Chapter 4: Exposed

"Ruby?" I pushed myself up from the ground, dirt falling away from my face. I looked down at my paws that were tucked under my chest, the white of my fur stained brown with the dirt. I looked around, wondering who called my name.

"Hello?" I called out, recognizing the clearing as the one I had met Zy in, "Zy? Is that you?"

"No," a figure melted away from the shadows that nipped at the corners of my pool of moonlight, "It's me."

I instantly recognized the fur of the wolf, white. It was a female, the small stature telling me so. Her familiar eyes glowed bright blue with sadness. It was Dawn.

I raced over to her, burying my head in the crook of her neck, "Are you alright? I miss you so much." my voice was muffled by her fur.

"Ruby, we need to talk, okay?" I pulled away, fearing the stiffness in her voice.

"What is it? Is something wrong?" I asked her.

She chuckled darkly and looked me in the eye, "I wouldn't be here if there wasn't."

"What is it?" I asked, heart pounding in my throat.

"I had a dream when I passed out," Dawn started, drawing in a shaky breath, "The Moon Goddess came to me and told me that what happened to me wasn't turning sickness. I have the Wolf Plague. She said I'm not gonna make it," she saw my eyes widen and my lips part in horror, "She sent me here, so I could say my last goodbyes. Ruby, you have to tell them about it. The only cure is a drop of Lunar blood. and I know-," she cut me off as I tried to speak, ,"I know you have it, but you can't save me now. Please step forward and be brave."

When she finished, I let what she had said to me sink in. After a moment of silence, I howled. I howled in grief, in fear, in loneliness. Dawn stared at me the whole time, her own grief glistening in her eyes.

"I'm so sorry," I whispered when I fell silent, looking back at Dawn.

"I know. Me too," She said, leaning forward so that our noses touched. I let my eyes flutter shut and my lips formed a tight line.

"You have no idea how much I'm going to miss you," I whispered, our noses still connected

"I'm sure I'll miss you more. But when you wake up, I'll be gone," she said, her voice cracking and fading off at the end.

"I wanted us to grow old together." I wailed, "I wanted you to meet my kids. I wanted to meet your mate. I wanted so badly to be in the front row of your wedding and have your kids call me Aunt Ruby!"

"I wanted for you to meet my kids too," She said, "Trust me, this is just as hard on me as it is on you. But, the Moon goddess said that she had a plan for everyone, it is our job to fulfill that job. Ruby, can I ask you to do something for me?" At this point, my voice was choked out of me by sadness, so I nodded, "Name your first girl Dawn. Please?"

        

"Of course," I managed to choke out. She nodded and pulled away. I could see that even in the darkness, she was becoming transparent like mist.

        

Before she totally disappeared forever, she whispered one thing to me. Her voice sounded light and free, like wind gliding over a surface, "Remember me," and then she was gone, only a memory.

***

The morning dawn light sliced through my dreams like a knife. I opened my eyes and squinted at the window across from my bed that was half open. I felt stiff and uncomfortable, pushing myself up and looking at the clock. It read; '7:50.' I sighed. I had an hour to get ready and- I stiffened, remembering my dream.

With my sudden thoughts, I leapt from my bed and grabbed a baggy sweater and sweatpants from my suitcase that was still unpacked. I threw it on after stripping from yesterday's outfit, and raced into the bathroom. Grabbing a fluffy towel from one of the racks. I wet it and scrubbed off the bit of yesterday's makeup that still remained. With my skin bare and myself dressed, I ran a brush through my tangled hair and left it wavy and hanging around my shoulders.

I sprinted out of the bathroom, grabbed my converse that lay at the foot of my bed, snatched up my key, and raced out of the room, not even bothering to lock it behind me. As I scurried down the empty passageways, my veins pounded with icy blood that was frozen with fear. 

Did I have a nightmare, or was Dawn really dead? I couldn't imagine Dawn being dead, she had been so lively her whole life. I couldn't remember a time when we weren't together. How would I be able to cope without her by my side, reassuring me, helping me, trusting me when no one else did. I felt the bitter taste of tears in the back of my throat, but I pushed them back with a deep swallow. I would not let myself cry when Dawn needed me!"

When I burst into the lobby, the few heads that were there turned my way, a copied, confused look on each of their faces. I saw the two girls Dawn had pointed out the night prior sitting in overstuffed arm chairs in the corner. A small table separated them, but they held hands across its slicked surface. I couldn't help a smile that tickled my lips gazing at them.

