Rejected

Nadia

I watch as Alpha Lynch’s wolf runs toward the southern border, wondering if I should clue him into the flaw in their pack link. Ever since the night I woke in the woods with him, I have heard the constant chatter from their links non-stop. Once I am certain that he is far enough away to no be able to see or hear me, I sneak to the southwest, being pulled by some unseen force toward an unknown destination. As the string pulls tighter, I feel my wolf pushing to the surface, clearly drawn to the unknown as much as I am. Her excitement is not coupled with anger, so I continue running without fear, knowing she would alert me if she felt anything off. We are nearly two miles into the woods when the invisible tether guides me to the west, as if the destination is moving, edging closer to the trail that would lead it to town. An unfamiliar scent wafts through the air and caresses my senses in the strangest way. I follow the scent for a quarter mile before I spot her. A woman in a white silk gown standing at the edge of a stream in the middle of the woods. I slowly walk toward her, minding my steps so as to not make any unnecessary noise. I am now only ten yards away, but a sudden and intrusive voice halts my movement.

“Come closer my child.” The voice vibrates intensely and sounds as though it is coming from every direction. I feel like I should want to run, but my feet begin moving of their own accord, drawing ever closer to the strange being.

“Who are you?” Compared to her all-consuming voice, mine sounds weak and weightless.

“Who I am is of no consequence, but who you are, that is something worth questioning. You now know of your plight. Your time is limited, your days numbered.” I am now close enough to the being that I could reach out and touch her, but the power radiating from her makes me believe that would be a poor decision.

“Thank you for stating the obvious. I get it, I’m dying.” My wolf growls at my choice to use such a tone with a being that exudes power by simply breathing.

“Yes….and no. Before you are two paths. You have been granted a true mate, but should you accept the bond, you will find yourself burdened. Should you reject the bond, your power will continue to grow until it suffocates you. You must choose a path and soon.” Her warning is clear, yet I feel the need to ask a question that I already know the answer to.

“What burden would I face?” I wait for her to confirm the truth that I have already known for years, a secret that has eaten away at me slowly.

“You will be unable to provide an heir. The damage caused by the enchantress cannot be undone. Your mate is powerful and strong, but will you be able to take him with the knowledge that you cannot add to his bloodline, carry on his name? Or, will you choose to spend the rest of your time using your great power to aid those around you until it pulls you under?” I stifle the sob that tries to tear through me.

“So, I either suffer alone, or force someone to suffer with me?” The being slowly turns, gliding until her eyes meet mine and I feel my mind stall out and my heart drop. The woman before me is the woman from my dream during my period of unconsciousness after the rogue attack. I have my suspicions about who she is, but everything in me needs confirmation.

“It is an unfortunate result of your parents’ choice to seek out the help of the unholy one.” I feel myself growing angry with her confession. Why should I be punished for what my parents forced me into as an infant?!

“Who are you?” Her lips pull into something resembling a smile and it is oddly comforting.

“I have been called many things by the mouths of men and immortals alike. You can call me Selene.” My suspicion, now confirmed, only leaves me with more questions than answers.

“Why me?” Her arm stretches out and her long fingers gently graze my cheek.

“What your parent’s set in motion will both start and end with you. It is not a punishment, as you wish to believe. It is setting a balance to the universe. Nothing can be gained unless something is given.” My mind is formulating questions faster than my mouth can ask them when the sound of a twig snapping behind me breaks my concentration. I turn to see a large, dark brown wolf with eyes that look like swirling pools of liquid honey slowly stalking toward me. I turn back to the being and notice that her eyes have not even acknowledged his presence.

“Your mate approaches, but do not forget what is at stake. Make your choice, but choose wisely, my child.” I watch in shock as she phases into a white fog that quickly dissipates until the only thing that remains is her lingering scent. I feel something nudge at my hand that is hanging at my side and turn to see the wolf is now standing at my side…my mate. How is it possible that she selected an alpha as my mate when she knows I cannot bear children? How is this not punishment? I look back to where Selene had been standing and I stand in silence, considering the consequences of the choices that lay before me and wondering how it is even a choice. If I were to choose love, choose my mate…I would be passing my punishment on to him. I cannot allow myself to be the cause of his suffering. I look back down at the wolf, force a smile and turn to head back to town with the alpha following behind me quietly. A barrage of thoughts, not my own, flood me as the alpha begins wondering about the interaction he witnessed.