Chapter 1
1168 Words
Dawn's POV
“Vincent is acting weird.”
I blurted out as I sat with Della in the garden behind the pack house that morning. She turned to me, face full of curiosity.
“What do you mean?” she asked.
“He is hiding something from me,” I said. “It started with him waking up earlier than me. He leaves the room before I even open my eyes. He says he is busy, but he has always been busy. The difference is that before, he wanted me beside him no matter how busy he was. Now he barely speaks to me. He does not sit with me at meals. He does not even ask how my day is going. I do not know what I did to push him away.”
“Maybe he is under pressure,” Della said. “The borders have been unstable. The rogues and even the seekers—”
“No Della,” I interrupted. “That is not it. He used to tell me everything, even the worst problems. Now it feels like he is pushing me away. I love being Luna, but I would not be Luna without him. If he keeps shutting me out, what is left?”
Della touched my arm. “You are his mate. That will never change, you know right?.”
I wanted to believe her, but the heavy ache in my chest told me something was wrong. “Then why does it feel like he does not want me?” I asked quietly.
Della looked down. “I do not know, Dawn. But if it bothers you this much, demand answers. Sit him down and do not let him leave until he explains.”
By late afternoon, I went about my duties as usual. I checked on the pups during training, made sure the kitchens had enough food supplies, and visited the healers to see if they needed anything. On the outside, I smiled and looked happy, but on the inside, I was distracted and restless.
I had just dismissed two of the pack Omega's when the doors opened. Vincent walked in, and for a moment I felt relief, but that changed immediately I saw her.
A woman walked in beside him. She was beautiful, with long dark hair and a calm, graceful walk. She moved as if she belonged here already, her presence was already commanding.
My chest suddenly felt tight. “Vincent,” I said, stepping forward. “Who is this?”
He did not even hesitate as he answered me. “This is Olivia. She is my true mate.”
I froze. “What?”
“You heard me,” Vincent said with a straight face. “The Moon Goddess has finally blessed me with my true mate. Olivia is the one I was meant to be with, not you, I'm sorry.”
“No,” I whispered. “That cannot be true. We are mates. I am your Luna. You told me every day that I was yours.”
Olivia looked between us and turned her attention back to me,“Dawn, I am sorry. I never wanted this to happen. I do not want to hurt you. But I cannot change what is real. The bond between Vincent and I is true. I hope, in time, you can accept that.”
I stared at her, fury rising through my grief. “Do not act like you pity me. You walked into my pack, into my life, and now you want me to simply step aside? You do not know what you are doing.”
“I understand your pain,” Olivia said quietly. “I wish things were different. But this is the will of the Moon Goddess.”
“You do not understand anything,” I snapped, moving closer. “You do not know the nights I spent with him, the battles we fought together, the promises we made. Do not stand here and pretend you understand my pain Olivia because trust me… you don't understand half of it.”
As soon as I stepped within her reach, Olivia gasped dramatically and let out a sharp scream. She clutched her arm and cried, “She tried to attack me!”
“What?” I shouted. “I did not touch you!”
Vincent’s expression changed and he looked very angry. “Dawn, enough. I saw you step toward her with aggression… I can't believe you will stoop this low.”
“No!” I cried. “I only walked closer to her. She is lying! I never raised a hand against her!”
Olivia leaned against him, her voice trembling as though she were a fragile object. “She hates me. She cannot stand that I am here. I felt her intention. She wanted to hurt me.”
“That is a lie!” I screamed. “Vincent, you know me! You know I would never harm someone like this!”
But his voice was cold. “ I trusted you, but you tried to hurt my mate.You are no longer Luna, from this moment on, you are banished. Leave this pack. You are a rogue.”
I felt like I couldn't breathe anymore. How could Vincent do this to me? I thought he loved me? “Please,” I whispered. “Do not do this to me, we have been together for four years. You cannot believe her over me. I am your mate.”
“You were never meant to be,” he said. “Leave now, Dawn.”
“No!” Cole’s voice rang out. My younger brother ran forward, his face full of fear and anger. “She is innocent! She would never hurt anyone without reason. You are making a mistake!”
“This is not your concern, Cole,” Vincent shut him off immediately.
“She is my sister. That makes it my concern,” Cole shouted. “I will not stay silent while you throw her away.”
“Take him out of here,” Vincent ordered the warriors.
“No!” I rushed to Cole, holding him tightly. “Do not fight for me. Do not make this worse.”
“I will go with you,” Cole pleaded with me. “I will not let them throw you out alone.”
Tears stung my eyes. “No, Cole. You will stay. You belong here. Do not ruin your future because of me. Please, stay.”
“But what about you?” His voice cracked.
“I will survive,” I whispered. “I have no choice.”
The warriors came closer. I let Cole go and walked to the doors. No one spoke for me. No one stopped me. Not even my so-called parents.
“I will never forgive you for this, Vincent. Till the day I die.”
And with that, I stepped out of the pack house, stripped of everything I thought I would have forever.
- Writer
