shuhaige
Chapter 4
From the very beginning, I was drawn to Balthar, even before my wolf awakened and the whole mating bond became a part of my life.
What started as innocent puppy love grew into something deeper. I found myself constantly pursuing his attention, doing everything I could to make him notice me, hoping that one day he’d look at me the way I looked at him.
But perhaps I tried too hard. Somewhere along the way, he began to resent me for it.
After his coming–of–age ceremony, when he learned that I was his true mate–not Nayra–he only grew colder. Everything I had done to get closer to him, all the gifts, surprises, and efforts to win his heart, he turned around and did for her.Upstodatee from Novel(D)ra/m/a.O(r)g
Even though I knew my love was hopelessly one sided, I still stayed by his side. I came to ask myself why I didn t walk away. Wouldn’t it have been easier to let Balthar go and let Nayra have him? Was it because of what my parents had said?
They warned me that rejecting a mate bond was a rebellion against the Moon Goddess herself, and it would brought a huge shame on our family. My father always said that no matter how hard we fought it, we werewolves would eventually return to our fated mates. The bond was inevitable. And so, I continued to love Balthar, even as our families arranged our marriage. That led him to temporarily stop pursuing Nayra, though it didn’t change his feelings. Regardless the chaos of that time, my sister chose to leave, moving to another pack to study. It was there that she found her fated mate.
Balthar’s resentment toward me only deepened after that. He made every effort to avoid any involvement in our mating ceremony, openly declaring in front of both families that a forced marriage didn’t deserve any celebration.
In the end, neither of us could fight the power our families held over us, and the marriage went through.
Years later, Nayra unexpectedly returned from the neighboring pack. Along with her completed studies, she brought news that her fated mate had died in a tragic accident.
Despite finding her whole situation rather odd, I didn‘ t dwell on it much since my parents didn’t really fuss about it too. What I knew was that Nayra would linger around Balthar, and my fated mate would devote his attention for my sister.
Then it struck me.
I understood why Balthar resented me, but why did he treat Balto with such coldness? What had son done to deserve being treated as if he didn’t even exist?
“Alpha Balthar, I feel nauseous again,” my sister suddenly said, leaning into him for support. My eyes narrowed as I watched them. Their interaction sickened me.
Balthar used to be so handsome, his muscular and masculine features almost mesmerizing. But now? All I could feel was disgust.
Nayra seized the moment and escalated it even further. With her eyes glistening with unshed tears, she pressed closer to him, prompting Balthar to cradle her in his protective embrace.
“My cheek hurt too. Can you check if it’s swollen?” she asked, her voice fragile and pleading.
The scene felt painfully familiar, like a déjà vu.
I’d seen Nayra pull this act many times when we were younger–be it with our parents, the council elders, or our teachers. Always playing the victim, always seeking attention.
She‘ always harbored a silent grudge against me. I couldn’t pinpoint when it began, but after the Lunaria comet shower, the day sacred to our Dawnwynd Pack, her animosity grew bolder.
That day marked a tradition–the passing of the Lunar Crystalis from the previous holder to someone they deemed worthy. And I was chosen.
The stone was said to strengthen the bond between a wolf and its spirit, granting the wielder an unbreakable connection. But despite possessing it, I had never summoned its power. I had been too afraid.
Now, with Balto gone, I had nothing left to cling to. Even though I knew my bond with my wolf was weak, I lost the will to even try to repair it.
“Apologize to your sister, Elmyra,” Balthar demanded, his glare cold and piercing.
I lifted my chin defiantly, meeting his gaze. “No way!”