Chapter Four – When Trust Burns

Dawn

The woods were alive with flickering firelight and the pulse of music when we arrived at midnight. My heart was pounding against my ribs like a trapped bird, but I tried to project confidence as I walked between Vanessa and Kel, with Raven's reassuring presence right behind me. The mate mark on my neck tingled, a constant reminder of everything that had changed in my life.

"Remember," Raven murmured in my ear, his breath warm against my skin, "I've got eyes everywhere tonight. You're safe." His hand squeezed my waist gently, and my inner wolf purred at the contact, even as anxiety churned in my stomach.

I wanted to believe him – desperately wanted to trust in this newfound safety he promised. But something felt off about this whole situation. The party was spread out through a massive clearing, with several bonfires casting dancing shadows through the ancient trees. Wolves lounged on logs and blankets, drinking and laughing, but there was an undercurrent of tension in the air that made my skin prickle.

"Well, well," a silky voice called out, cutting through my thoughts. "If it isn't our newest Luna."

Crystal, one of Nikki's closest friends, sauntered over with a plastic cup in hand. Her perfectly manicured nails tapped against the red plastic as her eyes raked over me with unconcealed disdain. Her smile was sharp as broken glass, and my inner wolf – weak as she was – still recognized the threat.

"You know," she continued, looking me up and down like I was something she'd scraped off her designer boots, "when I heard Raven had taken a mate, I expected someone more... impressive. Not some weak little Omega who can't even hold onto her first mate bond. I mean, being rejected is one thing, but being so pathetic you didn't even know you had a mate?" She laughed, the sound like nails on a chalkboard. "That's just sad."

I felt Raven tense behind me, his anger rolling off him in waves that made nearby wolves step back. But before he could speak, something inside me snapped. Maybe it was the mate bond giving me courage, or maybe I was just tired of being everyone's punching bag.

"At least I have a mate bond," I heard myself say, my voice stronger than I felt. "How many mate have rejected you now, Crystal? Three? I guess being pretty on the outside doesn't make up for being ugly on the inside." I spat, well everyone knows about Nikki and crystal, They were rejected couple of times because they were caught cheating on their mates.

Gasps rippled through the nearby crowd. Several wolves actually took out their phones, clearly expecting drama. Crystal's face twisted with rage, her carefully applied makeup creasing as she snarled.

"You little—"

"Careful," Raven cut in, his voice carrying that Alpha edge that made everyone shiver. The authority in his tone had several wolves tilting their heads in submission automatically. "That's your Luna you're speaking to. Show some respect, or find a new pack."

Crystal's mouth snapped shut with an audible click, but her eyes promised vengeance as she stormed away, shoulder-checking me as she passed.

"That was incredible," Vanessa whispered, squeezing my arm supportively. "Look at you, standing up for yourself! Our little Dawn is growing fangs!"

I managed a shaky smile, still not quite believing I'd done that. The adrenaline was wearing off, leaving me feeling jittery and overwhelmed. "I think I need a minute alone. Bathroom break?"

"Want us to come with?" Kel offered, concern evident in her dark eyes. "These woods can be dangerous at night."

I shook my head, needing space to process everything. "I'll be fine. I just need to..." I gestured vaguely toward the trees.

"Five minutes," Raven said firmly, his storm-gray eyes intense as they met mine. "Then I'm coming to look for you." He pressed a kiss to my forehead that made my whole body tingle with warmth.

I nodded and headed into the woods, getting just far enough away that the party sounds dimmed to a distant throb. The cool night air helped clear my head, filled with the scent of pine and wood smoke. I leaned against a tree, taking deep breaths, trying to ground myself.

But as I turned to head back, voices caught my attention – angry whispers that made my ears prick up.

"You promised me!" Dimitri's voice, thick with emotion, carried through the trees. "You said if I rejected her, you'd be with me. That your father would make me team captain!"

My blood ran cold. I pressed against the rough bark of the tree, holding my breath to listen, my heart thundering so loud I was afraid they'd hear it.

