Awakening Luna

lilith's POV "Leave her alone!" Cassius 's voice rumbled, thick with pain and heartbreak as he fought against his father's guards, his eyes brimming with unshed tears, his body contorting in attempts to wriggle free of the wolves restraining him. He is in pain similar to mine. His arms jerked and twisted, trying to break free. "Let me go!" he growled, his voice raw and thick with frustration. "You can't do this! She hasn't done anything wrong!" But even his strength was not good enough. Alpha Edward stood a few feet away, his expression cold and unyielding. “This isn’t up for debate, Cassius ,” he said icily, his voice cutting through the chaos like a blade. “She’s a liability. A disgrace. We’re doing what needs to be done.” "She's not a shame!" Cassius screamed, voice breaking. "She's-she's my mate, Father! I love her!" The weight of his words hung heavy in the air, yet none of that fazed the Alpha. I was stuck, standing, while the whole scene played out in front of me. Cassius ' words ached my heart but also brought despair because nothing of what had happened would matter. Growling deeply, he drew on his semi alpha strength, yet Alpha Edward Johnson, his father, didn't budge firm and unyielding to his cries. Cassius's face had contorted in rage, sadness, and betrayal at not being able to protect the most important being to him, me! He must have felt useless and weak, kinda like the feelings I had felt all of my life. Alpha Edward didn't bat an eyelid. His gaze turned to me, and his dark eyes were like two pierces right through me. "Get rid of her," he said, his voice colder than ice. It was also always very harsh whenever he preyed on the vulnerable, like myself. "No!" Cassius roared, jerking his arm free from one of the wolves and sending the other off balance. He surged forward, but another guard cut him off and slammed him back down. Arms wrapped around mine, tugging me back. "Cassius !" I wailed, my hands grasping for him, but he continued to move further away with each step I was dragged by the guards. "lilith!" Cassius 's voice was hoarse with resistance as the guards struggled to restrain him. "I'll come for you! I promise!" I looked into the eyes of Alpha Edward one last time, and I found any sign of compassion or mercy. But there was no trace of empathy in his eyes; they were dark, even darker than they used to stare at me as he ate up my face, which had no hint of emotions in them. As if I'm just dirt that would only shame his pack, as if all of this happened because I am wolf-less and helpless omega. ....flashback…. The evening sky was painted in soft hues of pink and purple, with the cool breeze brushing against my skin. I sat on the grass, stroking Cassius 's hair as he rested his head on my lap. For a moment, the world seemed peaceful, even though I knew that wouldn't last. The fragrance of the wildflowers around enveloped us, mixing with the natural scent of the forest that surrounded our land. "I am tired of always justifying myself," he muttered, his voice barely above a whisper as if a spy was listening behind the walls. "We must be strong enough that no one can dare to challenge us." I looked up at him softly and with a smile and longing, yet my heart was in pain. To me, Cassius meant everything; he was the person I had always dreamt of, he was my only hope. But deep inside, though, I knew his father would never accept me. All Alpha Edward saw in me was a weak and voiceless omega, an embarrassment to the pack, unworthy to be the future alpha's mate. Cassius suddenly sat upright; his body went taut. The serenity of the moment was broken as he straightened up and looked into the surroundings. "What is it?" I asked, a little fear creeping into my voice. His piercing eyes locked onto mine. "Guards," he said shortly. "They're coming this way. and my father is with them." My heart went cold. "Why would he—" "We don't have time," he cut me off, pulling me to my feet. His grip was firm but gentle, and he quickly moved to shield me. "Stay close to me, lilith." Despite his attempts to shield me, I was aware that his father's wishes would be difficult to defy. We turned to face the sound of approaching footsteps. First to emerge from the trees were the guards, their faces blank, like automatons following orders. But it was Alpha Edward's face that told a whole different story: stoic, firm, unyielding, and uncompromising. "Lilith," Alpha Edward began, his voice free of warmth, "you are to be handed over to the Alpha of the Fire Crescent Pack, Alpha Thane." My heart felt like plummeting, and the world seemed to tilt under my feet, my heart beating loudly. "What?." I whispered softly, barely audible. I looked sideways at Cassius ; he was already shaking his head in disbelief. "No!" Cassius stepped forward, his fists clenched and voice rising. "You can't do this, Father! lilith is my mate—my chosen mate! You can't simply hand her over like some object!" Alpha Edward's eyes turned cold. "She is not your mate," he said forcefully. "She is a power-less omega, an outsider, and a liability to this pack. Alpha Thane has demanded her, and if we refuse, he will bring war to our doorstep. I will not sacrifice my pack for her." My throat constricted but no words would fall. I looked to Cassius , pleading silently for him to do something, to stop this somehow. "I'll fight you!" Cassius roared, the sound rising as he stepped closer to his father. "I'll fight anyone who tries to take her from me!" Alpha Edward raised his hand, and the guards went for him at once. Cassius resisted, but he was greatly outnumbered. "Enough," Alpha Edward finally said in that chilling tone. To the other guards holding onto me, "Take her." "No! Cassius !" I shouted as they yanked me out roughly into the hall. The more I struggled against their iron holds, twisting this way and that, it simply proved impossible. "lilith!" Cassius yelled, squirming with the guards that were holding him down. "Don't take her! Don't let-" "Please, Alpha Edward!" I yelled back, with hot tears spilling down my face. "Please don't!" Alpha Edward's dark eyes turned to mine, and without feeling, he told me, "You're an abomination, lilith. You'd be the end of this pack. This is for the better of all." Cassius continued to scream for the guards to release me, but his voice grew weaker with each step putting distance between us. I tried turning around, so he would keep in my line of vision, but the guards were unrelenting in their pull. The last thing I saw of Cassius was him falling to his knees, his face contorted in anguish as he roared my name.