28: Choices, choices

**Raegan**

"Your magic is in tact," mom said, her words like salve on a burn.

"Oh thank god," I breathed out in relief, turning around and holding my shirt to my chest.

"It's not pulled with the magic that allows you to shift, so you shouldn't ever have to worry about losing both at the same time."

"That's good, right?"

"Right."

"And since your back is healed entirely now, I want to recommend something else for you, your Majesty." The doctor smiled softly at me.

"Alright..." I responded hesitantly, unsure of what else I would need.

"I believe it would be in your best interest to see a counselor."

I blinked at him, both shocked and amused.

"What?" I chuckled.

"I have a list of counselors in the state who are were's and are specialized in trauma care. I can--"

"No." I stated firmly.

He furrowed his brows, "your Majesty--"

"I don't want to see a therapist."

He looked to my mother, who gave him a look that said, "I'll talk to her."

I frowned deeply as the doctor left.

"Raegan, what you went through *is* traumatizing. You might not be ready now, but therapy really is a good idea, at least at some point down the road. Just think about, okay?" She said to me, playing with a chunk of my hair.

I sighed, "I'll think about it, but I'm not making any promises."

"Alright," mom smiled softly.

I pursed my lips, then hopped off the hospital bed. "Now come with me before Coal returns. I... I don't want to upset him but I don't want to do this alone."

Mom's brows raised.

I frowned, "I'm feeling the distance sickness."

"Dist--? Oh. I see." Mom's face fell. I sighed and nodded.

"Exactly."

"Alright, let's go. Let's make it quick."

"Agreed," I nodded.

Mom and I walked in silence to the dungeons. I made sure I was taking in deep breaths with every step and keeping my heart from racing out of my chest in fear.

Mom grabbed my hand and squeezed it tightly. The gentle tingle of her magic wrapped around our intertwined hands and crawled around me to create a protective harrier for me.

I was silently thankful for the feeling of her protection.

The closer we got to him the better my foggy mind felt and the guiltier I was. I hated that I needed him to any degree and I needed to figure out to rid myself of him.

When someone is marked, the regular symptoms of an uncompleted bond befalls them. It's the magic pushing you to a decision, urging you to either complete it or--

"Mom?" I stopped abruptly and faced my mother.

"Yes?" She stopped as well.

"Can I reject him and it work?"

She blinked a few times, "I'm not too sure, but it's worth trying. Things are usually different for hybrids of any kind, so there's a chance it won't."

I nodded, setting my resolve to try rejecting him formally. With a newfound determination I marched onward to Kai's cell.

The putrid smell of blood and antiseptics were thick in the air the closer we got, but I could pick his scent up in the air easily and followed it till I saw him laying on a cot behind bars, arms folded underneath his head, and muzzle firmly in place.

I took a deep breath and kicked the bars loudly. He sat up slowly, his eyes narrowed.

"Kai." I said.

"Mate."

I hissed at the word from his lips and shook my head curtly. "No, Kai. I am *not* your mate."

"Tell that to the mark on your neck, Lycan." He smirked.

I snarled at him and then opened my mouth to get this over with. "This is it, Kai. The bond you forced on me won't be able to save you from my mate or the council. I, Raegan Martin, Second of Stone Moon and future Alpha Queen of wolves, reject you as my mate and sever the bond forced on me."

I expected pain. I expected it to work. I expected to be free of the bonds that tied me to this horrible man.

So, when nothing happened, rage started to fill me. Rage at him. Rage at the bond he forced me into. Rage at the so-called-moon-Goddess for letting this happen to me. Rage that the one time I chose to let my fate be held by someone else, I get absolutely fucked by it. Rage that reminded me of the dream that kept me fighting. The dream that Kai stole from me and the lie that I could somehow recover it.

The kind of rage that swelled in my veins and burned under my eyelids. Red hot rage that threatened to consume me whole if I wasn't careful.

And I was tired of being fucking *careful*.