The Exiled Flame

The air was thick with tension as the pack gathered for the vote, their eyes flicking between me and Lily. My heart pounded in my chest as I awaited their judgment, hoping for a glimmer of mercy. But as the votes were cast, my hopes crumbled. One by one, they turned their backs on me, their voices raised in agreement—Amia must be thrown out.Damien, once my friend, now my accuser, was the loudest of them all. His voice boomed through the pack house, his eyes cold and unforgiving. "She has betrayed our trust and endangered Lily's life. There can be only one punishment—banishment!"My breath caught in my throat as I saw Alpha, Damien's father, hesitate. He knew of our childhood friendship, the bond we once shared. With a heavy heart, he turned to his son, pleading for reconsideration. "Damien, think of the years of loyalty Amia has shown. Is there not a shred of doubt in your mind?"But Damien, his face hardened with determination, shook his head. "I will not waver, Father. Amia has rev

Thorne's senses tingled as he walked through the city streets under the cover of darkness. He felt the hair on the back of his neck stand up, a warning sign that he had learned to heed. His keen eyes scanned the shadows, sensing that he was being watched, targeted by unseen assailants."Show yourselves!" Thorne shouted, his voice echoing through the narrow alleyways. "I know you're there."With a swift movement, figures emerged from the darkness, their faces hidden behind masks. They surrounded Thorne, their numbers reaching nearly twenty. The leader stepped forward, his voice cold and menacing. "We have been sent by 'that person' to end your life, Thorne. Surrender now, and your death will be quick."Thorne's eyes narrowed, his hand resting on the hilt of his sword. "I know not who sent you, but I will not go down without a fight. Come at me if you dare."The masked figures lunged, their swords drawn and glinting in the moonlight. Thorne's blade sang as he drew it from its sheath, th

A month passed, and the once-wounded man, Thorne, had fully recovered under Amia's skilled care. During that time, a unique bond formed between them—a connection forged through shared experiences and the healing power of her potions. Thorne, with his playful spirit, often teased Amia about her strict rules and the abuse she inflicted on him with her bitter tonics, but he always devoured her remedies greedily.Thorne proved to be an invaluable companion, assisting Amia in gathering herbs and ingredients for her potions. He learned quickly, his sharp eyes spotting rare plants that enhanced the potency of her remedies. Their days were filled with laughter and quiet moments of connection as they worked side by side.As the weeks went by, Amia felt a closeness to Thorne that she hadn't experienced in a long time. She found herself looking forward to their conversations, their playful banter, and the comfort of having someone by her side. Thorne brought a spark of life back into her solitar

As the weight of my decision bore down on me, I sought solace in the warmth of a bath, hoping to wash away the turmoil within. But as I sank into the soothing water, memories of our childhood came flooding back—memories of Amia, Lily, and me. Amia had always been the life of our trio, bringing fun and cheer wherever she went. A pang of sadness hit me as I realized how much she had changed, or so I believed.Suddenly, a sharp pain stabbed my chest, causing me to gasp and sit upright in the tub. "What in the—" I began, my voice laced with confusion and alarm.The pain intensified, and I sprang out of the bath, calling for my men with a shout that echoed through the chamber. Within moments, my guards and servants rushed in, their faces etched with concern. I stood there, naked and vulnerable, as the pain clouded my vision and a strange tightness gripped my chest.I noticed one of my men, a young woman, shyly covering her private area as she entered the room. Her eyes widened at the sight

Amia POV:My mind wandered to Thorne, a man I had treated a month ago for a stubborn ailment. He had recovered, and I hadn't heard from him since. I missed his company; his presence had chased away the loneliness that often lingered in the quiet moments spent within these four walls.I chuckled softly to myself, a wry smile playing on my lips. "Amia, always the fool for longing," I muttered, shaking my head at my own folly. After being betrayed by my former love, I had sworn off men, vowing to dedicate my life solely to my craft. Yet here I was, yearning for companionship once more. I pushed aside the maudlin thoughts, determined to focus on the task at hand—preparing my potions and elixirs for the day.As I arranged bottles of various shapes and sizes on the shelves, carefully labeling each one, my keen intuition sent a warning signal. A voice, carried on the gentle breeze, caused the hairs on the back of my neck to stand on end. "Something bad is going to happen," I murmured, my eye