Chapter 158

Mira's POV

Moonlight filtered through the gaps in the leaves as I moved alone through the forest path, my bag slung over my shoulder. A smile crept unbidden to my lips—I'd finally done it.

The scene at the ritual site replayed over and over in my mind. I carefully retrieved the small vial from inside my jacket, watching the black liquid shimmer with an eerie glow in the moonlight. Shadow Moon toxin. The wandering healer had sworn it was the deadliest ritual sabotage agent in existence.

"Just coat the bottom of the vessel," I remembered his raspy voice. "When the energy reaches its peak, the toxin will trigger an explosion. The backlash will tear apart all participants."

My fingers traced the vessel's edge, the motion as gentle as a caress. Every drop of toxin carried my hatred, my rage, and all my resentment toward Seraphina.

"Lucian should have been mine," I whispered to the moon, my voice especially clear in the silent forest. "We grew up together. Everyone said we were a perfect match. It was her—that border wolf bitch—who stole everything from me."

I quickened my pace, fantasizing about the chaos at Northern Peak right now. The vessel exploding, energy spiraling out of control, Seraphina and Lucian bearing the brunt.

"They'll die," I muttered, twisted pleasure rising in my chest. "Seraphina will watch her child die in her arms, then she'll die too from life force depletion. And Lucian..."

I stopped, closed my eyes, took a deep breath. The image of Lucian kneeling and sobbing made my heart race.

"He'll suffer, he'll despair, he'll understand what it feels like to lose someone you love," I opened my eyes, madness flickering in them. "Then I'll appear. I'll comfort him in his most vulnerable moment. He'll realize the one truly suited for him has always been me."

A night bird called from deep in the forest. I continued forward, as if already seeing that future—Lucian finally turning to me, acknowledging I was his mate, while Seraphina disappeared forever.

"This time, no one can stop me," I declared to the night sky. "The Moon Goddess will be on my side. Because I'm the one truly worthy of an Alpha, not that border wolf who only knows how to brew herbs."

The sky gradually lightened, and the outline of Blackmane Pack slowly emerged. I straightened my clothes, adjusted my expression—everything needed to look natural, as if I'd simply left early because I couldn't stand Northern Peak's oppressive atmosphere.

"Wait for it, Seraphina," I said in a low voice, full of malicious anticipation. "Your end has come."

Three days later, in the morning, the Wilson family estate basked in sunlight. I pushed open the familiar door, a carefully prepared smile on my face.

"Mira?" Mother looked up from the living room, nearly dropping the herbs in her hands. "Why are you back so soon? Doesn't the ritual require follow-up observation?"

"The ritual's finished, Mother," I said breezily, casually dropping my bag on the floor. Her gaze scrutinized me, but I didn't care. "I felt there was no need to stay, so I came back early. That place was too oppressive."

Father emerged from his study, brow furrowed. "Didn't Dwayne and Lucian require you to stay and assist?"

"They have enough people," I waved dismissively, heading toward the kitchen for water, feigning nonchalance. "Honestly, I couldn't stand Northern Peak's atmosphere. Everyone fawning over that border wolf like she's some kind of saint. It's disgusting."

My parents exchanged a glance. I pretended not to notice. For the next few days, I needed to act normal, make everyone believe I'd simply returned early.

"Did the ritual go smoothly?" Mother asked carefully.

I turned around, barely controlling the smile tugging at my lips. "Of course it went smoothly. Very smoothly. The Moon Goddess will surely deliver just judgment."

The phrase had double meaning, but they wouldn't understand. Only I knew what "just judgment" meant—that unworthy bitch and her cub would both get what they deserved.

Over the following days, I forced myself to maintain normalcy. Attending training, talking with warriors, handling pack affairs. But my attention remained fixed on waiting—for that news, the news that would shock all of Blackmane Pack.

Whenever a messenger arrived, my heart raced. Whenever someone mentioned Northern Peak, my ears perked up.

On the fourth evening, I was at the training grounds instructing young warriors. Sunset painted the sky blood red, the color reminding me of Shadow Moon toxin.

Suddenly, a messenger wolf burst into the pack, heading straight for the Alpha residence. My heart nearly leaped from my chest.

"It's here," I whispered internally, nearly dropping the spear in my hand. "Finally here."

I deliberately slowed my movements, continuing to guide training while my gaze stayed locked on the Alpha residence. About an hour later, I saw Father emerge from there, face ashen, striding quickly toward our home.

My breathing quickened. Was this good news? It had to be. Father's expression indicated something major had happened. Maybe Seraphina was dead? Maybe Vitalis was dead? Or both?

I forced myself to continue training until darkness fell completely. I gathered my equipment and walked home. Each step accelerated my heartbeat, each step filled with anticipation.

