Chapter 268 AURORA

Alina’s voice was mocking as she challenged Rowan’s words, her sly smile twisting the tension in the air.

The frustration bubbled in the council meeting as voices crossed over each other, debating where Rowan’s place was and how Alina was involved.

The air was electric, anticipation crackling like the storm about to break.

“I’m tired of the shadow games,” Piper said, her hand slamming down onto the wooden table. “If Alina doesn’t have anything to hide, then why hasn’t she been brought here to answer?”

Trajan nodded. “We’ve danced around this too long. She needs to be questioned properly.”

I hunched forward, hands clasped tightly together. “We don’t have concrete evidence,” I said carefully. “What if she spins this and comes out with even more people on her side?”

“She’s already twisting everything,” Warrick said, his voice cutting. “She’s dividing us with whispers and lies. It’s time we corner her.”

Dane placed a soothing hand on my shoulder. “Aurora, they’re right. We can’t keep ignoring this. She thrives in the dark. Let’s bring her into the light.”

After a brief pause, I finally nodded and rose. “Summon her,” I replied simply and stood, addressing my speech towards the pack.

“And we’ve had quite enough of these speeches. So end this. Let the sentence speak it. Call forth Alina."

She came proudly, head high with unbroken features, standing straight into our midst. She held her defiance high, using it as armor against glaring gazes.

“Why am I here?” she asked coolly, her gaze sweeping the room. “Have you all grown so desperate that you’re accusing me without proof?”

“You’ve been playing games,” Trajan said, his voice even but laced with anger. “We want answers.”

Alina’s lips arched into a mocking smile. “Games? Is that what you call it? I’ve only done what’s necessary to survive here.”

The room boiled into murmurs; the tension rose with every second.

Dane stepped forward, his tone even and firm. “This isn’t about survival, Alina. This is about lies and manipulation. If you have nothing to hide, then explain yourself.”

She laughed lightly, and the sound was hollow. “Explain what, exactly? That I’ve worked hard to be part of this pack? That I’ve spoken up when others were too afraid?”

The council filled her with questions, but Alina was sharp, twisting every accusation into something she could use.

“Why would I risk everything?” she returned as Piper mentioned fire. “Rowan was the perfect scapegoat, wasn’t he? You all chose to believe that.”

As frustration mounted, I looked over at Dane. His jaw tightened, his patience wearing thin.

“We found this in your quarters.” The noise in the room died as Trajan’s voice cut through it, and he held out a crumpled letter as the room fell silent.

Alina’s confidence faltered, her eyes narrowing. “What is that?”

“A letter detailing every move you’ve made to undermine the pack,” Trajan said coldly. “Your handwriting. Your words.”

For the first time, Alina’s composure cracked, her lips parting to deny it, but no words came.

The silence was deafening, except for Alina’s sharp intake of breath. “Where did you get that?”

“That does not matter,” I said firmly. “What matters is the truth, Alina. And this is the truth, right?”

She lashed out, her voice rising with anger.

“You think this makes you better than me, Aurora? You’ve played favorites from the start! You’re weak, always hiding behind Dane, always looking for someone else to carry the burden!”

The pack gasped, her venomous words slicing through the room.

I stepped forward, my voice calm but cold. “This isn’t about me. This is about you and the damage you’ve caused.”

Alina laughed dryly, her arms flying up in a gesture. “Of course it’s not about you. It never is. You’re untouchable, aren’t you? The perfect Luna."

“Enough,” Dane growled; his voice rumbled like thunder. He stepped between us; his presence compelled silence. “Alina, your manipulations have caused division and pain. The evidence is clear. This ends now.”

The decision came unanimous in the vote of the council, which was echoed in the solemn silence of the room. Her face twisted in fury as the verdict was read.

“Alina,” I said, trying to sound as firm as possible despite the seriousness. “You are exiled. You will leave this pack and never return.”

As she was dragged away, the defiance in her eyes turned desperate, the way her gaze darted wildly until they landed on me.

“This isn’t over,” she spat with venom in her tone. “You’ll regret this, Aurora. Mark my words.”

Her words sent a shiver down my spine, but I stood firm, watching her disappear into the night.

When the guards were forcing Alina to the border of the village, her struggles became much more desperate; the wolf, once so composed and so cunning, now radiated nothing but pure fury and desperation.

Her shrill voice cut through the silent night.

“You think you’ve won, don’t you?” she spat, her gaze locking onto mine. Her lips curled into a bitter smile.

“You all sit there, pretending to be so righteous, so pure. But you’re no different from me. You’re just better at hiding it.”

“Keep moving,” one of the guards growled, gripping her arm tighter.

Alina tore loose for an instant, her gaze ablaze, raking the assembled pack.

“You’re all fools if you think Aurora and Dane are invincible. They’ll fail you. Maybe not today, maybe not tomorrow, but one day you’ll see them for what they are, just wolves pretending to be gods.”

“Enough!” Dane’s voice boomed, silencing the murmurs that could balloon into ripples in the sea of faces. One step forward, the towering figure drew all eyes.

“You have been granted mercy, Alina. Do not press your luck.”

Alina laughed in a mockery tone. “Mercy? You call this mercy? You are blind to the cracks forming, Dane. Trust me, I have planted enough seeds to make them grow."

Her words sent a ripple through the pack, and I could see doubt flicker in a few eyes. I stepped forward, my voice steady, firm.

“Alina, your time here is over. Leave now or face the consequences of defying this council.”

She jerked her head, twisting her face into an unnatural calm. “Oh, I’ll leave. But do not think for one second this is the end. Watch your back, Aurora. You never know where betrayal might come from.”

As the guards finally dragged her away, her voice seemed to hang in the air like a ghost.

“You’ll regret this... every last one of you.”