Goddess’s Revenge

The Severing

Cassandra's POV



My eyes struggle to flutter open. Every inch of my body aches, as though I've fought a war and lost.

My heart feels shattered.

The memories come rushing back all at once.

My family.

My mate.

Their rejection.

A broken sob tears from my throat.

How could they?

I know my sister is spoiled. I know she hates me, and my parents have always favored her. But somewhere deep down, I cling to the foolish hope that they love me... even if it's only a little.

I guess that was nothing more than wishful thinking.

The sound of a door slamming open shatters my thoughts.

"Selene," I whisper.

"Oh, my little wolf," she says softly as she hurries toward me, a young woman following close behind.

Selene sits beside me on the bed, gently brushing strands of hair away from my face. Her touch is warm and comforting... almost motherly.

She created werewolves.

In a way, she's the mother of us all.

"My sweet little wolf," she murmurs. "How are you feeling?"

A shaky laugh escapes me before it dissolves into another sob.

"Broken, Goddess. I feel so... broken."

She takes my trembling hands in hers, her touch steady and reassuring.

"My family... my mate... my pack..." My voice cracks. "They've all broken me."

Fresh tears stream down my cheeks.

"How can I help others find their mates when my own mate doesn't want me?"

"Oh, little wolf."

Selene pulls me into her arms, rubbing slow, soothing circles across my back as I cry into her chest.

"You have every right to grieve," she whispers. "But this pain will not define you."

I lift my head and meet her gaze through tear-filled eyes.

"Everything will be alright, my little wolf."

She cups my face, wiping away my tears with her thumbs.

"You were created for extraordinary things. Your path is never meant to be easy, but it is meant to change the world."

She lets me cry into her chest until the sobs finally begin to ease. Once I can breathe again, she gently pulls back just enough to look into my eyes.

"Cassandra, I have brought Epione, the Goddess of Soothing and Relief from Pain." She gestures toward the young woman standing quietly beside the bed. "She is here to ease the pain caused by your broken mate bond. If you choose, she can also soothe the pain of severing your familial and pack bonds."

My heart begins to race.

"Are you saying I can cut the bond with my family?"

I already plan to sever my connection to my pack and go rogue once I've recovered. But my family...

Can I really let them go?

"Cassandra," Selene says gently, cutting off my spiraling thoughts. "You will not be going rogue. Once you've recovered, I have plans for you. We will discuss your future then. Do you understand?"

I nod.

"Yes, Goddess."

A small smile touches her lips.

"But yes, little wolf. You may sever the bond with your family if that is truly what you desire."

I swallow around the lump in my throat.

"I do."

She nods before turning to the young goddess.

"When you are ready," Selene says, "Epione will channel her soothing power into you while holding your hands. As she does, you will recite these words."

Selene looks back at me, her expression solemn.

"I, Cassandra Stone, daughter of Daniel Stone and Alice Stone, hereby sever all familial bonds with the Stone family. From this day forward, we are no longer bound by blood or spirit. I release them, and I release myself."

The words steal the air from my lungs.

Once I speak them... there is no taking them back.

For a moment, I hesitate.

Then every memory of my family comes rushing back.

Every cold look.

Every harsh word.

Every time they chose my sister over me.

If my parents or my sister had shown me even the smallest amount of genuine love, maybe... one day... I could have forgiven them.

But they never did.

The only affection they ever showed me was for appearances, so the pack would believe we were one happy family.

It was never real.

Selene studies me carefully.

"You don't have to decide right now, little wolf. You can wait until you've healed."

I shake my head, cutting her off.

"Can we do it now? I'd rather endure the pain once than heal... only to go through it all over again."

A soft sigh escapes her lips before she nods.

"As you wish."

She rises from the bed, allowing Epione to take her place beside me.

The young goddess smiles gently as she takes both of my hands in hers. Her touch is warm, calming, and filled with compassion.

"Young one," Epione says, her voice as soothing as a gentle breeze, "I'm going to channel my divine power into your body. It will ease the pain as much as it can. Once I feel you've received enough of my blessing, I'll ask you to recite the words Lady Selene has given you."

I take a shaky breath and squeeze her hands.

"I'm ready."

At least... I hope I am.

Epione closes her eyes, and a gentle warmth flows from her hands into mine.

The soothing energy spreads through my body, melting away the sharp edges of my grief. It's like slowly sinking into a healing hot spring, the warmth wrapping around every broken piece of me. For the first time since everything fell apart, I can breathe without feeling like my heart is being ripped from my chest.

Several moments pass in peaceful silence before Epione's soft voice reaches me.

"Now, young one. Recite the words."

I take a deep, steadying breath and gather every ounce of courage I have left.

" Cassandra Stone, Beta Daughter of the Howler Moon Pack. Before the Moon Goddess and the Gods, I hereby sever all ties with the Howler Moon Pack and reject Alpha Robert Forrest as my Alpha. From this moment forward, he holds no authority over me, and I hold no loyalty to his pack."

The room trembles.

A sharp pressure builds in my chest before something invisible tears free.

I gasp but force myself to continue.

"I, Cassandra Stone, daughter of Daniel Stone and Alice Stone, hereby sever all familial bonds with the Stone family. From this day forward, we are no longer bound by blood or spirit. I release them... and I release myself."

The instant the last word leaves my lips, agony explodes through my body.

It's as if invisible chains are being ripped from my soul.

I cry out, my back arching as wave after wave of pain crashes over me. It feels like my heart is being torn apart all over again.

Then Epione's divine power surges through me.

The pain doesn't disappear, but it dulls, becoming bearable instead of unbearable. The warmth wraps around every place the broken bonds leave behind, soothing wounds I can't see.

I collapse back against the pillows, trembling as tears stream down my face.

They're gone.

My pack.

My family.

The ties that have bound me to them my entire life are finally... gone.

Selene switches places with Epione, taking the seat beside me once more. Her silver eyes soften as she lifts a hand with effortless grace. A maid appears instantly, carrying a crystal goblet filled with cool water.

"Drink, Little Wolf," she says gently, her voice holding the warmth of a mother caring for her injured child.

I wrap trembling fingers around the goblet. My throat burns with thirst, and I don't hesitate. I press the rim to my lips and drain every last drop, the cool water soothing the raw ache inside me.

"Good girl," Selene murmurs with a tender smile.

She brushes a strand of hair away from my face, her touch impossibly gentle.

"You've endured more than anyone should have to bear. Your body, your mind, and your soul need time to heal. Rest now, Little Wolf. When you awaken, we'll speak about your future. But know this..." Her thumb strokes my cheek. "You will never face it alone again."

Emotion swells in my chest, too overwhelming for words. I simply nod.

Epione steps forward once more and places her warm hand against my forehead. Instantly, a comforting calm spreads through me. My eyelids grow impossibly heavy.

The room begins to blur, the voices around me fading into silence.

The last thing I feel is Selene's hand cradling mine before the darkness gently claims me.