The Curse Of The Blood Moon

2: Shattered Bond

~Evelyn~

I woke up in a sterile hospital room, my head pounding and my body weak. The scent of antiseptic and the beeping of machines made everything feel too real. The last thing I remembered was Mason's cruel rejection, the blood spilling from my mouth, and then everything going dark. I didn't know how I got here, or why no one was with me.

My mind was racing, I couldn't help but think about Mason's betrayal as it sank deeper. How had I been so blind? He'd used me... our bond, our connection, all lies. But the truth was undeniable now. He had used me to climb into power. I had trusted him, and now I was paying the price.

I tried to sit up, but dizziness hit me, forcing me back against the bed. I was too weak. A soft voice broke through my thoughts.

"Evelyn?" Ember's familiar voice echoed through the room. I blinked up, relief flooding me at the sight of my best friend. She moved to my side, but I noticed the coldness in her eyes. Her hand hovered over mine, but she pulled back before making contact.

"Ember?" I whispered, confused.

Her lips tightened, and she stepped back. "You deserved it," she said flatly, her words like a slap to my face.

My chest tightened, a sharp pain cutting through me. "What? You...what are you talking about?" I stammered, my voice hoarse from the blood I'd coughed up earlier.

"You deserved everything that's coming to you," Ember repeated, her eyes growing colder. "If I'm being honest, more than this."

My confusion deepened, and I couldn't understand the venom in her voice. "Why would you say that? You're my best friend..."

But before Ember could respond, the door opened again. My heart skipped a beat, Mason entered, and everything in me froze. He didn't look surprised to see me awake. In fact, there was a strange relief in his eyes. Ember stepped aside, and Mason went straight to her, a silent understanding passing between them.

Without hesitation, Mason leaned down and kissed Ember on the lips, slow and deliberate. My breath caught in my throat, my world crashing down around me. The kiss, full of purpose, felt like a betrayal carved into my chest.

They broke apart, and only then did Mason turn his gaze to me, but it wasn't the gaze of the man I had once trusted. It was cold, calculating like he was looking at something insignificant.

"You were poisoned, Evelyn," Mason said, his tone flat, emotionless. "Just like your father was. Slowly, over the course of months. The blood you coughed up? That was the last step. You'll die soon. It's just a matter of time."

I felt the words slam into my chest, stealing the air from my lungs. Poisoned? My father... Had he known? Had Mason and Ember been behind it all along? I stared at them, unable to breathe, my mind reeling.

"But... why?" I managed to choke out, my voice breaking. "How could you do this? We were friends. We were family."

Ember's expression twisted, a cold smile spreading across her face. "Family? Don't make me laugh, Evelyn. You've always had everything... your legacy, your father's title, and power. I had nothing. I've been in your shadow all my life. Your father took everything my father should've had." She took a step closer, her voice dripping with venom. "I should've been the Luna. I should've been the one at Mason's side, ruling this pack, not you."

I recoiled, shock paralyzing me. "But your father... he was a traitor. My father took you in because he thought you were innocent."

"Innocent?" Ember laughed bitterly. "Your father ruined everything for my family. I never wanted your sympathy, Evelyn. I wanted my revenge. And you were always a tool to get what I wanted."

I couldn't speak. My mind was spinning, trying to piece everything together. Betrayed by my best friend. By the man I thought was my mate. He couldn't possibly betray his mate this way, right?

"What about our mate bond, you can't just treat your mate this way Mason, you know how cruel the pain can be when separated from your mate!" I asked with the last hope in me, hoping I was dreaming... hoping this was just a nightmare I would wake up from soon.

Mason, looking bored now as he stared at me, "The bond we shared? It was never real. It was all a spell from a witch. We used it and manipulated it. You were never my mate. Just a pawn in a game that's been playing out for years. Do you really think I will be mated to someone like you? A daddy's girl? You disgust me Evelyn and you don't know how hard it was for me to keep up with you!"

My body shook with the crushing weight of their words. Mason, Ember... everyone I trusted had turned on me, it was so hard to believe... so hard to process the words they had all said, my heart broke, my eyes teary as I stared at them while they had a disgusting and triumphant look, wrapped around each other like a newly wedded couple.

"Die quietly," Mason said, his tone icy. He turned to Ember and gave her a nod before leaving the room with her.

I watched the door as they left and I couldn't help the silent tears that rolled down my cheeks, how could I be so stupid? I should have known!

*

Alone in that sterile hospital bed, broken, betrayed, and poisoned, I felt everything slip away. But one thing burned inside me. I wasn't ready to die. Not like this. Not yet.

I forced myself up, the room spinning as I felt dizzy. My limbs felt heavy, and the poison burned through my veins, but I couldn't afford to give in. Escape was the only thing that mattered.

The IV in my arm was the first thing I targeted. Twisting it free, I winced at the sharp pain, I staggered to the edge of the bed, barely able to stand. My vision blurred and my skin was soaked with sweat, but I couldn't stop. I limped toward the window, knowing it was my only way out. The door was too risky, and the window was my best chance.

I grabbed the metal chair next to the bed and slammed it into the window. The glass cracked loudly, sending shards scattering across the floor. It didn't break completely, but it was enough.

I ignored the jagged edges as I climbed through, the cold air hitting my face as I balanced on the narrow ledge outside. My body screamed in protest, and the dizziness made my vision swim, but there was no turning back now. I took a deep breath and forced myself down.

*

The forest swallowed me whole, its thick trees blocking out the sky. My body was breaking down, my legs weak and my mind fogged by exhaustion and the poison coursing through me. But I couldn't stop running, not after what Mason and Ember had done.

I had trusted them, given them everything. My father's legacy, the pack, my future. But they had used me, poisoned me, and killed my father. I was too blind to see the signs.

The pain in my chest was unbearable. I collapsed to my knees, sobbing for the father I had failed, for the pack I couldn't protect. I couldn't breathe. I couldn't think. I had failed everyone.

Suddenly, a sharp pain shot through my leg. I screamed, falling to the ground, blood rising in my throat again. The poison was taking me. I couldn't fight it.

"Help me!" I screamed with the last ounce of strength in me even though I knew that no one could help me, I was completely weak.

But then, through the haze, I saw him. A figure, tall and strong, his eyes a piercing blue. He stood over me, and though I didn't know him, something inside me recognized him. There was a pull, something deep and instinctual.

He lifted me effortlessly into his arms, cradling me against his chest. For the first time in what felt like forever, I didn't feel alone. The world faded, and I let myself surrender to the darkness, feeling peace in his touch.

And then, I let go.