Luna Thalassa's Awakening

Chapter 3

_Thalassa's POV_

I stood face to face with Killian. We were poised at the altar of the Selene temple. Before us lay the Selene crystal, a revered relic of our pack, and it held the power to sever the unbreakable bond that had been forced upon us by fate. Its surface remained pristine, reflecting the pale moonlight that streamed through the temple's windows.

My parents stood by my side, but they weren't there to support me. Their expressions were anything but sorrowful; they were eager for me to complete the rejection. This was their opportunity to secure my sister's future and the pack's stability, regardless of my own feelings. I couldn't help but feel a surge of resentment toward my parents. This was the culmination of years of favoritism and mistreatment, and I was the one paying the price.

The tension in the temple was palpable, and the expectant gazes of our pack members only added to the pressure. It was a grim spectacle, a public display of the painful end of a mate bond that I never asked for in the first place.

On Killian's side, Luna Andrea and Alpha Mark stood as witnesses. They, too, were determined to see this bond severed. Killian's cold gaze met mine, and I could see the turmoil in his eyes. He had never wanted me as his mate, and now, he had a chance to rid himself of what he considered a curse.

Alpha Mark handed Killian a small ceremonial dagger. Its handle was adorned with intricate engravings, and its blade shimmered under the moonlight. My gaze met Killian's one last time, and a mixture of emotions swirled in his eyes – relief, guilt, and perhaps even regret. This was the path chosen, and neither of us had a choice but to follow it to the bitter end.

With the ceremonial dagger in hand, Killian began to recite the rejection vows, his voice steady and resolute. "I, Killian, reject the mate bond that binds me to Thalassa." With a swift, deliberate motion, he sliced his own hand. A thin stream of blood flowed from the cut, landing on the surface of the crystal.

He then handed the dagger to me, a silent invitation for me to accept his rejection. With a deep breath, I took the dagger in hand, the engravings on its handle cool against my palm. I met Killian's eyes, and with a voice that trembled but held a quiet strength, I recited the acceptance of the rejection vows. "I, Thalassa, accept your rejection."

As I spoke those words, I cut my own hand with the dagger. A thin line of crimson welled up, and I allowed my blood to mingle with Killian's on the crystal. As our blood mixed, a profound energy radiated from the crystal, and it started glowing.

Suddenly, a searing pain coursed through me. It felt as though a piece of my very soul was being torn away. The mate bond, which had connected us, was now being irrevocably severed. The agony was unbearable, as if I was being torn apart from the inside out.

My vision blurred, and I clenched my teeth to suppress the anguished cries that threatened to escape my lips. It was a torment like no other, a pain that seemed endless. Killian, on the other hand, remained unaffected. The rejection had no physical impact on the one who initiated it, and his gaze, while remorseful, held no hint of pain.

My parents, Luna Andrea and Alpha Mark watched the scene unfold with a mix of satisfaction and relief. They had gotten what they wanted – the mate bond had been broken, freeing Killian to be with my sister, Marina. The pack members, gathered to witness the event, observed in silence, aware of the significance of the moment.

As the glow of the Selene crystal began to subside, the pain gradually receded, leaving me feeling drained and hollow. I turned to look at the crowd that had gathered in the temple. My gaze fell on my sister, Marina, who stood among the pack members. Her face was illuminated by a wide grin, triumphant and satisfied. She had achieved her goal and secured her future as the Luna.

Marina's joyful expression and the cheers of the pack members who supported her sent a sharp pang through my heart. It was clear that her happiness had come at the cost of my own pain and suffering. I had been the one to bear the burden of rejection and the mate bond's severance, while Marina reaped the rewards.

I felt a comforting hand on my shoulder and turned to see Luna Andrea standing beside me. Her expression was a mix of sympathy and understanding. She whispered softly, "Thalassa, I know this is incredibly difficult for you. If you ever need someone to talk to, I'm here for you."

For a moment, I considered opening up to her, but a nagging feeling told me that her empathy might not be genuine. She had been a part of this plan and she only cared about her own interests. With a tight smile, I replied, "Thank you, Luna Andrea, but I'm perfectly fine. I'll manage."

I knew that sharing my pain with her wouldn't change anything. She was part of the system that had orchestrated this painful rejection, and her offer of support felt hollow. With a nod, I turned away from her and left the temple.

Tears streamed down my cheeks as I ran away. The cool night air did little to soothe the searing emotional pain that still echoed within me. I felt like a piece of me had been ripped away, and the betrayal from my family and the entire pack weighed heavily on my heart.

Once I reached our packhouse, I rushed to my room and locked the door behind me. I collapsed onto my bed, burying my face in my pillow as sobs wracked my body. The pain was so profound, and I couldn't help but wonder why fate had been so cruel to me.

In the dim light of my room, I gazed at the moon through the window. With a trembling voice, I whispered, "Why, moon goddess? What have I done to deserve this pain? Have I angered you in some way that I'm forced to endure this torment? I never asked for this mate bond, and yet, I'm the one who must bear the consequences."

My words were carried away by the night, and there was no response from the moon goddess. I knew deep down that the moon held no answers, and my questions were directed at the silent void of the night.

I had no sense of how long I had been in that state of emotional turmoil when suddenly, amidst my sobs, I heard a faint knock at the door. At first, I tried to ignore it, as I was in no mood to talk to anyone. But the persistent knocking continued, growing louder with each attempt.

Reluctantly, I pushed myself up from the bed, my eyes swollen and red from crying. With a shaky voice, I managed to utter, "Who is it? What do you want?"

The person did not answer my questions. The knocking continued, demanding my attention, and my irritation grew with each passing moment. I hoped that whoever was on the other side of the door had a good reason to disturb me at such a vulnerable moment. I felt emotionally drained, and the last thing I wanted was to engage with anyone right now.

Despite my reluctance, I knew I had to confront the visitor. With a sigh, I moved closer to the door, wiped the tears from my eyes, and tried to compose myself as best as I could. With a bit more patience, I called out, "Please, if you have something important to say, just tell me. I'm not in the mood for games or unnecessary interruptions."