~Trouble~

EIRA

It felt like a moment when everything just… stopped.

Kian’s hand was still wrapped around mine, the crowd was still cheering like this was some magical love story—but all I heard was noise. My heartbeat echoed louder than anything else.

And somewhere in that silence, it hit me like a slap across the face—I couldn’t do this.

Not for the pack. Not for tradition. Not for my mother’s tearful smile or my father’s place as a beta.

Definitely not for him. It felt like my lungs were too small for air.

I looked up at Kian, and all I saw was a stranger. Hiding betrayal behind pretty words and perfect hair.

His eyes searched mine, waiting for my response. He expected me to say the words. To seal everything like none of it—her—had ever happened.

But instead, I whispered, just for him, “I remember.”

Then I let go of his hand. The pack didn’t notice at first. Kian did. His smile twitched, unsure. It was a crack in the porcelain. He knew what I meant by that. I took a step back. Then another.

My mom stood up halfway from her seat, eyes wide. My dad’s jaw tensed. They saw it coming. I think a part of them always knew I wasn’t built to be quiet and obedient.

And then—I turned around and walked away. Caring less about what any of them had to say.

Right in the middle of my own damn mating ceremony. No speech. No dramatic monologue. Just the soft sweep of my dress through the grass and the sound of every jaw dropping in unison.

Gasps rippled behind me. Whispers filled my ears.

“Did she just—”

“She left him?”

“Is this part of the ceremony?”

Oh, I left him all right. Left him standing there in his perfect little fairytale moment with a perfect little lie on his lips.

My heels hit the edge of the forest path, and I didn’t look back. Not when someone called my name, not when my heart threatened to beat right out of my chest.

He had his chance. He chose someone else—my sister. Now he got to watch me walk away.

Let them talk. Let them spiral. Tonight, Eira the golden girl, the obedient daughter, the future Luna—she died under the full moon.

And the girl who walked into those woods?

She was done being anyone’s good little storybook ending.

“She went feral.”

“Her wolf rejected her—can you imagine?”

“I bet she’s cursed. That’s what happens when you walk out on the Moon Goddess’s will.”

It was laughable, really. The way they twisted the story into something palatable for their gossip-addicted mouths. They needed me to be the villain—because the goddess forbid the golden girl had a mind of her own.

I finally got to my bedroom and without waiting, I started packing up some things I'll need. I needed to leave before my mother or father got the chance to stop me.

I was at it when Ivy burst in, wide-eyed and breathless. Ivy is my best friend and I knew she would want to know everything.

“Eira. What the actual hell was that?!”

I didn’t look up from my suitcase. “You saw it.”

“I did,” she snapped. “Which is why I’m here! You walked out in the middle of the mating ceremony. People are losing their minds. Kian hasn’t moved from the altar.”

“Good,” I muttered, zipping the bag. “Let him sit in the wreckage he built.”

She flopped onto my bed, dramatic as ever. “Do you even know where you’re going?”

“Rogue territory.”

Her head shot up. “Are you on drugs? You’ll be torn apart in twenty minutes!”

“Then maybe they’ll do me the favor.” I met her gaze. “But I’m not staying here, Ivy. Not after what he did. Not after they all looked at me like I owed them my soul.”

She blinked, silent for once. “You’re serious.”

“Dead serious.” I yanked open my dresser. “I’m done playing Luna Barbie. I’m done performing for a pack that wouldn’t spit on me if I was on fire.”

“But Eira… your wolf—”

“She’s still with me,” I snapped. “Louder than ever. She’s not the one who walked away. I am.”

Ivy sat up, voice smaller now. “What if you regret it?”

“I already regret staying this long.”

We stood in silence while I shoved the last of my things into a backpack.

“Don’t you at least wanna punch Kian before you go?” she asked hopefully.

I almost smiled. “Tempting. But no. That’d mean I care enough to get close.”

I slung the bag over my shoulder. Ivy followed me downstairs, barefoot and fuming.

“You're going to disappear and let them control the narrative?” she hissed.

“No,” I said, pausing at the door. “I’m going to disappear… and make them miss the girl they tried to break.”

The porch light buzzed above me.

“You know you can’t come back from this,” Ivy said, her voice cracking. “They won’t forgive you.”

“Good,” I said over my shoulder. “I didn’t ask for forgiveness.”

Then I stepped into the night, the scent of freedom mixing with the sting of betrayal. I didn’t look back.

I walked towards the rogue territory as my destination. I had no plan whatsoever. Just the sound of my boots crunching on the gravel. The night air was cold, sharp, like the universe was trying to slap sense into me. But I didn’t stop. I couldn’t.

Streetlights thinned out. The road narrowed. Then it wasn’t a road at all—it was dirt. I didn’t even realize when I stepped off the main path. I was just... gone in my thoughts.

I looked around and it was all trees. I pulled my hoodie tighter and kept going, praying for a signal. My phone was a useless slab of glass.

“Ivy’s right,” I muttered. “I am insane.”

The forest got denser. The air became heavier. My wolf stirred, uneasy, but she said nothing.

Something crunched behind me and I froze.

“Hello?” My voice cracked.

No one answered. I spun around, my eyes scanned the branches of trees, leaves, pitch-black nothingness. “It’s just animals. Chill. You’re fine. You’re not in a horror movie, Eira.” I spoke to myself.

But my breath began to hitch. It felt like there was a lump in my throat. I didn’t know where I was. I didn’t know how long I’d been walking.

I was definitely lost. Utterly, completely and terrifyingly lost.

Then I felt a killing pain on my head. Something was slammed into my head. Pain exploded at the back of my skull.