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The price of power
Last Updated:
2024-11-29 20:19:46
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Bound by faith : the rise of a rejected mate The final choice
Melissa’s POVWith my troop gathered behind me, I stood at the ceremonial location amid a tense atmosphere. Beneath my feet, the light circle of ancient symbols pulsed softly, reflecting the irregular beating of my heart. Whispering threats and promises, the dark energy whirled menacingly around us.The voice of The Void, chilly and deep like a winter wind, came to me then. "There is nothing to be afraid of, Melissa. I will relieve you of this weight if you embrace me. No foretelling. No effort. Just power.The image of me triumphantly standing free from anxieties and regulations flashed before my eyes. The temptation was nearly overwhelming for a time.The Void urged, "You don't have to fight anymore.""Hey, Melissa! Through the fog, Damon's voice could be heard. I turned to see his furious eyes as he stepped closer. "Avoid listening to it. Neither you nor the pack are important to that beast. All it wants is control.Dennis also moved forward. "Damon is correct. But… I also understa
Last Updated : 2024-11-29Bound by faith : the rise of a rejected mate Brocken relationship
Melissa’s POVEven though the morning air was clear, I didn't feel particularly renewed. Like the weight of my secret, a heavy feeling of anxiety hung over me. The symbol on my wrist served as a constant reminder of everything I had lost, including my link to my wolf."Melissa, the patrols reported back," Damon stated as he came up to me close to the exercises. His sharp eyes scanned mine, as though seeking the answers I wouldn't provide. "There's been movement along the northern border. Nothing conclusive, but it’s... strange."I nodded while maintaining a composed attitude. "We’ll increase the patrols. Strange doesn’t mean dangerous. Not yet."Damon's doubt was evident as he arched an eyebrow. "You’ve been distracted. Are you sure you’re okay to lead?"I had to keep my composure even though his inquiry felt like a dagger to my chest. "Of course. I’m fine, Damon. Just tired."Dennis came over, clipboard in hand, his normally calm manner tinged with worry. "Melissa, you missed the pac
Last Updated : 2024-11-29Bound by faith : the rise of a rejected mate The whispering shadow
Melissa’s POVI was startled awake by Lydia's scream, which cut through the silence of the healer's hut. She was sitting up in bed, her eyes wide with fear, when I hurried into the room.Lydia! I called as I moved in closer. "You're secure now. What took place?"Her eyes were frighteningly blank as she turned to face me. Melissa, I witnessed it. I witnessed the reality."The reality? I hesitantly questioned, looking at Damon, who had followed me in, with concern. "What's the truth?"She gripped the blanket hard and shook her head. "The Void still exists. It is observing us and awaiting its opportunity. You've only strengthened it, even though you believe you've halted it.Dennis moved to Lydia's side and softly murmured, "Calm down, Lydia." "You're worn out. You should get some rest."No! She yelled, raising her voice. "You're not getting it. It revealed to me the lineage, the falsehoods, and the darkness.I went cold. Bloodline? Which lineage?"Lydia pointed at me, her hands shaking.
