The sun had barely begun to set when Serene and Cassius put their devious plan into motion. They had spent days scheming, ensuring that whatever they accused Samantha of would be so severe, so unforgivable, that even the Council and the Alpha would have no choice but to act against her.
“Are you sure this will work?” Cassius whispered as he and Serene watched the pack warriors move into position. Serene smirked. “It has to. After tonight, Samantha won’t just be hated—she’ll be exiled.” The Accusation A sudden commotion erupted in the heart of the Black Ridge Pack’s territory. A loud, panicked howl split the air as warriors rushed toward the sacred storage chambers—where the pack kept their winter supplies of food and medicine. Bags of dried meat and medicinal herbs were scattered across the ground, some torn open, others drenched in water. The strong scent of wolfbane, a rare and deadly plant poisonous to wolves, lingered in the air. It was enough to make some of the warriors recoil in alarm. “This is an attack on the pack!” one of the elders growled. A group of warriors, led by none other than Cassius, emerged from the shadows, dragging a struggling figure into the clearing. Samantha. She was thrown to the ground, her clothes dusted with dirt, her arms pinned behind her back by two guards. “She did this,” Cassius announced. “I saw her near the storage chambers, and when I got closer, she was pouring wolfbane over the food!” Gasps rippled through the crowd. Samantha’s heart pounded. “That’s a lie!” she shouted, twisting in their grip. “I would never—” “Liar!” Serene’s voice rang out as she stepped forward, eyes blazing with false fury. “You’ve always been a disgrace to this pack! Now you’ve tried to poison us?” A murmur of agreement spread among the onlookers. Poisoning the pack’s food was a crime punishable by exile—or death. Samantha shook her head frantically. “I swear, I didn’t do this! I wasn’t even near the chambers until—” “Silence!” The deep, authoritative voice of Alpha Kane cut through the air as he stepped forward, his piercing golden eyes locking onto her. His expression was unreadable, but there was no mistaking the weight of his presence. Dragged Before the Council Within minutes, Samantha was forced to her knees before the Council. The massive chamber was filled with elders, warriors, and key figures of the Black Ridge Pack. The accusations had spread like wildfire. Serene stood confidently before the Council, her voice thick with fake concern. “I never wanted to believe that my own sister would betray us like this,” she said, eyes glistening with crocodile tears. “But what choice do we have when the truth is so clear?” Samantha’s jaw tightened. How could Serene do this? “She’s innocent!” Derek’s voice rang through the chamber as he pushed his way forward, ignoring the warriors who tried to hold him back. “There’s no way Samantha would ever harm the pack!” The Council murmured at the Alpha’s son defending her. “Where’s your proof?” one of the elders asked, narrowing his gaze. Derek clenched his fists. “I—” “She was caught red-handed,” Cassius interrupted smugly. “The proof is all over the storage chamber.” Alex and Ronan stepped forward next, fury in their eyes. “This is a setup!” Alex snapped. “We all know Serene hates Samantha. She’s wanted to get rid of her for years!” Serene gasped in mock offense. “That’s ridiculous! I love my sister!” Ronan growled. “Enough with the lies. If you really loved her, you wouldn’t have spent your entire life making her miserable.” Tension filled the chamber. The Alpha exhaled slowly before turning to Samantha. “You have until dawn to prove your innocence. If you fail… you will be exiled.” Samantha’s blood ran cold. Exiled. She barely felt the hands gripping her arms as she was dragged away from the Council chamber. The voices around her blurred into a dull hum. “She’ll never be able to prove it in time,” Serene whispered to Cassius, a satisfied smile on her lips. “By this time tomorrow, she’ll be gone forever.” Derek clenched his fists, his heart pounding as he locked eyes with Samantha one last time before she was taken away. He wouldn’t let this happen. No matter what it took, he would save her.Samantha tightened her fists, inhaling sharply as Alex circled her. Ronan stood a few feet away, watching closely. They had agreed to train her in secret, away from prying eyes, but that didn’t stop Samantha’s nerves from getting the best of her. “Focus,” Alex said, her voice firm but encouraging. “You can’t just stand there and wait for the hit. Anticipate it.” Samantha nodded. Alex lunged, aiming a swift strike at Samantha’s side. Samantha barely dodged in time, stumbling backward. “You need better footwork,” Ronan commented. “Keep your stance grounded.” Samantha wiped the sweat off her forehead and nodded. She was determined to learn, to be strong enough to defend herself. But just as she steadied herself for another round, she felt something—someone—watching. Alex must have sensed it, too, because she suddenly turned her head, eyes narrowing. Ronan followed her gaze, and his expression darkened. “Come out,” Ronan called
