Dark Before Dawn

“Chapter 1: Moonfated,”

────── ☽ ⋅ D A W N ⋅ ☾──────

"—Dawn."

The words echoed through the diner, yanking me back to reality from the daydream I'd been lost in. I spun around, my eyebrows shooting up like startled birds taking flight. There stood Elena, our boss, her eyes fixed on me with a look that said she'd been trying to get my attention for a while. In her hand, she balanced a tray piled high with dirty dishes, a tower of greasy plates threatening to topple over.

Heat crept up my neck as I realized I'd completely missed whatever important thing she'd been telling me. Urgh, you and your shitty hearing problems Dawn.

A sheepish smile tugged at my lips. "Sorry, Elena. Could you repeat that?" I asked, feeling about as useful as a fork in a soup kitchen.

Elena let out a sigh big enough to ruffle the stray hair that had fallen across her forehead. "I was asking if you could cover the end of my shift," she explained, her voice heavy with the weight of a long day. "The babysitter just called. Blake's running a fever that could melt steel."

I nodded without hesitation, my ponytail bobbing with the movement. "Sure thing, I can handle that. No sweat." It's not like I had any earth-shattering plans for the night anyway. The highlight of my evening was going to be obsessively checking the mailbox, hoping for news from any of the colleges I'd applied to. With just two weeks left of high school, the suspense was killing me slower than these never-ending diner shifts.

Relief washed over Elena's face like a cool breeze on a hot day. "Thanks a million, Dawn. I owe you one," she said, gratitude practically dripping from her words.

I waved off her thanks like I was shooing away a pesky fly. "Don't worry about it. I know how tough it is for you, juggling Blake all by yourself while Victor's away. Happy to help however I can." Elena's husband had a job that kept him on the road more often than not, leaving her to wrangle their energetic kid solo most of the time.

As Elena turned to leave, balancing her tower of dishes, she flashed me a smile warm enough to melt butter. "You're a real lifesaver, Dawn,"

I couldn't help but chuckle at her over-the-top gratitude. "I already said I'd cover for you," I teased. "No need to lay it on thicker than our gravy, Elena."

"Whatever, b***h," she shot back with a playful wink, disappearing behind the swinging kitchen door in a whoosh of movement and clattering dishes.

I turned back to face the empty diner, letting out a sigh that seemed to echo in the quiet space. It was going to be a long night of staring at the walls and hoping a customer might wander in to break up the monotony.

But just as I was resigning myself to an evening of boredom, the little bell above the door chimed like a herald announcing royalty. In walked Creed, his dark hair looking like he'd been caught in a tornado. He ran his fingers through the mess, somehow making it look even wilder. I swear, if I didn't nag him constantly, he'd probably look like he'd been raised by wolves. Which, come to think of it, wasn't too far from the truth.

His eyes met mine for a split second as he snatched up one of our cheap, plastic-covered menus from an empty table. He flipped through it faster than a speed reader on caffeine before tossing it back down with a soft thud.

I pulled my trusty pen and notebook from my apron pocket, ready to take his order. "What'll it be today, Creed?" I asked, poised to scribble down whatever greasy delight he'd chosen to clog his arteries with this time.

He shrugged as he ambled over, "Just coffee, I think. It's been a day long enough to make time jealous," he said, his voice heavy with exhaustion.

"Well, buckle up, buttercup, because it's about to get even longer," I told him with an apologetic smile. "Elena asked me to finish her shift." I remembered with a start that Creed had promised to pick me up after work when I'd dashed out the door this morning, late as usual.

Creed let out a sigh that seemed to come from the depths of his soul, running his hand through his hair again like he was trying to tame a wild animal. "Of course she did,"

"And oh, well, there's a pack meeting tonight. Looks like we're both in for a marathon evening, sweetheart," he added with a grin that was equal parts joking and exasperated.

I poured him a cup of coffee, the rich aroma filling the air as I set it down in front of him with a soft clink. Elena then reappeared, purse in hand and jacket slung over her arm like she couldn't wait to escape. "You know the coffee here tastes like motor oil, Creed. Why do you keep ordering it when you only ever take one sip?" she asked, eyeing him suspiciously.

Creed didn't bother responding, choosing instead to engage in their usual silent battle of wills. The two of them were always at each other's throats, bickering about something or other, though I'd never quite figured out why.

