Rise Of The Forsaken Luna

“Luna Ashleigh Conrad, you are accused of meeting with rogues beyond our borders, therefore, going against our law. Is that true?”

Ashleigh dropped to her knees, pleading innocent before the Silverwood Pack. The Central Chamber consisted of the council of elders and a shocked assembly.

Her hands were tied to her back, and her eyes puffy from crying.

“I wasn't meeting rogues! They attacked me but thank Goddess, I managed to escaped,” she explained a little too breathlessly. “I’m not lying, you all have to believe me.”

Murmurs erupted through the crowd, their faces a mix of hatred and disappointment.

“What were you doing there at that time?” another elder asked with a critical expression.

Her body froze in place. How was she going to tell them she was tailing Hans Edgar, her suspicious Alpha mate, whom she believed was having a secret affair?

“Come on, Ash, speak up,” Hans urged from his seat, a smirk playing on his lips.

He disliked her, ever since he found out she was infertile and unable to bear pups.

Despite realizing how snoopy she had become, Hans wasn’t going to give up his mistress. That night, he and the mysterious latter were going to a hotel quite far from the pack mansion and had seen Ashleigh follow them.

He wanted to teach her a lesson. Even worse, rid himself of her without the formalities of a proper rejection.

“I, I was only trying to protect my—”

“Protect yourself by faking victim because you were caught in the act,” He cut her off, stepping closer. “Right?”

The elders exchanged glances among themselves, nodding in agreement.

“No, don’t listen to him. He’s playing with your minds! He was there too that night.”

Hans tilted his head. “Is that so? Prove it.”

Her voice cracked. “Why are you doing this?”

He crouched in front of her. “Because Ashleigh, I don't need an ugly, cursed, and disrespectful leech as my Luna,” he whispered sinisterly, wiping away a teardrop on her cheek. “You brought this on yourself, my love.”

He straightened up, addressing everyone with an air of righteous power. “As Alpha, the welfare of the ones I lead supersedes all other ties. In as much as this breaks me, what must be done, must be done!”

Ashleigh sucked in a breath, her blood boiling with fury.

If she weren't just a lowly Omega, gifted the title of Luna due to the mate bond, she would have torn this place down by now, leaving nothing but broken bones behind.

An elder stood up. “She has offered no defense, only emotional pleas. The time for talk is over, we have made our decision!”

The silence that followed was deafening.

He continued. “By the law of our ancestors, anyone who aids or consort with rogues is guilty of treason against our Pack, punishable by death. Ashleigh Conrad, Luna of Silverwood Pack, you have failed to offer a credible defense for your presence near the border. This council finds you GUILTY!”

A collective gasp swept through the hall, and Ashleigh’s face went pale.

Her parents had died years ago, leaving her and her younger sister behind. Speaking of which, where was Giselle when she needed her the most?

Two soldiers stepped forward to seize her, but were surprisingly interrupted.

“Wait!” Rasmud, the Beta, shouted, his voice cutting through the tension. “She’s innocent.”

“How dare you oppose our judgement?” Hans demanded in a surly huff as Rasmud stepped closer to the scene.

“Forgive me, Alpha, but I am here to clear my conscience,” he said, before addressing the elders. “That night, I stood at the entrance of the Pack mansion and was the first one to see when she hurried back. Her dress was torn and her skin was covered in bruises. If you still don't believe me, her scars are the proof. Please, have mercy.”

Whispers shot through the air and Ashleigh could swear she saw Hans roll his eyes.

“Rogues roam around the border; it can happen to anyone else tomorrow. Please, we owe her a fair trial. After all, she is—”

“Quiet, Rasmud!” Hans snapped, walking over. “You better stop trying to play the hero. Know your place.”

Ashleigh was numb, but seeing Rasmud broke the dam.

“Banish her, send her on exile, strip her of her rank, but please, just don't spill her blood here,” Rasmud persevered, ignoring the Alpha.

“An exile would be foolish! She would simply crawl to the doorstep of the Black Talon Pack, sell them our secrets and return with a raiding force to burn our territory to ashes,” one of the elders disagreed.

Hans gave a cruel laugh, slowly shaking his head. “Why won't you get it? Your concern is of no value. Another word from you, and I'll make sure she is replaced,” he threatened, shoving Rasmud aside.

Rasmud was the only one on her side. The only one to fight for her after the Pack had made her a pariah.

Though she couldn't speak, her eyes held an undeniable gratitude.

An elder nodded at the guards and they proceeded in hauling Ashleigh to the backyard where a platform had been erected earlier.

A crude guillotine stood upon it.

It was rarely used and feared above all other punishments. The silver blade wasn’t just meant to deliver a quick death, but also sever her connection to her wolf.

It was the ultimate damnation.

Ashleigh fought back as she was dragged toward the scaffold. A desperate wail tore from her throat. “Please, no! I don't want to die, please. Hans, please, say something!”

Rasmud wasn't there; he couldn't watch.

Sympathizers cried into their hands while some either covered the eyes of their young ones or hurried them away.

“Kneel her,” the executioner ordered.

The guards forced her down onto the wooden block, pressing her head roughly into the shallow groove.

This wasn't a punishment for treason. It was a murder for convenience.

The pulley creaked as the executioner dragged the rope, raising the heavy silver blade high above her head.

Ashleigh’s breath ragged.

So, this was it? The Moon Goddess was really going to watch her die for no just reason.

An elder stepped forward, holding a Codex. “May the Goddess forgive her soul, for her Alpha has forgiven her crime.”

Seconds passed.

Swoosh!