When I pushed open the door, the scene before me turned all my anticipation instantly to icy fear.

Father stood before the fireplace, clutching a document, face ashen. Mother sat on the sofa, hands clasped tightly, tears in her eyes.

The air froze.

"Father? Mother?" My voice trembled involuntarily. "What happened?"

Father spun around sharply, those usually gentle eyes now burning with fury. "Tell me, Mira. Tell me this isn't true."

He slammed the document heavily on the table. I saw Lucian's seal—red as blood.

My legs began to weaken.

"What isn't true?" I heard my own voice, weak and barely audible.

"The ritual succeeded," Father said word by word, each syllable hammering my heart. "Vitalis survived. His genes have been completely purified. He'll grow up healthy."

Impossible.

The phrase echoed madly in my mind. Shadow Moon toxin had cost me all my savings. The wandering healer had guaranteed it would make the vessel explode, energy spiral out of control, all participants would die.

"How could..." I muttered, feeling the world spin.

"But," Father's voice grew colder, "the vessel did explode during the ritual. Donny found traces of Shadow Moon toxin on the fragments."

My blood seemed to freeze.

"All evidence points to you, Mira," Father's voice trembled. "The evening before the ritual, you left the guest quarters alone for a long time. Warriors saw a wolf-shaped figure near the ritual site. And most critically—"

He paused, the pain in his eyes almost unbearable to witness. "The night of the ritual, when everyone was desperately trying to save the injured, you packed your bags and fled. If you were innocent, why run?"

"I..." I opened my mouth but couldn't make a sound. All the carefully prepared excuses now seemed pale and powerless.

Father picked up the document, his voice becoming cold. "Lucian, in his capacity as Alpha, declares: Mira Wilson is expelled from Blackmane Pack, stripped of pack member status, designated a rogue wolf. Any wolf has the right to hunt and bring her back for trial. Charges: deliberate sabotage of sacred ritual, attempted murder of Alpha heir, desecration of the Moon Goddess's grace."

"No..." The word squeezed from my throat, weak as a dying whimper.

"How could you do such a thing!" Mother suddenly stood, tears streaming down her face. "Kill an innocent cub out of jealousy? Mira, what have you become?"

"He should have been mine!" I finally broke, screaming. All pretense crumbled in that moment. "Lucian should have been mine! We grew up together, we were the perfect pair! It was that bitch, Seraphina who stole everything from me! What right does she have? She's just a lowly healer from the border!"

"Enough!" Father's roar made the whole house shake. "Lucian was never yours! He chose Seraphina—that was his right! And you, you not only disrespected his choice, you tried to murder his cub!"

He took a deep breath, voice still trembling. "Mira, you must leave. Now. Immediately."

"What?" I couldn't believe my ears.

"The hunting party has already departed," Father said painfully. "Lucian sent his most elite trackers. They'll reach Blackmane Pack soon. If they find you here..."

He didn't continue, but the threat was clear enough.

Mother stepped forward, pressing a heavy package into my hands, her hands shaking. "There's food, herbs. Enough to last you a while. Mira, leave here, as far as possible."

"You're driving me away?" My voice was full of disbelief and despair. "I'm your daughter!"

"Because you're our daughter, we want you to live," Father said wearily. "If Lucian's people catch you, you'll be brought back for trial. Given your crimes..."

He didn't say the word "execution," but we all understood.

"But where can I go?" Despair made my voice shrill. "I have no friends, no allies. The entire wolf world will hunt me!"

Just then, a thought flashed through my mind. Samuel.

"I know where to go," I said suddenly, grasping at this lifeline.

My parents exchanged worried glances.

"Wherever you go," Father finally said, "remember, from today on, you're no longer a Blackmane Pack member. We can't help you anymore. If anyone asks, we'll say we don't know your whereabouts."

"This is to protect the entire family," Mother added, tears falling. "If Lucian knows we harbored you, the whole Wilson family will be implicated."

I looked at my parents' unfamiliar, resolute faces, the last trace of warmth in my heart vanishing. I mechanically picked up the package and turned toward the door.

"Mira," as I was about to cross the threshold, Mother's voice came from behind. "If there's a next life, I hope you can learn to let go. Jealousy and hatred will ultimately only destroy yourself."

I didn't look back, didn't answer. I just walked into the night.

Moonlight fell on me, cold and piercing. I'd once thought the Moon Goddess would be on my side, help me get everything. But now I understood—she'd never favored me.

"Samuel," I thought his name. "You'd better take me in. Otherwise, I'll drag you down with me."

I quickened my pace, disappearing into the forest depths. Behind me, the Wilson family estate's lights went out, declaring—that place was no longer my home.