Rise of the Broken Luna

4 A Friend

Fawn POV

My head snaps toward the person gripping my arm. My heart pounds when my eyes meet Anna's. Why is she here? Did she know about Seth's betrayal? Will she tell him I saw everything? Before I can open my mouth to speak, she presses her finger to her lips to silence me. She loosens her grip on my arm and motions for me to follow her.

A few seconds later, I'm standing in a room in the pack house that I've never been inside before. A beautiful library. The walls are covered with books of all shapes and sizes. A large plush couch sits below a large window. The click of the door has me turning to face Anna. A woman I consider a friend.

"Luna, I am so sorry," she says. "How long have you known?" "I really didn't, but after that bullsh*t with Gabby this afternoon, my wolf and I suspected something was happening. I really wanted to be wrong. I didn't want to believe that the alpha would do such a thing because he always acts like you are the only woman he sees. It wasn't until I followed her to his office earlier that I realized what a piece of sh*t he really is. I could hear them. You would think they would at least try to be quiet. I can't believe he did this to you, Luna," she says.

I can see tears edging her eyes. I reach out and pull her into my arms. "It's going to be alright, Anna." "I'm supposed to be comforting you, Luna. Not the other way around," she says with a chuckle. "Please just call me Fawn, Anna. I won't be Luna much longer." She pulls back, and her eyes get big. "He will never let you go, Luna. As f**ked up as what he is doing is, he is still making it clear he only loves you when he is with her. I heard him saying the same things in his office he was saying tonight," she says. A mix of fear and sadness in her eyes.

"He won't have a choice. Whatever his f**ked up reason is, it doesn't change that he is cheating on his fated mate. He believes I'm weak. That I'm not worthy of carrying his pups. I refuse to stay here with a man that could betray me while professing to love me." "Don't get me wrong Lu, Fawn. I don't think you should stay, but he isn't going to let you leave. Desperate men tend to lose their scruples and his are already non-existent as far as I'm concerned," she says.

"I have a plan, but I don't have time to tell you about it right now. I need to get back before Seth does. Tomorrow after breakfast I'd like to go for a walk in the garden. I'd like you to join me." "Of course, Fawn. I'll be there," she says before taking my hands in hers. "I will help you in any way I can Fawn. I don't care about the consequences for myself," she says. She pulls me in for a hug this time. "Thank you, Anna." Suddenly, I don't feel so alone.

I know she means what she just said, but I won't let her put herself in danger for me. A few seconds later, I make my way back toward the stairs that lead to our floor. Just as my foot touches the first step, Seth saying my name startles me. His hand steadies me as I turn to face him. "Fawn, why are you down here? Why aren't you resting," he asks. I can see fear and irritation in his eyes. "I tried to link you. You said you wouldn't be long, and I really wanted you to hold me."

The words taste bitter on my tongue. His features soften, and he pulls me into his arms. "I'm sorry, Fawn. I shouldn't have left you. I wasn't a very good mate. You should have been my priority," he says. I fight the urge to roll my eyes. "It's alright Seth. I know you have duties to the pack. I shouldn't have come down. I should have waited for you to come back. I realized it as soon as I set foot in the foyer. I was about to go back upstairs when I decided to go to the kitchen for a snack."

"That medicine seemed to really help with the nausea." His body stiffens and I smile into his chest. "What's wrong, Seth," I ask as I pull back. He looks into my eyes. "Nothing, I'm just glad that the medicine helped. Did you get something to eat," he asks. I swear I can actually see sweat beading on his forehead. "Oh no, I never made it to the kitchen. Anna and I got to talking, and I didn't want you to worry if you came back to the room before me, so I decided against it."

His body instantly relaxes, and a smile spreads across his face. "Let's go get you something to eat love. I want to feed you and take you to bed and show you how much I love you, Fawn," he says. It's my turn to stiffen. "I would love nothing more, Seth but Dr. Evans said no strenuous activity. Besides, I'm exhausted. I want to fill my belly and let you hold me while I sleep." "I'm sorry. You're right Fawn. I can't believe I almost forgot. You know how much I love you, don't you Fawn? I would never do anything to hurt you," he says.