The wind howled through the dense forest, carrying the scent of damp earth and pine. Erynn moved swiftly, her sharp eyes scanning the shadows between the trees. She had been tracking a wounded deer, hoping to bring back fresh meat before the sun rose, but something had stopped her.A sound that didn’t belong to the wild.A cry soft, weak, and unmistakably human.Erynn’s heart pounded as she followed the sound, stepping carefully over the fallen leaves. No child should be out here alone. Wolves roamed these lands, and so did other, more dangerous creatures.Then, she saw it.Nestled between the roots of an ancient oak tree, wrapped in a torn piece of cloth, lay a baby.Erynn’s breath caught.The child’s small hands twitched, her tiny face scrunched up as she whimpered against the cold. But what struck Erynn most was her human scent.She knelt beside the infant, her keen nose searching for any trace of the mother or father. Nothing. No blood trail,
The sun dipped low beyond the dense treetops, casting golden streaks over the Blackridge Pack’s sprawling territory. The scent of damp earth and pine filled the air as the pack bustled with life wolves shifting between human and beast, children training, warriors preparing for the night’s patrol. Yet, amidst all this movement, one girl stood apart.Samantha had lived in the pack for as long as she could remember, yet she never felt like she truly belonged. The whispers followed her wherever she went, the strange girl with no wolf scent, the outsider with odd-colored hair and piercing eyes that didn’t match anyone else’s. She was different, and in the Blackridge Pack, different meant unwelcome.A Sister’s HatredSerene made sure Samantha never forgot it.“You don’t belong here,” Serene sneered, stepping in front of Samantha as she tried to walk past the training grounds. A few other girls stood behind Serene, their expressions amused, eager to witness another of
Samantha sat on the small wooden bench outside their home, staring at the vast expanse of the pack’s territory. The morning sun cast a golden glow over the trees, and the air was thick with the scent of pine and damp earth. She heard the rustling of footsteps behind her and turned to see Erynn, her adoptive mother, approaching with a warm but concerned look.Erynn sat beside her, brushing strands of Samantha’s silver-blonde hair from her face. “You’ve been so quiet lately,” she said gently.Samantha lowered her gaze. “I just don’t want to cause trouble. Serene says I don’t belong here, and sometimes… I think she’s right.”Erynn cupped Samantha’s face, her eyes filled with unwavering love. “Listen to me, my sweet girl. You do belong. You may not have been born into this pack, but that doesn’t make you any less a part of it.”Samantha swallowed hard. “Then why does everyone treat me like an outsider?”Erynn sighed. “Because people fear what they don’t understa
The Moonlit Gathering was the most anticipated event of the season, a night where the young wolves of the Black ridge Pack gathered to celebrate their heritage, test their skills, and strengthen their bonds. Bonfires blazed, laughter echoed through the trees, and the scent of roasted meat filled the air.Samantha had never been to one before. She had always been an outsider, watching from the shadows while Serene and the others basked in the pack’s warmth. But tonight was different.“Are you sure about this?” Samantha asked as they walked toward the gathering. The glow of the fire illuminated the clearing ahead.Alex, walking beside her, smirked. “You need to stop hiding, Sam. You belong just as much as anyone else.”Ronan, towering over them, gave his signature protective scowl. “I’ll be here. No one’s going to mess with you.”Samantha exhaled slowly, trying to ignore the nervous twist in her stomach.Serene was already at the gathering, surrounded by
