Chapter 4: The Choice To Leave

Chapter 4 – The Choice to Leave

That night, I couldn't sleep.

The Moonstone Pack House, once filled with warmth and laughter, felt colder than a prison.

I sat by the window, watching the full moon rise above the forest.

My wolf, Luna, stirred weakly inside me.

"They don't trust us anymore," she whispered.

"I know."

"Will our mates come for us?"

I closed my eyes.

"I don't think they will."

The silence that followed was more painful than any answer.

Early the next morning, a servant knocked on my door.

"Lady Aria... the Alphas have called for you."

I followed her to the council chamber.

Kael, Ronan, and Ezra were already waiting.

None of them smiled.

None of them welcomed me.

Kael gestured toward a chair.

"Sit."

I remained standing.

"What do you want?"

Ronan sighed.

"The elders have made another decision."

A strange calm settled over me.

"What is it this time?"

Ezra looked away.

"Until the investigation is complete... you are no longer allowed to leave the pack territory without permission."

I stared at them.

"So I'm a prisoner now?"

"It's for everyone's safety," Kael replied.

I laughed softly.

"My safety... or Selene's?"

No one answered.

That silence was all the answer I needed.

As I turned to leave, Selene walked into the chamber carrying a tray of tea.

She smiled sweetly.

"I made this for everyone."

She placed a cup in front of each Alpha.

Then she picked up another cup and walked toward me.

"I made one for you too."

I looked at the cup but didn't take it.

"I don't want anything from you."

Her smile faltered for only a second before she lowered her eyes.

"I was only trying to be kind."

Kael frowned.

"Aria."

"You don't have to be rude."

I looked at him in disbelief.

"Rude?"

"The woman accusing me of destroying her life offers me tea, and I'm the rude one?"

Selene's eyes filled with tears.

"I knew you hated me..."

Ezra gently placed a hand on her shoulder.

"It's alright, Selene."

The sight cut deeper than any blade.

That used to be me.

I used to be the one they comforted.

Now they barely looked at me.

That afternoon, I walked to the memorial garden where my parents were buried.

It was the only place where I still felt safe.

I knelt before their graves.

"I'm sorry."

Tears slipped down my cheeks.

"I couldn't protect what you left for me."

"I couldn't protect our family name."

A cool breeze rustled the flowers.

For a moment, it felt as though my mother were gently brushing my hair the way she had when I was a child.

"I miss you both."

"If you were here... you would have believed me."

A single white feather drifted down from the sky and landed beside the gravestone.

I smiled sadly.

"Thank you."

That evening, I returned to my room and opened the old wooden chest my mother had given me before she died.

Inside were a few dresses, family letters, and a small leather journal.

As I turned the pages, something fell onto the floor.

A map.

My heart raced.

It showed a hidden route leading out of Moonstone territory through the northern forest.

My father had drawn it years ago.

"If you ever need to start over," his handwriting read, "this path will lead you somewhere no one can follow."

My hands trembled.

Was this a sign?

"Luna," I whispered.

My wolf stirred.

"You're thinking about leaving."

"Yes."

"It will break the mate bond."

"I know."

"It will hurt."

"I know."

"Do you still love them?"

A tear rolled down my face.

"I do."

"That's what makes this so hard."

Luna was quiet for a long time.

Finally, she spoke.

"Love should never make us beg to be believed."

Her words echoed through my heart.

She was right.

That night, after everyone had gone to sleep, I packed a small bag.

Just enough clothes.

The journal.

The map.

And a photograph of my parents.

I looked around the room one last time.

This room had once been filled with dreams.

Now it held nothing but memories and heartbreak.

I quietly whispered,

"Goodbye."

I wasn't leaving because I was guilty.

I wasn't leaving because I had lost.

I was leaving because I refused to spend another day begging people who claimed to love me to see the truth.

As I reached for the door, a sudden knock echoed through the room.

Three sharp knocks.

Then Kael's voice came from the other side.

"Aria... open the door."

My heart began to pound.

Had they discovered my p