Chapter 3

Raven's POV

"HELP!" she screamed, her voice echoing through the valley. "Raven's gone CRAZY! She pushed me off the cliff! Help! Someone save me!"

Her cries for help were deliberately loud, clearly meant for more people to hear.

Soon, members of the hunting party came rushing over. Asher was at the front, his face instantly turning pale when he saw Lydia covered in blood at the bottom of the cliff.

"What happened?" He had people rescue Lydia while glaring at me furiously.

"She pushed me!" Lydia sobbed. "I just wanted to have a friendly chat with her, but she suddenly went crazy and pushed me off the cliff!"

All eyes focused on me—surprised, angry, fearful.

"Raven, is this true?" Asher demanded harshly.

I looked at him, my expression calm. "I didn't push her."

"Then how did she fall?"

"I don't know." I had no desire to explain, because I knew that no matter what I said, he wouldn't believe me. "I only know I didn't push her."

"You're still making excuses?" Asher's voice trembled, the rage in his eyes threatening to burn me to ash. "Are Lydia's injuries fake?"

I glanced at Lydia being helped up. She did have real wounds on her arms and face.

"The injuries are real." I answered honestly. "But I didn't cause them."

"ENOUGH!" Asher exploded. "Return to the pack immediately! Call an Elder Council meeting!"

In the pack's Council Hall, the atmosphere was terrifyingly tense.

The elders sat in a circle with Asher in the main seat, his face dark. Lydia, after being bandaged, sat beside him with tears still on her face, looking pitiful.

"Raven, what else do you have to say?" Asher's voice was cold enough to freeze.

I stood in the center, surrounded by everyone's stares. "I didn't push her. Beyond that, I have nothing to say."

"You won't defend yourself?" Elder Maren frowned. "This is a serious accusation."

"Facts are facts." I replied calmly. "I don't need to defend against something that didn't happen."

"But the evidence—"

"ENOUGH!" Asher shot up from his seat. "The evidence is conclusive! What more do you want to argue?"

He walked up to me, the fury in his eyes making me feel tired. "I was such a FOOL not to see your true nature all these years!"

I looked up at him—this man I'd loved deeply for six years was now staring at me with the most venomous gaze, and a trace of mockery rose in my heart.

"Since the Alpha has already made his judgment, please announce the punishment."

"You—" Asher was enraged by my attitude and announced through gritted teeth, "Effective immediately, Raven is EXILED to Wolf Valley Outpost!"

The Council Hall fell silent. Wolf Valley Outpost—the most dangerous place on the pack's border. Few who were sent there ever returned alive.

"Alpha, isn't this punishment too severe?" Elder Marcus tried to intervene. "Raven has done much for the pack—"

"She nearly KILLED my Luna!" Asher's voice was roaring. "This is BETRAYAL!"

I watched all this unfold, feeling a sense of relief rise in my heart. Finally, it was over.

"I accept." I said.

Everyone was stunned, including Asher.

"What did you say?" He looked at me in disbelief.

"I said, I accept exile." I repeated. "When do I leave?"

Asher's face grew even uglier. "You... why aren't you begging for mercy? Explaining?"

I looked at him and spoke coldly, "Because there's no need."

As the sun set, I stood at the pack's border.

My luggage was simple—a backpack, some spare clothes, weapons, and dried food. Pack members stood in the distance, some with sympathy in their eyes, but none dared approach.

"Raven."

I turned to see Asher striding over. His expression was complex, showing both anger and some emotion I didn't want to understand.

"Last chance." He stopped in front of me. "Will you admit your guilt? If you confess and apologize, I might consider—"

"I don't need chances." I cut him off, shouldering my pack. "And I won't admit to something I didn't do."

"Raven!" His voice trembled. "Are you really going to do this?"

I looked at him—this man who had once been my entire world now seemed like a stranger.

"Goodbye, Alpha."

I turned toward the wilderness without looking back. Asher's voice came from behind me, but I couldn't make out what he said, nor did I want to.

The setting sun burned on the horizon, stretching my shadow long and far.

I walked toward Wolf Valley Outpost, toward an unknown fate. There was no fear in my heart, no reluctance—only a strange sense of liberation.

The Heartbreak Elixir had given me unprecedented freedom.

At least, I would never suffer heartbreak for anyone again.