The White Wolf

Shattered Bonds

A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.

– Lao Tzu

“Mate,” Layla, my wolf, purred with anticipation. I inhaled deeply, following the alluring scent that had consumed my senses. I was on the hunt for my mate, the one who would complete me. My steps were focused on the intoxicating aroma, my mind filled with dreams of a love that would withstand the ages. Lost in my thoughts, I failed to pay attention to my surroundings, and before I knew it, I collided with someone, or rather, someone collided with me.

“Oops, I’m so sorry. I didn’t see you there,” I hurriedly apologized, but my words were met with a growl. A shiver ran down my spine as the growl reached my ears, tingling with a mix of excitement and trepidation. And then it hit me—the scent, the growl—it was him. My mate. The scent of pine and earth, enticing and comforting, enveloped me even more intensely now that I had found him. I couldn’t help but feel an overwhelming sense of joy.

I forced my gaze upward, past the strong contours of his abdomen, to his broad chest, and finally, I met his piercing blue eyes. They were like an ocean, captivating and pulling me into their depths. I couldn’t tear my eyes away. I was entranced, caught in his magnetic gaze. My mate was none other than Cole Anderson, the enigmatic Cole Black. The realization hit me like a lightning bolt, jolting me out of my initial shock.

My emotions ran wild, a whirlwind of elation and disbelief. I had found him, my perfect match. But before I could fully comprehend the situation, Cole’s lips crashed into mine. I pressed against the wall, consumed by the intensity of his kiss. A moan escaped my lips as his lips trailed a path of fervent kisses along my neck. My back arched in pleasure, yearning for his mark, craving the connection that would bind us together for eternity.

“Please,” I begged, unable to contain my desire. “Soon, mate,” he growled, his voice vibrating with desire. His lips teased, his canines gently grazing my skin. My wolf urged me to submit, to surrender to the pleasure and seal our bond. A whimper escaped my mouth, mirroring the desperate plea of my wolf within.

And then, in an instant, the atmosphere shifted. The charged energy dissipated, leaving behind a mere flicker of its former intensity. Cole stiffened, his muscles taut against my body. Something had changed, something was wrong. “Cole, are you okay?” I asked, my voice laced with concern. I reached out to touch his face, worried for my mate.

“Don’t,” he growled, his voice laced with anger. His eyes turned black, struggling to keep his wolf at bay. I flinched at the sudden change in his demeanor. Cole, I whispered, taking a tentative step toward him. My wolf urged me to draw closer, sensing his pain. But he snapped, grabbing my fist in a furious grip. His next words pierced through me like a blade.

“I don’t want you.” The words hung in the air, cutting through my heart. I was frozen, unable to comprehend the cruelty that dripped from his voice. How could my mate reject me? What had I done to deserve such rejection? The pain of the severed mate bond was excruciating, tearing at my soul.

“Why?” I choked out, my voice heavy with disbelief. I struggled to grasp the reason behind his sudden disdain. His expression hardened, and he advanced toward me, his eyes as cold and unyielding as coal. “Isn’t it obvious?” he snarled, his canines visible. “I don’t want you as a mate. The Moon Goddess made a mistake in pairing us together.”

His words struck me to the core. The weight of his rejection settled on my shoulders, crushing me under its weight. “I, Alpha Cole Black of the Black Moon Pack, reject you, Rose Silvers, daughter of Beta Silvers, as my mate, and therefore strip you of your title as Luna,” he proclaimed, his voice void of any compassion. The words echoed in my ears, repeating in a cruel loop, tormenting my shattered heart. My mate had rejected me, the one person who was supposed to love me unconditionally.

Tears streamed down my face as I stared at him, my vision blurred with pain and disbelief. How could he betray me, his mate? The ache in my chest intensified, a physical manifestation of the shattered dreams and promises. “Why?” I pleaded, my voice barely a whisper, heavy with agony. I searched for answers, desperate to understand what I had done to elicit such cruelty.

A mirthless laugh escaped Cole’s lips, his demeanor growing even more infuriating. “Are you truly that dense?” he sneered, his words like venom. I shook my head, tears blurring my vision. “Your father may be a beta, but what significance does that hold when you have three older brothers to assume such positions? You hold no power, no status. You are nothing more than a worthless, insignificant she-wolf.”

Confusion clouded my mind as I struggled to comprehend his words. “But… but I thought…” My voice trailed off, hope flickering before being extinguished by his laughter. “You thought wrong,” he spat, his voice laced with disdain. “I need someone who can provide power and a strong heir. Not a weak, powerless creature like you.”

“Please, don’t do this,” I pleaded, my voice tinged with desperation. I clung to the tiniest sliver of hope, yearning for him to realize his mistake, to take back his hurtful words. But instead, he turned his back to me, issuing a final warning. “Don’t you dare breathe a word of this to anyone, or I’ll have you banished,” he threatened before striding away, leaving me broken and alone.

The pain consumed me, overwhelming my senses. I crumpled to my knees, the weight of his rejection too much to bear. Tears streamed down my face as I watched the one person I thought I could trust walk away, leaving behind shattered dreams and a heart irreparably broken.