LOGINShare
Ensnared in the shadows
Last Updated:
2025-01-25 01:19:37
Related chapters
Bound by faith : the rise of a rejected mate Planning in the dark
Melissa’s POVI had the impression that I was weightless and floating in a sea of silver mist. Even though my body hurt, it felt distant, like a dim recollection. I looked about, attempting to figure out what was going on. The mist whirled around me, chilly and gentle but somehow reassuring."Where am I?" My voice echoed through the infinite emptiness as I whispered.In the distance, a soft light emerged, getting closer and stronger. As it got closer, I could see a figure glorious and glowing. Like the shine of the moon on a chilly, lonely night, her presence infused the room with warmth and sadness.The person said, "Melissa," in a quiet but firm voice. "At a crossroads, you are."My heart was racing as I gazed at her. "Who are you?"With piercing yet compassionate silver eyes, she answered, "I am the Moon Goddess." "Child, you have shown courage in your fight. However, your trip is far from over.I inhaled deeply as my thoughts raced. "What brings me here? What took place?With a hi
Last Updated : 2025-01-25Bound by faith : the rise of a rejected mate Melissa’s search
Melissa’s POVWith my body weightless and my heart hurting, I drifted into an odd, quiet emptiness. Through the darkness, I sensed a faint sound, like Damon's voice echoing toward me. It pulled at me, making me feel both sad and hopeful."She is still here! His voice was thunderous.I could feel his resolve, his refusal to accept the impossible, even in this limitless emptiness.As though they reverberated into the emptiness where I was imprisoned, I could feel the vibrations of the pack's anxious conversation back in the real world. Damon's voice rose once more, ferocious and uncompromising."I'm not going to let her go! He yelled.I wanted to yell back, Damon, I'm here! Keep searching for me! However, the silence of this location drowned out my voice.Next was Liora's voice, which was composed but hesitant. "Damon, we have no idea how to get in touch with her, even if she is still alive. The Void is difficult to break free from.Damon said sharply, "That doesn't matter to me." "Some
Last Updated : 2025-01-25Bound by faith : the rise of a rejected mate Liminal Space trail
Melisa’s POVI was standing in an area I hadn't been in years, and the air was icy and abrasive. It was the house I grew up in, the walls familiar but warped, like a dream I just vaguely remember. When I realized where I was, my heart began to race."No," I said, taking a step back. "Not this. Anything else than this.The shadows grew deeper as the room twisted. All of a sudden, I was not alone. My parents' features were a mix of regret and rage as they stood in front of me.My mother said, "Melissa," in a quiet but aloof voice. "You left us behind. When we most needed you, you were gone."What? I shook my head and mumbled. "That is untrue! You sided with those who harmed me, which is betrayal!"With a stern gaze, my father took a step forward. And you took off running. You ignored your family rather than dealing with the hurt.My eyes filled with tears as their words struck a deep chord. A part of me understood that what they said was true, even if I wanted to yell and dispute. I had
Last Updated : 2025-01-25Bound by faith : the rise of a rejected mate The shadows' comeback
Melissa’s POVThe silence was unsettling, and the air was heavy. Even though I couldn't see what was going on, I could sense that something sinister and off was going on.Even though I hadn't returned to reality yet, I could sense Damon and the pack's fear because of my strong bond with them.Damon's voice echoed faintly in my head, "It's happening again." There was urgency in his voice. "The shadows have returned."I felt a chill go through me. Darkness? The creatures of the Void? I believed I had halted them.I could only observe from my position in the transitional area. The moonlight illuminated the tense faces of the pack as they gathered in the forest. I could see Damon was struggling to keep his composure as he stood in the middle, his broad shoulders squared."Everyone, stay close," Damon ordered. His voice was strong, but I knew him well enough to hear the fracture in his resolve.Kael, ever the dutiful Beta, stepped beside him. “They’re stronger this time,” he replied solemn
