Keira’s POVI wake up the next morning to an unfamiliar room. I sit up quickly, panicked, but quickly calm when I realize that I’m in Shepard’s cabin. I smile as I recall the events of last night. Shepard and I together.. the prospect of our future happiness brightens my smile to a laugh. Then I yawn and stretch, placing my feet on the cold wooden floor. I gaze around the creaky old cabin, when I realize for the first time that I’m alone. “Shepard?” I call his name, although I already know I’ll receive no response. This cabin is only one room, and I’m the only one in it. I wonder where he could’ve gone? I get up and see my clothes all neatly folded in a stack on the dining table. I chuckle again at this kind gesture from Shepard, and I take it as a sign that he just wanted to let me sleep in. I get dressed and make my way over to the pack house for breakfast. I walk into the cafeteria, and scan the room for Shepard, but I still don’t see him anywhere. “Good morning Keira.” I look o
Keira’s POVMason is standing there staring at us.“Mason-“ I start, but Mason cuts me off.“It looks like I am interrupting you guys, so I’m going to head back first.” Mason turns and hurries back to the pack house. “Mason.” I say again, but this time he ignores me.“So is that a bad thing?” Shepard asks.“Mason always had a crush on me. But it’s never been anything more than that. Ugh, like I didn’t have enough to think about.” Of course this has to happen now.“We should head back.” Shepard says. He starts walking back but I don’t want to follow him. When he realizes I’m standing still he turns to me. “I really don’t want to go back in there.” I say, whining. Shepard laughs. “You’re going to have to face it at some point, you may as well get it over with.” He says. I sigh. “Do you think my father’s right? I mean, now that I’ve calmed down, I can see how it could be perceived that I ran away from my fated mate to be with you.” I say. Of course it’s not true, but not everyone k
Keira’s POVShepard and I make our way back into the pack house for the party. Thankfully no one really notices us come in, except for my mother who makes eyes at me from across the room. Her look tells me that she wants to know if I’ve cooled off since my little fit. I respond with only my face, saying that yes, I’m fine.My mother and I have always been able to communicate with one another without using words. It’s something special between us that I’ve always treasured. I follow behind Shepard as we make our way over to the refreshments. Shepard get us both a glass of champagne. I take a big swig as he and I mingle around. No one at the party asks about Shepard and I. Which is good because I wouldn’t even know how to answer them. I’m not entirely sure what to do about this whole Shepard situation. It’s too early for us to make anything official by going public, but I’m definitely not going to hide it either. Shepard deserves better than that. I finish my champagne and grab myself
Keira’s POVWe arrive outside of Pale Moon pack’s territory, and I feel a mix of emotions. This is my first time returning to the pack that I thought was going to be my home for the rest of my life. The last time I was here I had just stabbed Dawson and ran away ready to spend the rest of my life in hiding, as an omega. Now I’m back, and I’m going to liberate this pack and everyone in it from that piece of shit I used to call ‘mate’.“Have we received any word on the Pale Moon warriors returning?” I ask Shepard.“No, no one has said anything.” I can tell he’s anxious about his pack. Cedar Creek is facing a large army without their beta, if Dawson attacks it’s going to really do some damage to their men. I reach out and grab his hand.“I’m sure they’ll be alright. Theo has support, and you said it yourself He knows how to strategize.” I say, squeezing his hand for comfort.“Keira, it looks like we’ll have to seize Pale Moon.” Fafnir says. He’s right. We haven’t heard back from Dawson
Theo’s POVI’m in a tent meeting with my allied Alpha’s when Grace steps in. “Alpha Theo,” she nods to me then to the other Alphas, showing her respect for our positions. “Forget the formalities Grace. It’s not necessary.” I say. “What’s the news.” “Sir, Pale Moon is awake, our spies say it’s just a matter of waiting for their Alpha to give them the word.” Pale Moon Pack arrived a few miles outside of our borders late last night, before stopping to make camp and rest. A few of my men wanted to attack then, to have the element of surprise on our side, but I refused. There were still some of our women and children who hadn’t evacuated yet, I didn’t want to risk any lives unnecessarily. Our strategy in this battle is mostly defensive. “Get the warriors lined up and ready, I want my men on the left and right sides, intermixed with the allied forces. We’re going to funnel them forward, and hope that our endurance will out last theirs.“Dawson’s POV“Alpha, we should be coming up on t
“Keira , I just want to say how happy we all are that Dawson has found his mate. And how perfect you both are for each other.” Luna Bethany says with her sickly sweet smile. She raises her glass to cheers the two of them. The Luna is Dawson’s mother, and they have that weird over-attached mommy son relationship. It always gave Keira the creeps.“Thank you so much. You all have been so warm and welcoming.” Keira says making sure to come off as genuine. She notices Dawson pouring himself another drink, this makes his sixth drink of the night. Dawson sees her glance and pours a little more out of spite. Keira looks away quickly hoping Dawson will forget the whole thing, but Keira is never that lucky. When dinner is over, Dawson stops Keira on her way into the livingroom, letting everyone go before them“Come with me.” He practically growls in her ear. He takes a firm grip on her arm and drags her upstairs to their bedroom. He locks the door before turning to her with rage in his eyes.“
Keira wakes up after a few hours of sleep. She gets up and look in the mirror, her neck is blue and purple from Dawson’s grip. She sighs to herself and begins to cry all over again. At this rate, she won’t make it. She needs to come up with a plan to change this. ‘Harper, what are we going to do?’ She asks her wolf.‘You aren’t going to like my answer.’ Harper says.‘What?’‘We could beat his ass. We could reject him. Or we could run away.’ Harper gives Keira some options, none which she likes.‘I don’t know Harper. Maybe he’ll change. Maybe he’s just stressed from the pressure of Alpha training?’ Keira tries to be rational.‘And you think being an Alpha won’t be stressful?’ Keira doesn’t answer. She knows Harper is right, but she can’t believe it’s come to this. She thinks back on the day they first met and how perfect everything was for a little while. FLASHBACKKeira’s pack was hosting an Alpha Announcement for their future alpha Mason. Mason and Keira grew up together as she was
Keira tossed and turned all night, troubled by thoughts and visions of drunk Dawson. When Keira finally heard the birds chirping outside of her window, she crept out of her bed careful not to wake the snoring lump sleeping next to her. Keira makes it a habit to get up early before Dawson, it’s time she gets all to herself, and she would never miss an opportunity for alone time. She gets dressed and covers the fresh bruise on her neck with some makeup. She is as quiet as a mouse walking through the bedroom. Once she’s out in the hall she relaxes a bit, taking in a deep breath and letting it out. Keira wonders to herself. ‘Is this really what the rest of my life is going to look like?’ She heads down for breakfast in the main hall. Everyone greets her with hellos and good mornings. The cafeteria is mostly filled with two types at this hour of the morning. The elder member of the pack who wake up early by choice, and the warriors who have to run early morning drills, who would probably