Zane 's POV
I stood in the balcony of my chamber, the cool morning breeze brushing against my skin as I watched the sun rise over the forest. My thoughts were a mess, mixed with the growing bond I felt with Scarlett and the curse that had plagued my pack for generations. The mark on her wrist, the mark of the goddess, was supposed to be a sign of hope, but all I felt was something not so hopeful.
Dalton, my wolf, paced restlessly inside me, sensing my unease. "She's ours " he growled.The bond is real "
I clenched my fists, trying to push the thoughts away. The bond with Scarlett was undeniable, but so was the bond I had with Rhylie. It didn't make sense. How could I have two mates? The moon goddess had never allowed such a thing, and yet here I was, caught between two women, both marked by the goddess.
"Only one is real, " Dalton said. You know it. "You've always known "
Before I could argue with him, I heard footsteps behind me. I turned to see Rhylie approaching, her expression cold. Her dark hair fell over her shoulders in a wavy manner, but there was something in her gaze that hadn't been there before.
"Zane," she said, her voice soft but tense. "We need to talk."
I sighed, running a hand through my hair. "What is it, Rhylie?"
She stepped closer, her eyes searching mine. "You've been distant lately. Ever since Scarlett came, you've changed. You're not the same."
Her words stung, but I couldn't deny the truth in them. Scarlett had changed everything. The bond between us was stronger than anything I had ever felt, and it was pulling me toward her in ways I couldn't control.
"I'm still trying to figure things out," I said "This curse... it's more complicated than we thought. Scarlett's the key to breaking it."
Rhylie's eyes darkened, and I saw a flicker of anger in her gaze. "Scarlett's dangerous, Zane. You've seen it yourself. The power she has... it's tied to dark magic. And you're getting too close to her."
I stiffened at her words. "She's not dangerous. She's trying to help, moreover what dark magic are you talking about "
"Help?" Rhylie laughed coldly . "She's going to destroy everything, Zane. You're blinded by this bond you think you have with her, but it's not real. I'm your mate, not her and yes dark magic but you just haven't seen it."
Her words hit hard, and for a moment, I didn't know how to respond. Rhylie had been by my side for so long, and I had always believed she was my mate. But now, with Scarlett in the picture, everything was different.
"I don't know what's real anymore," I said quietly, my voice cold . "But I can't turn my back on Scarlett. She's part of this now."
Rhylie's expression hardened, and she took a step back. "You're making a mistake, Zane. And it's going to cost you everything."
Scarlett's POV
The cold air was harsh on my skin as I ran through the thick forest, the small stone the witches had
given me clutched tightly in my palm. Every step forward was so unsure and uncertain, as if the pressure of the curse was pressing down on me. The stone grew warmer in my hand, a sign that I was on the right path, exactly what they had said , But it wasn't just the stone that was on my mind but the fact that they said the dark magic was going to be dangerous, I couldn't help but wonder if it was the right thing to actually help them.
I have lost a child , almost did lose my life but still I owe them for keeping me alive and granting me a new identity, so maybe yeah it was worth the effort, and then there was someone on my mind. Zane was on my mind.
His presence was just in my thoughts, pulling at the bond that tied us together. The mate bond. A bond I never asked for, never wanted. Yet every time I thought of him, I felt the strange pull within me.
The memory of his touch sent shivers down my body, but I couldn't let it distract me. Not now. Not when I was so close to what I wanted, revenge.
The path through the forest became more creepy and the trees seemed to close in on me. The stone in my hand got hotter, guiding me toward something hidden deep in the woods. The witches had said this stone would lead me to the heart of the curse, but I had no idea what I was walking into.
A sudden snap of a stick behind me brought me from my thoughts. I turned around, my heart pounding. The forest was very quiet, the only sound was the soft sounds of leaves in the wind. I checked the trees, searching for any sign of movement. Was it an animal? Or something more dangerous?
I tightened my grip on the stone, ready for whatever might come. But nothing happened. After a few scary moments, I turned back and continued walking, my senses on high alert. I couldn't afford to be careless, not with having no idea where I was going to, but following a stone that was given to me.
I went deeper into the forest, the trees grew thicker, their branches spread out looking like scarecrows. The stone in my hand was now almost too hot to hold, its magic increasing to its highest, I think.
I stopped at the corner of a clear path, trying to catch my breath. In the center of where I stood a massive, ancient tree, its branches reaching out like claws. I could feel the dark energy coming from it, making the hairs on the back of my neck stand. This was it. The heart of the curse.
I took a careful step forward, my eyes on the tree. There was something dark and dangerous about it, something that made my wolf move uneasily within me. Luisa growled softly in the back of my mind, sensing the same danger I did.
"Be careful," she warned me, her voice full of fear.
I approached the tree slowly, every part of my body telling me to turn back, but I couldn't. I had to see this through. The stone in my hand heated one last time before going cold, as if it had done its job and no longer had a purpose.
I reached out, my fingers brushing against the rough bark of the tree. An electric feeling of energy went through me, and I gasped, pulling my hand back. The dark energy surrounding the tree seemed to breathe, almost as if it was alive, waiting for something or someone.
Suddenly, the ground under my feet began to shake, and I stumbled back, my heart beating. The air was filled with magic, and I felt a presence watching me, though I couldn't see anyone.
Before I could react, a voice said. "So, this is the chosen one. "
I turned around, my heart pounding in my chest. A figure stepped out from the shadows, tall and
commanding , with his eyes very dark, His presence screaming power, and I just knew I had to take a step back, my body trying not to shake in fear.
"Who are you?" I asked, trying to keep my voice from showing how scared I was.
The man smiled. "I'm the one who's been waiting for you, Scarlett."