JUST BEFORE DAWN

JUST BEFORE DAWN
DAWN

After 10 Years

“Dawwwnnnnn!”

“Dawn!”

“Aunty Deeeee!”

I groaned and stretched as the sound of little voices screaming my name down the hallway interrupted my daily nightmares.

It was officially ten years, this week, since the battle where I lost my mate Ezra. Each day had been a living hell since, and only seemed to get worse as time went on.

So much has happened since then, including me coming of age and meeting my wolf, Alina.

My brother Sawyer had constantly toured us around neighbouring packs, hoping that I’d meet my second chance mate, but all it left was a heavier weight on my chest each time I returned home alone.

With each year that went on, I’d been finding myself a little emptier and the nights a little colder.

It was this year, on my 25th Birthday that I decided to officially swear off love.

Love wasn’t supposed to be painful.

My head snapped up at the sound of my bedroom door being thrown open and crashing against the wall, as four of my favourite pups barrelled through the entrance to my room and leaped onto the bed.

“Aunty Dawnnn! It’s our Birthday!” Olive squealed, as the tiny pup jumped up and landed on my stomach.

I let out a grunt at the impact before my face cracked into a smile.

Sawyer and Cora had been blessed with not one, but two sets of twins.

Reed and Remy, were ten years old and were like mini hurricane’s who kept us on our toes.

Then there were the girls, Olive and Poppy who were turning eight today and were always giggling and smiling.

“I thought you guys had your birthday last year?” I teased and Olive and Poppy stopped jumping.

“Dawwnnnnn… You have a birthday EVERY year.” Poppy informed me seriously and I took the moment of stillness to tackle her down and ruffle her hair.

The pups squealed with delight as limbs started jumping and flying everywhere again.

I caught a glimpse of Sawyer leaning against the doorway and held my hand out to him.

“Sawyer… Need… Help… From… Pup Crush…” I begged between the bouncing.

“Ok, Ok, Birthday Breakfast has been served.” Sawyer laughed, and at the mention of food the chaos immediately raced out the door and towards the kitchen.

“How’d you sleep?” Sawyer continued to lean against my doorframe, but his face had hardened into a more serious look. He knew about my nightmares since we told each other everything.

“Same as always, Brother dearest.” I sung chirpily, even though I felt anything but happy now that the room was empty again.

His eyebrows furrowed as he studied me.

“Don’t even think about it, Sawyer.”

“We could try visitin-“ I held my hand up to stop him.

“It’s not going to happen. Ezra was my mate. I’m SO sure of it. We’ve visited countless packs and there’s been nothing. I might be destined to be alone, but I’m happy here. I have the beach, my training, my family… I’m just done.” I whispered as I felt my heart crack a little more.

“You’re not the same person you were Dawn, I don’t like seeing you like this.”

“I’m not fifteen anymore Sawyer. I’m not your baby sister. I’m an adult and this is my decision.” I argued, sick of having the same conversation over and over again.

“I know. Breakfast is downstairs when you’re ready.” He took one more look at me, before sighing and turning around and closing the door behind him.

I threw my arms above my head and allowed myself to sink further into my bed.

Pity.

That was what my life had turned into.

One big pity pit where people looked at me differently and tiptoed around me.