He planted his hands on the counter, taking a deep breath. His nose wrinkled slightly as he looked over at me. "You smell," he stated bluntly, as tactful as a bull in a shop.

I frowned at my cousin's less-than-flattering greeting as he plopped down on one of the stools at the counter, picking up his coffee mug.

"No s**t, couz, you really know how to make a girl feel special, huh? " I grumbled, my voice dripping with enough sarcasm. Creed and I were thick as thieves, mainly because my parents had taken him in after his dad split and his mom got sick. He'd returned the favor when my parents died, letting me live with him and raising me like I was his annoying little sister.

"God, Creed..." Elena said, shaking her head as she slipped her arms into her jacket sleeves and flipped up the collar, "Even if a woman does reek, you don't just blurt it out like that in her face. No wonder you're single."

Her words brought a smug smile to my face, and I shot Creed a look that screamed 'I told you so.' I couldn't help but snicker as I turned away from my now-pouting cousin, bruised by Elena's verbal jab.

Through the small window to the kitchen, I could see Carson, our cook, working his magic over the sizzling grill. He was belting out lyrics to some god-awful song blaring from the ancient radio he kept in the kitchen. The diner was like my second home, and this crew of people had become my chosen family, even if they were just ordinary humans.

"Creed," Elena said his name like it left a bad taste in her mouth as a sign of regards. She'd never been Creed's biggest fan, probably because he had a knack for saying the wrong thing at the worst possible moment... or maybe because they'd grown up together and he'd been the town troublemaker in his youth.

"See you tomorrow, Dawn. Thanks again," she called out as she headed for the exit.

I spun around quickly to wave goodbye. "Yup. Later, Elena. Tell Blake I said hi and that I hope he feels better soon," I shouted after her as she pushed through the door, setting the bell jingling once more.

Creed looked up at me, his eyes wide and expectant, like a dog waiting for a treat. I stared back at him, planting my hands on my hips. "Why the hell are you looking at me like that?" I asked, confused and a little unnerved.

"Do I have something on my face?" I swiped my hand across my cheek, checking for any food splatters. Occupational hazard of diner life, I suppose.

"Can't you feel it, Dawn?" he asked in a hushed voice, like he was sharing some earth-shattering secret.

I narrowed my eyes, even more baffled by his cryptic question. "What the hell are you on about? Are you feeling okay, couz?" I reached out and pressed my hand to his forehead, checking for signs of fever. He jerked away, frowning at me like I'd suddenly sprouted a second head.

"After all the whining and complaining I've had to endure from you... are you seriously telling me that you don't feel even a smidge different?" he asked, his voice rising slightly with frustration. He waved his hand in the air dramatically, clearly exasperated. I was completely lost, having no clue what he was going on about or why he seemed so worked up.

I glanced around the nearly empty diner at the few customers who seemed content to ignore Creed's little outburst. Leaning in closer, I stuffed my notebook back into my apron pocket. "I have no idea why you think I should feel different," I whispered, "but I feel the same as always. Unless you count the fact that my feet feels like I've been walking on hot coals all day. These ten-hour shifts are slowly killing me," I griped.

He blinked at me slowly, shaking his head in disbelief. "Are you being f*****g serious, Dawn?" he asked, his tone suggesting he thought I was pulling his leg.

"What?" I snapped back, my patience wearing thinner than the diner's napkins.

"Your scent—" he began, but I held up my hand, cutting him off mid-sentence.

"I know, I know. I stink," I retorted, growing weary of this bizarre conversation. "But in my defense, you'd reek too if you spent all day surrounded by greasy food and sweaty customers." If I wanted to be insulted, I'm sure I could easily find one of my charming classmates to do the job without any prompting. Whether human or shifter, they were all too eager to put someone else down to boost their own fragile egos.

Creed shook his head again, looking at me like I was missing something incredibly obvious. "No, your scent has changed, Dawn," he explained, his voice low and intense.

"Your wolf has matured. She’s one with you now."

I stared at him blankly, trying to process his words. What? Had my wolf finally grown up without me even noticing? I searched deep within myself for any sign that my inner wolf was stirring. I'd been waiting for this moment ever since puberty hit me like a freight train. Most of the other kids my age had already gone through this transformation, leaving me feeling like the odd one out in the pack.

