—- Chapter9 Damien’s POV “Alpha,” the Head Elder approached the altar, his face grim. “Isla initiated the Severing Ritual an hour ago.” “She said the Mating Ceremony is off.” “What?” The Elder’s words hit me with the force of a physical blow. “The Severing Ritual?” I grabbed his robes, my voice raw with shock. “What the hell are you talking about?” “Alpha, she invoked the ancient Rite of Rejection,” the Elder said, his voice heavy.
“Isla has rejected this Mating.” At the altar, every guest was staring at me. Their eyes held confusion, shock, and a flicker of pity I couldn’t ignore. “That’s impossible.” I let go of the Elder and stumbled back, muttering to myself. “Last night, she… ” —- “She said the ceremony is canceled.” “She can’t do that!” I finally roared, my control snapping. “She is my fated mate!” “But she has rejected you, Alpha.” The Elder shook his head, a sad look in his eyes.
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“It is her right.” I spun around and sprinted from the altar. The whispers of the guests followed me, but I heard nothing. Only one thought screamed in my mind: Find her. I floored it back to the apartment, taking the stairs two at atime. “Isla!” I threw the door open. “Where are you?” Only silence answered me. The living room was empty. The bedroom was empty. Even her scent, the one that had always grounded me, was gone. Not a trace was left.
Irushed to the dining table where she always kept her —- calendar. It was still there. But on today’s date, written in blood-red ink, were four words that felt like a death sentence: The Bond is Rejected. My world collapsed. “No… it can’t be…” I sank into a chair. And then I felt it. A visceral, tearing agony erupted from the core of my soul. It wasn’t just pain; it was a severing. A part of me was being ripped away. The mind-link… our bond… was shattering.
I squeezed my eyes shut, desperately reaching for her through the bond. “Isla! Where are you? Answer me!” “Isla!”
