The Rejected Link

Chapter 11: Cursed one

The path in the cave was littered with dried-up bones; the wind in the cave was different, hotter than the forest, carrying the stench of blood and decay in its wake.

I could feel shivers go down my spine, the heavy scent of death making me nauseous. We moved with caution, silently paving a way through the heaps of bones. It made me wonder if the stories of no one ever returning from these woods were indeed true.

Would we succeed? Or join the puddles of bones we tried so desperately not to break?

“You won't!” Exol said in a small but sharp voice.

It was almost like he read my mind. The growl was heard once again, and then I saw movements in one corner; my eyes snapped to it, my instincts kicking it, preparing for an attack.

Suddenly, I felt a wave course through me in a heavy volume; I slowly untangled my hand from Exol's and, almost in a trance, started moving in the direction of the movement. I could hear faintly Exol and the warriors calling to me in a low tone but I couldn't respond.

It was like my feet had a mind of its own, it was like I lost control of my movement. Fear started to rise as the situation registered in my mind.

I wasn't in control anymore. I couldn't call out for help, I couldn't hold my feet to stop, I couldn't help but be drawn out of my will. As I moved further still in a trance, my mind the only part of me in my grasp, I was surprised to see two blue, glowing dots, eyes staring intently at me.

The darkness around me began clearing, the source coming from a small rock-like object on a pillar.

The heart of Lunaris.

Even from this distance, I could feel its immense power radiating around. The guardian emerged from the shadows and started circling the pillar in slow motion, its eyes borne on me.

I wanted to run, to scream, to do something! But I couldn't. My body was put in place, only a few meters separating me from the ferocious beast, it towered over me with ease, the essence of its being bouncing off him wafting through me.

It stopped circling the pillar and started advancing towards me, its aura pressing in, suffocating me; it exuded menace, growling a promise of horror. It stopped right in front of me, Its massive frame masked in a distorted display, the only thing clear were his shining blue eyes. The beast’s presence strangles the surrounding air competing with that of the Heart of Lunaris.

How can something borne of darkness be guarding a source of light?

I see carvings and runes etched into its torso region, which must be tethering it to the heart’s power, ensuring no one approaches without meeting the wrath of its enchanted guardian.

I tried to fight the power controlling me, but I was too weak, the veins of the wound covering everywhere except my face, the pain wearing my strength.

"The heart beats twice: once to bind, once to break. Beware the bond that bleeds, for his hand will strike true.” It says suddenly, its voice gruff and hoarse. I look at it perplexed, wanting to ask what it means but when my mouth opens, no sound comes out.

I see the beast smile before it speaks again. “Cursed one,” It says, its tone only above a whisper. Utter confusion takes over my features, and I study its face only to realize its gaze is past me.

I smell him before I see him, the rich scent of cinnamon gradually increasing as Exol runs towards me, the beast moves abruptly towards the Heart of Lunaris taking a guarding stance, and the force controlling me leaves in an instance bringing me to my knees, Exol is in front of me in seconds holding my arms “Are you alright, are you hurt?” He questions breathless. I strain my eyes up to see him, his grey orbs are filled with concern and what resembles fear.

Drowsy from pain, I can say nothing but I give him a weak nod.

Exol, after making sure I'm alright, stands to face the beast with his dagger raised in a fighting position. He attacks the beast, aiming to strike its arm, but the beast pushes him hard, sending him flying across the cave.

I watched in a daze as the two fought, my energy depleting completely. I slip out of consciousness for a while, and when I regain it, the fight that ensues is still ongoing, but Exol isn't the one fighting the beast. It's the shadowy figure from that night and the moon festival, oakwood scent is prominent in the air. The auras of the two creatures threaten to swallow me whole.

Why was the figure here?

I search for Exol in the cave, scared that the figure or the beast has gotten the best of him, but he is nowhere to be found, nor is his body. “Exol” I call silently, my voice straining.

I look around frantic, my worry spiking, the figure snaps his attention to me, growling in my direction. I could see it clearly now, the shadowy veil only a coverage. It was built like a wolf but bigger and heavier, standing on two feet instead of four paws, its eyes were a vibrant red that shone in the dark, and it had horns and long talons sharper than I'd ever seen.