All shifters had to navigate two different stages of maturation: the normal human one and the awakening of the beast within — our matured wolves. It could happen at any time, but essentially, it meant that the connection between the human side and the wolf side was fully formed. We weren't allowed to participate in real pack events until this happened. Most of my friends had already crossed this threshold. I had been left behind with the other late bloomers, feeling like a child at the adults' table. Worse yet, in rare cases, sometimes a wolf never matured at all. These unfortunate souls were called Omegas. They were still part of the pack, but they would never be seen as true wolves, always on the fringes of our society.

I shifted my weight from one aching foot to the other, wracking my brain for any hint of change. "I don't feel any different," I said, still bewildered by the whole situation.

Creed took a sip of his coffee, grimacing slightly at the taste. "You will though, trust me," he said with the confidence of someone who'd been through it all before.

He then set the mug back down on the counter with a soft clunk. "But you know what this means, right?" he asked, a mischievous glint in his eye.

"Mean what?" I asked, raising an eyebrow, bracing myself for whatever bombshell he was about to drop.

He met my gaze with a look that said he was about to rock my world. "You don't have to wait in the car like all the little pity-assed pups during the pack meeting tonight," he teased, flashing me a wolfish grin that was all teeth. "You're a real wolf now, couz."

I could only roll my eyes at his words, but who was I kidding? My insides felt like they were doing backflips. For the first time in what felt like forever, excitement bubbled up inside me, fizzing through my veins like carbonated hope. Maybe, just maybe, things were finally about to change for the better.

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The pack house loomed before us, a building I'd only ever admired from afar. As I followed Creed down the winding dirt driveway, my heart pounded like a drum in my chest. We rounded the corner to the back, where another structure stood, about the size of a fancy garden shed on steroids.

The evening air carried snippets of animated conversations, laughter floating on the breeze like dandelion seeds. My palms grew clammy inside my sweatshirt pockets as nerves tap-danced in my stomach. Creed flashed me a grin that was equal parts excitement and mischief as he swung open the door.

"Well, here goes nothing," he said, his voice tinged with anticipation.

I rolled my eyes at his dramatics as I stepped inside, but my bravado crumbled the moment I crossed the threshold. The mingled scents of unfamiliar pack members hit me like a tidal wave, threatening to overwhelm my newly awakened senses.

My eyes darted around the room, desperately seeking a familiar face in the sea of strangers. Just then, as if drawn by an invisible force, my gaze was pulled towards the front of the room where a small crowd had gathered.

And that's when I saw him.

He stood near the front, greeting people with a smile that could outshine the sun. My heart went from a steady drumbeat to a full-on rock concert in my chest. I had no clue who he was, but every fiber of my being screamed that he was perfect. His dark hair was cropped short, like it had been recently shaved and was in the awkward growing-out phase. My eyes devoured every detail of him, from his lean, muscular frame to the way his eyes crinkled slightly when he laughed. Oh my wolf.

Creed's elbow connected with my ribs, jolting me out of my trance. "Don't just stand there gawking, Dawn. People are starting to stare." He urged me forward, and I had to force my leaden feet to move. The world around me seemed to shift and blur, like I was suddenly seeing everything through a kaleidoscope.

My heart lodged itself firmly in my throat as we inched closer to the man my wolf was adamantly claiming as our mate—the one the Moon Goddess had supposedly chosen for us since birth. This was supposed to be a magical moment, right? So why did I feel like I was about to throw up or pass out... or both?

But what if he took one look at me and decided the Goddess had made a colossal mistake? What if I wasn't what he expected? Insecurities I never knew I had suddenly surfaced, flooding my mind like a burst dam.

I dug my heels in, panic rising in my chest. "I can't do this. Let's go home," I pleaded, my voice barely above a whisper.

Creed grabbed my elbow, his grip firm but not unkind. "You're being ridiculous. We all had to go through this, Dawn. Consider it your official pack initiation," he said, his tone brooking no argument.

I gritted my teeth so hard I thought they might crack as every step brought me closer to the inevitable encounter. The Alpha and his mate were at the center of the welcoming committee, greeting pack members as they filed in. I recognized them from a visit to my home years ago, back when my mom was still alive and my dad held an important position in the pack. They looked older now, with a weariness etched into the lines around their eyes that came from years of responsibility.

"Alpha Leone," Creed said formally, extending his hand.

I bounced nervously on the balls of my feet, wishing I could melt into the floorboards. I was still in my work uniform, reeking of grease and looking like I'd been dragged through a hedge backwards... not exactly how I'd pictured making my grand debut as a mature wolf.

