Chapter 2 Exile and Awakening

The battle had ended, leaving the Sparkling Star territory in chaos. The vampires had retreated, but the damage was done. The omegas were slaughtered, and many warriors lay injured or dead. Blood soaked the ground, and the smell of death hung heavily in the air. Victory had come at a great cost.

Emily stood at the edge of the battlefield, her body trembling. She stared at the pile of ashes where the vampire she had killed once stood, her hands still tingling from the fire that had erupted from within her. Everything around her felt distant and unreal.

She had never known she possessed such power, and now she had no idea what to do with it.

As the pack tended to the wounded and mourned their dead, Emily felt the weight of their stares. Whispers filled the air like wildfire, spreading fear and doubt.

"Did you see what she did?"

"She's dangerous."

"That power... it's unnatural."

Her breath hitched, and she stepped back, wishing she could vanish. But before she could slip away, her father, Alpha Greer Freya, approached her. His face was pale, his eyes hard with something she couldn't name.

"Emily," he said, his voice tense. "We need to talk."

Her stomach twisted, but she nodded and followed him. The grand hall loomed ahead, already filled with the council. Their eyes bore into her, filled with the same fear and judgment as the pack.

Victor Mathis, the Beta, spoke first. "What happened out there, Emily? What was that power?"

Emily swallowed hard. "I... I don't know," she admitted, her voice shaking. "It just... happened. I didn't mean to-"

Brittany Gayle, the chief priest, cut her off, her tone sharp. "You summoned fire. Fire no wolf should possess. That's not from the moon gods. It's something darker."

Emily's heart sank. "I didn't want to hurt anyone," she said, barely audible.

Victor frowned. "But you did. You killed a vampire, yes, but what if that power turns on us next time? What if it harms the pack?"

Greer stood silently, watching her. His silence was heavier than words.

Finally, Ava, her mother, spoke from the corner. "We warned you, Greer. The prophecy... The priest told us this would happen. Emily is cursed. She's a danger to all of us."

Emily flinched. She had always felt distant from her parents, but her mother's words hit like a blade.

Greer turned to Ava, his voice cold. "What are you suggesting?"

Ava's gaze was firm. "We must send her away. She cannot stay here."

Murmurs of agreement rippled through the council. Brittany nodded. "The prophecy foretold this. Emily will bring destruction to the pack. We can't risk it."

Emily's blood turned cold. They were going to banish her from the only home she'd ever known. She wanted to plead, to explain, but the words stuck in her throat.

Greer's jaw tightened as he looked at her. For a moment, his eyes softened, but the flicker vanished. "The safety of the pack comes first. Emily, you must leave."

The words hit like a physical blow. She had always been an outsider, but this... this was final.

"Father, please," she whispered. "I didn't ask for this power. I don't even know how to control it. Just... give me a chance."

Greer hesitated, then shook his head. "I'm sorry. We can't take that chance."

Victor stepped forward. "You have until dawn to leave. If you're still here after that... we'll take more drastic measures."

Emily nodded, her throat tight. She understood the unspoken threat. If she didn't leave, they would force her-or worse.

That night, Emily packed what little she had. She shoved her belongings into a small bag, her mind filled with worry. She had no idea where to go. The world outside the Sparkling Star territory was dangerous, but she had no choice.

Before leaving, she stood at the territory's edge, the moonlight casting shadows on the trees. She let the cool breeze wash over her, taking one last look at her home.

When dawn broke, she crossed the border into the unknown.

Hours later, Emily stumbled into the Seaweed Valley. Exhaustion dragged at her limbs, and she collapsed on the rocky ground. She had heard tales of the valley-how few who entered ever returned. But she had nowhere else to go.

As she lay there, a shadow loomed over her. Squinting, she made out a tall figure with broad shoulders and piercing eyes that seemed to glow faintly.

"Who are you?" the figure asked, his voice deep.

Emily struggled to sit up, her voice faint. "No one. Just leave me alone."

The man knelt beside her, studying her intently. "You're not from here, are you?"

She shook her head weakly. "No. I was banished."

For a moment, the man was silent. Then he reached out, his hand firm on her shoulder. "You don't belong here. This valley will kill you."

Emily let out a bitter laugh. "Maybe that's for the best."

The man's grip tightened. "Not if I can help it."

Before she could protest, he lifted her into his arms and carried her away. Darkness swallowed her as exhaustion claimed her.

When Emily woke, she was in a dimly lit stone room. The air smelled faintly of wood smoke. She sat up slowly, her head spinning.

The door creaked open, and the man stepped inside. He was tall and muscular, with dark hair and piercing green eyes.

"Who are you?" she asked hoarsely.

"Arthur Neville," he said. "Alpha of the Woodland Territory."

Her heart sank. Another alpha. Another pack. She didn't want this.

"You shouldn't have brought me here," she muttered.

Arthur raised an eyebrow. "You were dying. I couldn't just leave you."

"I'm not your problem," she insisted.

Arthur's gaze was steady. "You're right. But you're here now. And we'll figure out what to do with you."