CHAPTER 2

 The Mate Bond 

 Theme: Rejection and Disillusionment

Aria's POV 

I sat on the edge of a large rock near the trees, staring blankly at the ground.  Damian’s remarks from yesterday keep playing in my head, over and over. 

"Pathetic." 

He touched me.  I know what I felt the tie between us, igniting to life the instant his hand brushed mine.  But then he walked away,  like I didn’t matter at all.  How can someone just ignore something so strong?  Something that feels so real? 

I pull my knees to my chest, embracing them tight.  The others are practicing again, and I can hear their yells and laughing in the distance.  Normally, I’d avoid them, but today, it’s different.  It’s not only about my vulnerability anymore.  It’s this peculiar draw toward Damian that’s messing with my head. 

Just thinking about him makes my heart ache. 

“Aria?”  Luna’s voice pulls me out of my thoughts.  She approaches cautiously, her eyes full with anxiety.  She’s been keeping a close eye on me ever since Damian’s little scene at the training grounds. 

“What’s going on?  You’ve been acting strange since yesterday,” she says, sitting beside me.  Her tone is gentle, but I can detect the fear behind it.  She’s the only one who actually cares about me in this bunch. 

I shake my head, attempting to find the proper words.  “It’s... nothing, really.” 

Luna doesn’t buy it.  “Aria, come on.  I know something’s bothering you.  Is it about Damian?” 

I freeze at the mention of his name.  Of course, she knows.  It’s written all on my face.  “He didn’t say much,” I mutter, my voice barely above a whisper.  “But... it felt like more.” 

Her brows furrow as she watches me.  “What do you mean?” 

I bite my lip, striving to express the peculiar emotion I’ve been carrying since that moment.  “When he grabbed my arm, I felt something.  A spark.  It’s hard to express, but it felt like...” 

“Like a bond?”  Luna finishes for me, her voice low. 

I nod, grateful she understands.  “Yeah, like that.  But he just went away like it meant nothing.” 

Luna’s face softens.  “Are you sure?  Maybe it meant more to him than you think.” 

I shake my head.  “No.  He didn’t even glance at me.  I don’t think he felt it at all.” 

Silence settles between us, thick and uncomfortable.  Luna doesn’t know what to say, and honestly, neither do I.  How can you explain something that feels so real to you, while the other person acts like it never happened? 

“I don’t know what to do,” I say meekly.  “Why can’t I just be normal like everyone else?  Why do I constantly have to be different?” 

Luna sighs and wraps her arm around my shoulder.  “There’s nothing wrong with being different, Aria.  But you need to talk to him.  Figure out what’s actually going on.” 

I nod, though I don’t know if I have the confidence to meet Damian again.  He’s ignored me all day, like I’m invisible.  And now, I’m starting to believe that’s all I’ll ever be to him. 

Aria's POV 

Throughout the day, Damian keeps his distance, scarcely acknowledging my existence.  Every time I catch a sight of him, he’s surrounded by other pack members, giving commands and training like he always does.  He acts like nothing’s changed, like the tie between us isn’t even there. 

But I can feel it. 

It’s like a constant tug at my heart, pushing me toward him whether I want it or not.  Every time he’s near, the bond gets stronger, but I know it’s one-sided.  I’ve never heard of a mate bond being neglected, but here I am, living it. 

I look from afar, feeling more alone than ever.  Luna’s words keep running in my thoughts, but I don’t know how to approach him.  What if I’m wrong?  What if it’s all in my head? 

“Why can’t I just be normal like everyone else?”  I whisper to myself, my throat tightening with frustration.  The other wolves don’t have to cope with this.  They know where they stand in the pack.  They don’t have to question everything, way I do.  They don’t have to experience the weight of rejection before it even begins. 

Damian glances in my direction for a brief minute, but then he looks aside, his jaw hard.  It’s like he’s purposefully avoiding me.  It hurts more than I want to acknowledge. 

Aria's POV 

By the time the sun begins to set, I can’t stand it anymore.  I have to know.  I have to confront Damian, even if it means hearing something I don’t want to hear. 

I notice him near the edge of the woodland, away from the others.  He’s leaning against a tree, his arms folded as if he’s waiting for something….or someone.  My heart pounds in my chest as I approach him, but I force myself to stand tall, even though my legs feel like they’re going to give out beneath me. 

“Damian,” I shout out, my voice unsteady but determined. 

He glances up, his blue eyes frigid as ice.  “What do you want, Aria?” 

I swallow hard, my palms sweaty.  “I need to talk to you.  About... us.” 

His look doesn’t alter, and for a second, I worry if he’s just going to walk away again.  But he doesn’t.  Instead, he straightens up, his gaze never leaving mine. 

“There is no ‘us,’ Aria,” he replies, his voice flat and cold. 

I feel a knot building in my throat, but I go forward.  “You felt it, didn’t you?  The tie between us.  You can’t refute it.” 

He approaches closer, and for a minute, I think I see something flicker in his eyes, something that nearly seems like sorrow.  But it’s gone as swiftly as it appeared. 

“You’re not my mate, Aria,” he replies, his voice tightening.  “Don’t delude yourself.” 

The words hit me like a punch to the gut.  I take a step back, my vision fading as the weight of his rejection slams over me.  My heart feels like it’s being pulled apart, piece by piece. 

How can he say that?  How can he deny what’s so painfully clear to me? 

“Damian, I...”  I start, but he cuts me off, his voice colder than ever. 

“I don’t want you, Aria.  You mean nothing to me.” 

And with that, he turns and goes away, leaving me standing there, crushed.