The Rogue Lands

The journey to the Rogue Lands felt endless.

Every step carried Seraphina farther away from the life she had known and deeper into a future she could not see.

The iron shackles around her wrists bit into her skin as the guards escorted her through the northern forests. Snow crunched beneath their boots while icy winds cut through her thin dress.

Not once did she complain.

Not once did she beg.

There was no point.

The people she had trusted had already judged her.

The man she loved had already condemned her.

What little dignity she had left was all she could protect now.

"Keep moving."

A guard shoved her forward.

Seraphina stumbled but refused to fall.

Her hand instinctively drifted toward her stomach.

The tiny life growing inside her was barely more than a secret whisper.

A miracle.

A blessing.

And the only reason she hadn't completely given up.

For a brief moment, she imagined what would happen if Killian discovered the truth.

Would he come after her?

Would he regret his decision?

Or would he reject their child the same way he had rejected her?

The thought hurt too much.

She pushed it away.

No.

She would never allow her child to feel unwanted.

Never.

Hours passed.

The further they traveled, the darker the forest became.

The trees twisted unnaturally toward the sky.

Their bare branches resembled skeletal fingers reaching from the earth.

The Rogue Lands.

Even the name inspired fear.

Every child in the kingdom grew up hearing stories about this place.

A lawless wilderness filled with rogues, exiles, criminals, and monsters.

A place where survival was never guaranteed.

A place where people disappeared.

Forever.

The guards stopped at the edge of a steep cliff overlooking a vast forest valley.

One of them removed her shackles.

"We're done."

Seraphina rubbed her aching wrists.

"That's it?"

The guard nodded.

"You cross this valley."

"And then?"

He laughed.

"There is no then."

The other guards smirked.

Their amusement made her stomach twist.

To them, she was already dead.

Without another word, they turned around.

Leaving her completely alone.

Seraphina watched them disappear into the snowy trees.

She kept watching long after they were gone.

Part of her still hoped.

Still waited.

Still believed Killian might appear.

That he would realize his mistake.

That he would come for her.

That he would stop this madness.

But nobody came.

Only silence answered her.

A broken laugh escaped her lips.

"Stupid."

Fresh tears threatened to fall.

She wiped them away immediately.

No.

She had cried enough.

The woman who entered the palace dreaming of becoming Luna no longer existed.

That girl had died in the Great Hall.

Now she needed to survive.

For her child.

For herself.

For the future.

Straightening her shoulders, Seraphina began walking.

The forest swallowed her whole.

Night arrived quickly.

Too quickly.

Darkness stretched between the trees like a living thing.

Every distant howl sent fear crawling down her spine.

She hadn't eaten since morning.

Her feet ached.

Her body trembled from exhaustion.

Yet she forced herself forward.

Then she heard it.

A growl.

Low.

Dangerous.

Close.

Seraphina froze.

The sound came again.

This time from behind her.

Slowly, she turned.

Her breath caught.

Three enormous wolves stood between the trees.

Rogues.

Their fur was matted with dirt and blood.

Their eyes glowed with predatory hunger.

The largest stepped forward.

A scar ran across his muzzle.

His lips peeled back.

Showing rows of sharp teeth.

Fear exploded inside her.

She knew immediately she couldn't outrun them.

Couldn't fight them.

Couldn't survive this.

The scarred wolf inhaled deeply.

Then his eyes widened.

His gaze dropped to her stomach.

A strange look crossed his face.

Confusion.

Recognition.

Almost respect.

The wolf stepped back.

The others followed.

Seraphina blinked.

What?

The rogues exchanged glances.

Then, without warning, all three lowered their heads.

Not in submission.

In acknowledgment.

Before disappearing into the darkness.

She stood frozen.

Heart racing.

Trying to understand what had happened.

Nothing made sense.

Why hadn't they attacked?

Why had they looked at her that way?

And why did she suddenly feel as though something unseen was watching her?

A chill crawled down her spine.

But there was no time to think.

Snow had begun falling heavily.

She needed shelter.

Now.

Hours later, she found it.

A small abandoned cabin hidden among the trees.

The roof was damaged.

The windows broken.

But it was enough.

Inside, she discovered an old fireplace and a pile of firewood.

Relief nearly brought her to tears.

After struggling for nearly half an hour, she finally managed to light a fire.

Warmth filled the cabin.

For the first time all day, she felt safe.

Or at least safer.

Curling up beside the flames, she rested her hands on her stomach.

"Hello, little one."

The words felt strange.

And wonderful.

A tiny smile touched her lips.

"We survived today."

Outside, the storm intensified.

Wind rattled the cabin walls.

Snow piled against the door.

Yet inside, she found a small moment of peace.

A moment she desperately needed.

"You and me."

Her voice softened.

"That's all we need."

The baby couldn't hear her.

Couldn't understand.

But speaking the words somehow made them real.

A promise.

A vow.

No matter how difficult things became.

No matter how dangerous the future was.

She would protect this child.

With her life.

The fire crackled softly.

Exhaustion finally began pulling her toward sleep.

Then—

A scream shattered the night.

Seraphina bolted upright.

Another scream followed.

This one closer.

A woman's voice.

Filled with terror.

Outside the cabin.

The hairs on the back of her neck stood up.

The scream came again.

Followed by snarling.

And then silence.

Complete silence.

Every instinct told her to stay inside.

To lock the door.

To pretend she heard nothing.

She was alone.

Pregnant.

Vulnerable.

Helping someone could get her killed.

But another part of her refused.

A healer's heart.

The same heart that had always gotten her into trouble.

Grabbing a lantern, Seraphina moved toward the door.

The storm roared outside.

The darkness seemed endless.

For several seconds she hesitated.

Then she pulled the door open.

Freezing wind slammed into her face.

And in the distance, lying motionless in the snow, was a young woman covered in blood.

Behind her stood five rogue wolves.

Watching.

Waiting.

Smiling.

And suddenly, Seraphina realized her first night in the Rogue Lands was about to become far more dangerous than exile itself.