I lose consciousness again, and when I wake, I'm in Exol's arms; the sky above my head is clear, everything is spinning, and I realize quickly that he’s running. “Exol” I whispered. “We are almost there, just hang on” He begs, increasing his pace.

“Where were you?” I ask coughing slightly.

“In the cave!” He responded, his body tensing slightly.

I waved it off, convincing myself that maybe I had imagined things, that the pain had gotten to my head, and that the figure was just a figment of my imagination.

We arrived at the pack grounds, seeing the moonstone only in passing. Exol didn't stop running “Where are we going?” I asked faintly, trying to stay awake as I felt my consciousness slipping.

“To the packhouse, I've linked the Alpha and the elders. They await us”

The packhouse wasn't far from the moonstone, so it didn't take long to reach there. Once we entered, everyone in the room rose expecting us.

“She doesn't have much time. Hurry!” Exol said in a rush.

Exol placed me on a table, standing by my side and all the elders gathered around me. My body began to vibrate slowly, the veins having covered my entire body, no spot untouched. I could feel the life in me diminishing, a tear tracing a path down my cheeks.

I was scared. What if it didn't work?

Anya took the Heart of Lunaris from Exol and cautiously touched it to my wound, she stepped away and joined the circle. A minute passed and then two but nothing had happened. Just as I was about to lose hope, a sudden wave of intense energy surged through me, electrifying my body in the process; I began to shake violently, the Heart of Lunaris heating up, followed by a chilling cold.

I could feel it slip past the folds of my flesh, entering my body. I gasped, reaching out to clutch Exol's arm.

"Hold on, Ruthni," Exol murmured, bringing his hand to hold mine. "It's working."

The pain I had been feeling began to subside, a strange tingling sensation replacing it. The poison, that had been plaguing me, began to recede, its grip loosening, the veins tracing their path back to the wound before disappearing completely, the wound closing up. I felt the power of the heart coursing through my veins.

In a split second, I saw myself in a room; the walls were white, and there was nothing in it. Looking around, the Alpha, Exol, and all the elders had vanished. It was white all around. A door unexpectedly appears in front of me; twisting the handle, I'm led into another room where there are three people.

A man and two women. The man is holding one of the women on his arm while the other is in front of them holding a small blue cloth. She raises it to reveal a handkerchief with a little embroidery of a black bear in the corner. The man and what I assume to be his wife are in tears, seemingly begging the woman, their voices distant. I take one step closer to hear them better, but the lady with the cloth snaps her head to me and smiles widely. “It begins!” She says before lunging for me. Terrified, I quickly leave the room shutting the door behind me. The moment the door closes, I open my eyes.

I'm back in the packhouse where I lay, with everyone surrounding me.

Just what is happening to me?

Exol squeezes my hand, bringing my attention to him. “How do you feel?” He asks.

"I…I feel better," I whispered, my voice weak but filled with wonder.

Exol's face, filled with worry, softened. He smiled, the edges of his lips lifting slightly.

"You're going to be alright," he said, his voice thick with relief.

I remained on the table for a while, allowing the healing energy of the Heart to fully permeate my system. As the last of the poison faded, I felt a wave of euphoria wash over me.

Anya came closer, her eyes glistening with amusement, and examined me closely. "You look…different," she observed, her voice heavy with thought. "There's a light in your eyes that wasn't there before."

I smiled, dragging my eyes over her lazily.

“You need to rest and regain your strength.” Turning to Exol, she nodded. Exol carried me in his arms to his room, the heat from his body and his pheromones helping to soothe me.

“Exol,” I whispered after he placed me on the bed, my voice still faint. He stood near the bed, his back to me, shoulders tense.

He didn’t respond.

I tried again, louder this time. “Exol.”

Still, he said nothing.

Confusion curled in my chest. I pushed myself to sit up, swaying slightly as the strength returned to my legs. “Exol?” I called again. “Are you okay?”

“I’m fine,” he said sharply, his voice cold and hard.

