Skylar’s POV
I stood at the edge of the forest, staring at the Crescent Moon Pack grounds from the shadows. My heart was heavy with a weight I had carried for years-a burden born of betrayal, power, and regret. The whole betrayal thing had scarred me, it drove me to chase power to fill the void left. In the process, I had betrayed everyone, hurt Shenaya, and nearly destroyed everything I once held dear, just because of Andrew’s fuel for power.
I feel so lonely, I live in isolation, no one talks to me, and I live as a shadow that was why I insisted on having Zoey around. Deep down I want to have a purpose too, I wanted respect but all the power I possess right now keeps radiating without using it. Watching the Roux and the Casaer family from afar for years, I could see the consequences of my actions. Aiden was no longer the man I once wanted. Shenaya, his chosen Luna, had become the Alpha I never thought she could be, so strong, commanding, and loved by the pack. And I, a rogue in spirit if not in the title, was left to pick up the pieces of a life I had shattered.
This wasn’t how it was supposed to end. This isn’t my life.
After Aiden woke up and failed to remember Shenaya, something shifted inside me. When I visited him in the hospital, I thought I felt triumph seeing him recognize me instead of her. But that fleeting moment of victory was drowned in guilt when I saw Shenaya’s face which was a mix of heartbreak and devastation.
I didn’t want to admit it then, but deep down, I knew. Aiden’s connection to me wasn’t love, it was a desperate grasp for something familiar in the haze of his broken memory. Something I did to him myself. He didn’t truly want me. He wanted the life he couldn’t remember, the one Shenaya had built with him.
For the first time in years, I asked myself: Who was I, if not Aiden’s fated mate? What was I living for, if not for revenge, power and to destroy everything Aiden and Shenaya had built over the years? And truth be told I wasn’t anything more. I used to be Skylar The Great in my Pack. I used to be an inspiration to many wolves as I was the only female Beta in the whole of Rome. They all looked up to me.
Now what happened? Where is that Skylar?
I couldn’t ignore the burning questions any longer so I returned to the pack, stepping cautiously onto the territory I once called my home. The warriors at the border stiffened at my presence but they allowed me to pass after a long, tense pause.
Hanna, the new Beta met me at the packhouse door, her expression was unreadable. She doesn’t look the way I remembered her, she is now older and more beautiful. She was regal and commanding, You can tell she isn’t as fragile as she looks.
“Skylar,” she said, her voice steady, though her eyes betrayed her curiosity and wariness. “Why are you here?”
“I need to talk to Albert,” I said, though the words tasted bitter. “And… to everyone in the inner circle.”
She tilted her head, considering me for a long moment before stepping aside. “You’ll find Albert in the training fields. As for us… we’ll listen. But don’t expect kindness from any of us.”
I nodded and made my way to the training field. Of course, I knew this wasn’t going to be easy in the first place. I betrayed them. Hannah used to be my best friend. We were 5 friends and we called ourselves the inner circle member. We were all witches but I had the most power because my mother gave me her powers.
I found Albert in the training fields, sparring with Lax, his brother. His movements were sharp but lacked the fluidity I remembered.
“Albert,” I called out.
He turned, his eyes narrowing as they landed on me. There was no warmth, no recognition-only a guarded curiosity.
“It’s Alpha Albert for strangers,” he said sternly, “What do you want?” he asked, wiping sweat from his brow.
“I came to talk,” I said, stepping closer. “About us.”
“There is no us, Skylar.” His voice was flat, his gaze unwavering. “Whatever connection we had ended the moment you betrayed me and this pack.”
I flinched at the harsh truth, but I pressed on.
“I am one of your most valuable pack members and I have done good things in this pack too in the past.”
He sighed, his shoulders slumping slightly.
“That is the only reason why you are still standing here with your heart intact.” he said and with the look on his face I could tell he was telling the truth “Now, what do you want?”
I swallowed the lump in my throat because I was so speechless.
“You’re a shadow of our past in this pack, Skylar. Nothing more.”
“I’m sorry” was all I could manage to say, he didn’t listen to the rest of my apologies before he stormed off.
Later that day, I found Hannah in her office, poring over pack reports. She looked up as I entered, her eyes wary.
“You’ve spoken to Alpha Albert,” she said, more a statement than a question.
“Yes,” I admitted and took a seat across from her. “And I owe you an apology.”
Her brows shot up in surprise, but she said nothing, waiting for me to continue.
“I wanted power, and I was willing to destroy anyone in my way to get it,” I said, my voice trembling. “I hurt you. I betrayed Albert and I put this pack in danger, all because I was greedy.”
Hannah leaned back in her chair, crossing her arms.
“And now? What do you want?”
“I don’t know,” I admitted, tears stinging my eyes. “But I want to make amends. I want to fix what I’ve broken if that’s even possible.”
She studied me for a long moment before speaking.
“Trust isn’t given; it’s earned. If you’re serious about making amends, you’ll have to prove it-every day. I’ll talk to Alpha Albert”
Earning the pack’s trust was harder than I imagined. Warriors eyed me suspiciously, and elders whispered as I passed, but I didn’t give up.
I started small by helping with patrols, assisting in the kitchens, and tending to the injured. Slowly, some pack members began to soften, they offered tentative smiles and nods.
Hannah, true to her word talked to Albert, they gave me no special treatment but they also didn’t stand in my way, they allowed me the space to prove myself.
I apologized to my group of friends which included Albert, Hannah, Lax, and Saffy. They all accepted my apology but things weren’t the same with us. I was no longer in the circle.
One day, as I helped fortify the training grounds, Lax approached me.
“You’ve surprised me,” he said, as as he leaned against the fence.
“Is that a compliment?” I asked, raising an eyebrow.
“Don’t push your luck,” he said, but there was a hint of a smile on his lips. And for that moment, I was proud of myself.
As weeks turned into months, I found a new purpose within the pack. I wasn’t looked at as the betrayer or the Beta anymore, but I was something else: a healer, a protector, and a friend to some lone wolves.
One evening, as the sun dipped below the horizon, Hannah approached me.
“You’ve changed,” she said, her tone was neutral but her eyes were thoughtful.
“I had to,” I said simply.
“Maybe there’s hope for you after all.” She nodded, a small smile tugging at her lips. I didn’t know what she meant but I was happy she could see the positive change in me. I wished I could go back in time to change things.
My redemption was tested when a rogue pack attacked Our territory. During the chaos, I found myself cornered by a group of rogues, outnumbered and outmatched.
But then, the inner circle appeared, fighting by my side. Together, we drove the rogues back, our teamwork was seamless and it reminded me of when we used to practice together.
After the battle, as we stood amidst the carnage, Hannah looked at me with something close to respect.
“You’ve earned your place here,” she said with a firm voice.
Though I knew things were never going to be the same I was happy knowing that they could at least put a little trust in me again by giving me this chance to prove myself. I found my happiness in serving the pack and rebuilding the bridges I had burned.
For the first time in years, I felt whole.