Chapter 28 The Fractures of the Mate Bond
Amara’s POV
I opened my eyes to the gentle glow of the candles. My limbs were tired and heavy, and everything seemed blurry. My chest ached dullly but persistently, as if something had broken inside of me and would not go away.
"Amara..." a quiet voice said quietly.
As I looked around, I noticed Kian seated next to me. Despite their weariness, his glittering eyes were worried. Taking my hand, he placed it to his lips gently.
"You're awake," he said softly as he ran his touch over my skin. "Grateful to the moon."
I had a dry throat. "What took place?"
"We succeeded," Kian said quietly. "The ceremony was successful. The curse has been lifted.
I whispered, "But it's not gone," recalling the burning sensation and excruciating pain of the mark on my back. "The power seems to have grown stronger, and I can still feel it now."
Kian nodded despite his strained expression. Something else woke up after the curse was lifted. What we don't yet know. However, we'll work it out. Together.”
He leaned in and planted a kiss on my forehead before I could respond. He had warm lips. Soothing. However, something inside of me resisted.
"Amara?" Another voice, harsher and deeper, came.
I noticed Rowan standing in the shadows after glancing past Kian. His look was fixed on us. And I was struck like a punch by the pain in them.
“Give her some space, Kian,” Rowan replied in a quiet voice.
Kian withdrew slowly, his face inscrutable. "Rowan, she just woke up."
"And she needs air now," Rowan snarled.
I whispered, "Kian, please."
Kian paused. Then, with stiff shoulders, he got up and left. He left behind a deafening silence.
Rowan moved forward and knelt next to me. His hand passed over mine without making contact.
As he looked over my face, he said, "You're okay." "Amara, I was really afraid. I believed we would lose you.
I said, "I'm still here."
He cast his look downward. Indeed. However, are we?
I felt the knot in my chest tighten as I took a deep breath. "Rowan... I have no idea what's going on with me. To us.
"I understand," he said. That's the reason I stayed. Since I assumed you would pick me.
My eyes stung with tears. "It's not that easy."
"Isn't it?" Now his voice was raw. "I have supported you from the start. I fought for you, I almost died for you, I bled for you. He's kissing you now as if he owns you.
My heart hurt. "I didn't request this bond. Not with you two.
But he added, "It's real." "We have a genuine bond."
Finally expressing what I had been trying to keep hidden, I said, "I feel something for both of you." However, I have no idea what it is. Or who I am now.
With his fists clenched, Rowan stood. "Then solve it without my help."
I gasped. "What?"
He turned away and said, "I won't wait around while you choose him." "I've had enough of being second."
Then he disappeared.
Shortly afterwards, I heard the door creak open once more. With a storm in his eyes, Kian walked in.
"You still have feelings for him," he stated bluntly.
"That's not what I said," I said.
"You didn't need to," he yelled. "Your eyes do."
My body resisted my attempt to sit up. "Please, Kian, don't—"
"Amara, you're ruining us both." His voice broke. "I've sacrificed too much and fought too hard, only to lose you to him."
With tears running down my face, I declared, "I'm not a prize." "I am not something that can be acquired."
Then, he said sourly, "What are we doing?"
"I'm not sure!" I sobbed. "I'm afraid. Without this curse, this power, and the conflict between you two that pulls me in different directions, I have no idea who I am!
Kian looked at me. His stern face wavered for a second, showing the boy standing behind the warrior.
"All I wanted was for you to pick me," he said.
Then he also departed.
Now the room was silent. Too silent.
I sobbed into the covers as I turned over on my side. I had a tearing sensation in my chest. The connection between them remained, straining and tugging, but it was thin and tattered, like a thread on the verge of breaking.
"Why am I unable to simply be normal?" To the darkness, I said quietly. "What made the moon pick me?"
Suddenly, the room became cold.
The light from the candles flickered.
Then I caught sight of her.
Lilith.
Her lips twisted into a sinister smile as she stood in the shadows, her long, dark hair flowing like smoke.
She purred, "Well done, little wolf." "You have shattered their hearts. As I had wanted.
I was unable to talk. Unable to move. I could only watch her move closer while my body froze.
She circled me and whispered, "Love is such a fragile thing." "And it's broken now."
I managed to whisper, "Get out."
All she could do was chuckle.
"Amara, you've opened the door. I can now move freely.
The mark on my back blazed like fire, and her eyes gleamed crimson.
"You believed you would be saved if you broke the curse?" She hissed. "No, sweetheart. It was just the start.
"Stop!" I clutched my head and shouted. "Go away from me!"
Lilith's voice was like ice when she leaned down and whispered in my ear.
"All right. "Shatter her heart," she uttered. Allow her to sink. And I'll get up when she does.
She was gone in an instant.
But I could still hear her laughing.
I was alone.
Alone, really.
And something sinister had begun to stir deep within me.