CHAPTER 5: Exile

Aria's POV

"Are you all completely blind?" As the warriors dragged the people across the courtyard, I yelled at them. "How did you allow her to go away? She was there! Just one lady! ONE!

They didn't even look at me. They continued to gather frightened Evergreen members and shove them like livestock in the direction of the pack house. Men seemed dejected, women pleaded, children sobbed, and here I was, seemingly shouting into the night air for nothing.

"Hey!" I tramped in closer. "You stupid mutts, the Luna got away! Do you know what it means? Killian is going to...

When a massive palm tightened around my throat and I choked, my feet nearly lifted off the ground, my punishment came to an end.

The intruder snarled in my face, "Shut it," and his breath also had an unpleasant odour. "You don't get to open that filthy mouth around us just because you're the Lycan King's new fuck toy."

"I... I wasn't..." I gave a wheeze.

Black spots briefly danced in my vision as he tightened his grip. Even if my claws were twitching and prepared to strike a Redmoon fighter, I was not foolish enough to do so. These men weren't your typical wolves. They were the ferocious and feared lycans. They were war-raised murderers.

At last, he let go of me as if I were nothing, and I collapsed to my knees while gasping and massaging my aching neck.

Another fighter gave a snort.

"She ought to be chained someplace. She speaks too much.

Another person said, "She'll get herself killed." "And not in a light-hearted manner."

Even though my voice sounded scratchy, I said, "Ohoho, you wish you could kill me."

I cleared my throat as the nearest warrior gave me a fierce look.

"Not that you ought to," I continued. "Just... speculatively."

Once more, they disregarded me.

Oh no.

After smoothing my hair, straightening my nightgown, and wiping a little of dust from my lip, I strode back to the pack house.

They're all idiots.

In the throne chamber, Killian studied Evergreen's Alpha chair as if it were a piece of fruit he wanted to devour. His dark hair appeared even darker in the firelight, and his composed demeanour made him even more obnoxious.

"Killian!" I made a call.

He remained still.

"Aria."

"She got away." Mira knows it was me, and she managed to get away. I may have made a mistake and admitted to her that I did it. I allowed you in, and if...

Without looking, he lifted one hand, and I immediately stopped talking. Killian turned at last, his gaze blank and icy.

He remarked, "You talk too much."

"I'm just providing updates!"

"No," he muttered. "You're causing issues."

I gave a blink.

"What?"

"Don't speak. You are worthless to me if anyone finds out what you really did tonight.

I growled, "I helped you." "I let the gate open. That guard was slain by me. "I."

Killian took a step forward and lowered his voice.

"And nobody should ever be aware of that."

His fist struck my face before I could respond.

"Wow! WHAT THE... Killian!

He flicked his knuckles as if hitting me were a little annoyance.

If you stroll about unscathed, it will appear suspicious. You now fit the scene.

I touched my cheek with my hand.

"That was painful!"

"Excellent." He looked at his fighters. "Please bring me Alpha Kael. I would want to speak to my new puppet.

Fantastic. Excellent.

A damaged face and being strangled twice in one night were my rewards for faithfulness.

I despise everyone!

***

Mira’S POV

The tunnel was so dark that I had to dash with one hand against the wall to avoid hitting my face. My feet almost touched the earth, my pulse raced, and my breath reverberated.

Magnus was all I could see. Every morning, Aria's claws at his throat followed by his chuckle, smile, and small hands clutching my face.

"If I ever get my hands on her again," I muttered to myself as my stomach turned. Goddess, please assist her.

But first, I had to live.

The chilly air hit my skin as soon as the tunnel spewed me out into the forest. Even the trees seemed to be holding their breath during the night, and even though I had no idea where I was headed, my legs continued to go.

I eventually came to a group of 10 or so Evergreen survivors men, women, and even a teenage kid with a broken sword.

"Luna Mira!" said a lady.

They hurried by me before I could say anything.

"Oh, I'm so glad you're still here!"

"What should we do, Luna?"

"Have you noticed the Alpha? He was taken! Or did they murder him?

"There were a lot of bodies that we saw."

I held up both of my hands.

"Stop. Please. I'm having trouble thinking.

With expectant, wide eyes, they fell silent. I detested that expression.

I whispered, "I'm not your leader." "Like you, I'm just trying to survive."

One of the men persisted, "But you're the Luna."

I glanced down.

"No longer."

With hesitation, a woman moved forward.

"My Luna... What took place within the pack house? How on earth did they enter?

I tasted bitterness as I gulped.

"Aria."

They let out a gasp.

"Yes," I said. "The gates were opened by Aria. Aria opened the door for them, and Aria My voice broke. "My son was killed by Aria."

They were suddenly overcome with shock.

"No."

"My goddess."

"That maid?"

"Where do we go now?" someone asked after I nodded.

I started to respond, but my shoulder was hurt by something sharp.

"Ah...!"

I reached behind and took out a tranquilizer a dart!

"What?"

My people were falling like stones all around me, their eyes rolling back and their knees collapsing.

"No," I muttered. "Not right now. Not once again.

The jungle whirled as another dart struck my leg, blurring my vision.

My wolf felt as though she was moving through muck as I staggered backward and attempted to transform.

"Go." I told myself. "Run, Mira, run."

However, my knees struck the floor.

Boots emerged in front of me heavyily and stealthily and too disciplined to belong to Evergreen wolves and too dark to belong anyplace except dreams.

I squinted through the mist as a hand grasped my jaw and pushed my face up.

A man's face came into focus; he was powerful and attractive, with eyes darker than I had ever seen and hair as dark as shadows.

It was the visage of the Lycan King, emotionless, icy, and regal.