The Twin Curse Rebirth Of The Forsaken

"Move!" one of the guards shouted as he yanked Freya's arm.

The chains around her wrists clanked as they dragged her out of the west wing like an animal. Her feet scraped against the floor, but she didn't fight. What was the point?

She was already marked.

They didn't care if the chains hurt. They didn't care that she was shaking. They pulled her through the long hallway without a single word of kindness.

The heavy doors of the council hall opened.

Voices went silent.

Almost everyone from the pack was there. Elders. Warriors. Servants. Even children. All eyes turned to her.

The girl in chains.

The cursed one.

They dragged her to the center of the room. She could feel their stares burning into her skin. Like she was a monster.

The elders sat above the crowd, looking down at her from their high seats. They looked calm. Cold. Like they had been waiting for this moment.

The head elder stood up.

"You've always been a cursed child, Freya," he said loudly. "From the moment you were born under the blood moon, we knew trouble would follow."

His voice echoed in the room.

"Today, you turn eighteen. And we've decided-you will be exiled permanently."

Something inside her snapped. But she kept her head down. She bit her lip so hard she could taste blood. Tears stung her eyes, and no matter how hard she tried, they still fell.

"If you're ever seen near this palace again," the elder said, his voice like stone, "you won't like what happens."

Freya didn't answer. She couldn't. Her mouth was dry. Her heart was too heavy. She just stood there, chained and broken, waiting for the final words.

But then-

"Wait!" a loud voice boomed behind them.

She turned slowly, confused.

Her heart dropped.

It was Fenrir.

Her twin brother.

His voice shook the hall. People turned to look at him as he walked in like he owned the place. Behind him, two guards dragged someone between them.

Her eyes widened.

Lylah.

"No!" she cried out. She tried to run toward her, but the chains jerked her back. "Let her go! What are you doing?"

Lylah looked weak. Her hair was messy, her dress wrinkled. Her knees scraped the floor as the guards pushed her forward.

She was scared. Freya could see it in her eyes.

"What is this?" Freya shouted. "Why is she here?"

Fenrir walked closer, a small grin on his face. He didn't look at her like a brother should. He looked at her like a hunter who had caught his prey.

"Don't act so surprised, Freya," he said. "This is exactly where she needs to be."

Freya's stomach turned. Something was wrong. Very wrong.

Lylah was forced to her knees right beside her. Freya bent forward, the chains clinking again, and touched her arm.

"Lylah... are you okay?" she asked. "What happened? Why are you here?"

Lylah looked up at her, eyes wide and tired.

"I don't know, Freya," she said. "Your brother came to my house with guards. They dragged me... they didn't even explain why."

Freya looked up at Fenrir.

"What is the meaning of this?" she asked, voice shaking. "Why are you doing this?"

He laughed.

"Oh, come on. You're pretending now?" he said. "You're good at that."

He turned to face the elders.

"You all think she's only guilty of being cursed?" Fenrir said. "Well, think again. Freya has committed a sin much worse than that."

Gasps filled the room.

Even their parents looked confused.

"What do you mean, Fenrir?" their mother asked, standing up.

Fenrir didn't answer her. He just smiled and walked closer to Freya.

He was enjoying this.

He turned to the council and raised his voice so everyone could hear.

"My sister and Lylah have committed a sin far worse than exile. They've been practicing forbidden moon magic. Sorcery."

The crowd gasped.

"What?" Freya breathed. "That's not true!"

He kept going. "Freya learned it from Lylah. Everyone knows Lylah's bloodline is tied to ancient moon spirits. I saw them sneaking around at night. Whispering. I even found proof."

Guards came forward, holding objects in their hands.

"There," Fenrir pointed. "Broken stones marked with cursed runes. A hidden book beneath Freya's mattress. And this-" he held up a flower, glowing faintly, "a moon-blessed flower, hidden in Lylah's bag. It only blooms during dark rituals."

She shook her head. "No. That's not real. Lylah never-she never taught me anything. I would never do such a thing. I know it's forbidden. I would never."

Her father stood. "Really? Then how do you explain the evidence?"