The harshness of his tone shocked me. “What’s wrong?” I asked softly.

“I said I’m fine.” He turned to me, his eyes locking onto mine. But they weren’t the same. The warmth I’d seen, the unspoken connection we’d shared through this nightmare, the progress we were making—it was gone. In its place was something harsh, something distant.

My heart sank. “Exol, what's going on? Talk to me. Please.”

“There’s nothing to talk about,” he said, his jaw clenching. He looked at me with the hollow eyes he had before “You’re healed. That’s all that matters.”

“That’s all that matters?” I echoed, my voice rising with disbelief. I couldn't believe what I was hearing “Do you even hear yourself? After what we’ve been through, you’re just going to brush it off like it meant nothing?”

“Where's the Exol that cared for me? The Exol that entered a forest rumored to have no survivors just to get a cure for me, his mate?” I got down from the bed standing in front of him, strength filling me from an unknown source. He moved back quickly, a look of distaste on his face.

“The Exol that fought beasts for me, where is he now? Gone? Just like that?”

“It didn’t mean anything,” he snapped, his voice like a lash on my skin. “I did what I had to do. Don’t read more into it.” He sneered, “ Your fate is tied to mine; I only did it to save my life!”

No! It couldn't be.

His words hit me like a punch to the gut. “What you had to do? Only to save your life?” I repeated, shaking my head and reaching for him. The more steps I took, the further he drifted from me.“Exol, you cared for me, you risked your life for me. You fought for me. You—”

“And now it’s over, it's done,” he interrupted, taking one step to me. His closeness, normally so soothing, now felt suffocating. “You’re alive. You’re free. None of us gets to die. That’s all that matters.”

My breath hitched as I searched his face, desperate to find a crack in the armor he had put back on stronger than before. “You’re lying,” I said, the words stumbling out of me. “I saw you, Exol, the way you looked at me, the way you were worried. This isn’t about me being free. It isn't about you ensuring your safety. Something’s wrong, isn’t it?”

He scoffed, the sound bitter and sharp. “You are stupid, Ruthni. Do you think just because I rushed to save your life, I care? You don’t.” He spit out, venomously.

“Then why haven't you broken the bond?” I ask, my voice breaking. “This is not fair,” I whispered, tears stinging my eyes.

“Fair?” He laughed, the sound hollow. “You think life is fair? Do you think I get to have what I want? Do what I want? No, Ruthni. That’s not how this works.”

“What are you talking about?” My voice cracked, the tears spilling down my cheeks in waves. I tried to clean them off, but they kept flowing in multitudes.

“Exol, why are you doing this? Why are you pushing me away?”

“Because you don’t belong here! With me!” he shouted, his voice reverberating off the room walls. His pheromones threatened to choke me, the darkness I had felt in the forest slightly mixing. His eyes seemed to flash red, but he turned away before I could confirm; facing his desk, he shook his head as if steadying himself. “You’re healed, Ruthni. You’re not poisoned anymore. You’re free to live your life—without me.”

The finality in his tone made my knees go weak. “You think I want to leave?” I asked, my voice straining. “You think I care about being ‘free’ if it means not being with you? You're my mate Exol! I was made for you, and you were made for me”

“You don’t have a choice,” he said coldly.

I took a shaky step forward, reaching for him despite the ice in his voice. “I don’t care what you say. I know you care about me. I know you—”

“Stop it!” he growled, stepping back as though my touch burned him. “You don’t know anything, Ruthni. You don’t know what I am, what I’ve done, or what I’m capable of. If you did, you’d be running as fast as you could. You'd break the bond yourself”

“What are you?” I asked, confusion and hurt stirring inside me. “What are you talking about, Exol? You’re the one who saved me. The Heart may have healed me, but you saved me. You’re the one who found the Heart to save me. How can you say that doesn’t matter? How can you just throw that all away”

“Because it didn't matter!” He said through gritted teeth. “It can't!”

“ I don't understand you Exol. Please stop this” I beg, my heart twists in pain.

“You need to leave Ruthni. I'm sure your mother is worried about you”

“Exol–”

“Leave!” He shouted once more, exiting the room without turning back.