Breaking The Bond

My stomach rumbled as I made my way back into the DeLuca household. I could hear that the Delucas were in the living room discussing something, but no matter how hard I strained my ears, I could not make out their words.

I quietly crept into the kitchen and prepared a sandwich and cup of milk to quench my hunger and thirst. My wolf was so weak that, for some reason, I believed eating as well as I could to at least help her regain some strength.

"I want a word with you." Luca suddenly appeared and harshly grabbed my arm, yanking me backward so I could face him. "You know, Serafina, rejecting a fated mate is taboo. Do you think the Alpha Council will not look kindly on such a broken bond?"

My heart pounded in my chest as he spoke those words. 

Did he believe that?

"Luca, I... what do you expect me to do? You don't even want to touch me. I wanted this bond more than you wanted. I tried so much, yet you can stand there and blame me for our broken bond." My eyes widened in disbelief as he pulled my fertility supplements from his pocket. He had been rifling through my stuff and found them. I thought I had hidden them well, but now he had them. I was sure there was a flicker of guilt on his face for a split second. 

"I believe the moon goddess made a huge mistake in pairing the likes of you with my wonderful son." Shannon DeLuca appeared behind Luca, and she jeered at me. My heart sank at the sight of her. She smirked, a satisfied glint in her piercing blue eyes. I could see she made no effort to hide the glee in her tone; it was evident from the start that she had never liked me. She never wanted her son to have me beside him. Of course, she would be delighted to get rid of me. Luca stood tall, glaring at me with his muscular arms over his chest. He did not even attempt to argue against his mother's cruel jibes towards me. I knew he agreed with her thoughts. 

"I believe your son is in denial of the mate bond." I turned to her sneering face and dared to respond. Luca's face remained blank, cold and emotionless. His eyes bore into me.

"You bitch, get her away from my sight," Shannon DeLuca grunted and turned to walk away leaving me alone with Luca.

I wanted this bond; I wanted him, yet how much more of the betrayal and rejection could I handle? Did he not see how sick his actions were making me? He was slowly killing me, and it hurt me to know how little he cared about me. I felt exposed and trapped, like a rat caught in a rabbit hole. 

"Luca, you never loved me. Why don't you admit it instead of causing me all this suffering?" I searched his eyes for a hint of remorse, but it was like trying to find a needle in a haystack.

Feeling defeated, I turned on my heel and ran down the hall, shoving those in my way aside. I ignored their shouts and carried on running. This place was not a home to me; it was my worst nightmare. 

I fled towards my childhood sanctuary—Nonna Lucia's forest cottage. I felt safe there, free from judgment, pain, or hatred. The familiarity of the woods and surroundings overwhelmed me like a blanket on a cold winter. 

The second crossed over Lucia's threshold. Threshold was at the door, greeting me with a warm smile. Striding towards me, she enveloped me in a hug. Nonna Lucia was a woman of wisdom and healing. She had me there for me throughout my childhood and until this day as a grown woman. She treated me better than anyone. There was no judgment in her eyes, only understanding and love. 

"Come to me, my child. You are safe now." She pulled me close after seeing the hollowness and sadness radiating from me.

That night, sleep overtook me. I was exhausted and unable to keep my eyes open when my head hit the satin pillow. But even in sleep, there was no escape from my reality. The Silent Moon curse crept into every inch of my mind. I awoke the following day to the bright red stain on my pillow. 

Blood. 

Lunaria, my wolf, stirred within me. I knew she was getting weaker, fading away from me like grains of sand slipping through my fingers. 

"Lunaria, stay with me. Please, I cannot bear to lose you as well." I whispered, clutching my sides as if it were going to stop her from fading so quickly. 

"We cannot give up now." 

"Serafina, I am here." Her voice echoed in my mind. It was faint, but there for now. "We are weak without him, Serafina. The mate bond is crucial."

I felt a pain ripple down the side of me, causing me to cry out loudly. "Lunaria, please," I begged her, but she did not respond this time. I knew this curse was getting stronger every day that passed me by. Soon, I would be nothing but a withering branch. Luca DeLuca was the reason for this.

Nonna rushed to my bedside and wrapped me in her arms. "Serafina, you need to be strong. Do not let the DeLucas take any more from your life. I am here for you. Always." Nonna assured me, kissing my forehead as I buried my head into her. I closed my eyes and said a silent prayer to the Moon Goddess. 

"You must drink this," Nonna said, pulling out a small vial and placing it in my trembling hands. I opened my mouth to refuse, but she shook her head. "I will not take no for an answer, my beautiful girl., I refuse to sit by and see you suffer this way. It will fortify your spirit."