"Oh, honey." Nikki's laugh was cruel, sending chills down my spine. "Did you really think I'd date someone like you? I just needed you to break her. To make sure she'd never be competition for me again. You were just a convenient tool."

"But you said—"

"I said what I needed to say to get what I wanted. It's not my fault you were stupid enough to believe me. Did you really think I'd choose you over Raven?"

"I gave up my mate for you!" Dimitri's voice cracked with pain and rage. "Do you know what that feels like? To sever a bond, even a weak one?"

"She was never your mate," Nikki spat, venom dripping from every word. "You just convinced yourself she was because you knew she was too weak to know the difference. And now look – she's gotten exactly what she wanted. Raven, the captain position, my spot as cheer queen... Everything that should have been mine!"

A twig snapped under my foot as I shifted position, and both of them whirled toward my hiding spot. My heart stopped.

"Well, well," Nikki's smile was predatory as she stalked toward me. "Eavesdropping, little Luna? Didn't anyone teach you that's rude?"

I stepped out from behind the tree, trying to keep my voice steady even as my legs shook. "You... you made him reject me? As part of some game?"

"Game?" Nikki laughed, the sound echoing through the dark trees. "Oh sweetie, this is so much more than a game. But since you're here..." Her eyes lit up with malicious glee. "Why don't we show everyone your mate's true colors?"

Before I could react, she grabbed my arm with supernatural strength, her manicured nails digging into my skin as she started dragging me back toward the party. Dimitri followed, his face a mask of shame and anger that made my stomach turn.

"Raven!" Nikki called out as we reached the main clearing, her voice carrying over the music. "I found your little mate sneaking around in the woods. Care to dance?"

Raven appeared instantly, materializing from the crowd like a shadow. His eyes scanned me for injury, the mate bond humming with his concern. "Dawn? Are you okay?"

"She's fine," Nikki waved dismissively, but her grip on my arm tightened painfully. "In fact, I think it's time for that surprise I promised. Everyone gather round! Time to hear what our mighty Alpha really thinks of his precious Luna!"

My stomach dropped as she pulled out her phone. The crowd pressed in closer, sensing drama. I saw Vanessa and Kel trying to push through to reach me, but they were held back by other wolves.

And I saw Crystal smiling wild, "play it." She smirked.

"Nikki," Raven's voice held a warning, but she was already pressing play.

A familiar laugh filled the clearing – Raven's laugh, but not the warm one I'd grown to love. This was cruel, mocking. "You guys should see her at practice," his recorded voice said, making me flinch. "Hidden behind the bleachers like some stalker, practically drooling. It's pathetic."

More laughter – his friends, I realized with growing horror. Then another voice: "Bet you can't get her to fall for you. That nerdy-assed Dawn? No way. She's too much of a loser, even for your charity cases."

"Twenty bucks says I can," Raven's voice again, confident and cruel. "Give me a week. She's so desperate for attention, it'll be easy. Did you see how she nearly fainted when I touched her hand? Weak little Omega probably never had a real wolf look at her twice."

The recording continued, each word driving daggers into my heart.

"Maybe you can get her to do your homework while you're at it!"

"Just don't let her think it means anything. These desperate ones get clingy."

"Better be careful, Raven. Nikki might get jealous!"

"Please, like I'd ever choose some nerdy nobody over someone like Nikki. This is just for fun."

And through it all, Raven's laughter – that same laugh that had made my heart skip beats, that had made me feel special and wanted and safe.

"What?" I whispered, staring at Raven with tears blurring my vision. My whole body felt cold despite the nearby bonfire. "Twenty bucks? This was... this was all a bet?"

"Dawn, no," he reached for me, but I stumbled backward, away from his touch. The mate mark on my neck burned like ice. "It's not what you think—"

"Not what I think?" My voice rose hysterically, cracking on the words. "I heard you! I heard you laughing about me, betting on me like I was nothing! Like I was just... just some game to you!"

"Oh, this is the best part," Nikki's eyes gleamed with malice as she turned to address the crowd. Her voice dripped with fake concern. "So tell us, nerdy-assed Dawn – has our dearest Alpha already fucked his twenty-buck pussy?"