Dylan
When Cherry tumbled to the floor, her face contorted with pain. My heart ached for some unknown reason.
“Cherry!” I cried out, trying to go over to cuddle her.
“What the hell is happening to her? Someone go get a doctor!” I shouted.
Just seconds ago, I was consumed by anger and resentment toward her.
“W-Why am I feeling this? Why the hell am I worried about you when you had tried to kill me? On top of that, you are having an affair,” I whispered loud enough for just the two of us to hear.
Cherry had this strange power over me, an irresistible magnetism that drove me to protect her, even when I didn't want to.
“Dylan, just what are you doing here? Stay away from her!” Chelsea mumbled, pulling me away from Cherry.
Seeing Cherry lay there, unconscious and vulnerable, I felt an odd concern and frustration.
“Dylan, we'd better get a doctor over here.” Chelsea's grip on my arm tightened, her gaze never leaving me.
My thoughts swirled in confusion as I looked into her eyes.
“W-What's with your eyes? I feel like they are hypnotizing me,” I said to Chelsea in a low voice.
“You bastard! She's pregnant! How could you do this to her?” Before I got an answer from Chelsea, the man who had coffee with Cherry rushed over, scooping her into his arms.
“She's carrying your baby, not mine.” I looked at him coldly. “Why would I care if she is pregnant?!”
The man held Cherry close, his face a mask of concern and anger. He locked his eyes onto mine, the intensity of his gaze sending shivers down my spine.
“Dylan,” he hissed through gritted teeth, “stay away from Cherry.”
“What?!! And you really have the nerve to tell me that—” I looked into his eyes. Anger surged through me once more. I clenched my fist, ready to strike.
Before I could act on my anger, Karson reacted swiftly. He turned his back toward me, ready to take the force of my punch and shield Cherry from any harm.
“Dylan! Stop!”
Bert stepped between me and Karson, preventing me from landing the punch I had intended. My fist hung in the air, halted by Bert.
“Get out of my way! Listen, okay? I want you all listen to me.”
Everyone stopped on their track.
“That vicious woman. I am going to get rid of her. I will exile her. She doesn't deserve to be a Luna of this pack!” I glared at them, my frustration boiling over.
“You've gone too far, Dylan! You'll lose me if you do that to Cheeet!” Bert's gaze was ice-cold, and his voice carried a tone of disappointment.
“What?! You can't do that, Bert! You are my beta. You have sworn your loyalty to me as one."
“I did. I swore loyalty to my best friend, but you are not that man.” His words stung, like a slap in the face.
I had let my anger get the best of me. Without saying another word, Bert turned on his heel, joining Karson and Cherry as they left the ward.
I was left standing there, my anger now replaced by a sense of emptiness and regret.
“Just what did I do?”
The room felt cold and desolate, the aftermath of a confrontation that had shattered the fragile balance of emotions.
“Nothing. You did nothing wrong, Dylan. You shouldn't be feeling guilty of what had happened. Cherry deserves it,” Chelsea urged, but I remained silent.
As the door closed behind them, I couldn't help but wonder how I had let things spiral out of control.
Cherry's pregnancy ignited a firestorm of emotions. Losing control over all these emotions, I ended up driving all of them away, including Bert, my most loyal Beta.
Chelsea approached me from behind, wrapping her arms around me tightly.
“I should have stopped you from coming here, so none of this would have happened. I'm sorry, Dylan.”
Her tears fell on my shoulder as she whispered apologies, regret thick in her voice.
“I'm so sorry, Dylan,” Chelsea sobbed, “I shouldn't have come back to the Starsmoon. I've ruined your life, but I just can't bear to see you get hurt by anyone.”
I quickly turned to face Chelsea, holding her close.
“We'll find a way,” I reassured her.
“Leave it to me, Dylan. I'll make sure Luna Cherry's sins get exposed, and she pays for her evil deeds.” Chelsea wiped away her tears and looked into my eyes.
She looked at me and continued, “If I'm going to be your Luna one day, I need to prove to the pack members that I can take on this responsibility, that I'll be useful to you.”
“You really don't have to do anything, but I appreciate that you are trying to help.” I held Chelsea tightly in my arms, a surge of emotion overwhelming me. “I don't want to lose you again.”
“Neither do I, Alpha. I won't let Luna Cherry get in between us once again.”
Chelsea pressed her lips to mine with a passionate kiss. She looked deep into my eyes, a determination spark in her gaze.
“Dylan,” she began, her voice filled with newfound resolve, “How about I participate in the design competition too?”