Cherry
Just as I was rushing out of the pack house, my nose picked up Fern's sweet scent at the gate.
"A party tonight?" It was Fern! A weight was finally removed from my mind.
"Yes! You look forward to it?"
Pushing the gate open, I saw Fern chirpping with Bert as they walked towards the pack house.
"Mo..." The smile on Fern's face froze the minute she saw me, and then she just walked past me, as if I was a total stranger.
"Baby, it's me. I'm mommy..." My voice shook as I reached out for Fern, trying to take her into my arms.
"No! Don't touch me!" Fern dodged my hands, leaving me heartbroken.
"Fern! How could you say that to your mommy?" Berted was as shocked as me.
"What happened?" Heather and Chris followed over to check on Dylan and me right at this moment.
"M-Mommy Chelsea t-told me...that my daddy almost got killed by h-her..." Fern pointed at me, choking. Obviously, Chelsea was brainwashing my daughter.
“That's not true, baby." Heather embraced Fern gently. "Your mommy loves your daddy. She is a great woman. Pop Chris and I both knew that. That's why we chose her as Luna of our pack."
Chris nodded at Fern in agreement. "Nanna Heather is right, baby. We all tried to protect you from harm. But I think it's time to tell you the truth."
He exchanged a meaningful look with me before continuing.
"Your daddy lost memory weeks ago. Chelsea's taking advantage of it. She wants to replace your mom as the Luna of our pack."
The shock on Fern's face was heartbreaking. I came forward to kiss her forehead and cup her puffy cheeks.
"Sorry for putting you through this baby. Mommy'll never leave you again."
I then turned back and showed my phone to Bert. "I happened to see Chelsea and this man on my way back here."
“Chelsea is cheating on Dylan?!” Bert cried out as Chris and Heather took the phone over.
"Oh my god!" Heather exclaimed after watching the video, and then turned to me. "Sorry you have to go through this kid. But don't back off. Just remember we're all in this together no matter what happens."
*********
Dylan
"You win. Just make sure Fern is all right with her." Bert talked me into agreeing on Fern living with Cherry, when a man came over to me.
I was at the Alpha Gathering. All alphas in this continent showed up at this triennial event, exchanging information and discussing pack ruling stuff.
“Long time no see, Dylan. I heard about your accident. What bad luck!"
Squinting my eyes, I was struggling to come up with his name when Chelsea stepped forward.
"Bill Consunji from the Lune Pack? You must be the strongest competitor Dylan has been talking about. Glad to meet you, sir. I'm Chelsea."
"Glad to see you again, Bill. It was just minor injuries. Thank you for asking anyway." Catching on Chelsea's cue, I greeted the man back.
"Great! Welcome back in the game then! I'll catch up with you later" Bill raised his glass for a toast. "You look weaker than before, bro."
He whispered in my ear and shot a meaningfull stare at Chelsea before leaving.
"Wait! What do you mean by that?" I stopped his steps, asking in a low voice.
“Hey, don't get me wrong. As a shifter, I could just tell. Your wolf lost its true mate. It's suffering.” Bill said, eyeing Chelsea again.
"Stop your little trick, Bill. My true mate is right here with me! I'm gonna announce her as Luna of Starsmoon today." I retorted, only to find Bill looking behind my back.
Following his gaze after turning back, I saw Cherry! In a sheer silver silk dress that beamed elegance under the moonlight, she looked gorgeous. My wolf got excited all of a sudden.
“Who is that?” I snap back from a trance at Bill's question.
“Oh, she's a...a maid shifter,” I mumbled, swallowing a slump in my throat.
“Is she mated?”
“No. You like her, Alpha Bill?” Chelsea chimed in before I said anything, her eyes glowing unususal excitement.
“Good. My wolf wants her. Give her to me. I'll make a hefty deal with Starsmoon in return.” Bill made a tempting offer, but my wolf wouldn't let me say yes.
“I will think about it later.” Withdrawing my gaze from Cherry, I said to Bill before retreating.
I had been absent-mined for the rest of the time at the party. It ended with me briefly announcing Chelsea as my Luna.
"That's really a generous offer, Dylan." Chelsea kept nagging on our way back home after the party.
"It sure is. How about we talk about it tomorrow, my Luna?" I closed the bedroom door when she cornered me, teasing me with wet kisses around my neck.
“At your disposal, my Alpha. But first, let me treat you something fun tonight.” Chelsea undid my button, stripping my long sleeves.
She tiptoed and kissed me fervently, when my wolf felt something wrong.
“S-Stop...” I winced as my wolf suffered from a sharp pain.
Chelsea ignored my words and hugged me even tighter.
A howled finally came out of my lips. Within a snap, I was in my wolf form, choking Chelsea on the floor. My claws were digging on her skin.
“D-Dylan! I-It's me...I'm your m-mate...” She mumbled in a low and trembling voice, struggling.
As the pain in me sharpened, my wolf finally let go of her and sprinted out of the pack house. "Dylan! No..." Chelsea's shout for my name faded away behind me.