor, binding both hands forcing me to face Marcelline’s burning gaze.

“Zyra after everything I had done for you, this is how you choose to pay me back?” She moved closer crossing over the spilled tea that had now burned the fur rug. 

Take her to the palace dungeon.

“No! No! This is a mistake. I didn’t put it in your tea.” 

My plea and scream fell on deaf ears as I was already being moved to the dungeon. 

“The balls of you to try to poison the Alpha’s mother.” The gamma spat as he tossed me into the cell.

“A night here would have you confessing by tomorrow.” Another gamma laughed as he locked the cell gate.

I sat in the darkness, and emptiness sat deep in my chest.

I placed my hand over my belly clutching it tight as I sobbed. 

I had slept off amid sobs, cold water dunked on me jolting me awake.

“Get up!” 

I shivered from the cold water as I stood to my feet.

“Marcelline wants to speak with you.” 

He bound my arms with a restraint cord before I followed quietly behind him.

Marcelline sat on her chair with indifference in her eyes, she scrunched up her nose as my mere presence irritated her.

“Are you ready to confess to your crimes?” 

My mouth was dry from dehydration and exhaustion, and I couldn’t answer immediately, as I opened my mouth to speak but no words came.

“I believe the Queen is speaking to you.” The gamma dropped me from his hold as my knees instantly gave way causing me to stumble.

I lifted my head to meet Marcelline’s gaze, “I… didn’t do it.” 

“You still don’t want to admit to your crimes, you leave me with no other choice.”

“Zyra Moore by the power bestowed upon me by the moon goddess. I banish you from the Riverrun pack. You are not to come close to the pack or its members henceforth.” 

“Please don’t do this.”

The more I pleaded the wider the smirk on her face grew, “It has already been declared.” 

I was thrown outside the pack border, shivering from the cold. 

All alone.

With each step I took further into the woods in search of some shelter to pass the night, my knees ached and threatened to give way. 

I should just give up now, even wolves don’t survive a night across the border. How would I survive?

I sat on a large boulder to catch my breath a bit. 

That was when loud howls reached my ears, immediately causing my heart to race.

Rogue wolves.