Last Updated : 2025-01-25Bound by faith : the rise of a rejected mate Intermittent in two worlds
Melissa’s POVWhen I opened my eyes, I saw that I was standing in an odd, warped environment. There was an unearthly glow in the air, and it felt heavy. Although it appeared to be a dream, it felt more genuine than it was. Vibrant shards of my memories warm times spent with Damon, my pack, and the serene woodland I had called home filled half of it. Whispers of the Void and whirling shadows filled the other half, which was oppressively cold."What is this location? I whispered, circling back and forth to try to make sense of everything.A voice slithered into my ear, smooth and almost calming. "Melissa, this is where your worlds collide.""Who's there? With a quivering voice, I demanded. With caution, I took a step forward, my feet digging a little into the unfamiliar, throbbing ground.The dark, knowing voice laughed. "You are familiar with me. The Void is me. Nevertheless, I am you. I'm the strength to put things right, the power you've always wanted. Allow me to assist you."No," I
Last Updated : 2025-01-25Bound by faith : the rise of a rejected mate The moon goddess warning
Melisa’s POVA faint golden light flickered behind my eyelids as I slowly woke up. My head throbbed, and my body felt heavier than stone."Hey, Melissa! She’s waking up!” Damon’s voice rang out, full of relief and urgency.I opened my eyes to find Damon, Liora, and Kael crouched beside me. The entire pack was crowded around, their faces furrowed with worry. Damon’s hand was warm against mine, grounding me in the moment.“Where am I?” I croaked, my throat dry.“You’re safe,” Damon murmured, his piercing blue eyes scrutinizing my face. “You fainted after the battle with the shadows.”Before I could reply, a tremendous surge of wind blew across the camp. It wasn’t natural, this wind carried it with a sensation of strength that made the hair on the back of my neck stand on end.The air shimmered, and a figure began to appear in front of us, enveloped in a gentle silver light. The pack collectively gasped, sinking to their knees.“It’s her,” Liora whispered. “The Moon Goddess.”I scrambled
Last Updated : 2025-01-25Bound by faith : the rise of a rejected mate The dark journey
Melisa’s POVWhen we left at daybreak, the air was clear but heavy, with the sun just beginning to peek through the thick fog that held onto the woodland. I felt as though the weight of the Void itself was bearing down on me with every stride.Damon shouted from the front, his voice tight and cautious, "Stay close." "The forest is not as dead as it looks."With his sword resting on his shoulder, Kael snorted behind me. One way to describe it is "alive." I'd describe it as hostile.Liora strolled alongside me, her gaze sweeping the area. "Something feels off here. It appears the Void had permeated the actual land.With a knot in my stomach, I nodded. The woodland wasn't the only area. With every step I took, I could sense the Void's presence intensifying, its murmurs becoming more intrusive and persistent.It whispered in my brain, "You're putting them in danger." Now turn around, Melissa. Save them the suffering.I gave a strong shake of my head, attempting to ignore the voice. I whis
Last Updated : 2025-01-25Bound by faith : the rise of a rejected mate The temple of curses
Melisa’s POVEven more horrific than the tales had told was the cursed mountain range. Above us, jagged peaks rose into the sky and vanished behind dense, black clouds that whirled furiously. Whispers that seemed to come out of nowhere were carried by a chilly wind that howled through the rocky terrain.I encircled myself with my arms, attempting to ignore the cold and the unsettling noises. I replied, my voice scarcely heard over the wind, "This place feels alive."Damon said, approaching me, "It's not alive." "The Void is deceiving you."Liora narrowed her eyes toward the sky. "Those aren't natural clouds. Their purpose is to keep us at bay.Lightning flashed across the sky as if on cue, striking the earth perilously near us. I stumbled, barely catching myself as the ground rocked."This isn't possible!" Kael yelled. "How are we going to overcome this?"Despite my heart racing in my chest, I firmly stated, "We have to keep going." "This is the temple. I sense it.Damon's forehead wa
