Ashes of the Alpha’s Daughter

I was the Alpha's lost bloodline, raised far from home. I was thin, pale, and covered in ugly scars no one wanted to look at.

Lucia Abbott was the pack's jewel, carefully raised and fiercely protected. She was beautiful, powerful, and loved by everyone.

Before she fell from the cliff, her soul scream tore through the entire pack.

"Lyla joined the enemy! She tried to kill me!"

No one questioned it.

After all, who would believe a filthy lone wolf over someone as pure as moonlight?

My fiancé chained me to the ritual altar.

My father lit the Moonfire Trial fire with his own hands.

The flames burned through my wolf spirit, ripping my memories apart and forcing them into the sky for everyone to witness.

It was a public execution offered to the entire pack.

But the truth was worse than death.

It was slow destruction, carved piece by piece.

"You're late."

Lucia Abbott stood at the edge of the cliff, her silver hair glowing under the moonlight.

"You wanted to see me?" I asked.

"Do you know about the witch's prophecy?" she said.

"What prophecy?"

She stepped closer to the cliff, her heels nearly hanging over open air.

"The prophecy from the Northlands witch. She said..."

She paused, eyes locking onto mine.

"She said the true bloodline is about to awaken. The exiled daughter will take everything back. Dad's love, the pack's authority, and... Caleb."

She said Caleb Wright's name softly, but it cut deep.

"That's nonsense," I said. "I only came back to—"

"To what?" she snapped, her voice suddenly sharp. "To destroy everything I have? I've lived in this family for 15 years. 15 years!"

I took a step back. "Lucia, I never thought—"

"But I did!"

Her smile twisted, tears shining in her eyes.

"I've imagined it so many times. How peaceful things would be if you'd just died. If the werewolves who took you had torn out your throat."

"You knew about me being taken?"

My voice tightened. I refused to let my mind go there.

"Dad mentioned it once when he was drunk."

She tilted her head, resentment burning openly now.

"The enemy used you to lure Mom away from the battlefield. She left to find you and got surrounded and killed. Dad was badly injured searching for both of you. He can never have pups again."

The truths I had avoided for years were suddenly dragged into the light. Guilt crushed the air from my lungs.

"You already destroyed this family once!"

Every word stabbed into my chest like ice.

Silence spread between us.

When she spoke again, her voice was calm.

"Lyla, I don't have a choice."

By the time I realized something was wrong, it was already too late.

She lunged forward, nails digging deep into my skin.

She whispered, "Guess who they'll believe. You or me?"

Then she released me and leaned backward.

"Lucia!"

But it was too late.

Her body dropped over the cliff.

A scream exploded instantly