Chapter 10 The Storm Inside the Walls

Voices were rising from the center of the rogue camp.

Selene and Caius had just returned from Crescent Moon, their boots still muddy, their breaths still uneven. The memory of the chase and the bracelet in Selene's hand were fresh. But something else was happening now.

Shouts. Angry voices. A crowd.

Caius grabbed Selene's arm. "Something's wrong."

They moved faster, pushing through the trees until they reached the circle of warriors gathered near the fire pit. At the center, two rogues stood a young male named Bren, and a female named Mira.

Mira was shaking. Tears streamed down her face. Her arms were crossed over her belly. Her clothes were torn and dirty. Beside her, Bren looked pale but proud, chest puffed, trying to stand tall.

Alaric stood before them, furious. His eyes were sharp. He held his spear like he was ready to strike.

"They broke the rule!" someone shouted from the crowd.

"We banned this kind of thing!" another added. "No pups born in hiding!"

Selene blinked. "She's pregnant?"

Caius nodded. "Looks like it. And Alaric is ready to tear him in half."

Alaric raised his voice. "We are not a home! We are an army! There is no room for weakness. No room for mistakes. We agreed. No pregnancies, no children, no distractions!"

Bren stepped forward. "I love her! I..."

Alaric growled. "Love? Love didn't stop you from risking everything! You brought danger into this camp!"

Mira sobbed. "Please... I didn't mean to... I didn't want to break the rule..."

Alaric shouted, "Both of you are to be cast out before sundown."

The crowd cheered in agreement. "Yes! Ban them!"

Selene stepped forward. "No. Wait."

All eyes turned to her. Alaric raised a brow.

Selene walked between Bren and Mira. She placed her hand gently on Mira's shoulder.

"She's scared," Selene said. "She made a mistake, yes. But throwing her out? Alone? Pregnant? That's not justice. That's cruelty."

Voices rose again. "We can't protect weakness!"

"She knew the rules!"

Selene raised her voice, louder this time. "I will take responsibility."

The crowd quieted.

Selene stepped in front of Mira. "If you won't protect her, then I will. I'll feed her, shelter her, make sure she doesn't slow us down. But we don't throw her out to die. Not for this."

Mira looked up at Selene with wide, teary eyes.

Some of the crowd grumbled. A few shook their heads. But others... paused.

Caius watched carefully. "They're listening to you."

Selene looked around. Her voice dropped, calm but clear. "We are rogues. We know pain. We know betrayal. Are we now the ones casting others out like Crescent Moon did to me? We're better than that."

One by one, the crowd began to turn away. Some in silence. Some mumbling. But they left.

Alaric did not.

He pointed at Bren. "But this one? He knew. He acted. He hid it. He will face punishment. Guards! Take him."

Two warriors stepped forward and grabbed Bren by the arms.

Mira screamed. "No, please!"

Selene turned to Alaric. "Don't hurt him."

Alaric's eyes were cold. "I won't. But I won't let him walk free either."

He turned and walked off without another word, disappearing into his tent.

The crowd was gone. Only Selene, Mira, and Caius remained.

Mira sank to the ground, sobbing. "Thank you. Thank you so much."

Selene knelt beside her. "You made a mistake. A big one. But the pup inside you didn't. And it deserves to live."

Caius moved to Selene's side. "We should get a midwife."

Selene nodded. "Find Elra. Tell her it's urgent."

Caius left immediately.

Selene helped Mira to her feet and brought her into an empty hut. She placed Mira gently on a bed of furs, then fetched water and a clean cloth. Mira shook as she drank.

Hours passed.

Caius returned with Elra, the old midwife with silver hair and sharp eyes. She stepped in without a word, looked Mira up and down, and set her things down.

"She'll be okay," Elra said. "But she needs care. Food. Rest."

Selene pulled out a pouch of coins. "Whatever she needs, let me know. I'll make sure she gets it."

Elra gave her a long look. Then nodded. "You're doing more than most would."

After Elra left the room, Selene sat by Mira's side.

"I won't lie to you," Selene said. "I'm disappointed."

Mira looked away, ashamed. "I didn't mean to... I just... I thought maybe we had time. Maybe I could keep it hidden."

"This world isn't soft," Selene said. "And what's coming? It will test all of us. But now you have a bigger reason to fight. Not just for yourself. For your child."

Mira nodded slowly.

Selene squeezed her hand. "You have one chance. Do better. I'll help you. But you have to want it."

"I do. I promise."

Selene stood. "Rest. You'll need your strength."

She stepped outside and found Caius waiting.

"She okay?" he asked.

"She will be."

"And you?"

Selene held up the bracelet she had risked her life for. The silver glinted in the fading light.

"Now," she said, "I need to talk to Alaric. He needs to know the truth."

Caius nodded. "Good luck. He looked ready to kill something."

"Then I'll make sure it's not me."

She headed to Alaric's tent, the tension in her shoulders heavier than ever. She didn't knock. She stepped right in.

Alaric stood at the far side of the room, staring at a map. He didn't turn.

"What is it, Selene?"

She stepped closer. "I found this in Crescent Moon."

She held out the bracelet.

Alaric turned slowly. His face changed. He took it gently, turning it in his fingers.

"It belonged to your mother."

"Yes. And she's alive."

Alaric looked up at her. His eyes were filled with something with anger, pain, maybe both.

"They've kept her hidden all this time. They lied to me. To everyone."

Selene stepped closer. "I need your help. To get her out."

For a long time, Alaric said nothing.

Then, he nodded once. "Tell me everything. From the beginning."