Whispers of the Moon

Chapter 8: Unraveling

Fawn's heart ached with every step she took, her body moving on autopilot through the dense forest. She could feel the cool air brushing against her skin, the rustling of leaves beneath her feet, but none of it registered fully. Her mind was a swirl of emotions, the overwhelming sense of loss crashing over her again and again, like relentless waves against a crumbling shore.

Lucian's face flashed before her eyes, his voice-those desperate pleas-echoing in her ears. She had seen the regret in his eyes, heard the sincerity in his words. But it was too late. He had made his choice, and she had suffered for it.

I'm done suffering.

Her wolf stirred within her, restless and wounded. The rejection had cut deep into their very souls, leaving them both raw and exposed. The bond, though weakened, still pulsed faintly, a constant reminder of what she had lost. Every time Lucian was with Beth, every intimate touch, every moment of closeness, it was as if claws raked through Fawn's heart, tearing her apart from the inside.

She couldn't keep living like this. She couldn't keep letting Lucian's choices define her worth.

You're strong, her wolf whispered, though the voice was shaky. You don't need him.

Fawn let out a shaky breath, trying to steady herself. But no matter how much she tried to convince herself of her strength, the pain still lingered. It was the kind of hurt that dug into your bones, making you question everything you thought you knew about yourself.

Was I ever good enough?

That question haunted her, gnawing at her confidence like a relentless predator. She had always been different-an omega in a world that prized strength and dominance. Her rare white wolf and her heterochromia had set her apart, made her stand out in ways she hadn't always wanted. But she had never let it define her. She had worked hard, studied, trained, and become the best healer in the pack despite her weaknesses.

But none of it had been enough for Lucian.

The thought of him choosing Beth over her brought a fresh wave of anguish crashing over her. She had been his mate, his fated one, and yet, he had chosen someone else. What did that say about her? About who she was?

Her mind swirled with these thoughts as she moved deeper into rogue territory. She knew the dangers, but right now, she didn't care. She needed space, distance from the pack and all the memories tied to it. Every tree, every stone on their lands reminded her of Lucian, of the life she could never have. The thought of being anywhere near him, watching him be with Beth, was unbearable.

Suddenly, her legs gave out beneath her, and Fawn collapsed onto the ground, the cool earth pressing against her skin. She was exhausted-mentally, emotionally, physically. She hadn't realized how much the rejection had drained her until now. Her wolf whimpered softly in her mind, a reflection of her own turmoil.

Fawn buried her face in her hands, tears burning in her eyes. She had tried so hard to be strong, to put on a brave face, but in the quiet solitude of the forest, the weight of everything she had been holding back finally came crashing down.

The sobs wracked her body, uncontrollable and raw, as she let the floodgates open. All the pain, the rejection, the heartbreak-everything she had been holding inside-came pouring out in a torrent of tears. For so long, she had kept it all bottled up, trying to remain composed, trying to be strong for herself. But now, here in the darkness of the forest, there was no one to see her break down. No one to judge her for her weakness.

She cried for the mate she had lost, the bond that had been shattered. She cried for the future she had imagined, one where Lucian had chosen her, where they had been happy together. But most of all, she cried for herself-the part of her that had believed in that dream, that had thought, even for a moment, that she was worthy of him.