Last Updated : 2025-01-25
Latest chapter
Bound by faith : the rise of a rejected mate Facing the past
Melissa’s POVI felt the weight of the truth like a mountain.This cycle had begun with me.Everything: the suffering, the loss, the never-ending cycle of fate—I was solely to blame.My hands were shivering as I sat on the chilly stone floor.Damon had not returned.I was by myself thinking.And I heard the voice of my former self."You are unable to change who you are."No.That was not acceptable to me.I needed to figure out how to shatter this.However, how?I felt my heart thumping and gripped my chest."What should I do?" I said.A sorrowful, quiet voice answered."You have to make a decision."I pivoted.In front of me was the oracle.Time itself weighed heavily on her beautiful blue eyes, and her long silver hair flowed like water.I took a deep breath. "What do you choose?"She took a step forward."You have to rewrite the past to break the cycle," she stated.I scowled. "Rewrite?"She gave a nod."You have to take back what you did."My thoughts were racing as I blinked.Wa
Bound by faith : the rise of a rejected mate Prior life
Melissa’s POVDarkness.Then—A gentle wind.Slowly, I opened my eyes.Everything around me had changed.I was no longer in the temple.I was in a magnificent hall that was higher than anything I had ever seen. Overhead, I could see golden chandeliers glimmering across the marble floors. Strange symbols were engraved on tall pillars that lined the walls.I lowered my look to myself.My outfit was heavy, with gold embroidery and luxurious silk.My fingertips were coated in jewels.I wasn't myself.I let out a gasp. "Where am I?"Behind me came a strong voice."My Queen."I whirled—and stopped.Damon was standing there.However, he was... unique.He wore a platinum clip to secure his longer hair. His eyes were colder and darker. He was dressed in an armour-lined robe of gold and black that shone in the candlelight.Unreadable, he looked at me.I got a chill from something about him.He stepped closer and said, "Melissa," with ease. "Are you ill?"I stepped back. "I..."What should I hav
Bound by faith : the rise of a rejected mate The coming of age
Melissa’s POVThere was silence in the air.I was having trouble breathing.Damon's golden eyes were dimly gleaming as he stood in front of me.He remained still.He merely looked.Through me, not at me.I took a measured stride forward. "Damon?"No answer.His fingers twitched as if he were struggling with something inside of him, and his body tightened.Then all of a sudden—His body gave a powerful jerk.His breath came in rough gasps as he gripped his chest.Deep within him sounded a rumbling growl.I hurried over to join him. "Damon, what is going on?"His jaw was so clinched that it appeared painful when he shook his head.“I—” He gulped and clutched my arm as if it were a lifeline. It's excessive. I have no control over it.I could feel the heat rising beneath his fingers.He got burns on his skin.Despite my wince, I didn't back down.I begged, "You have to fight it."His breath became laboured. "I don't know who I am anymore, Melissa."Fear took hold of my chest."You're Damo
Bound by faith : the rise of a rejected mate A heart brake away
Melissa’s POV"Damon!" I shook him as I yelled.He was chilly. He breathed shallowly.“Remain with me—no, no, no!” Even when I applied pressure to his wound, his blood continued to flow.He hardly moved his chest. He fluttered his lashes.The world seemed to be sliding away from me.My voice broke as I said quietly, "You must wake up." "You said you would."Damon made a feeble attempt at a smile. "I'm exhausted, Melissa."I shook my head, "No." "You are not allowed to feel fatigued. You cannot abandon me.I gave him all of my energy in an attempt to heal him.My hands sparkled with golden light. However—It wasn't functioning.The injury persisted.His complexion became paler.I was in a panic.I made another attempt, pushing harder and using all of my remaining strength.Nothing."No," I said.In the wreckage of the temple came a slow laugh.The Harbinger watched from the shadows. Unmoved.With ease, he stated, "He cannot exist in this world." "His destiny has already been decided."
