CHAPTER 1

Shirley 

“It’s all my fault, if I hadn't left the pack back then all this wouldn't have happened,” I wailed as tears dropped down my face, my eyes was foggy as I stared at the grave of my parents. I could clearly remember the last time we saw each other, the memory of that day isn't a pleasant one to remember. 

I argued with them because they did not accept Dawson, my mate because he is a rogue. They judged him because he was a rogue without knowing him, and that hurt me badly as Dawson had told me that they might be against our relationship, he advised me to reject him as there is no way he would be accepted into the pack. His words hurt me, and it made me realized that we discriminate against rogue's.

That made me did the unthinkable, and that is leaving my pack for him. I wanted to lay down a good example for others by leaving the pack for my mate, the moon goddess has her own reasons for making him my mate's and as she is our creator, rejecting my mate is a blemish to her name.

Now seeing the graves of my parents and remembering all that transpired between us made me sad, I hate that our last memory together was when we had a fight.

“It’s not your fault, you did nothing wrong. Things might not be any different if you have been here” Dawson said, patting my back, and his soothing words calm my mind. 

I didn't regret my decision of leaving the pack as Dawson has been nothing but a great mate and supporter for me, he has always treated me with care. When I left the pack in anger, he filled the void in my heart and I hardly remember my past. I knew that things might be no different if I had been here, and since I have Dawson with me I shouldn't think about all the unpleasant memories.

“You can't let the memory of that time weigh you down, you should think about the happy memories you made together” he said as he stroked my hair. 

“I will,” I responded, while gazing at the tomb in front of me with a reminiscing look on my face.

I stayed on the spot reminiscing about the past, and it wasn't until my knees felt uncomfortable that I left the place with Dawson. 

I was sitting in my parents house, staring around absentmindedly, until the silence was broken by footsteps. I looked up only to see the elders of the pack following behind Dawson.

“Good afternoon, Elders” I bowed slightly as a sign of respect.

“Good afternoon, How are you holding up?” One of them asked, and they all stared at me waiting for my response. 

“I’m fine,” I replied with different thoughts swirling in my mind as I tried to figure out why they visited me today even when I arrived not too long ago. 

“That’s good,” he replied with a satisfied look on his face, then he turned to face Dawson. “You should leave, we have something to talk about,” he added. 

The respectful look on my face was replaced by a frown as I held Dawson by his arm, stopping him from leaving the room. “He is not going anywhere, he is not a stranger, he is my mate. You should say whatever it is you have to say, he is my family” I said with a straight look on my face. 

I hate it when people discriminate, and that is exactly what the elders are doing, they are doing the exact same thing my parents did back then which made me leave the pack. Everyone is equal, and because he is a rogue doesn't mean he is bad. He didn't choose to be a rogue, it's the position he found himself. 

“You shouldn't have said that, she is right. As her mate he doesn't need to be treated like a stranger,” the supreme elder who has been silent all this while spoke up. Although I knew that he must have said that to clear the air but I didn't care about it as he had given Dawson the respect he deserves. 

“You can't keep standing like a visitor, you should have your seat” I said pointing to the couch, and they sat down immediately, it was like they had been waiting for me to say that. A brief silence ensued but it was broken by me as I was curious about what they wanted to talk to me about. “What do you want to talk to me about?” I asked. 

“It’s been months now, since the death of your parents. We know you just returned and you're still grieving but the pack has been without a leader for months which isn't good. The pack will be in a tough situation if this continues” the supreme elder said, with a slight pause before continuing. “We want you to become the Alpha of the pack, and continue your parents legacy” he added. 

I took a deep breath as I thought about his words, and he was right. The pack might still function well on the surface but I knew that there might be others vying for the position of the alpha and the pack might be at the verge of destruction if this continues. “You're right about that, and I'm willing to follow my parents legacy, but it seems you said it wrong” I started as I stared at him with a displeased look on my face. 

“I should be the Luna not the Alpha, Dawson here should be the alpha” I said with a dissatisfied look on my face. I know that they have no intention in making him the alpha but there is no way I'm letting that happen. I had promised Dawson that I'll make sure that he isn't side tracked or judged based on his identity, and I'll make that happen. I would be pushing him aside if I go with their plan without including Dawson, and I won't let that happen. 

“We can't do that, your parents wouldn't want that either, they didn't want this to happen that was why they were against the both of you being together in the first place” the supreme elder said, and my eyes turned red with anger. 

I couldn't believe that he would bring up my dead parents in this conversation, his words prick my heart as I wasn't there when they needed me.

“You are wrong, my parents wouldn't have sent for me if they didn't want this to happen, they had consented to this which is why they told me to return” I said firmly as I stared at them. My parents had once sent me a message telling me to come back with my mate but I didn't return because I wanted to make sure that they would treat Dawson well after returning but I didn't get the chance with them. I planned on returning a month ago but I was delayed by my pregnancy as it may harm my fetus. 

Yes, I'm pregnant, and I'm proud to admit that the child is Dawson's. I was happy when I found out about my pregnancy, and it was around that time that I decided to come back but due to the dangers of the road as it might harm my child, and I planned on returning in two months time when the fetus would be strong enough but I couldn't stop myself from returning as my parents are dead. 

“I won't take on any position if you don't include him in,” I added with a determined look on my face. It hurt me that Dawson is still being judged because of his identity as a rogue which I had promised wouldn't happen. 

“We will think about it, and get back to you” the supreme elder said with an hesitant look on his face, and my eyes turned cold. I couldn't believe his words, they all knew my parents had agreed to let me return to the pack before their death but here they are trying to sideline Dawson. 

“What is there to think about? You should make your decision here and now” I said firmly, not giving them the chance to ponder over it. I knew what the outcome of their decision will be, and that will be to accept my demands as there is no way they would want the pack to be without a leader.

“You don't have to do this, Shirley, I have no interest in leading the pack. I'm glad to be beside you, ” Dawson said, and I turned to look at him with a gratified look on my face. 

I knew that he had no interest in ruling the pack because of his inferiority complex, but I still decided to let them make him the alpha as it would boost his confidence. 

“You said it yourself, your position will be removed once you try dipping your hand into the pack's matter” the supreme elder said, and a frown was etched on my face. 

I was about to reply to him rudely for disrespecting Dawson when he stopped me, my gaze softened as I turned to look at him while rubbing his hand lovingly.

“If there's no further objection, you will be coronated in a week's time. The pack has been without a leader for months, and it will be beneficial for the pack if we can get it done earlier” the supreme elder said, and I nodded in response. I knew that if the matter was left for too long, it would be bad for the pack's growth.

The elders left after a while, and I was left alone with Dawson.

“I told you I won't neglect you,” I said, staring at him with a smile on my face. Dawson moved closer to me and he kissed

my forehead. “Thank you for everything,” he said as he kissed me slowly.