Moon-Marked Luna

Chapter 4

DAWN

The car stopped. The door opened. Eve and Cael arrived on a crisp afternoon, the kind of day where the air felt too sharp, too clear, like it was trying to warn me.

Eve stepped out first, looking tired but composed. Then Cael climbed out behind her — small, curly‑haired, wide‑eyed. He looked so much like Eve and I can't see Chase on the little boy's face.

Callum came out of the car and walked towards me. But what happened next hit harder.

Cael’s face lit up when he saw the palace.

“Uncle Daddy, you live here?!”

The words rang out bright and familiar, like he’d said them a hundred times before.

My stomach dropped.

Callum froze for half a second — just long enough for guilt to flicker across his face — then he crouched down and opened his arms.

“Yes, buddy.”

Cael ran straight into them and asked Callum to pick him up.

Eve smiled softly. “He really missed you.”

Uncle Daddy. I swallowed hard, keeping my expression neutral.

Corinne stepped beside me, whispering under her breath, “You okay?”

I nodded once. “Of course.”

But my hands were cold.

Inside the palace, Cael clung to Callum’s hand like it was the most natural thing in the world. Eve walked close beside them, her shoulder brushing his every few steps.

I followed behind, feeling like a guest in my own home.

Dinner was held in their honor. The table was full, warm, loud — but I felt like I was underwater, watching everything from a distance.

Cael sat between Callum and Eve, babbling excitedly.

“Uncle Daddy, look! Bread!”

Callum laughed — a real laugh, full and unguarded. “You like bread that much?”

Cael nodded vigorously. “Mommy says I eat like Chase.”

Eve’s smile faltered for a moment, grief flickering in her eyes. Callum reached over and squeezed her hand.

I looked away.

Corinne tried to keep the conversation light, bless her heart. “Cael, do you want cookies later?”

“Yes!” he chirped.

Eve chuckled. “He remembers you.”

I forced myself to eat, to smile, to host. But every time Cael said “Uncle Daddy,” something inside me twisted tighter.

After dinner, Callum stood. “I’ll drive you both to Chase’s house.”

Eve blinked. “Are you sure? It’s late.”

“It’s fine,” he said. “I want to make sure everything’s ready.”

He turned to me. “Dawn, you should rest. You’ve been running around all day preparing everything.”

I nodded, even though the words stung.

Yes, I had prepared everything. It had been last minute. I was exhausted.

And yes — it is my birthday today.

The birthday he forgot.

Corinne had been the only one who remembered. She’d slipped me a bracelet and a handmade card earlier, hugging me tightly.

Callum didn’t even ask if I wanted to come with them.

He just left.

Hours passed.

I sat on the couch, wrapped in a blanket, staring at the clock. The palace was quiet. Too quiet. My birthday had ended in silence, and now the day after was ending the same way.

It was past midnight when the door finally opened.

Callum stepped inside, looking tired but content. “Hey.”

“Hi,” I said softly.

He walked past me — then stopped.

His eyes landed on the small gift box and card on the table.

Corinne’s handwriting, ribbon and birthday message.

His face drained of color.

“Dawn…” he whispered. “It was your birthday—”

I closed the book I wasn’t reading. “Yesterday.” It's past midnight.

He sat beside me, guilt flooding his expression. “I’m so sorry. I— I didn’t mean to forget.”

“It’s okay,” I said gently.

“No, it’s not.” He took my hands. “I’ll make it up to you. I promise.”

I smiled, small and tired. “You don’t have to—”

“I want to,” he insisted. “There’s a resort you’ve been looking at, right? The one in the magazine? Let’s go. Just the two of us. Tomorrow.”

Just us. Away from the pack... and Eve.

“Okay,” I whispered. “I’d like that.”

He kissed my forehead. “Good. We’ll leave in the morning.”

**

The next morning, I packed quickly — maybe too quickly. I kept checking the clock, afraid Callum would change his mind and this small piece of happiness would slip through my fingers before it even began.

Corinne came into the room carrying a small gift bag.

“Before you go,” she said, grinning.

I raised a brow. “Corinne…”

“Open it.”

Inside was a delicate set of lingerie — soft, elegant, nothing vulgar, just beautiful. My cheeks warmed instantly.

“Corinne!”

She laughed. “You’re going to a resort with your husband. You deserve to feel beautiful.”

I hugged her tightly. “Thank you.”

“Have fun,” she whispered. “You need this.”

The resort was stunning — all glass walls, warm wood, and a view of the lake that looked like something out of a magazine. Callum checked us in, his hand resting lightly on my back. It was the first affectionate touch he’d given me in months and then some.

Our room was spacious, quiet, private. A king‑sized bed. A balcony overlooking the water. A bottle of wine waiting on the table.

For the first time in a long time, I felt… hopeful.

Callum set our bags down. “You like it?”

“I love it,” I said honestly.

He smiled — a small, tired smile, but real. “Good.”

We spent the afternoon walking the grounds, talking lightly about nothing important. For a few hours, it felt like we were us again — or at least a version of us I missed.

By evening, I slipped into the bathroom with the lingerie Corinne gave me. My hands trembled as I put it on. I barely recognized myself in the mirror — soft, nervous, hopeful.

When I stepped out, Callum looked up from the bed.

“Dawn…”

I felt my cheeks heat. “Do you like it?”

He stood slowly, eyes softening in a way I hadn’t seen in years. “Come here.”

I walked toward him, heart pounding. He reached out, pulling me close, his hands warm on my waist. He kissed me — gently at first, then deeper, like he was remembering something he’d forgotten.

He lowered his lips to my stomach, kissing the soft skin there. My eyes fluttered shut.

For a moment, everything felt right. I believed we were finding our way back.

For a moment—

His phone rang.

Callum froze.

I opened my eyes.

The screen lit up with a name.

Eve.

My stomach dropped.

He hesitated — just long enough for me to hope he’d ignore it — then answered.

“Eve? What’s wrong?”

I stepped back, arms wrapping around myself.

Callum’s face tightened. “What? When? Is he breathing normally? Did the doctor say—”

My heart sank.

Cael. Again.

“Okay,” Callum said, voice low. “I’ll be there. Just keep me updated.” He ran a hand through his hair. “Cael’s sick. They took him to the pack hospital. Eve’s scared.”

I swallowed. “Callum… we’re hours away.”

“I know.” He grabbed his jacket. “But I have to go.”

I stepped forward. “Stay. Just this once. Please. Let Eve take care of her son. She is his mother.”

He stopped to look at me. And still shook his head.

“I’ll be right back. I won’t be long. I just need to make sure he’s okay.”

He kissed my forehead — a rushed, distracted kiss — and left.

The door clicked shut. The room fell silent. The wine sat untouched. The candles flickered. The lingerie felt suddenly ridiculous on my skin.

I waited. Minutes passed. Then an hour. Then two. I checked my phone.

Nothing.

I curled up on the bed, staring at the empty space beside me. I told myself he’d walk through the door any moment. He'd call and remember I was here.

Eventually, exhaustion pulled me under. I fell asleep alone — still wearing the lingerie I bought for him.

When I woke, the other side of the bed was still cold.