A Blessing or A Curse?
1233 Words
Morning of the Mating Ceremony
AUTHOR’S POV
Dominic lay still on the bed, drowning in thoughts he couldn’t shake off. That night with Talia haunted him like a shadow. He was trying, really trying to forget.
Then the door burst open.
He sat up immediately.
“I thought you’d left,” Zane said sharply, standing at the doorway with a clenched jaw.
Dominic opened his mouth to respond, but nothing came out.
Silence fell in the room as Zane paced from one end to the other. “I don’t remember inviting you to my engagement.” Zane finally said.
Dominic stood and walked toward his son. “I came back to stop you from making the biggest mistake of your life… but I was too late.”
Zane scoffed bitterly. “Now you want to act like a father? That ship sailed a long time ago.”
Dominic reached out, placing a hand on Zane’s shoulder. “Son, I understand…”
“Don’t,” Zane snapped, shoving his hand away. He took a step back. “Don’t come here pretending to care. Just disappear like you always do. I can handle myself.”
He turned toward the door, but paused, glaring at Dominic one last time.
“Alora’s not a mistake. She’s stronger than Talia. Smarter. And I’m not going to become a pathetic father who abandons his kid just because he lost his mate.”
He slammed the door shut behind him.
Dominic stood there, alone again with nothing but Zane’s words echoing in his chest.
⸻
Later That Night – Mating Ceremony
The ceremony buzzed with excitement, laughter, and music. But Dominic stood still in the background, arms crossed, watching silently. He had already decided—he was done with everything: the truth he came for, the questions, even Talia.
He tried to focus on the young couples around him, their laughter, their fresh start. But his mind drifted to his own mate. It had been fifteen years. The pain hadn’t faded one bit. His chest tightened, and a tear slipped down his cheek.
As he wiped his face, a scent hit him. Strong. Wild. Addictive.
He froze.
His wolf stirred instantly, alert, and restless.
No. Not now. Not this.
He sniffed again.
No… it couldn’t be.
But the scent pulled him, took over his limbs. His wolf surged forward and all he could do was follow.
He weaved through the crowd like a man possessed until he stopped in front of her.
Talia.
His eyes glowed. His voice came out rough.
“Mate.”
⸻
Talia blinked, stunned.
Had she heard him right?
The glowing eyes locked on her, making the world around her fall silent. The drums, the cheers, the people—all gone. It was just her and him.
Dominic.
“No,” she whispered. “It’s… impossible.”
She shook her head, trying to wake herself from what had to be a cruel dream. The Moon Goddess was playing a dangerous game.
“Talia,” someone nudged her. She snapped out of her daze. The noise returned, crashing into her senses.
All eyes were on her.
And Dominic.
Even he looked shocked, frozen.
Without another thought, she turned and ran. She didn’t stop until she slammed her room door shut, her heart racing, and her breath uneven.
Dominic wanted to go after her but he didn’t. He knew chasing her would only make things worse.
⸻
Time blurred.
Talia didn’t know if it had been hours or days. The knocking on her door had stopped. But the chaos in her head hadn’t.
Then a soft creak.
She looked up.
Her window was opening and Nova climbed in.
Talia jumped up immediately startled.
“Well, since your door’s off-limits, I figured the window might be open,” Nova said, catching her breath.
“I just want to be alone,” Talia muttered, collapsing back onto the bed.
Nova came closer. “No, you don’t. Maybe this isn’t a curse. Maybe… It’s a blessing.”
“Blessing, huh?” Talia scoffed. “Sure.”
“Speaking of blessings,” Nova said, her eyes narrowing, “he’s leaving today.”
Talia’s body jolted. “Who’s leaving?”
“Dominic, obviously.” Nova sighed. “Heard he’s packing.”
Talia shot up from the bed, her heart pounding again. She rushed to her wardrobe, grabbed the first thing she found, and threw it on.
“Where are you going?” Nova asked.
Talia headed to the door. “My wolf can’t take another rejection, Nova.”
And with that, she banged the door behind her.
⸻
Dominic on the other hand stood in his room, his hands shaking slightly as he zipped up his bag. He wanted to run after Talia. Goddess knew he did. But no. He couldn’t face her. Or himself.
He was halfway done when the door slammed open.
He turned.
Zane.
“Have you made up your mind?” Zane asked, arms folded. “You’re not accepting her, are you?”
Dominic looked at him, emotionless. “You saw me packing. What do you think?”
Zane gave a short laugh, but there was no humor in it. “Good. I won’t be seeing you off then.”
He turned and left, leaving Dominic staring at the walls.
This wasn’t how he planned it. He had come to uncover the truth behind his first mate’s death. Instead, the universe handed him a new mate. A second chance. One he didn’t ask for.
He zipped his last bag.
But before he could lift it—
The door slammed open again.
“Zane, I said…”
He stopped.
It wasn’t Zane.
Talia stood there, panting. Her eyes were glossy, and her lips were trembling.
“What are you doing here?” he asked, voice low, trying hard not to look directly at her. If he did, he might not be able to stop himself.
“I heard you were leaving,” she said, her eyes darting away from his.
He turned back to the bag. “Yeah… I have to.”
A pause.
“So?” she said, voice barely above a whisper.
He finally turned to her.
Their eyes met.
“I’m not for you, Talia,” Dominic said, struggling to keep his voice steady. “My world’s too dark. I’m too dark.”
Talia’s heart pounded like a drum in her ears. “Your world?”
“You don’t know what I’ve done. What I carry. You’re still so young. You deserve peace. Not… me.”
Talia blinked fast. “So you’re rejecting me?”
He stepped closer. Held her hand. Looked her in the eye.
“I have to.”
Silence.
He took a deep breath. “I, Dominic Thorne…”
Talia’s tears spilled freely now. “Please,” she whispered. “Let me heal first.” She couldn’t bear a second rejection.
He clenched his jaw, forcing the words out. “It’s better to do it now. I need to go.”
He leaned in, pulled her close, and kissed her. The kiss was hard, desperate, and filled with hunger.
Then he pulled away, his voice cracking as he said:
“I, Dominic Thorne, reject you, Talia, as my…”
He stopped as Talia collapsed to the floor.
“Talia?! Talia!”
He dropped beside her, shaking her gently.
“Talia, please wake up.”
- Writer
