Chapter 3: Bond gone cold
849 Words
When I woke up, the first thing I noticed was the quietness.
Not the peaceful kind of quiet. The kind that presses against your ears until it feels heavy.
My eyelids felt heavy as I forced them to open. The scent of herbs and crushed leaves filled my nose.
The healer’s room.
I groaned because every muscle in my body ached as I wanted to stand up .My hair was damp and tangled against the pillow.
Rain.
The memories came rushing back like claws tearing through my chest.
Aaron.
Our bed.
Her.
My hand flew to my mouth as my breathing quickened.
“No…” I whispered my throat tight with pain.
Regina, my wolf, tried to rise but the strength wasn't there.She also tried to speak but she couldn't . The silence from her hurt just like the memory itself.
“You’re awake.”
I turned my head slowly. The pack healer, Mira, stood beside a table, grinding herbs in a small bowl.
“You collapsed outside during the storm,” she said gently. “One of the patrol warriors found you near the forest.”
I nodded faintly, unable to meet her eyes.
“Your body is exhausted, Luna. You need rest.”
Luna.
Then I remembered Aaron .
“Did… did the Alpha come?” I asked before I could stop myself.
Mira hesitated.
Just for a second.
“No,” she said quietly. “The Alpha is busy with training this morning.”
Training.
I already knew who that meant.
My throat tightened painfully.
Of course he was.
I pushed the blanket aside and slowly stood up. The room looked like it was spinning but I balanced myself.
“Luna, you should stay—”
“I’m fine,” I said softly.
Even to my own ears, I wasn't fine
The moment I stepped into the hallway, the whispers began.
They always did.
But today they felt louder.
Heavier.
Two omegas standing near the window were surprised to see me .
They bowed their heads quickly.
“Luna.”
I gave them a small nod and continued walking.
Behind me their voices dropped into hushed murmurs.
“Five years…”
“I heard she fainted outside like a weak pup.”
“Well… maybe the Moon Goddess finally rejected her.”
I tried to walk fast so that I wouldn't hear what they were saying.
Another voice joined them.
“The new warrior is strong. Did you see her training yesterday?”
“Yes. She and the Alpha looked perfect together.”
Ok. That was enough!
Regina.
‘Let me out,’ she snarled inside my mind.
‘They deserve to bleed.’
My hands clenched at my sides.
‘No,’ I whispered to myself
‘I won’t lose control.’
But the words still stung like poison spreading through my body.
I didn’t want to go to the training grounds.
My legs just carried me there .
The sound of clashing blades echoed through the air as warriors circled the arena.
And there he was.
Aaron.
Standing tall at the center.
Across from him stood the female warrior.
Her dark hair was tied high as sweat glistened on her skin. Her body moved like a predator as she lunged forward.
Their blades clashed.
Aaron laughed.
A real laugh.
I hadn’t heard that sound from him in months.
The warriors around them cheered.
She disarmed him in a swift movement, knocking the blade from his hand.
Cheers erupted.
Aaron smiled at her.
“Impressive,” he said.
She smiled back.
Not shy.
Not respectful.
Confident.
Familiar.
My stomach twisted.
Then someone noticed me standing there.
“Well look who finally came out of hiding,” a warrior muttered.
A few heads turned.
They started whispering among themselves.
“Isn’t that our Luna?”
Another voice spoke louder than the rest.
“Maybe she came to watch her replacement.”
The group was filled with laughter.
My chest tightened.
Aaron’s eyes flicked toward me.
For a moment I thought he would say something.
Anything.
But he only looked away.
And continued speaking with her.
That was when something inside me cracked.
I turned before anyone could see the tears forming in my eyes.
My feet carried me away from the training grounds.
Away from the laughter.
Away from the whispers.
As I ran it felt as if my legs were heavy.
My hands trembled.
“I can’t do this anymore,” I whispered into the empty air.
I ran into a guest room and sank on the mattress letting my tears take control. The wolf in me was weak and restless.
Regina finally spoke.
Her voice was low.
Broken.
‘You are Luna.’
I shook my head.
“Maybe they’re right.”
The words tasted bitter on my tongue.
“Maybe Silver Ridge deserves someone stronger.”
At that exact moment, a strange shiver ran through the mate bond in my chest.
Like something had just shifted.
Like a c***k spreading slowly through glass.
And for the first time in five years…
The bond with my mate felt cold
- Writer