The Black Ridge Pack’s central clearing was alive with laughter and music. Tonight’s gathering was meant to be a night of bonding, a time for the young wolves to celebrate together. But for Serene, it was an opportunity.Sitting in a secluded corner of the pack’s meeting hall, Serene leaned forward, her voice sharp with determination. “Tonight, we remind everyone that Samantha does not belong here.”Her closest friends Lina, Mira, and Cassius listened intently.Cassius, ever eager to please Serene, grinned. “What’s the plan?”Serene smirked. “We humiliate her in front of everyone. She’s already an outcast, but after tonight, she’ll never show her face at a pack event again.”Mira’s eyes gleamed. “How do we do it?”Serene tapped her chin. “We make her trip while everyone’s watching. I’ll make sure she’s at the center of attention, and when the moment is right, one of you will”“I’ll do it,” Cassius interrupted. “I’ll make sure she falls hard.”Ser
The moon hung high over the Black Ridge Pack’s training grounds, casting long shadows over the clearing. Samantha’s heart pounded as she stood at the edge, hidden among the trees. She knew she shouldn’t be here. Training was for wolves, not for someone like her—an outsider, a human. But something deep within her refused to accept that. She wanted to prove she wasn’t weak.With careful steps, she blended into the crowd of young wolves preparing for their drills. No one seemed to notice her at first, and she let herself believe, just for a moment, that she could do this. That she could belong.But then—“Hey, who’s that?”A sharp voice rang out.Samantha froze as heads turned toward her. Panic coiled in her stomach like a snake. She had been caught.Murmurs spread through the group, eyes narrowing in suspicion. Some looked amused, others annoyed. A few sneered outright.“Wait… is that the stray?” another voice sneered. “What’s she doing here?”Sama
Samantha tightened her fists, inhaling sharply as Alex circled her. Ronan stood a few feet away, watching closely. They had agreed to train her in secret, away from prying eyes, but that didn’t stop Samantha’s nerves from getting the best of her. “Focus,” Alex said, her voice firm but encouraging. “You can’t just stand there and wait for the hit. Anticipate it.” Samantha nodded. Alex lunged, aiming a swift strike at Samantha’s side. Samantha barely dodged in time, stumbling backward. “You need better footwork,” Ronan commented. “Keep your stance grounded.” Samantha wiped the sweat off her forehead and nodded. She was determined to learn, to be strong enough to defend herself. But just as she steadied herself for another round, she felt something—someone—watching. Alex must have sensed it, too, because she suddenly turned her head, eyes narrowing. Ronan followed her gaze, and his expression darkened. “Come out,” Ronan called
The sun had barely begun to set when Serene and Cassius put their devious plan into motion. They had spent days scheming, ensuring that whatever they accused Samantha of would be so severe, so unforgivable, that even the Council and the Alpha would have no choice but to act against her. “Are you sure this will work?” Cassius whispered as he and Serene watched the pack warriors move into position. Serene smirked. “It has to. After tonight, Samantha won’t just be hated—she’ll be exiled.” The Accusation A sudden commotion erupted in the heart of the Black Ridge Pack’s territory. A loud, panicked howl split the air as warriors rushed toward the sacred storage chambers—where the pack kept their winter supplies of food and medicine. Bags of dried meat and medicinal herbs were scattered across the ground, some torn open, others drenched in water. The strong scent of wolfbane, a rare and deadly plant poisonous t
The moon hung high over the Black Ridge Pack’s training grounds, casting long shadows over the clearing. Samantha’s heart pounded as she stood at the edge, hidden among the trees. She knew she shouldn’t be here. Training was for wolves, not for someone like her—an outsider, a human. But something deep within her refused to accept that. She wanted to prove she wasn’t weak.With careful steps, she blended into the crowd of young wolves preparing for their drills. No one seemed to notice her at first, and she let herself believe, just for a moment, that she could do this. That she could belong.But then—“Hey, who’s that?”A sharp voice rang out.Samantha froze as heads turned toward her. Panic coiled in her stomach like a snake. She had been caught.Murmurs spread through the group, eyes narrowing in suspicion. Some looked amused, others annoyed. A few sneered outright.“Wait… is that the stray?” another voice sneered. “What’s she doing here?”Sama
