Chapter 10 Chapter 0010
•CASSANDRA•
My body froze, and my mouth fell open, but no sound came out.
“Goldenmane Court would never break the oath we made when Cassandra married Mason,” Uncle Holland said. His tone was calm and controlled as he glanced at me. “But if she planned to commit treason behind our backs, she would receive punishment.”
I swallowed. “I didn’t do it,” I finally managed, turning to look at him and then at my brother.
“How could you walk in here and lie against me? What are you hoping to gain from this?”
Damon sighed. “Come on, little sister. You texted me the day before yesterday and asked for my help to kill your husband. You told me you wanted him gone for bringing another woman into your marriage.”
My chest ached as the words sank in. “Damon, no,” I whispered. Tears stung my eyes and slipped down my cheeks. “I trusted you. I never thought you could do this to me.”
“Cut the act, Cassandra,” Nadia said as she rose from her chair. She crossed her arms and gave me a look that said she had already won. “You wanted Mason gone because you couldn’t handle him choosing someone better. The evidence is right there. You can’t deny it.”
Heat rushed through me. I looked at the screenshot papers and threw them on the floor.
“None of this is true,” I snapped. “I’ve been the Luna of this pack for six years. I gave Mason a son. This pack has been my whole life. There is no way I would turn my back on it after everything I went through to stand beside him.”
A loud bang echoed through the hall when Elder Draven slammed his fist on the table and stood up.
“That is enough, Cassandra,” he roared. “You have done nothing for this pack except give the alpha an heir. And because of your treason, your son may no longer be the alpha’s heir. Silvercrest will not be led by a child born from you.”
My fists clenched. The air grew heavy and thick, and it was hard to breathe.
Uncle Holland stepped forward, and for a moment I let myself hope he would defend me.
I hoped he would remember the girl who used to run beside him through Goldenmane Court, the niece he once laughed with and protected.
“Elders,” he said instead, his voice low and firm. “I stand with the council. Cassandra has disgraced Goldenmane Court. I advise you to strip her of her Luna title and banish her from Silvercrest Pack.”
I stared at him. “Uncle…?” My voice choked.
He didn't look at me.
Elder Draven straightened his shoulders and addressed me again. “Cassandra of Silvercrest, you are found guilty of treason against your alpha and your pack. You are stripped of your Luna title and will be banished at once.”
My heart pounded so loudly I could barely hear my own voice. “Please let me talk to Mason. Just let me speak to him. He knows me. He knows I—”
“You have spoken enough,” Draven cut me off. He turned to the warriors stationed along the walls.
“Warriors, bring the silver restraint. She is to be secured before she is taken to the courtyard. We will not risk her shifting or fighting while she is banished.”
The hall fell silent.
A warrior stepped forward holding a thick silver chain. It was smooth and heavy, created for one purpose: to weaken a wolf and keep them from using their strength.
“I won’t attack anyone,” I said, leaning back. “I won’t fight you.”
“This is a protocol for traitors,” Draven replied.
“You have no say in the matter.”
Two warriors came to my side and took hold of my arms. Their grips were firm, leaving no room to struggle.
One of them lifted the chain, and as soon as the metal brushed my skin, a sharp burn spread across my neck.
I gasped softly and clenched my teeth.
The burning grew into a deep ache that sank into my muscles. Lyra retreated, pushed down by the silver, and my body felt heavier, as if every movement required more effort.
Elder Draven gave a small nod. “Good. Take her to the courtyard. The pack will witness the judgment.”
The warriors turned me toward the doors and guided me forward. Each step pulled at the silver on my neck and reminded me of how weak I suddenly felt.
My legs were steady, but they no longer felt like fully mine. I refused to fall. I refused to beg them again.
The heavy doors opened, and sunlight spilled into the hall. The courtyard outside was filled with wolves of every rank and age.
Children stood near their parents, and warriors lined the edges. Voices dropped to whispers when they saw me.
The warriors led me to the center of the courtyard and stopped. The chain around my neck caught the light, and I became a spectacle for everyone who had once called me their Luna.
Damon stepped forward. His face was set, and his eyes were cold.
“I, Damon Drake of Goldenmane Court, denounce Cassandra as my sister,” he announced, speaking to the crowd as much as to me. “She no longer carries my blood in spirit or in honor. I will not stand beside a traitor.”
A low ripple of shock moved through the gathered wolves.
My throat tightened. “Damon, please,” I whispered. “Why are you doing this?”
“You are a traitor, little sister,” he replied, and there was no regret in his voice.
Uncle Holland came next. He stood tall, his posture straight and unbending.
“Cassandra,” he said, and hearing my name in his voice hurt more than the silver around my neck. “I raised you as my daughter when your father died, but if I had known you’d be corrupt, I wouldn’t have brought you here. As of today, you are banished from Goldenmane Court as well. You will not return, you will not speak our name, and you will not claim us as your own.”
I felt something crumble inside me at those words.
“Uncle Holland, please,” I tried again. “You know me. You know I would never—”
“Enough,” Elder Mira snapped.
The council elders raised their hands. The courtyard quieted until it was so still I could hear my own breathing and the faint clink of the silver against my skin.
Elder Draven’s voice carried over everyone. “By the decree of Silvercrest’s council, Cassandra is banished. She will leave these grounds before sundown.”
My heart lurched. My mind went to one person.
Rowan.
I turned my head, searching the crowd, and then I saw him. He was pushing past a few adults, his small body weaving between them as he ran.
His cheeks were flushed, and his eyes were wide. For a brief, desperate moment, hope rose inside me.
He was running towards me. My son was coming to me.
But as he reached the open space, he did not stop at my feet. He did not lift his arms to me.
He ran straight past me and went to Nadia.