All Chapters of Bound by faith : the rise of a rejected mate : Chapter 61 - Chapter 70

Melissa’s POVI could hardly feel the coldness of the morning air against my flesh. The odd, luminous vigils that now totally covered my arms made them hurt. Dark, shifting shadows that pulsed and swirled replaced the golden light that had once seemed to be a part of me.The pack stood in a half circle around me, their expressions a mixture of terror and relief. Even though I could feel their eyes on me, I was unable to look them in the eyes.Damon stepped forward and said, "Melissa." Although he spoke calmly, I could see that his jaw was tense. "How are you feeling?"I opened my mouth to respond, but the words stuck in my throat. As I looked at the bruises on my skin, my hands shook and my chest constricted."I'm not sure," I muttered in a tremulous voice. Something isn't right. Damon, I feel it within myself. I am no longer myself.With his sharp gaze fixed on mine, Damon knelt before me. Melissa, you're still who you are. Whatever it is, we will solve it. I will not allow it to tak

Melissa’s POVI watched the pack members spar and get ready while standing close to the training grounds in the tense morning air. Damon's stern yet reassuring voice echoed across the area as he gave commands."Keep your stances low! Focus on your target!" he said. "We can’t afford mistakes when the Void comes."My abilities were still too erratic to completely support their endeavours, but I made an effort to assist where I could by bringing supplies and saying encouraging things. The faint glow of the vigils on my arms served as a continual reminder of the conflict that was simmering inside of me.I looked at Damon, and he nodded a little, comfortingly. He used it to remind me that he was present and that we were all in this together.Making the Pack StrongerOne of the younger wolves was fighting to keep his shield stable as his sparring partner attacked, so I went up to him.I knelt next to him and told him to "keep your grip firm." "Imagine the shield is an extension of your arm.

Melissa’s POVEvery breath felt sharp and heavy, and the air was heavy with stress. The ancient relics were humming with an odd hum, and the trap Kael had created was blazing faintly. My sigils were burning hot against my skin as I stood in the middle, pulsing brighter than before. Even though my heart was racing, I was too scared to show it. I had everyone's trust.With a harsh voice, Kael yelled, "Stay in position!" while repositioning an artefact. "We can’t afford any mistakes."Damon's fists were clenched as he paced restlessly on the circle's edge. "We pull her out if it's failing," he snarled, gazing at Kael.Kael retorted, "If you do that, you'll ruin everything." "Are you in favour of releasing the Void?""I want Melissa to live! Damon retorted. My gut twisted as his voice reverberated around the clearing."Stop it, you two! With my voice failing, I yelled. In answer, the sigils flashed, sending a ripple of energy outward. The abrupt power surge interrupted their argument, cau

Melissa’s POV“Kael, we need to talk. Now!” I snapped, storming toward him.Kael looked up from the circle of sigils he had been studying, his face calm but his eyes heavy with unspoken words. “What is it, Melissa?”“What is it?” I said, my voice rising. “You knew, didn’t you? You knew something about my family and the Void. You knew this curse was tied to my bloodline, and you didn’t tell me!”He groaned, massaging the back of his neck. “Melissa, I didn’t know for sure. I had suspicions, yes, but I didn’t want to burden you with something I couldn’t prove.”“Suspicions?!” My voice shook with rage. “You let me walk into this blind! You let me believe these sigils were just marks of power when all along they were a curse, binding me to that... that thing!”Kael walked nearer, his demeanour softening. “I was trying to protect you. You’ve already been through so much, Melissa. I didn’t want to add to your pain unless I was certain.”I took a step back, folding my arms tightly over my che

Melissa’s POVI sat on the edge of my bed and gazed at the moonlit sky outside my window. I had a heavy heart, but I was determined. Even though the ritual was risky, it was my best chance to free myself and everyone I cared about from the Void's hold.I was startled by a gentle knock on my door. Liora was sneaking inside, her dark cloak blending with the darkness, when I turned around.I said in a low voice so no one could hear, "You came."With her sharp green eyes meeting mine, she answered, "I don't have much time." "You must realize what is at stake if we are to proceed."With a dry throat, I nodded. "Explain the ritual to me."Liora, whose voice was hardly more than a whisper, came across the room and sat across from me. “The ritual requires an artefact powerful amulet hidden deep within the Forbidden Woods. It’s the only thing that can sever the Void’s connection to you. But retrieving it won’t be easy.”“The Forbidden Woods…” I shivered at the name. Everyone in the pack knew i