"Creed," Alpha Leone replied, shaking Creed's hand with a firm grip. "Good to see you again."

Creed beamed at the recognition, then turned to the woman beside the Alpha, bowing his head respectfully. "Luna Davina."

She smiled warmly, her eyes kind. "Creed."

Alpha Leone's dark eyes turned to me, curiosity sparking in their depths. "And who's this lovely young lady?" he asked, looking me over with interest. My cheeks blazed hotter than the diner's grill, and I fought the urge to hide behind Creed like a shy toddler.

Creed draped his arm around me protectively, which only intensified my embarrassment. "This is my cousin, Dawn," he announced, a hint of pride in his voice.

Luna Davina's eyes lit up with recognition as she leaned into her mate. "Honey, it's Thiago and Odette's daughter," she said, her voice soft but excited.

"Of course," Alpha Leone replied, as if he'd known all along. I had to stifle a smile when Luna Davina playfully rolled her eyes at him. The Alpha crossed his arms, leaning towards me with renewed interest. "I see it now. You've got your father's eyes."

"And Odette's beautiful face," Luna Davina added, her tone warm and nostalgic. "If my memory serves right, your mother was a late bloomer too." I felt myself shrink a little at her well-meaning but slightly embarrassing comment.

"Beau..." Luna Davina called, turning towards the man who had captured my attention earlier. My heart skipped a beat as she beckoned him over with a smile. "Come here a moment, would you?"

She looked back at me, her eyes twinkling with something I couldn't quite decipher. "Your father helped train Beau when he was younger. I'm sure he'll be very interested to meet you." My nerves spiked to new heights as he turned our way, and the realization hit me like a thunderbolt—this wasn't just any pack member. This was their son, the next in line: an Alpha-born male.

I wanted nothing more than to turn tail and run, but my feet seemed rooted to the spot. I stared at the floor, afraid to look up. I swallowed hard, trying to steel myself for whatever was about to happen.His shoes came into view, and I felt my wolf stirring inside me, more awake and alert than she'd ever been.

Creed nudged me with his elbow. "Dawn..." he warned under his breath, urging me to look up. Taking a deep breath, I raised my eyes to meet Beau's, holding my breath as if I was about to dive into deep water.

His dark eyes widened in surprise as our gazes locked, and in that moment, everything I'd ever been told about having a wolf suddenly made sense. It was like a switch had been flipped in my brain, and I could feel her—really feel her—for the first time. Her emotions and thoughts surged through me like an electric current as I watched his lips curl into a smile... a heart-stopping smile meant just for me.

I felt an answering smile spread across my own face, my earlier nerves evaporating like morning mist. At that moment, there was nothing and no one else in the room but us. This, I realized with startling clarity, was what it felt like to find your mate. And judging by the look in his eyes, Beau was feeling the exact same thing.

But the magical moment shattered like fragile glass when a tall, dark-haired woman appeared seemingly out of nowhere, pressing a kiss to Beau's cheek. "Sorry I'm late, Beau. My shift ran over. I had to help Doctor McCarthy deliver the Johnson twins. Those pups are going to be a handful, I can tell you that right now." She chuckled softly, completely oblivious to the earth-shattering moment she'd just interrupted.

I hadn't even seen her approach, so lost was I in the newfound connection with my wolf and the man standing before me. My smile faded faster than a summer sunset as I looked between them, confusion and hurt warring for dominance in my chest. Beau's posture suddenly went rigid as she took his hand, turning to face me with a bright, friendly smile.

"Hello there. I don't believe we've met," she said, tilting her head slightly as she regarded me with curiosity.

"That's because she just matured, Anastasia," Luna Davina explained, sharing a look of understanding with the newcomer that made me feel like I was missing some crucial piece of information.

"Oh, how exciting for you!" Anastasia exclaimed, her smile growing even wider. She seemed completely unaware of the tension crackling in the air, of the silent claiming that had just occurred between me and the man she was holding onto like he belonged to her. My wolf growled possessively in my mind, hackles raised at this unexpected rival.

"Beau, this is Dawn," Luna Davina introduced us, her voice laden with significance. "Thiago's daughter," she added, as if my parentage was some sort of special credential.

I felt like the ground had opened up beneath my feet, leaving me in free fall with no safety net in sight. My stomach twisted itself into knots, but I forced myself to speak.

"Hi..." I managed, the word coming out tense and strained as I struggled to look at Beau.

