Chapter 161

Chapter 161

I stood up. Lucian tried to stop me, but I shook my head. I had to face her, make her understand her crimes.

I walked to the trial platform, looking directly into Mira's bloodshot eyes. My body trembled, but I forced myself to stand firm.

"You hate that I got Lucian." My voice shook, but I made each word clear and strong. "But you never considered that Lucian never belonged to anyone. He has his own choice."

Tears fell, but I continued: "You can hate me, can be jealous of me, but what you tried to destroy with your vile methods wasn't just my life—it was an innocent cub's life."

"You orchestrated the kidnapping to kill me, sabotaged the ceremony to kill Vitalis. Mira, your hands are stained with sin. You didn't commit crimes out of love, but out of selfishness and twisted possessiveness. True love means wanting the other person's happiness, not destroying those they love."

Mira froze, the mad expression freezing on her face. A moment later, she began laughing again, laughter mixed with crying. "Love? You talk to me about love? What do you know? You're just a lowly border wolf!"

"Enough!" Dwayne roared, cutting off her cries. "Mira Wilson, your crimes are fully exposed. Orchestrating Luna's murder, sabotaging a sacred ceremony, attempting to kill the Alpha heir—each one is a capital offense!"

Dwayne summoned the Elder Council members for deliberation. I stood in place, watching them form a circle for quiet discussion, heart pounding like a drum, not knowing what outcome awaited me.

"She comes from the Wilson family," an elderly elder said. "Should we consider..."

"Consider what?" Another elder interrupted. "Everyone is equal before the law. If we go easy because of her background, where is our justice? Moreover, her crimes are so severe—orchestrating Luna's murder, sabotaging a sacred ceremony, attempting to kill the heir. This wasn't impulsive—it was premeditated serial crimes."

Hearing these words, my heart felt some relief. At least justice was being upheld.

The deliberation lasted half an hour. Each minute felt like a century. Finally, Dwayne stood, facing everyone.

"As Elder of Blackmane Pack, I announce the verdict!"

"Mira Wilson, you orchestrated the kidnapping and attempted murder of Luna Seraphina, sabotaged the sacred Moon Essence Purification ceremony, used forbidden toxins to attempt murdering Alpha heir Vitalis, and desecrated the Moon Goddess's grace. Your crimes are too numerous to list, unforgivable!"

"From this day forward, you are permanently expelled from Blackmane Pack, stripped of pack membership, becoming a rogue wolf. No pack may shelter you. You may never again set foot in any pack territory. If you violate this, any wolf has the right to execute you on sight!"

Mira's face went deathly pale, body shaking violently. I watched her, a mix of emotions surging in my chest—anger, fear, and a hint of relief.

Lucian stood, speaking as current Alpha: "I, Alpha of Blackmane Pack, recognize and enforce this verdict. Mira Wilson, your crimes not only hurt my family but also stained Blackmane Pack's honor. From this day, you are no longer one of us."

"I declare by Alpha authority: Mira Wilson is permanently expelled, becoming a rogue wolf. Her name will be erased from pack records, her existence forgotten. Any pack that shelters her will be considered Blackmane Pack's enemy."

Mira suddenly screamed, voice shrill and desperate: "No! You can't do this to me! I'm from the Wilson family!"

"You once were," Dwayne said coldly. "But from the moment you orchestrated murder, you no longer deserve that name."

"Samuel Bennett, you executed the kidnapping plan, hired rogue wolves to attempt murdering Luna, and harbored a fugitive criminal. Though you were manipulated by Mira, as an adult wolf, you should have had your own judgment. You chose to assist in crime, so you must bear the consequences."

"You are sentenced to life imprisonment, stripped of pack membership. You will spend the rest of your life in the pack border prison, never to be free."

Samuel collapsed to the ground, his whole body like bones had been extracted. "No... don't..." His voice was weak and powerless.

"Take them away." Dwayne waved his hand.

Warriors dragged Samuel up. He didn't resist, only kept crying and trembling.

Mira was still struggling and screaming: "I won't accept this! I want to appeal! This isn't fair!"

"Take her for the expulsion ceremony," Dwayne ordered.

I knew what would happen next. According to tradition, expelled wolves must receive an expulsion mark—a permanent brand letting all wolves recognize their identity.

Mira was dragged to a stone platform in the square's center. Dwayne took up a silver blade, the blade carved with ancient runes, glinting coldly in the moonlight.

"Mira Wilson, you are expelled for grave crimes. Now, accept the Moon Goddess's judgment."

He pressed the silver blade against Mira's left arm, cutting an inverted crescent wound.

Mira let out a piercing scream, the sound echoing across the square. I watched that wound, knowing it would remain on her forever, reminding her of her crimes.

