Chapter 5: Before Dawn
544 Words
The packhouse was silent. Most members were asleep, with only the night guards awake, patrolling the grounds under the pale moonlight.
Seraphina stood by her window. The suitcases were packed. The Luna necklace lay on the bed. Everything was ready. Yet she couldn't bring herself to leave. Not just yet.
Three years. Three years of memories were trapped within these walls. Her gaze drifted around the room—the bookshelf Lucien had built for her after she mentioned wanting more space for her novels, the armchair where they spent countless evenings together, the photograph she had turned face down earlier. Every corner reminded her of him. And that was what made this so difficult. Because despite everything she had learned, a part of her still loved him.
A fresh tear slipped down her cheek. She quickly wiped it away. No. She couldn't afford weakness. Not anymore. Her hand settled protectively over her stomach. Her child needed her. And that thought alone gave her strength.
A soft knock interrupted her thoughts. Seraphina stiffened. For one terrifying second, she thought Lucien had returned. But when she opened the door, relief washed over her. It was Emily.
Her best friend looked nervous. "Are you really doing this?"
Seraphina nodded. "Yes."
Emily glanced at the suitcases, then at her. "You know once you leave, things can never go back to the way they were."
A bitter smile crossed Seraphina's lips. "They already can't."
Emily fell silent. Because they both knew it was true. The woman who had walked toward Lucien's office earlier that day no longer existed. That woman had been full of hope. This one was running away with a broken heart.
Emily suddenly stepped forward and hugged her tightly. The unexpected gesture nearly made Seraphina cry again. "You deserve better," Emily whispered. The words lodged painfully in her chest.
After a moment, they pulled apart. Emily reached into her pocket and handed her a small envelope. "Take this."
Seraphina frowned. "What is it?"
"Money."
"No."
"Take it," Emily insisted. "You'll need it."
Seraphina hesitated before accepting the envelope. "Thank you."
Emily smiled sadly. "I wish I could come with you."
"So do I."
The two women shared one final embrace. Then Emily left. The room felt emptier than before.
Hours passed. The moon slowly disappeared behind dark clouds. Dawn was approaching. It was time.
Seraphina grabbed her suitcases. Her heart pounded as she quietly left her room. The hallways were empty. The entire packhouse slept peacefully, unaware that their Luna was leaving.
Step by step, she moved toward the exit. Each step felt heavier than the last. The mate bond pulsed painfully in her chest, almost as if it sensed what she was about to do. She ignored it and kept walking.
The front doors came into view. Freedom. A chance to start over. A chance to protect her baby.
Seraphina reached for the handle. But before she could touch it—
"Where are you going?"
The deep voice froze her in place. Her blood turned cold. Slowly, she turned around.
A tall figure stood at the bottom of the staircase. Lucien. His silver eyes were fixed on the suitcases beside her. And for the first time since she had known him... the Alpha looked afraid.
- Writer