Last Updated : 2024-11-29Bound by faith : the rise of a rejected mate A Broken really
Melissa’s POVAs the pack started their regular activities, there was a noticeable tension in the early air. Their gazes were on me, and I could feel them getting heavier with each one. Both they and I were aware that something was amiss.In the meeting room, Dennis and Damon were going through rogue movement notes and maps. I forced myself to concentrate and joined them."What have you discovered? I asked, maintaining a steady tone of voice despite the knot in my stomach.Damon's jaw clenched as he looked up. A renegade leader is active in the shadows. They're trying to revive The Void, but we don't yet have a name for it.Dennis added, indicating a location on the map. This is close to the border. This is where they are most active. This person, whoever they are, is organizing the rogues for a major cause.I balled my fists up. "We must prevent them from succeeding. Unwilling to complete the notion, I trailed off, "If The Void regains its strength."Damon gave a nod. For this reason
Last Updated : 2024-11-29Bound by faith : the rise of a rejected mate The forgotten blood line
Melissa’s POVI turned the pages of my mother's journal for what seemed like the hundredth time while perched on the edge of my bed. Just as I remembered her aroma, the faded leather had a subtle lavender scent. But like pieces of a puzzle, I couldn't figure out, the words inside were aloof, enigmatic, and frigid.Then I sensed it, a faint ridge under a page. I ran my trembling fingers over the edge. Is it possible? I carefully pressed down on the ridge, and a secret chamber inside the diary slid open with a gentle click.There was a small, worn key and a folded piece of parchment inside. As I unfurled the map, which was dotted with ragged lines, strange symbols, and an X in the middle, my heart raced. Instructions were written in my mother's exquisite handwriting beneath the map:Find the Relic concealed in the Cave of Echoes to learn the truth about The Forgotten Bloodline. Only sincere people are allowed entry."What did you discover? I was surprised by Damon's voice.He was leanin
Last Updated : 2024-11-29Bound by faith : the rise of a rejected mate The relic’s secrets
Melissa’s POVIt appears the cave's air had its heartbeat. Faint echoes bounced off the ragged walls with each step we took. The route was illuminated by the dim symbols on my wrist, but the whirling darkness surrounding us gave the impression that everything was either a nightmare or a dream."Watch your step," I said quietly. "We have no idea what awaits us within this space."Dennis boldly declared, "I'll go first," and took a step forward. "I'd rather set traps than allow you to be harmed if there are any.""That's brave of you," Damon said, remaining beside me, "but don't be careless. We won't be able to get through this cave easily if it is as old as it appears.A slight rumble began beneath our feet, as though the cave had heard what he had to say."What was that? Gripping Damon's arm, I muttered.Dennis stopped. "I believe we will soon find out."The ground suddenly moved, and jagged stone spears sprang up from the ground, just avoiding Dennis."Go! More spikes exploded all ar
Last Updated : 2024-11-29Bound by faith : the rise of a rejected mate The test of the guardian
Melissa’s POVAll around us, the blackness seemed to go on forever. I held on to Damon's hand, which grounded me in the space. I couldn't see Dennis, but I could hear his voice faintly."Hey, Melissa! Damon! You're where?""We're here! I yelled back, but the darkness seemed to drown out what I had to say.We left the cave abruptly as a dazzling light burst through the darkness. In a clearing with tall trees and their branches moving strangely despite the calm air, I stood by myself."Where am I? I turned around and said.Around me, the Guardian's booming voice rumbled. Melissa, this is your trial. You must confront your worst fears to demonstrate that you are deserving of the truth.I went cold. My worst anxieties? What was meant by that?The trees started to change before I could ask, their bark bending into faces, faces I knew. First to appear was my mother's face, with a severe and disapproving frown."You let me down," she remarked icily. "You let the pack down."I shook my head,
Last Updated : 2024-12-10Bound by faith : the rise of a rejected mate Worthy of power
Melissa’s POVThe weight of the judgments that still needed to be taken seemed to be weighing down the air in the room. The mark on my wrist pulsed softly, as if alive, and I tightened my hands. Dennis and Damon were standing beside me, their eyes determined and worried.I said in a firm voice, "I'll do it.""No, Melissa! Damon yelled. "This danger is not necessary for you to take. We can figure out another method.I looked him in the eyes and said, "There isn't another way." "You listened to the guardian." I have to carry this responsibility. The pack might be gone forever if I don't come forward.Dennis took a step closer and shook his head. "You constantly give up yourself so easily. However, have you considered the costs this time?"“I have.” I took a big breath to regain my composure. But first comes the pack. It has always done so and always will.Cold and unflinching, the guardian's voice rumbled from the darkness. "You exhibit bravery, but you don't realize how dangerous you a
Last Updated : 2024-12-10
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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