"From this day, you are no longer under the Moon Goddess's protection," Dwayne declared. "You will spend the rest of your life alone in the wilderness, without pack, without home, without belonging. This is the price of your crimes."

Warriors escorted Mira toward the boundary. She struggled and screamed all the way, but no one paid attention. I watched her retreating figure, a mix of emotions surging in my chest.

The moment she was pushed beyond the boundary line, I felt the change in the air. All pack bonds severed. Mira let out a desperate howl, the sound full of loneliness and fear.

She knelt on the ground, looking at the brightly lit pack territory in the distance, eyes full of resentment and despair. "Someday... someday I'll come back... I'll make all of you pay..."

But no one paid her any more attention. The warriors had already turned away, leaving her alone, standing in the dark wilderness.

I turned around, no longer looking at her. Justice had been served, but my heart didn't feel light. Too much pain, too much fear—it wouldn't disappear because of one trial.

But at least Vitalis was safe. The person who wanted to kill him had been expelled.

That evening, Dwayne summoned all pack members. The square filled with wolves again. This time, not for judgment, but to witness a new beginning.

I stood beside Lucian, watching Dwayne ascend the platform. Moonlight fell on him, making him look both authoritative and gentle.

"Tonight, we witnessed justice served. But that's not enough." His voice echoed across the square. "We must acknowledge that Mira's crimes weren't accidental. Her jealousy and hatred partly stemmed from the pack's long-standing discrimination against border wolves."

The crowd quieted, everyone listening seriously.

"Our injustice toward Seraphina, our prejudice against all border wolves, created the tragedy that was Mira. If we'd treated Seraphina fairly from the start, recognized her value, perhaps Mira wouldn't have walked this path."

He paused. "From this day forward, as Elder, I declare: Blackmane Pack will completely abolish discrimination based on origin. No matter where you're from, as long as you're a pack member, you deserve equal respect and treatment. Any violators will be severely punished."

Warm applause erupted across the square. I saw many wolves with tears in their eyes, especially those from the borders.

Night deepened, and the crowd gradually dispersed. Lucian took my hand, leading me to an unfamiliar place.

"Where is this?" I asked.

"The pack's sacred ground," Lucian said. "Moonlight Falls."

We passed through a forest, arriving at a hidden canyon. The waterfall cascaded from above, shimmering silver in the moonlight, the water's sound gentle like the Moon Goddess's whisper.

"This is the pack's most sacred place," Lucian said. "Generations of Alphas have held important ceremonies here."

He led me to the waterfall's edge. Moonlight fell on us, also on the calm water surface, creating silver ripples.

"Seraphina." Lucian turned, both hands holding mine. "I know one apology can't make up for past hurts. Rebuilding trust takes time. But I want to promise you here, under the Moon Goddess's witness."

He took a deep breath, eyes full of sincerity and determination. "I won't ask you to forgive me immediately, won't force you to return here right away. But I'll spend my life proving that you and Vitalis are the most important existence in my life. Not because of duty, not because of obligation, but because I love you both."

"Seeing you stand before the trial platform today, bravely facing past pain, I realized how strong you are. You don't need my protection—you yourself are a complete, powerful individual. But I hope to be your mate, standing beside you to face the future."

"I'll continue reforming the pack, making it a place you truly want to live. I'll ensure Vitalis grows up in an environment full of love and justice. I'll..."

His voice choked. "I'll become a mate worthy of your trust, a father Vitalis can be proud of."

I looked at Lucian in the moonlight, those amber eyes reflecting my image. This man had once hurt me, broken my heart, made me desperate. But now, he was trying to change, using actions to prove his love.

"Lucian." I said softly. "I won't say I've completely forgiven you, because that takes time. But I'm willing to give us a chance."

I gripped his hands tighter. "Seeing justice served today, seeing the pack's changes, I feel... maybe we really can have a future. Take it slow, rebuild trust step by step. I want to see you continue changing, want to see this pack become truly just and warm."

"I will," Lucian gently pulled me into his embrace. "I promise."

We held each other in the moonlight, no passionate kiss, only tender embrace. The mate bond became unprecedentedly warm and stable in this moment, like a soft ribbon of light connecting two hearts.

The waterfall's sound echoed, moonlight continued falling. In this sacred place, I felt the pain in my heart beginning to slowly heal.

I thought of Vitalis, thought of him sleeping peacefully at Northern Peak, thought of Willow's kind smile, Donny's care, all who'd helped me.

Perhaps I really could have a home. Not because of others' recognition, but because of my own choice.

"Let's go back," I said softly. "Back to see Vitalis."

"Alright." Lucian kissed my forehead. "Let's go home."

Home—that word sounded so warm, so full of hope.

Moonlight flooded the earth, illuminating our path home.

The End.