Chapter 4

Riya's POV:

“The drum was destroyed and now the Goddess has shown her anger by not warning us about this impending danger!" One elder shouted, his wrinkled hands trembling as he pointed toward the temple.

Others joined in, their cries overlapping like crashing waves: "The Moon Goddess has forsaken us! We're doomed!" A young mother clutched her child close, tears streaming down her face. "How could this happen?”

One burly warrior stepped forward, his armor clanking, his voice booming over the din. "Wasn't Princess Lyra betrothed to Killian for an alliance? Why then would he declare war? This makes no sense unless... unless betrayal is at play!"

I was still lost in thought, panicking really bad, my breath coming in heavy pants that made my chest ache as my white priestess robes clung to my skin, damp from the earlier tension, and my hand instinctively fluttered to my abdomen, protecting the life within.

Killian, my mate, and the father of my unborn child, declaring war? It felt like a dagger to the heart. Had our night together meant nothing? Or was this the Goddess's cruel twist?

Suddenly, Father raised his hands, his alpha aura flaring like a beacon, demanding silence. "There's no reason for you to be scared.” He declared. "The pack has not been in a war for a very long time, and every war we have ever been in has been successful. Just because the Drum of Alkali isn't present doesn't mean I'm incapable."

He turned sharply, his gaze landing on his Beta, a loyal wolf named Thorne, who stood rigid nearby. "Thorne, go in there and find the secret map." The Beta nodded briskly, his face pale but determined, and rushed into the Packhouse, his boots thudding against the wooden steps.

Father then pivoted to the scout, the dust-covered messenger still catching his breath. "You." He said, pointing firmly. "Go and announce all over the square and every single part of the pack that every member of the Shadow guard should assemble at the pack square."

The scout bowed. "Yes, Alpha.” He replied, his voice hoarse from the ride, before dashing off.

Next, Father called out to a packhouse guard standing idly by the gates, a young wolf with a spear in hand. "You there! Alert the coachman to ready the horses. And alert all the packhouse guards that they will be escorting me to the pack square. I need to put together a plan for the war."

The guard snapped to attention. "At once, Alpha!" He hurried off, shouting orders to his comrades as he went.

As he said that, the packhouse guard vanished into the stables, and moments later, Father's Beta returned, empty-handed and looking really scared, his eyes wide with alarm. Seeing that his Beta wasn't holding anything, Father frowned deeply. "Where is the secret map?"

Thorne swallowed hard, sweat beading on his forehead. "The secret map is gone, Alpha."

"How is that possible?" Father demanded, his voice rising in disbelief. "Did you check very well?"

"I checked where it was kept." Thorne replied. "And I even checked more places in your study, but it wasn't there." Hearing this, the people there all panicked again, their earlier frenzy reigniting like dry tinder to flame.

"The Goddess has really turned her back on us!" A woman wailed, clutching her shawl. "That's why She took away the secret map, so tragedy would befall us to punish us for our sins!"

And just then, Vivienne stepped forward, her emerald gown swishing dramatically, her sharp features twisted in accusation. She pointed a manicured finger at me. "That's not true! It's not the Goddess's doing, it's definitely Riya's doing. Riya handed over the map to Alpha Killian so she would be free from us and leave the pack with Alpha Killian, her lover!"

The whole pack erupted in chaos, shouts of "Traitor!" and "Hand her over!" filling the air. Faces turned toward me, eyes burning with betrayal. "Alpha Donovan, give us the priestess!" A group of warriors chanted. "She must pay!"

I shook my head vehemently, my voice breaking through the noise. "I didn’t give Killian the map! I swear by the Goddess, I would never betray the pack!"

They sneered, unconvinced. "Prove yourself then!" the burly warrior from earlier bellowed. "Find a way to save us from this calamity!" Murmurs of agreement rippled through the crowd. "Yes, prove it! You've got two days to find a solution before Alpha Killian storms the pack with his army!"

As their voices rose, I remembered my dream before Killian's arrival to the pack and I regretted not taking it seriously. It had been a vision, a revelation, and I'd dismissed it amid the chaos of the mate bond. With just two days to find a solution, I ran to the temple, my robes tangling around my legs as I sprinted through the gardens, the scent of wilting flowers heavy in the air.

I knelt before the shattered remains of the Drum of Alkali, my hands clasped in desperation, praying to the Moon Goddess to save us. But the drum was destroyed, and its sacred power was lost so I didn’t receive any message from the Moon Goddess.

This made me believe that I had been abandoned because I had become impure and was carrying a child. I was left heartbroken, blaming myself for losing myself to Killian, for that night of passion that had shattered my vows. But still, I begged, tears soaking the stone floor: "Please, Goddess, help us. Guide me one last time."

With no help coming forth, I gave up, curling into myself amid the incense-scented shadows. On the second day, the pack members stormed the temple, their boots thudding like war drums, faces twisted in disappointment and rage. "What solution has the Moon Goddess given?" An elder demanded, his staff thumping the ground.

I rose shakily, my voice hollow. "She hasn't given any message." They were left disappointed, shouting, "Fake priestess!" and "Curse you for being born and bringing chaos to our pack!" News spread throughout the pack that the only way the Moon Goddess would save them was if they burned me to death to lift the curse.

So, I was captured roughly, hands binding my wrists, and thrown into the pack dungeon, a dank, cold cell with iron bars. Waiting for my judgment, my only regret was not being able to save my baby, the innocent life flickering within me.

On the day of my judgment, the pack members all agreed for me to be burned to death because Killian's men had already reached the pack borders. The distant clash of swords and howls of pain filtered through the air, the smell of smoke wafting in.

I could hear the BloodHall warriors fighting to hold off Alpha Killian’s men, shouts of "Hold the line!" and the thud of arrows. Seeing the pack in chaos, the pack members all cursed me for being born. "This is your fault, cursed one!" They yelled as they dragged me to the square, where a pyre of wood awaited, flames already licking at the edges.

They told Donovan to hand me over so I could be burned. Vivienne, standing beside Father, her eyes gleaming with triumph, urged him. "Hand Riya to them, Donovan. Don't let your emotions get in the way again. The pack comes first."

I could sense my father was waiting for me to accept my fate, and his eyes met mine, conflicted but resigned. I felt betrayed that he couldn’t defend me, his own daughter, but with no choice left, I decided it was best I died. To end the suffering, to perhaps appease the Goddess. I walked into the fire myself, the heat searing my skin instantly, flames roaring up around me like hungry beasts.

My screams of pain pierced the air, raw but they soon died down as I fell to the ground. Tears flowed down my eyes as I plunged into darkness, then I woke up in a jolt, my body still feeling like I was being burned alive.

"Riyaaa…" The sing-song voice filled the room, and I stiffened, turning around to see my stepsister Lyra dressed in a shimmering lilac gown. “Oh dear sister.” She purred, stopping right in front of me. “Have you heard? Father received a letter from Alpha Killian.”

Hearing this, I realized that everything seemed familiar as Lyra continued, her voice dripping with malice. "Alpha Killian is on his way to BloodHall Pack to claim me as his future Luna."

Was it all a dream? No, it couldn't be, the burns felt real, so I must have definitely been reborn, taken back to the very day Killian arrived to take Lyra as his bride. The Moon Goddess had given me a second chance, a loop in time to rewrite the fate I'd just endured and this time, I would heed the warnings, protect my pack, and perhaps, find a way to claim the future I deserved.