Moon Child
Chapter 28

Dawn stood outside their home, watching as the sun began to set. It had been oddly quiet since she left Kane and Judas. Forced to relax she had been falling back into the past. It was a bad habit that she couldn't seem to kick.

"You're worrying."

She had sniffed out Ren long before she appeared at her side. With a shrug of her shoulders Dawn looked out to the woods. It was just a little off. Something in her head was tipping, falling sideways. It was like a million puzzle pieces had tumbled from their box. What was she trying to solve though? Why was her mind so adamant on reliving the past?

"I keep thinking about the grey wolf I...killed. Then there's Judas. That's two of the three wolves that we've seen in our territory."

Ren crossed her arms over her chest, confused as to where Dawn was going with stating facts.

"Ok?"

Dawn sighed, running a hand through her loose curls.

"My mind just keeps dragging up these memories of the old pack. There were at least a dozen males in the group and even more females. The alpha I knew brought all of his men but one to battle. One to stay behind and watch the women."

With that confession Ren looked out toward the woods.

"He's the only one left out there."

Dawn nodded, placing a hand over her growing belly.

"So either he's changed tactics, after five years of consistency, or he's the only one left."

Keith jogged up to them, taking his place at Ren's side. He had already heard most of their conversation.

"You really think he's circling us as a lone wolf? The dude would have to be..."

Ren's eyes narrowed.

"Insane. A madman."

The glimpse into her past was clearly setting Ren on edge. Her fingers dug into trembling upper arms.

"Judas said something earlier while I was around. I didn't want to believe it, but obviously it has to be true."

Looking over to Dawn she locked onto her eyes.

"He's gone over the edge, lost it all. Even his mind. Only in the hands of his jewel will he replace himself once more."

A sickening feeling twisted Dawn's gut. Keith frowned, waiting for someone to clarify the quote.

"He kept me close, more so than the other women. I was his first pick and the only one he showed mercy to after running away more times than I can count. He once told me I was unbreakable, impossible to replace with one of the others."

Keith growled, his hands clenching into fists.

"A jewel."

Ren's softly spoken words made Dawn's chest tighten. Tears filled her eyes as she watched Kane come out of the trees. She knew he would be able to hear her, but her tongue worked without permission.

"I've put you all in danger."

Keith shook his head, but remained silent. What could he say? It was true, wasn't it? She was the reason they had come. The reason they had a crazed wolf ready to tear them all apart at their doorstep. For what? For a woman worth less than the dirt under her feet? A stranger within their midst. A monster.

She had allowed so many men to touch her, violate her. She was used, thrown away and then used again. Worthless, it was something she identified as. Nothing here to love, to desire. It would do more good for her to simply give up and go to him. Allow him to take her and save the others.

What if he hurt someone? He could come in the night, when no one was looking, and kill someone. Who would it be? Magdelynn, the grandmother she never had. Hazel? The sister she always wanted. The kids? No, she couldn't allow it.

Suddenly hands were at either side of her face, dark eyes meeting her own. The fingers were long, soft and feminine.

"Ren?"

She looked pissed, yet sad. In those eyes Dawn saw a warrior ready to die for the fight. In her soul she witnessed a woman, still mourning the loss of a love that was too toxic to hold onto.

"You will not allow him into your head like this. He is not your decisions, or the choices you make. His life, the insanity and bloodshed, will never be yours to share in blame. Never. Never, give him that power over you. You are ours. The heart in your chest is full and it is proof of the kind, loving woman you are. He did not build the mold that created you and he will not destroy it. We will replace him and we will end this. For all of us, because you are a piece of us. Without you we would never be whole. Always remember that. We need you. We love you."

Then, ending on a whisper, she leaned back as if surprised by her own words. Tears poured from Dawn's eyes as she closed the space between them, wrapping her arms around the back of Ren's neck. The woman was clearly shocked by the sudden contact. She narrowed her eyes on a smiling Keith in the background, but hugged the woman back.

She would never admit it, but she had grown to like Dawn. Without her she may have never opened herself up to Keith. After all, if this woman could overcome her past surely there was a chance for others. Right?

When Kane got to them Ren was standing by Keith once more. Dawn was smiling toward him, tears staining her cheeks. He had heard it all, seen it all, and it made him proud to call Ren part of the pack. All of his people had welcomed Dawn with open arms, never judging her. Never hurting her. They all, in one way or another, understood her past. They wanted to help her through it and create a calmer path.

"It's getting dark. Jason, Osiris, and Benny have the first shift. We should get some rest."

With that everyone dispersed, Kane's hand wrapping around Dawn's. As they entered their home she held tight to him. Something was off, their bond shivering with a darkness. Was that from him, or her?

"Judas is gone."

She frowned. Gone? Like ran away or...

"You killed him."

He let go of her hand, moving to the kitchen to grab a drink. She followed, stopping to sit on the other side of the bar. As he rummaged through the fridge she felt his pain. He had done something he didn't want to do. Killing another living being took a part of your soul, a piece of you the darkness so easily consumes. She knew how it felt after just one kill. How many pieces had he lost?

That thought made her heart rate speed up. He was known as a beast on the battlefield. A weapon, pure and simple. To wonder how many had lost their lives at his hands? It was childish. He did what he needed to in order to protect the pack. It was an oath he took the day he brought all of them together.

"Kane, I'm sorry."

He looked toward her, frowning.

"For what?"

"I'm the reason you took his life."

Before he could say anything a howl ripped through the sky. Kane winced, his hand jumping up to hold his right shoulder. Dawn moved to his side, her fingers hovering over his affected arm. There was no wound, but perhaps he had hurt something internally?

"It's not me. Osiris is hurt. Stay inside, lock the door and don't let anyone in."

He moved toward the front door, leaving her head spinning. It had been mere seconds since they had entered the house. It was too soon, too much. Her thoughts fell to Judas. The alpha would have felt his death and understood he had a small window of opportunity to strike before they recovered fully.

"What about the others? The safe house?"

He was shaking his head as he threw open the door.

"He's too close. Moving now would risk all of you. Stay inside, they will all do the same."

Before he could leave he turned to look her in the eye.

"I love you."

With that he was gone. She listened to his every word. Locking the door she moved to the bedroom. The one window in the home was in the front room, but it was made with bulletproof glass for extra protection. Still, she felt safer in a room without the extra risk. So, locked in the bedroom, she took in a deep breath.

It was going to be ok. She could do this. Sit here, useless, while she felt every emotion and physical ailment of her mate. All she had to do was stay calm and think of something happy. The more she worried, the more he had to think of. Right? She needed to clear her mind so that he could be at his best.

She could remember her mother standing at the kitchen sink, her eyes on the pasture in the distance. Her soft hum would fill the room, her hands blindly cleaning dishes. Her father always told them to leave her be at times like that, because she needed the break. It didn't make sense at the time. Doing dishes was a break?

Now, moving to sit upon the bed with her legs crossed, she took in a shaky breath. Her mother was so strong, so maybe she could do this. Just close her eyes and focus within. Think of something that brings peace.

With an image of the past in her mind she began to feel herself zone out. No sounds interrupted her being. No fears or worries broke through her tranquilly built walls. Momma, I love you.

With every breath she took her soul calmed even farther. This would all be over soon. Just a moment more and Kane would walk through that door. He would kneel before her, his lips touching hers ever so gently. Their life could truly begin and her past would be just that. The past.

It's funny the things you can convince yourself of, when you're stuck in your own head.