hapter 3
Swallowing two healing herbs, Ravenna donned her ceremonial cloak and ventured out.
The December frost bit deep into her bones.
At her territory’s artisan quarter, her pack craftsmen awaited: “Luna, we’ve been waiting. The winter solstice ceremonial robes need your approval.”
Ravenna accepted the design sketches from her beta.
She’d mastered the ancient art of moonweave crafting, establishing her own guild after years of apprenticeship. Though not the largest pack artisan guild, it was her pride, built on her exacting standards.
Yet among today’s submissions were several poor designs.
“How did we accept an apprentice of this caliber?” Ravenna frowned.
Her beta shifted uncomfortably. “These… these are Winter’s designs.”
Of course.
Three moons ago, Winter had returned to the territory after her mate–bond broke, bringing her pup.
The Pack Council had pressured Ravenna to grant Winter a position as Master Weaver.
Winter’s skill barely matched an apprentice’s, but when Ravenna refused, the entire pack turned against her. After endless confrontations and threats of pack sanctions, she yielded, giving her sister a lesser weaver’s position.
But now this was her work.
Removing the offensive designs, Ravenna instructed her beta: “Handle her submissions diplomatically, but keep them from my sight.”
She drew out her own improved designs. “Share these with the other weavers. See if they’re worthy of the solstice ceremony.”
Her beta’s eyes gleamed with respect. “Luna, you honor us. Your craft is renowned across all territories.”
Chand
Ravenna dismissed the praise, focusing on other duties. After her death, when the Moon Goddess granted her a new form, her guild would scatter. Years of dedication, lost.
She planned to entrust it to her most loyal packmate, but first, she would complete the winter collection–her final tribute to her craft.
Working until mid–day, her stomach growled, reminding her she hadn’t eaten. As she prepared to hunt, her chamber door burst open.
Her father, the former Alpha, stormed in, his scent sharp with urgency. “You’re here, as I suspected.”
He crossed the room in two strides, his command absolute: “Come to the Pack Healer. Now.”
Ravenna remained still.
This wolf before her–her blood father–was the same one who had banished her from the pack years ago.
Both she and Winter were daughters of the Alpha bloodline, yet their parents‘ hearts beat only for Winter.
To them, Winter was the obedient daughter, while Ravenna was the scheming betrayer.
When hter accused her of stealing sacred pack relics, no defense could save her. Even when Winter’s plot destroyed Ravenna’s reputation and threatened pack alliances, they never questioned Winter’s word.
It was her father who declared before all neighboring packs: “The Silver Creek Pack claims only one daughter–Winter.”
“Ravenna is banished. Her actions no longer reflect our pack.”
The othe
packs mocked her as the cast–off wolf.
Now he stood before her again.
“Winter’s condition has worsened. She needs your blood.”
The chamber fell deathly quiet.
Ravenna wanted to ask how, after seven years, he dared stand here making demands.
“Her fate means nothing to me.”
Chapter 3
Her father’s face darkened. “She is your blood sister!”
Ravenna’s laugh was hollow, each word dripping with seven years of pain:
“Blood sister? Father, or should I even call you that? Have you forgotten how you stood before the Great Pack Council, declaring me a lone wolf? How you stripped me of my pack mark and bloodline rights?”
Her voice turned to ice. “Your words still echo in every territory: The Silver Creek Pack claims only one daughter.‘ You made your choice clear that day.”
She met his eyes with a gaze as sharp as winter frost. “I am packless, nameless, kinless. By your own decree, I have no family. No sister. No father. Wolves can’t reclaim what they’ve cast away.”
