"Open it," Alpha Zach yelled. A female voice, Kari's, countered, "No," but no one obeyed her.
The top of the brazen bull was lifted by four warriors, and I was thrown harshly onto the floor.
My skin burned from the scalding, and I was bleeding profusely. My clothes were stained with blood from my injuries. Despite the severity of my condition, no healer attended to me; they simply watched me suffer.
Without my wolf, my body lacked the ability to heal itself. However, when I opened my eyes, it became clear why I had been removed from the brazen bull.
Red rays emanated from the moon, casting a crimson hue across the sky. Jack inquired, "Why is the moon showing mercy now?" A voice responded, "This only occurs once every seven years."
"Does this mean she's innocent?" another person questioned. Gamma Reid explained, "No, the crimson moon signifies amnesty for all prisoners, offering them a second chance at life. If the opportunity passes, we can return her to captivity."
Despair gripped me as I realized I wouldn't survive a minute inside the brazen bull. The intense heat seared my skin, leaving it red and my back aching from its proximity to the bull's hottest point.
"Get your facts straight, Reid, unless you want to jeopardize our Alpha and the pack," a stern voice retorted, exuding authority. The voice belonged to an elderly man, and Alpha Zach inquired, "Elder Ham, what is happening?"
"All prisoners must be released under the crimson moon and given the opportunity to escape unless they choose to remain," Elder Ham explained. I focused on him; he was an elderly man with white hair.
"She is our only prisoner," Alpha Zach responded. The old man murmured something to him, but they did not seem to be in agreement. "She killed Iris," his face hardened. "Challenged my judgment," his piercing gaze landed on me.
"And look at what she did to my fiancée, Kari, our future Luna." Pain resonated through his voice, it was clear how much he loved her, but only if he knew what a manipulating witch she was.
Up until now, I had no idea why Kari always came at me. "So, how can I let her live?" He bellowed angrily. Elder Ham replied, "Question the Moon Goddess and not me."
When Alpha Zach approached me, his gaze was one of fury. Still, Kari and Ivy looked upset, and one of Kari's eyes had been bandaged. It was sad that I couldn't see the effect of the damage I caused her and the fact that the Crimson Moon Tribe would end up with a one-eyed Luna. She definitely deserved it, and I hope she goes blind in that eye.
"The only reason you're still alive is because of the red moon," Alpha Zach crouched down, his anger blazing. I tried to create distance between us by crawling slowly away, my body burning with pain.
"I really want to kill you." The hate and disgust emanating from him was palpable, and I couldn't help but feel that the appearance of the crimson moon today was no coincidence.
It had always been a time of pardon for us werewolves, regardless of pack affiliation.
Criminals in the dungeons had all been granted amnesty by now. Some will change for the better, while others will worsen and need to return.
The Crimson Moon appears once every seven years, and here at the Crimson Moon Tribe, it's a significant event and the reason I'm still alive.
"The Moon goddess believes in my innocence," I said, wincing in pain. He shook his head slowly, his anger evident. "You're not that special. This phenomenon occurs once every seven years and will pass in the next forty-five to sixty minutes."
Taking this as my cue to leave, I struggled to my feet, unable to steady myself. Alpha Zach stood up, glaring at me. "What can you accomplish in a few minutes, Anabelle?" His gaze was intense, and his voice menacing.
"I will find you and return you to that brazen bull." I shook my head. "Never." Given this chance, I would do everything in my power to survive and eventually clear my name.
"Anabelle Asra has been banished from the Crimson Moon Tribe. Spread the word to all tribes that she is not to be accepted," he declared. A tear slid down my face, causing me pain as blisters formed on my skin.
The tribe clerks departed the gathering, likely to relay the message. How could he be so heartless? "Annabelle, no pack will offer you refuge, and if the rogues spare you, I will see to it that my unfinished business with you is settled."
Rogues, I had forgotten about them, but they were another group of creatures I would have to deal with. Determined and with time running out, I turned to leave when I heard his voice behind me.
"Wait!" He commanded. Hope surged within me as I turned around. Maybe he would change his mind, but his expression turned icy, and my heart sank as I understood he had no intention of doing so.
"I will never allow you to live a normal life, even if the Crimson Moon has shown you mercy, Annabelle. I will make your existence a living nightmare for what you did to my sister."
As I contemplated his intentions for me once I was no longer a member of his tribe, he suddenly lunged and grabbed my throat, his fangs piercing my neck.
The pain was excruciating as he marked me. Tears streamed from Kari's one eye as everyone watched in shock, but the suffering I endured was nothing compared to the torment his mark would bring.
The Alpha my mother spoke of would never be able to find me with this mark on my neck.
Anger, resentment, and bitterness overwhelmed me. A mark usually symbolizes acceptance and protection, which was the reason Kari looked sad and the others were shocked but if only they knew that in my case, it represented the opposite.
Alpha Zachary Ziglar has just ruined my life by marking me after banishment.
This means I will never find my second chance mate and will live the rest of my life as a lone wolf, filled with regret and sorrow.
"Why?" I asked, my voice trembling and tears welling up in my eyes, as I gazed into his cold, heartless eyes.
"Why not? Did you really think I would allow you to find happiness and a mate after what you did? Your fate is sealed, Annabelle. You will suffer just like I have," he said with a cruel smile, reveling in my pain.
His next revelation shattered me completely, stripping away the last shred of respect I had for him.