Bound by faith : the rise of a rejected mate The fury of the harbinger
Melissa’s POVAll around us, darkness swirled. With their hollow eyes shining dimly and their whispers filling the air, the lost souls emerged from the emptiness.I clenched my chest, attempting to ignore the unsettling whispers. Every syllable sent shivers down my spine like ice."I lost... I forgot. Doomed.Damon gripped his blade more tightly. "Remain close, Melissa."Like a tide of hopelessness, the lost souls glided toward us rather than walking. Their spectral hands grabbed for my flesh, and as soon as they made contact, memories that weren't mine exploded in my head.The scream of a lady.A fighter going down on his knees.It was an already lost war.I gasped and staggered back.Damon took hold of my wrist. "Hey, Melissa! What's the matter?With blurred eyesight, I gripped his arm. "These souls—they're more than just spirits." I trembled when I spoke. They resembled us. Warriors from earlier cycles.Damon tightened his jaw. "Then they didn't succeed."The closest lost soul scre
Bound by faith : the rise of a rejected mate A shifted world
Melissa’s POVA chilly, stinging wind slapped my skin, and I struggled for breath. I opened my eyes and discovered that I was on firm ground. Grass. Trees. The scent of rain. We had returned."Damon?" With my heart racing, I turned to my side.He moaned and sat up next to me. "I'm here," he said. There was a spark of bewilderment in his silver eyes. "Are we... home?"I took a look around. As we left it, the city appeared in the distance. However, something seemed... strange.I said, "We should go," and got to my feet. Despite my trembling legs, I pushed forward. "We need to see if—"Damon took hold of my wrist. "I'm Melissa. There's a problem."I understood his meaning perfectly. The air had a new feel. Less heavy? More substantial? I was unable to tell.We made it swiftly to the city gates, but my breath caught when we entered.It was too quiet on the streets. The colors were brighter, and the stores appeared more recent. Nobody glanced at us as they passed us.Damon tensed up next t
Bound by faith : the rise of a rejected mate The truth of life after death
Melissa’s POVMy surroundings became hazy, fluctuating between darkness and brightness. As though the realm itself breathed around us, the air seemed heavy.And my mother was in front of me.It was so unbelievable to me. "You... Have you visited here? All this time?Both sadness and warmth were in her eyes when they met mine. "Yes, my kid. I have kept an eye on you from a distance.My throat constricted. "Why? Why didn't you return?With a sigh, she took a step forward. "Because I was unable to."Damon, standing next to me, stiff. "What do you mean?"She ignored me, lost in the infinite emptiness of this world. "Melissa, this is a prison. A place of the forgotten. There is no way out once you're inside.A shiver went down my back. "So, how have we arrived here?"She faced me once again. "Because you are unique."I scowled. "In a different way?"She lowered her voice. "You weren't supposed to go down the same route as your predecessors. You were supposed to make all the difference.I g
Bound by faith : the rise of a rejected mate The forgetting realms
Melissa’s POVI felt weightless as soon as the portal engulfed us.Everything blurred as cold air rushed past me. Even though we didn't move at all, it felt like we were falling.I firmly grasped Damon's hand. "Where are we heading?"His resolute golden eyes locked with mine. "I won't let go, wherever it may be."Light burst around us before I could reply.We were jerked forward by a sudden pull and hit soft ground with a hard thud.I sat up, gasping. Something I couldn't identify was heavy and thick in the air. Beside me, Damon moaned and rubbed his head."Are you alright?" I inquired.He nodded, pushing himself up. “Yeah. But where the hell are we?”I took a look around.The sky was a deep shade of violet, streaked with gold. Strange silver trees surrounded us, their foliage shimmering softly. A tranquil river flowed close, reflecting the glittering sky.It was beautiful. But… incorrect.Everything was too still. Too perfect.I took a swallow. “This place… it feels…”Damon’s gaze cl
Bound by faith : the rise of a rejected mate Dismantling the pattern
Melissa’s POVAs he held the sword over Damon's heart, Astrael's golden eyes shone. Thick and oppressive, the dark energy flowed all about us. My hands were shaking, and I was breathing quickly and shallowly."Make a decision, Melissa." Even though his voice was gentle, I shuddered at the malice in it. "Watch your beloved perish, or be my queen."Damon's face contorted in agony as he fought against the magic that restrained him. "Don't—" says Melissa.My eyes were burning with tears. I yelled with all my strength to save him. However, I was aware that allowing Astrael to win would result in my permanent loss of identity.I balled my fists up. No.With a louder voice than I had anticipated, I declared, "I won't let you control me."Astrael's forehead raised. "Is that correct?"As he brought the sword closer to Damon's chest, the air crackled. "Then, I hope you're ready to face the repercussions.""No!" Something snapped inside me as I screamed.Deep within my spirit, a powerful wave of
