Chapter 6 BANISHED

**Point of View: Lila**

Clara is standing in front of me with a rope in her hand and snake-like eyes. Beside her, the guy with the scars smiles, his teeth piercing. Clara's tent traps Sarah and me as we attempt to gather further evidence of her deception. Even if the moon is brilliant above, it doesn't seem secure. My sole hope that I'm not a traitor is the crumpled paper in my hand, which I hold.

"You're cunning, Lila," comments Clara in a chilly tone. "But you're finished."

Sarah moves ahead of me. Clara, leave her alone. We are aware of your deceit.

Clara tosses her golden hair in laughter. Nobody is going to believe you. Everyone believes Lila is evil.

The guy with the scars firmly takes hold of my arm. He's too powerful for me to draw away from. He throws Sarah to the ground as she swings at him. When she yells, my stomach turns.

"Stop!" I shout in a tremulous voice. "Clara, I have evidence that you are lying!"

Clara grabs the paper out of my grasp. After examining it, she tears it into little fragments. Like snow, the pieces fall. She grins and replies, "No proof now."

Even if I want to weep, I don't. I give her a scowl. Ethan will discover. He is my partner.

Clara stops smiling. "Ethan is not interested in you. I now own him.

Her remarks were a smack in the face. Ethan's sorrowful eyes and the fact that he didn't stand up for me come to mind. I'm dragged toward the camp by the scarred guy. Sarah is seized by Clara, who ties her wrists with the rope. I'm afraid, yet I want to fight.

To go to the fire pit, they pull us. Wolves emerge from tents as the group awakens. There is Elder John, with a severe expression. Ethan leaves with his hair in disarray. His eyes widen when he sees me.

"Lila?" he asks as he advances. "What's going on?"

Before I can speak, Clara speaks. "Ethan, we caught her stealing. As we said, she is dealing with rogues.

I give a headshake. "No! Clara is lying! She created fictitious documents to deceive you!

Ethan glances at Clara and then at me. His expression is perplexed. "The elders gave me evidence, Lilia. You were interacting with outlaws.

"That is untrue!" I say, shedding a tear or two. It's Clara who has rogues! I saw her.

The guy with the scars chuckles. "She is lying in order to protect herself."

Elder John scowls. "Enough. Too much difficulty has been created by Lila. She is unable to remain.

My heart stops. I gaze at Ethan, pleading with him. "Please, Ethan. You are familiar with me.

His fists are clasped as he glances down. "I can't, Lilia. The pack arrives first.

I can't breathe because my chest aches so much. Sarah fights the rope. "Ethan, you're mistaken! Clara is deceiving you!

Sarah gets a face smack from Clara. "Stop talking!"

I try to attack Clara, but the guy with the scar stops me. As they observe, the pack members' expressions range from sadness to anger. John, the elder, holds out his hand. "You're exiled, Lilia. Get out of here or you'll get injured.

My face is streaming with tears. Exiled? I've spent my whole life here. I give Ethan a last glance, but he looks away. My heart shatters in a million fragments. Clara stands beside him, grinning.

The guy with the scars shoves me in the direction of the woods. Sarah is still weeping and restrained. "Give her up!" I shout. "She took no action!"

Clara gives a headshake. She remains. You leave.

The pack is closing in, their gaze steely, yet I want to fight. I back off one step, then another. With his knife drawn, the scarred guy follows. My feet slide on the leaves as I turn and dash toward the woods. The moon observes, but it makes no difference.

I avoid branches while running till my legs burn. Behind me, I can hear wolves roaring in the dark forest. Are they trying to find me? With my breath loud, I locate a large tree and hide behind it. Ethan didn't choose me, and I'm alone. My shirt becomes wet from my tears.

Stuck with Clara, I think of Sarah. I must assist her, but how? The pack hates me since I'm just one wolf. I cradle my knees as I sit on the chilly floor. Even though the woodland is suddenly silent, I get the impression that someone is watching. The moon is shining once again as I gaze up. I'm not sure what it's saying, but it seems to be speaking to me.

A twig snaps, and I hear it. My heart leaps. It's too dark to see when I look behind the tree. Crunching footsteps approach. Holding my breath, I prepare to sprint once again. I see a wolf's eyes sparkle as a shadow shifts. The guy with the scars isn't it. It's a larger, stronger person.

A deep voice says, "Lila." "Don't be afraid."

I got a cold. Who is this? I see a guy with black hair and kind eyes as the wolf enters the moonlight. He is not a member of our pack. "My name is Kael," he says. "I saw what took place. I am able to assist you.

I have no faith in him. "Why? I don't know you.

His voice is quiet as he kneels. I belong to the Starlight pack. Clara's pranks are not to our taste. Join me. You'll be secure.

I give a headshake. "I can't abandon Sarah." I also have to demonstrate that I am not a traitor.

Kael gives a nod. "We'll assist Sarah. You can't remain here, however. They will harm you.

I glance aside, picturing Ethan's face. Kael's eyes are honest, yet my heart aches. My legs are unsteady as I stand. "All right," I reply. "But I'm returning for Sarah."

He gives a little grin. "Agree. Come with me.

Silent as mice, we make our way through the woodland. Although Kael is quick, he waits for me. The howls diminish as the trees become thicker. My heart is still heavy, but I feel a bit safer. Clara, Ethan, and the pack come to mind. How could things have gone so wrong?

I follow Kael to a little camp. The looks of these wolves seem friendly as they relax around a fire. A short-haired lady gives me a blanket. She responds, "You're safe here."

Shivering, I pull the blanket about me. "I'm grateful," I mumble.

Kael is seated next to me. Tell me what happened. I saw that rogue with Clara. She is not good news.

I nod and inform him about Ethan's treachery, Clara's falsehoods, and the forged documents. Kael listens with serious eyes, yet my voice falters. He gives me a shoulder pat after I'm done.

"This will be fixed," he promises. "Clara has been problematic for some time. My pack has been keeping an eye on her.

A glimmer of hope flickers through me. "Can you assist Sarah?"

He gives a nod. "We'll devise a strategy. Now take a nap. We begin tomorrow.

The blanket is cozy when I settle down by the fire. Though silent, the Starlight wolves have a sense of security. When I shut my eyes, I can still see Ethan's expression when he selects Clara. I brush away the tears that fall. I must have strength.

When morning arrives, Kael wakes me up. "It's time to go," he says. "Our main camp is where we're heading."

I rise and nod. I feel like my legs are stronger. The light peeks through the trees as we go through the woodland. Even if Kael's pack is little, they nevertheless give me a grin. I have a little sense of belonging. We come to a large, tent-lined camp along a brook. Kael shows me a sleeping tent.

He declares, "We'll get Sarah." However, we must be astute. Clara poses a threat.

My heart set, I nod. I'll reveal the truth to everyone and rescue Sarah. However, as we prepare, a panting wolf bursts into the camp. He shouts, "Kael!" "There will be rogues soon! They are being led by Clara!

My heart stops. Clara has already located me.