Chapter 83: Silent Exile

***Jared's Point of View***

It was too quiet in the woods. The kind of quiet that weighed down every step and seeped into your bones. For days, I had not spoken. There were no more people to talk to. I had lost my warriors. My Beta had lied to me. Someone else had chosen my Luna if I could still call her that. And I was nothing now.

I continued to walk, allowing the shadows to engulf me as I moved farther into the trees. Even though I did not feel like it, every twig crack beneath my feet served as a reminder that I was still alive. I had no idea where I was heading. I simply knew I had to leave.

Everything fell apart more quickly than I anticipated following the council meeting. Claire had remained strong while I broke down. She exposed everything, including my bad decisions, Lilia's manipulations, and the suffering of my own people. Instead of seeing me as a former Alpha, the council had viewed me as filth. The one thing Claire did that I did not anticipate was to forgive me.

That was the main thing that broke me.

Not the embarrassment, not the revocation of my title, not the knowledge that for years to come, my name would be mentioned in ominous whispers. No, she was forgiving. It meant she was better, kinder, and stronger than me. And I had secretly known it all along.

Ahead, the trees became thinner, and I noticed a small stream. I cupped the cold water in my hands while kneeling. With sunken eyes, tangled hair, and a wild beard, my reflection gazed back at me. I appeared less human and more animal. Perhaps I was finally turning into the monster they thought me to be.

I stretched my legs while sitting by the water. My back hurt. The last battle left my ribs hurting. When I attempted to stop one of my men from killing a Redwater warrior during the battle, I pushed a blade aside. My last chance at honour had been that.

That moment had captured Claire's attention. I had viewed it as an opportunity to leave on my terms. However, I never imagined Derek would pursue her so quickly. He battled like a man under a spell. He continued until I was pinned beneath his blade, and I recalled the rage in his eyes.

I could have been killed by him.

He didn't.

That made Derek and Claire two of them. When I had not earned it, both had spared me. And no sword could cut as deeply as that mercy.

I became tense when I heard footsteps behind me. My fingers curled around a nearby rock, but I remained motionless.

"Calm down," a voice said. "You would have left by now if I wanted you dead."

Anticipating a Redwater warrior, I turned slowly. However, what I saw was a young man, barely twenty, with a nervous twitch in his hands and untidy blond hair.

"Who are you?" My voice was rough from lack of use as I asked.

"I am Elias. Before the autumn, I was a member of your patrol team.

I blinked. He was not someone I recognised.

"On the north border," he stated. When the council decided against you, I departed. No longer able to bear the guilt.

"Shame?" I enquired.

He gave a nod. We were aware of what was taking place in the dungeons. Lila's actions. However, we remained silent. obeyed directives. Like, cowards.

I turned my head away. I did not wish to recall those moments.

Elias took a seat opposite me. "I came to look for you. Not to return you. but to pose a question to you.

I arched an eyebrow.

He questioned, "Why did you allow it to happen?" "Why did you allow her to harm people in that way?"

The question was like a blade cutting through me. I glanced up at the trees, trying to think of a way to respond without coming across as weak or unkind.

I spoke slowly, "I thought I was protecting something." "I believed that control was the source of strength. When everything else was failing, Lila gave me strength. I accepted it, figuring I could make amends later. However, later never materialised.

He remained silent for a while. Then, more to himself than to me, he nodded.

He questioned, "Are you going to stay out here forever?"

"I have not made up my mind."

"Well, if you want to put things right... There are rumours of a third pack. One that adhered to Lila's principles. Somewhere up north, they are reassembling. Making plans.

I scowled. "A third pack?"

Indeed. They identify as the Night Fangs. Rogues, exiles, and former supporters of the Midnight Moon. They still believe that you are their legitimate Alpha.

A wave of cold swept over me.

"I am not," I firmly stated. "That life is no longer mine."

However, they are unaware of that. They are also getting stronger. They will act in your name if they take action against Redwater or Claire.

I felt sick to my stomach. My mistakes were still hurting people, even in exile.

Elias got up. "You can rot in silence here and hide out. Or you have the option to take action.

He turned and vanished into the trees after dropping a little map in front of me.

I gazed at the document. A rough sketch with symbols that most people did not understand. However, I did see it. I knew where it was. I had previously used this training camp back in the early days of Midnight Moon.

The Night Fangs were not merely making plans if they were gathering there; they were getting ready for battle.

One hand swept through my hair. Suddenly, I felt unsteady on the ground.

Can I return? Could I confront Claire once more as someone attempting to mend what I had damaged, rather than as an adversary or a ghost?

Would I get her to believe me?

Would I live long enough to tell Derek?

I had no idea. However, I was aware that I could not stand by and watch another conflict break out in my name. I had already lost enough. Perhaps it was time to let go of my pride, which was the last thing I had.

After picking up the map and putting it in my coat, I got up. Despite the pain in my body, I felt a fresh fire in my chest.

I would go north on foot. Not to take the lead. Not to make decisions. But to prevent them.

Even if I died for it.

However, I was about to leave the clearing when I heard a different voice, darker and more familiar in a way that chilled my blood.

"Jared, it is too late."

I turned around.

A figure I had not seen in months stepped out of the shadows.

Logan.

The younger brother of Lila. Presumed dead following the raids on Redwater.

His face had grown harsher with age. Something dangerous burned in his eyes.

He remarked, "I saw what you did." "You allowed her to pass away. You allowed our family to fall.

"Logan—"

"No," he snarled. "You lost everything." But me? I discovered a purpose.

More figures came into view behind him. Not a lot. Perhaps a dozen. Each had a wolf's jaw split open as a tattoo, and they all wore black armbands.

The Fangs of the Night.

Logan grinned. "And we stand up now."