The Alpha Burned His Own MoonChapter 2

Samantha went back and collapsed into violent fever.

Whispers spread across the territory that the imprisoned witch had cast a malevolent curse upon the Luna.

She raved through the nights, screaming of silver fangs draining her vitality.

At dawn, Cedric descended into my cell once more, flanked by High Priest Balthazar.

"What sorcery did you unleash upon Samantha?"

Cedric demanded, his gaze searing with betrayal.

I leaned against the damp dungeon wall, keeping my eyes closed in silence.

Without warning, Balthazar flung a stone bowl across my face.

It was a vile brew of concentrated wolfsbane steeped in liquefied silver ash.

A ragged shriek tore from my throat.

The silver ash clung to my skin, searing deep into my flesh.

Agony rolled through my body, tossing me onto the filthy stone.

"Vile witch, still unrepentant!" Balthazar hissed, turning to Cedric with an obsequious bow.

"Alpha King, this creature’s dark arts have grown far too potent during these eight years."

"If we do not cleanse her, she will bring ruin upon the entire pack."

Cedric’s jaw clenched.

The High Priest smiled slyly. "Rest assured, my Lord."

"The priority is to purge the demonic affliction from the Luna."

With a brutal heave, Balthazar yanked the silver-spiked collar around my throat.

The inward-facing barbs sank deep into my neck, drawing hot trickles of dark blood.

"Up, beast. Walk."

Cedric watched without blinking. His handsome face was cold.

I forced my burning eyes open to stare at him.

"Do you truly believe I harmed her?"

Cedric looked away for a fraction of a second, his expression hardening.

"I take no pleasure in watching you bleed."

"But you chose the dark arts. You chose to become our enemy."

Balthazar raised a silver-barbed scourge, striking my back with vicious force.

"Move!"

Above, in the plaza, wolves gathered beneath the moon.

Banners swayed, emblazoned with the crescent of the Moon Goddess.

And beneath those banners, the High Priest dragged the true Moon Goddess by a silver chain.

The wolves turned, eyes gleaming with hatred.

"Look at that witch!"

"She cursed our Luna! She poisoned Alpha's son!"

"Burn her before she brings plague!"

Stones and curses rained down. I said nothing, dragging my numbed legs forward.

My thoughts drifted through ancient memory.

Centuries ago, when the Shadow Wurm awakened, black floods threatened to drown the wolf realm.

I sacrificed centuries of divine power to seal it beneath permafrost, nearly shattering my core to save their ancestors.

For a hundred thousand years, I shielded this land.

And now, their descendants dragged me in silver chains, spitting upon my flesh.

A broken laugh tore from my chest, ending in a spray of blood against the altar steps.

Samantha stepped through the crowd, wrapped in white furs.

Balthazar handed the silver-tipped scourge into her trembling hands.

Cedric frowned slightly. "High Priest, what is the meaning of this?"

"My Alpha," Balthazar purred, "Only if the Luna personally flogs the witch's mortal vessel can the dark tether be severed."

Cedric nodded slowly. "Whatever keeps Samantha safe."

Samantha gripped the silver whip. Without hesitation, she lashed it viciously across my bare collarbone.

"Vile wretch! Will you ever dare covet the Alpha King’s bed again?!"

Crack! The silver tore my skin to ribbons, setting my soul aflame.

I lifted my bloody chin, meeting Samantha’s crazed eyes.

"Samantha... you just want me dead. That was always your goal."

A cruel smile curved her lips.

She stepped forward, grinding the heel of her boot into my bruised cheek.

Leaning close, her voice dropped to a venomous whisper:

"Even after eight years in the dark, Cedric still looks at you. I will make you beg for the pyre."

Gasping for breath, I rasped, "You will regret this. I am no witch. I am..."

Before I could finish, Samantha brought the whip down with maniacal fury.

Cedric finally stepped forward, catching Samantha’s wrist.

"If you continue, she will die," he said, his voice flat. "If she dies, who will save my son?"