Ruby, go! I reminded myself, sprinting in the direction Brandy and I had gone the night before. It was heard to believe that Dawn was healthy and like herself only one night before, and now, it looked as though she might be dead. I passed people in the halls, getting a sideways glance from each one, but ignoring them.

My red hair flew out behind me as I scurried through each hallway, eventually bursting into the room where I sat in the plastic chair yesterday. I was surprised to see that sitting in one of the chairs was Luna Celestia. Standing beside her was Alpha Luis and beside him, his son, Alpha Ryder. Brandy was leaning against the wall beside her brother, her eyes closed and her arms folded over her chest.

Luna Celestia was the first to speak. "Epsilon, why are you here?" 

"I don't know, despite the fact my best friend is dying, I decided to take a stroll," I hissed through my teeth. She narrowed her eyes at me, but stayed where she was seated, her legs crossed elegantly.

"How did you know about Dawn?" Alpha Luis asked me, clearing his throat and away with it, the tension.

"I was just coming to visit her," I lied, "I just wanted to see her."

"So you know it's true," he said, extremely sympathetically, "She might not make it."

"Of course she won't!" I hissed bitterly, "I told everyone, but they wouldn't listen. They all said she'd be fine! They lied to me! I should have never listened! Now it's too late!" 

To my surprise, Alpha Ryder spoke up next, his voice gentle, "We know you're upset. But you have to know that we'll be here for you."

"No offense Alpha," I said harshly, "But I barely know any of you. I've known Dawn my whole life and now she's going to die!"

"She might not!" Luna Celestia hissed at me, clearly annoyed with my rampage.  

"Oh but she will!" I yelled.

"How do you know?" Luna Celestia pushed herself to her feet, standing only a small bit taller than me.

"Because she told me in a dream!" I blurted. They all stared at me, silent. I stared at them all defiantly, waiting for their response.

Finally, the silent Brandy spoke up, "You know the only wolves who can talk to people in dreams are the ones who have Lunar blood, right?"

I stared at all of them, utterly stunned. How could I let my secret slip that easily? Whelp, there goes my life! Then Alpha Luis spoke up, clearing his throat again, "Is there something you would like to tell us?"

I examined the faces of everyone staring at me. My eyes passed over the slightly happy face of Luna Celestia, her eyes narrowed and a smirk playing on her lips. Alpha Luis looked calm and collected, eyes half-lidded and mouth in a straight line. I could see wrinkles in the sides of his mouth, the only sign of strain I could see. Then to Brandy, her face horrified. Her eyes were wide, her jaws gaping in a soundless scream. She had lost her cool aspect she had with her  arms folded and her eyes closed. Then, my eyes traveled to Alpha Ryder, his face slightly betrayed. But underneath the betrayal was understanding, as if he didn't blame me for something that was out of my control. 

"I have Lunar Blood in me," I said, sighing, "Look." With that, I turned so that only my claws were out and with my needle sharp claws, I sliced a small cut on the inner part of my wrist. Sure enough, like in my dream, a mixture of scarlet and silver fluid flowed from the shallow cut. I heard the gasps of astonishment from the others, but I was too mystified myself to comprehend what was actually going on.

"R-Ruby?" I looked up and Brandy was starting toward me, Luna Celestia stumbling backward. I looked up at her, wanting to race into my new friend's arms for comfort, but the Luna held her back, a look of disgust plastered on her face as she stared at me.

"Brandy, stay away from that monster," Luna Celestia spat. I reached out for Brandy, despite the Luna's words, but she slapped my hand away, sending silver-scarlet drops scattering. 

"Celestia, she's just a girl. It isn't her fault," Alpha Luis said, stepping up to stand beside his fuming mate. She whipped a dagger glare on him as he tried to place a huge hand to steady her.

"I don't care!" Luna Celestia yelled, "A wolf with Lunar blood almost destroyed this pack years ago and you're trying to tell me that this girl is any different?"

"We can't just blame her," Alpha Luis tried to reason.

"Oh yes we can!" Luna Celestia screamed, "Zy was an amazing warrior and then he tried to kill his own mate! Who says she'll do anything differently?"  

"I see your point," Alpha Luis said, defeated. I gawked at him. How could the Alpha let his Luna tell him what to do? I know that the Luna usually had some power, but the Alpha mainly made the final cuts of everything.

"Alpha please, I can't just be put in some underground cell. I haven't even had any side effects yet," I rambled, fearing that they would take me into custody right then and there.

"I never said that," Alpha Luis said, slightly amused, "But I can't just have someone with Lunar blood wandering around all free."

