Chapter 116 116

Chapter 116 116
Maddy's POV  
The door creaked open, and Hazelentered. Her gaze fell on my arm, and she gasped. "Maddy, it's spreading so fast!" She rushed to my side, her eyes wide with fear. 
"I know, Hazel. I know," I whispered, my voice barely audible over the howling wind outside. "Maddy, you need to decide. And fast. Before it's too late," Hazel implored, her hands gripping mine. 
I sniffled, wiping away my tears with the back of my hand. "But I can't, Hazel. I'm scared," I confessed, my voice shaking. "Scared of what?" she asked, her voice soft and understanding. 
"The truth is, I can't make a decision because... if I accept Jason as my mate, this curse will be broken, and I won't turn rogue.”
"And if I denounce Jason, the curse will still be broken, but... Jason could turn rogue, because he's... he's in love with me." I whispered the last part out. 
Hazel's eyes widened as I revealed my truth, and then she pulled me into a hug. "Oh, Maddy," she breathed out. "This is so hard. But remember, it's your life.”
“You have to make the best decision, and we both know the best is the safest. The one that ensures everyone is safe." 
"But, Hazel, I don't want to hurt anyone," I sobbed into her shoulder. "I know, I know," she whispered, rubbing my back in comforting circles. 
"But the moon goddess made you destined mates for a reason. And there is a rule about declining your mate for a reason. Only your mate would put his life on the line for you, and that's because of the bond you share. That is true love.." She explained. 
"Do you think Zac would really lay his life on the line for you? You love him but you always wanted to leave him so this is your chance" Her words left me with a question, disturbing my thoughts. 
Not just Zac but also Jason. No one would put their life on the line for anyone, especially not Zac. The only person foolish enough to do that would be Hazel. But now I wonder: would Jason really lay down his life for me? 
Jason's POV  
I was in Draven's room, pacing back and forth like a caged animal. My heart pounded in my chest like a drum, and my mind was filled with worry and fear. Draven sat on his bed, watching me with an unreadable expression. 
"Jason, calm down," he said, his voice steady and soothing. "Hazelhas gone to see her. Maddy will be okay." 
I knew Draven meant well, but his words did nothing to soothe my nerves. "Draven, you don't understand! The veins...they're moving faster than they should." 
Last night I saw it myself. I recalled memories of the black tendrils creeping up Maddy's arm, and it haunted me to the extent that I couldn't get a whiff of sleep last night. 
"Ja-" Before Draven could respond, the door swung open, and Hazelrushed in, tears streaming down her face. Draven was by her side in an instant, his arms wrapping around her. "What's wrong?" he asked, his voice laced with worry.
"It's Maddy... The veins have gone past her shoulders. She might turn rogue by midnight," she choked out, her voice trembling with emotion. 
Midnight? That was only a few hours away. My heart felt like it was shattering into a million pieces. "Did she... Did she make a decision?" I managed to stammer out. 
Hazelshook her head, fresh tears welling in her eyes. "She's scared, Jason. She's torn between you and Zac. She doesn't want to betray him by choosing you, and she doesn't want to put you in danger by rejecting you." 
The truth hit me like a punch to the gut. Maddy was caught in a terrible dilemma, and I was the cause of it. It was not a choice. It was an ultimatum. If she won't decide, then... I had to do something. 
"I... I have to go," I muttered, turning towards the door. 
"Jason, wait!" Draven called out, but I was already out the door. His voice echoed in the empty hallway, but I didn't stop. I couldn't. Maddy was running out of time, and I had to do something—anything—to save her.
I pushed open Maddy's door, my heart nearly stopping at the sight of her standing by the window. The soft glow of the moon illuminated her, making her look ethereal, just like the first time I saw her. 
But then, my gaze fell on the black vein creeping up her throat, resting at her jawline, and my heart sank. I shook off the shock and walked into the room. Before she could protest, I scooped her up in my arms, bridal style. 
"Jason, what are you doing? Put me down!" she protested, her fists hammering against my chest. Yes, this is the girl I fell in love with. This feisty cheetah. 
Ignoring her protests, I carried her outside, to the back of the mansion, and into a garden where the moonlight was in full view. I put her down gently, her feet touching the soft grass. The moon shone brightly, casting long shadows around us.
"Maddy," I began, trying to keep my voice steady. 
"When I said I was in love with you, it was a lie."  I saw the shock flash in her eyes, but I continued, "I wanted to get the upper hand against Zac for the white walkers pack because I thought you would know his secrets and could help us defeat him.”
“I had no idea your wolf had fallen in love with me."  She looked at me with confusion written all over her face. "But...why?"
I shrugged. "I guess both you and your wolf are pushovers. But I can't watch you turn rogue for a lost cause. If I did, then Hazel would be depressed and Draven would kill me. Plus, I really care about Hazel, and I can't let her lose her friend." 
Her lips parted as if to speak, but no words came out. I sighed and reached out, lightly touching the black vein on her jawline. "Denounce me as your mate, Maddy. Break the curse. Don't let yourself turn rogue."
The seconds ticking by felt like hours as I waited for her response, hoping that my words had reached her. After a moment of silence, she finally looked up at me, her eyes shining with tears and resolve. 
"No, I won't. You fucked up, liar." 
Maddy's POV 
My heart pounded in my chest as I took in Jason's words. "Maddy, when I said I was in love with you, it was a lie. I wanted to get the upper hand against Zac because I felt you'd know many of his secrets and be able to help. 
“I had no idea your wolf had fallen in love with me. I guess both you and your wolf are pushovers. But I can't watch you turn rogue for a lost cause because I care about Hazel, so... denounce me as your mate."
Every word was like a bullet, piercing through the fragile shield around my heart. I looked away, unable to meet his gaze. His eyes were too honest and too clear. It was too much. His words were telling me the opposite of what his eyes told me. 
But then my gaze fell on his wrist. There it was—a black vein just like mine. It was moving steadily and would soon wrap around his wrist. He was lying! The realization hit me like a tidal wave, and I looked back at him.
His eyes met mine, holding a depth of emotion that took my breath away. No one had ever done anything like this for me before. He was willing to sacrifice himself for my safety. He truly loved me. My mate.
"No I won't... you fucked up liar." The words came crumbling out of me. "Jason," I started, my voice shaking. "I can't. I can't denounce you as my mate."
His eyes widened in surprise. "Maddy-" 
"I love you," I interrupted him, the words tumbling out of my mouth. It was as if a dam had burst, and all my pent-up feelings were rushing out. "I love you, Jason." 
And with that, I pulled him towards me, my hands tangling in his hair. I kissed him, pouring all my emotions into that one action. 
Tears streamed down my cheeks, but I didn't care. I realized that I was in love with Jason, and I wasn't going to let him sacrifice himself for me. Not when I had the power to save us both. 
After a while, I pulled away and looked him in the eye, waiting for his response. But he seemed too lost to understand a thing, and it took him a while to process things.