Ch 14 - No Choice

Ruby POV

The mirror reflected a girl I barely recognized, with hollow eyes and lips trembling with guilt. I had given in to Gabe again, letting him touch me, letting the bond do its wicked work. It was only a matter of time before I'd do anything for him, like a puppet on his strings. The fate bond that bound us felt like shackles around my soul, controlling my every desire.

I glanced back down at the old, leather-bound book Grandpa Seb had given me. It was filled with spells and charms, including the one he used to hide my mark and suppress the call of my mate. My hands shook with determination as I pored over the pages. The spell was intricate but manageable. I needed to gather the ingredients and practice the incantation, just in case I had to strengthen it. The thought of facing Gabe again, of losing control, filled me with self-loathing.

As I sat on the edge of my bed, the door swung open with a brisk knock. Sheila strutted in, her face alight with anticipation. "Guess what, Ruby