        

"So what are you going to do to me?" I asked bitterly.

        

"Well, there is no cure for Lunar blood except for draining all your blood, but that would kill you," he said thoughtfully, poking at his chiseled chin, "but there is a way for you to prove yourself."

        

"And what's that," I asked, still harshly.          

"Well, Zy was an amazing warrior, his strength really helped in battle. But he couldn't control his terrible rage urges. If you can balance your urges and get a mate with people still knowing you have Lunar blood, then we will set you free. But even after that if you harm anyone without a reason, we will have to take you under custody," he finished.

"But- so what you're saying is I have to find a mate with people still knowing my secret," I said incredulously, "And how am I to get near anyone without them running away in fear?"

"That's for you to figure out," Alpha Luis said. My heart plummeted in my chest. How was I supposed to make anyone - let alone my mate - like me? My mind traveled back to the night before when Ryder kissed me. I let my eyes wander over to his face that was hidden by the shadows. Surely I had no chance with him now.

My hand absently traveled to my cheek where he kissed me, my fingers brushing over the place where it felt as if a million jolts of electricity were running through my body.

I looked down at the ground, frustrated tears boiling in my eyes. "Thank you, sir, for the opportunity," was all I managed to croak out.

Before anyone could say anything else, the office door swung open, revealing a tired and tousled looking Doctor Goseg. His face was grim and I felt my tears rise higher in my eyes. I already knew before he told us the bad news, "I'm sorry, but it seems that the eighteen year-old, female, Epsilon, Dawn Gold had passed away."

I bowed my head, fearing that my tears would spill over. I heard the Alpha and Luna talking with the Doctor in hushed murmurs. It felt like forever until a firm hand planted on my back and tapped me lightly. I heard the clicking of both the Luna and Alpha's shoes disappear. I assumed that Brandy and Alpha Ryder followed them, leaving me and Doctor Goseg alone. Doctor Goseg said nothing to me, only turned around and walked back into his office with a hefty close to the door.       

My knees buckled under me, making me slump to the ground. Fat tears rolled down my cheeks and spattered across my arms - one of which was stained with dried, silver-scarlet blood. I let out ugly sobbing noises, glad that I was alone - or that is until the small rapping of boots padded over the floor.

Suddenly, I had a firm hand on my back. For a moment I thought Alpha Luis had come back for me, but when I looked up, the dark blue eyes of Alpha Ryder stared back at me, worried and concerned. I could see the dark silver flecks separated in his irises, glimmering beautifully. I knew my face was hideously red, but I couldn't stop the stream of tears that fell down my face.

        

"Alpha," I choked out, but he gently placed his pointer finger on my lips. I sobbed and hiccuped, my shoulders heaving with each sound.

"Shh," he pulled me into his chest, my face pressing gently against his chest. Despite the fact that we just met, the comfort of someone close to me provoked more tears that fell down my face and onto his shirt, staining the fabric to a darker shade. With each breath, a choking sound spilled from my lips. I was dimly aware of his muscular arms wrapping around my back to support me. I wasn't even worried about someone seeing us.

I felt myself grow drowsy, my eyelids heavy and I let my eyes flutter shut against his chest, my breathing ragged. "Alpha," I started, but he hushed me, stroking the back of my head tenderly.

"I know you're tired, so I'm taking you back to my dorm, okay?" he said, his voice so quiet I barely heard him. I nodded into him and with a small heave, he lifted me off the ground, carrying me bridal-style through the halls. I kept my eyes squeezed shut in fear of seeing someone point at me, but as soon as the light on the inside of my eyelids grew brighter, (signaling that we were in the lobby) a low growl erupted in Alpha Ryder's throat, threatening anyone to look at us off.

The walk - or in my case ride - back to Alpha Ryder's room was silent, but as soon as we turned down a silent and dark hall, I knew we were almost there. I felt Alpha Ryder release me with one arm and dig in his back pocket, probably for a key. When he opened the door of his room, the sweet smell of pine invaded my nose. I was tempted to open my eyes, but the drowsiness that was laying over my shoulders was too strong.

After a moment of standing in the doorway, Alpha Ryder walked over to the bed and gently set me down. With my eyes still closed, I let Alpha Ryder pull a fuzzy blanket over me and run a hand over my shoulder quickly before his footsteps echoed off to close the door.

I reached up, my fingers closing over the pillowcase that was grasped tightly in my grip. Still in my shoes, I let the dark wave of sleep wash over me, not even bothering to fight it off in fear of another dream.