I look at him confused. I should get an Oscar for my performance. "Of course, I know Seth. You are my mate. You are the man that accepted me despite my rank. Despite the fact I have no wolf. Despite the pack members who thought I was unworthy. How could I not know how much you love me? I know you will never do anything to hurt me." Guilt flashes in his eyes, but it is gone as quickly as it came.

The Next Day

Seth leads me into the dining room for breakfast and the chatter around us quiets instantly. This is nothing new so we continue making our way to the alpha table. Once we reach it, he pulls out the chair next to his. His mother is already seated next to me. "Good morning Fawn. How are you feeling," she asks. If I didn't know better I would think she was actually concerned. "Much better. Thank you for asking Amara." She reaches for my hand. "I want you to know that I'm proud of the Luna you have become. I know I have pushed you, but you have taken it in stride. You have learned quickly, and the pack has accepted you completely despite their prejudices in the beginning," she says.

"I appreciate your kind words, Amara. They mean a lot to me." Despite everything that's happened, they did. I could feel the sincerity in her words. "Mom, stop making my beautiful mate cry," Seth says teasingly. A few minutes later, plates are set in front of each of us and I fight the wave of nausea that rolls through me. I need him to think that the medicine worked. I take a few deep breaths before I ask one of the ladies from the kitchen to bring me a plate of fruit.

All throughout breakfast I noticed Gabriella and Anna staring in my direction. Despite Seth's warning, I catch her glaring at me more than once. I decide to be a petty b**ch. I lean toward Seth so only he can hear me. "Seth, is there a reason that Gabriella is angry with me? I'm not sure what I could have done to upset her, but she keeps glaring at me and after her comments yesterday I thought maybe I did something to offend her." His eyes snap toward her table and she immediately drops her gaze.

He turns back to me and offers me a reassuring smile. "I'm sure it is nothing you have done, my love. I promise you that I will talk to her. She has been warned about her disrespect," he says. "No, it's fine. Maybe she is just hormonal. Anna said that she has been rather moody. It could be woman's problems," I say laying it on thick. "You are far too understanding, Fawn. Her inability to control her emotions should never touch you. You have done nothing wrong. I will be speaking with her," he says before pressing a kiss on my forehead.

A few minutes later, Anna approaches our table. She immediately bares her neck. "Luna, are you ready for your walk," she asks. "Walk, what walk? I thought you were going to take it easy today, Fawn," Seth says, concern in his voice. "I'm feeling much better today, Seth. Besides, I'm only going to sit in the garden after a short walk and read on my phone. I have a few new books I want to get started on. The fresh air will do me good. Anna will be with me if I need anything."

"Fine, but I want you to nap this afternoon. Dr. Evans said it would be a few days before you are completely recovered," he says. "I promise I will rest this afternoon. Go be alpha and stop worrying about me. I will link you, if I need you." I stand and turn to follow Anna. "Fawn, I'd like a kiss before you run off," he says. "Give him a kiss with your fist," Juniper says. I smile and Seth must think it's at him.

He gets to his feet and comes to stand in front of me. Before I can come up with an excuse, he presses his lips against mine. Despite the kiss only lasting seconds, I fight the urge to gag. "I love you, my Luna," he says loud enough for everyone to hear. "I love you, my alpha," I say before turning and leaving quickly. As soon as we step outside, my body relaxes. I look at Anna and I can see she is struggling with her wolf. "Anna, are you alright?" "I'm fine. It's Indigo. She wants to go back inside and punch the pathetic alpha in the balls for being such a f**king piece of sh*t," she says.

I fight the laugh that bubbles up inside me. Despite the sh*t storm that hit my life yesterday, knowing that I'm not alone right now means everything. We make our way down the path that leads to the garden. As soon as we are out of earshot I tell Anna everything. I let myself feel the sadness and pain of it today because tomorrow I need to be strong. Tomorrow I need to escape.