Beau pulled his hand from Anastasia's grasp and took a small step towards me. He lifted his hand as if to reach out, but seemed to think better of it, shoving it into his pocket instead.

"It's a pleasure to meet you, Dawn," he said, his voice sending shivers down my spine. I saw his pupils dilate as he looked at me, confirming what I already knew in my bones. We were mates, chosen by the Moon Goddess herself.

"Ehem. As I was saying," he continued, clearing his throat, "your father was a great man. The pack lost an incredible warrior when he passed. I lost a good friend," he added, clearly trying to maintain an air of normalcy in front of the others.

None of them seemed to have picked up on the monumental shift that had just occurred between us.

I managed a small, tight-lipped smile that felt more like a grimace. "Thank you," I murmured, my voice barely audible. Beau looked like he was itching to say more, his lips parting slightly as if words were fighting to escape. But before he could speak, Alpha Leone stepped forward, his dark eyes moving between me and his son with a hint of suspicion. I quickly averted my gaze, staring at the floor as I clenched my jaw, willing myself not to fall apart in front of everyone.

"Well, we should get the meeting started," Alpha Leone announced, wrapping an arm around his mate. "It's wonderful to have another true wolf join our ranks."

Creed grabbed my elbow, and I tensed at his touch. Now that I could fully connect with my wolf, everything felt amplified, overwhelming. I let him guide me to some empty seats, but my mind was a million miles away as I scanned the room, trying to make sense of what had just happened.

I'd matured, met my mate, and had my heart crushed all in the span of five minutes. How was I supposed to compete with someone like Anastasia? She was everything I wasn't—confident, mature, already an established member of the pack.

I sank lower in my seat, a stream of conflicting thoughts and emotions swirling around me like a raging wildfire. There had to be some kind of mistake, right? The Moon Goddess wouldn't mate us if we weren't meant to be together... would she?

Throughout the meeting, I could hear Alpha Leone addressing the group, but his words might as well have been in a foreign language for all the sense they made to my addled brain. I was too caught up in my own internal turmoil to focus on pack business.

But then, Alpha Leone said something that cut through the fog of my thoughts like a knife.

"We're thrilled to announce that Anastasia and Beau's mating ceremony will take place at the end of next month," he declared proudly, clapping his son on the back as Beau stood next to a beaming Anastasia, their hands clasped tightly together.

The words hit me like a physical blow, knocking the air from my lungs. I gasped, the sound lost in the enthusiastic applause that erupted around us. This couldn't be happening. This wasn't how things were supposed to go. I was his mate, not her.

I couldn't bear to sit there for another second, listening to more news that felt like daggers to my heart. I leaned over to Creed, my voice barely above a whisper. "I need to go. Now."

He looked at me, confusion etched across his features, as I stood up abruptly and made a beeline for the exit. I didn't dare look back, but I could feel Beau's eyes on me, my skin heating up everywhere his gaze touched. It was becoming increasingly difficult to breathe as I pushed open the door and stumbled out into the night, letting the cool air wash over me like a balm.

I gulped in deep, ragged breaths as I tried to fight the crushing pain in my chest. In that moment, I wanted nothing more than to run away, to hide from the world and the cruel twist of fate I'd just experienced.

For the first time in my life, I felt truly lost, adrift in a sea of confusion and hurt. This time, more than ever, I wanted to run away. To hide. To die.

A burning sensation spread through my limbs, as if someone had set my very blood on fire. My head throbbed with a crushing pressure, like it was caught in a vice. I opened my mouth, wanting to scream, to curse the Moon Goddess herself for this twisted joke. But no sound came out. I was too shocked, too hurt, too broken to give voice to the turmoil inside me.

Be careful what you wish for, they say. I'd never understood the true weight of those words until now.

If this was what maturing as a wolf felt like, I wouldn't wish it on for the stars.

But I had wished for it, hadn't I?

Night after night, I'd prayed to the Moon Goddess to let my wolf awaken, to let me join the ranks of the true pack members.

And now, as the night seemed to mock me with its beauty, the stars twinkled overhead as if nothing in the world had changed. But for me, everything had shifted on its axis. And I had no idea how to overwrite my world again. As I stood there in the cool night air, trembling with a mix of rage and despair, I couldn't help but wonder.

Was this meant to be my destiny—to find my other half only to realize he was already promised to another?

Is this how ill fated— no, scratch it. Is this how moon-fated I am, then?

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TO BE CONTINUED.