Chapter 1

"I order you to sit down this instant!"

That came from the Alpha who sat at the head of the table in front of the audience of pack members that included me. Except the order wasn't directed at all of us. It was directed to just me, the only pack member brave enough to stand up against the so-called Alpha.

I could see the fire burning in his eyes. The fire that revealed just how much rage was radiating through him after I questioned his authority.

But I wasn't done. And neither was I fazed by the fact that his words were enough to make me cower in fear.

So, slowly, I say to him, "I will not."

The murmurs that lingered in the air from the pack members proved how much of a line I've crossed there. At the moment I know I could have my head hung on a spike for disregarding the words of an Alpha.

Who am I to even do such a thing? An ordinary omega with no reputable affiliation to her name. Except I'm the same omega that is going to speak the truth when others can't.

"That is an act of treason! She should be punished for it!" This was said by Gamma Connor, the Alpha's dog as he's fondly called. Obviously he would want to stick up for his master.

"No, you should be punished," I counter his words before looking around. I then raise a hand at the audience of pack members. "You all should be punished. The most grievous offense was committed years back and no one has been persecuted for it."

I put down my hand and then look directly into the eyes of the Alpha seated furiously while not taking his gaze off me for even a split second.

I continue, "The entire Hondra family was wiped out and yet no one says anything about it. But because I'm speaking against the man who had a hand in that bloody situation, it's I who deserves a punishment? That makes no sense!"

Feeling a tug at the hem of my top, I look down to see my best friend, Thomas, giving me a warning signal. In my head, he was telling me to keep shut already but I ignored him and looked back up.

The Alpha speaks again. "I will not warn you again, Omega Dawn," he says, his words firm and precise through gritted teeth. "Sit. Down. Now."

I narrow my eyes at him. "What's wrong, Alpha Lucian? Scared of an ordinary omega? I bet you aren't. After all, you were able to wipe out an entire Alpha family single handedly."

Loud gasps fill the entire hall. Gasps that reflected the surprise they all felt from the way I was challenging the pack leader.

I noticed Beta Arnold exchanging worried glances with the Gamma. It was as if they could tell just how messy this situation is. And even when I look down at Thomas, he looked scared for me.

Everyone knew what was coming next. Even I know. But I'm not backing down now. I have to finish what I started even if it's going to cost me my life.

In a loud voice, I draw everyone's attention back to me, "If every one of you cares to know, there's still someone out there. Someone who is the rightful heir to the seat of the Alpha of the Red Moon pack. I'm not saying we need to make a choice but there's a chance he can be brought back and made to sit where he belongs."

Alpha Lucian has had enough of me. He was up on his feet in a swift motion as he points a claw at me. "Seize her!"

The warriors were lunging at me almost instantly from different angles. I have to find a way out of this hall before anything happens to me.

Fortunately I was seated close to the doorway out of here. Means I have little to deal with before I can make it out.

The commotion of the warriors attempting to get to me has caused an even bigger commotion inside the hall as the pack members are avoiding being caught in the middle of the situation happening.

I take advantage of that as I slip past different bodies before I am eventually face-to-face with a warrior.

As he's about to grab me, I punch him in the eye before kicking him in the nuts. Right before he goes down on his knees, I hit him hard in the face with a piece of wood I was hiding with me all along. This sends him out cold to the marble floor.

I leave there and run for the door but there are about five warriors there already. Instead I take a detour, my direction toward a window. And through it, I jumped out.

The impact of the jump almost led me to sprain an ankle but I didn't let that get to me as I was up and running in no time, making my way through to the woods where I was sure I would be able to avoid the warriors that were now chasing after me.

It wasn't even deep into the woods when I felt a strong pull on my shoulder. I turn around to quickly intercept and free myself from the grip. However, before I could do that, someone hit the warrior from behind him and he goes down to the ground.

To my surprise, it was Thomas who made the save. I look down at the unmoving warrior on the hard ground and back at Thomas who hardly revealed any emotion on his face.

"Thomas," I call him, worried about getting him in trouble.

"Was this your idea about making a statement?" he asks me so casually that it makes me even more worried.

I want to tell him that I don't feel okay with him doing this but he shuts me up with his hand.

"You told me you have the rings, right?" I nod in response to that. "Now use them. Get out of here and do what needs to be done."

"But I can't leave you here like this. You've already gotten yourself in trouble for me."

"Shut up, Dawn. Get out of here now! I'm going to hold them off for you."

And truly there were more warriors approaching us. I could keep arguing or just do what needs to be done here.

Few warriors were almost close to us now so I pull out something from my pocket. It was a golden ring which I throw up in the air. Instantly, to everyone's bewilderment, including mine, it enlarges and creates something that looks like a portal. And it was actually one.

I stare at the supposed portal in awe for a few seconds before I decide it was time to go through it. What I did slowed down the warriors but they were already coming toward us in full force after getting out of their reverie.

"Don't die," I tell Thomas. From the corner of my eye, I see one of the warriors taking a huge leap toward me. He was determined to prevent me from getting into the portal.

Before he could even get any close, I run through the portal as it closes up right behind me. And right now, I'm heading to a place I have no prior knowledge about.