The Black Ridge Pack’s central clearing was alive with laughter and music. Tonight’s gathering was meant to be a night of bonding, a time for the young wolves to celebrate together. But for Serene, it was an opportunity.Sitting in a secluded corner of the pack’s meeting hall, Serene leaned forward, her voice sharp with determination. “Tonight, we remind everyone that Samantha does not belong here.”Her closest friends Lina, Mira, and Cassius listened intently.Cassius, ever eager to please Serene, grinned. “What’s the plan?”Serene smirked. “We humiliate her in front of everyone. She’s already an outcast, but after tonight, she’ll never show her face at a pack event again.”Mira’s eyes gleamed. “How do we do it?”Serene tapped her chin. “We make her trip while everyone’s watching. I’ll make sure she’s at the center of attention, and when the moment is right, one of you will”“I’ll do it,” Cassius interrupted. “I’ll make sure she falls hard.”Ser
The Moonlit Gathering was the most anticipated event of the season, a night where the young wolves of the Black ridge Pack gathered to celebrate their heritage, test their skills, and strengthen their bonds. Bonfires blazed, laughter echoed through the trees, and the scent of roasted meat filled the air.Samantha had never been to one before. She had always been an outsider, watching from the shadows while Serene and the others basked in the pack’s warmth. But tonight was different.“Are you sure about this?” Samantha asked as they walked toward the gathering. The glow of the fire illuminated the clearing ahead.Alex, walking beside her, smirked. “You need to stop hiding, Sam. You belong just as much as anyone else.”Ronan, towering over them, gave his signature protective scowl. “I’ll be here. No one’s going to mess with you.”Samantha exhaled slowly, trying to ignore the nervous twist in her stomach.Serene was already at the gathering, surrounded by
Samantha sat on the small wooden bench outside their home, staring at the vast expanse of the pack’s territory. The morning sun cast a golden glow over the trees, and the air was thick with the scent of pine and damp earth. She heard the rustling of footsteps behind her and turned to see Erynn, her adoptive mother, approaching with a warm but concerned look.Erynn sat beside her, brushing strands of Samantha’s silver-blonde hair from her face. “You’ve been so quiet lately,” she said gently.Samantha lowered her gaze. “I just don’t want to cause trouble. Serene says I don’t belong here, and sometimes… I think she’s right.”Erynn cupped Samantha’s face, her eyes filled with unwavering love. “Listen to me, my sweet girl. You do belong. You may not have been born into this pack, but that doesn’t make you any less a part of it.”Samantha swallowed hard. “Then why does everyone treat me like an outsider?”Erynn sighed. “Because people fear what they don’t understa
The sun dipped low beyond the dense treetops, casting golden streaks over the Blackridge Pack’s sprawling territory. The scent of damp earth and pine filled the air as the pack bustled with life wolves shifting between human and beast, children training, warriors preparing for the night’s patrol. Yet, amidst all this movement, one girl stood apart.Samantha had lived in the pack for as long as she could remember, yet she never felt like she truly belonged. The whispers followed her wherever she went, the strange girl with no wolf scent, the outsider with odd-colored hair and piercing eyes that didn’t match anyone else’s. She was different, and in the Blackridge Pack, different meant unwelcome.A Sister’s HatredSerene made sure Samantha never forgot it.“You don’t belong here,” Serene sneered, stepping in front of Samantha as she tried to walk past the training grounds. A few other girls stood behind Serene, their expressions amused, eager to witness another of
The wind howled through the dense forest, carrying the scent of damp earth and pine. Erynn moved swiftly, her sharp eyes scanning the shadows between the trees. She had been tracking a wounded deer, hoping to bring back fresh meat before the sun rose, but something had stopped her.A sound that didn’t belong to the wild.A cry soft, weak, and unmistakably human.Erynn’s heart pounded as she followed the sound, stepping carefully over the fallen leaves. No child should be out here alone. Wolves roamed these lands, and so did other, more dangerous creatures.Then, she saw it.Nestled between the roots of an ancient oak tree, wrapped in a torn piece of cloth, lay a baby.Erynn’s breath caught.The child’s small hands twitched, her tiny face scrunched up as she whimpered against the cold. But what struck Erynn most was her human scent.She knelt beside the infant, her keen nose searching for any trace of the mother or father. Nothing. No blood trail,