Aria
I collapse to my knees, the weight of Callum's betrayal too much to bear. The damp earth beneath me offers no comfort, no solace from the storm of emotions raging inside me. This was my mate, my love, my entire life, and he just shattered my heart into pieces. Tears stream down my cheeks, my vision blurred with the intensity of my pain.
Callum stands there, watching me, his own eyes filled with sorrow. I can sense the regret radiating off him, but it does nothing to soothe the aching wound in my heart.
"Aria," he whispers, his voice thick with remorse. "I'm so sorry. I never meant to hurt you but it’s just how things are."
His words are like a dagger, twisting deeper into my already broken heart. I look up at him, my amber eyes searching for some semblance of the love I had thought we shared. But all I see is the truth I can no longer deny; he loves Tamara.
"I love her, Aria," he confesses, his voice barely audible. "I never meant for this to happen, but I can't deny what I feel for her any longer."
“So everything we shared meant nothing for you? You just toss it down the drain like this?”
I choke back a sob, my heart constricting painfully in my chest. The man I had given everything to, the man who was supposed to be my other half, had chosen someone else. The cold, hard truth hits me like a tidal wave, leaving me breathless and drowning in my grief.
The tears continue to fall, my body wracked with sobs as I try to comprehend the enormity of what has just happened. My world, once filled with love and certainty, has crumbled around me, leaving me lost and adrift in a sea of pain and betrayal.
Callum reaches out as if to comfort me, but I flinch away from his touch. The bond that we once shared, that unbreakable connection between fated mates, has been severed by his actions. And though my heart longs for the love and support of my alpha, I know that I can no longer trust him.
As I struggle to regain my composure, I know that I must find a way to move forward. My heart may be broken, but my spirit, my fierce determination, remains unshaken. This pain, this betrayal, will not define me. And though the path ahead is uncertain, I will find my way through the darkness and into the light.
I rise to my feet, my tears wiped away and my resolve hardened. I know that my life will never be the same. But I also know that I will survive, that I will find the strength to heal and, ultimately, to love again. This I swear on the Moon Goddess.
As I stand before Callum, my heart aches with the knowledge that what we once shared can never be the same. The bond between fated mates is meant to be unbreakable, a connection forged in the depths of our very souls. And yet, his betrayal has torn that bond apart, leaving an empty void where love and certainty once lived.
With a deep breath, I gather my courage and confront him. "Callum, our bond was supposed to be unbreakable, but you've shattered it with your betrayal. I cannot continue as your fated mate, knowing that you love Tamara. You’ve fucking destroyed everything!"
His eyes widen with shock at my words, but I can't afford to let that affect me. The wound he's inflicted on my heart runs deep, and I must protect myself from further harm.
"I Aria Santiago, reject you, Callum Blackthorne," I say, my voice steady despite the torrent of emotions roiling inside me. "I sever the bond between us. You are no longer my fated mate, and I am no longer yours."
The moment the words leave my lips, a surge of energy pulses through me as if the very fabric of our connection is being ripped apart. It's a painful, almost unbearable sensation, but I know it's necessary for my healing and growth.
Callum staggers back, his face a mask of shock.
"Aria, you’re hurt," he says, his voice breaking with emotion. "I never meant for this to happen. I never meant to hurt you."
But his words, however sincere, cannot undo the damage he's caused. The trust that once formed the foundation of our bond has been irrevocably shattered, and there's no going back.
"I despise you, Callum, and I never want to see you again for as long as I live," I say, my voice thick with hatred. "What you just did is destroy my life forever."
“Aria,” he calls as he reaches to touch me.
“Don’t you dare touch me ever again,” I spit the words.
With a heavy heart, I turn away from him, leaving the remnants of our shattered bond behind me. As I walk away, I feel a strange mixture of grief and relief. The bond that once tethered us together is gone, leaving me adrift and untethered. But I know that this is the first step towards healing, finding my path, and discovering who I am without him.
As I make my way through the forest, the moonlight guiding my steps, I feel a sense of determination beginning to stir within me. I may have lost my fated mate, but I refuse to let that define me. I will find my own way, forge my own destiny, and prove to myself and the world that I am more than just a broken heart.
As I continue to walk through the forest, the adrenaline that had been fueling me begins to wane, and the true toll of severing the bond makes itself known. My entire body feels like a wreck, pain radiating through every nerve and fiber. My legs tremble beneath me, and I can barely put one foot in front of the other.
Each step is a battle, a struggle to keep moving forward despite the overwhelming exhaustion that threatens to consume me. My breath comes in ragged gasps, my chest tightening with every inhale. The world around me seems to blur, the edges of my vision growing hazy as I struggle to maintain my focus. My vision darkens.
AriaI stumble, my body finally giving in to the unbearable strain. I collapse to the ground, my knees sinking into the damp earth as I clutch at my chest, desperately trying to catch my breath. The pain is relentless, a constant reminder of the bond that was ripped from me, the love and support that I had once relied on, are now gone.Tears well up in my eyes once more, but this time they're not just for the betrayal I've suffered. They're for the loss of my strength, the seemingly insurmountable challenge that lies ahead of me as I try to rebuild my life without Callum.As I lie there, my body wracked with pain and my heart aching with grief, I feel a flicker of fear. What if I'm not strong enough to face this new reality? What if the burden of this pain is too much for me to bear?But even as these thoughts threaten to consume me, I refuse to give in to despair. I've come too far and fought too hard to let this pain define me. With a trembling hand, I wipe away my tears, gritting m
CallumI find myself sitting in my study, trying to process everything that has happened. Tamara is at my side, her eyes glittering with excitement as she speaks. She's elated that Aria and I are no longer mates, that our bond has been severed.As she leans in to kiss me, I can't help but feel distant, my thoughts consumed by the pain in Aria's eyes when she uttered those devastating words: "I reject you as my mate." Those words keep replaying in my mind, haunting me, reminding me of what I've lost.Tamara's lips meet mine, but the kiss feels empty, devoid of the passion and love I once felt for her. I can't shake the feeling that everything has changed, that I'm trapped in a nightmare from which I can't escape.Pulling away from the kiss, Tamara furrows her brow, clearly upset by my lack of enthusiasm. "Callum," she says, her voice laced with irritation, "why aren't you happy? You're free now. Aria is out of the picture. You and I can finally be together like we always wanted."I gla
CallumI summon Brayden, my trusted Beta, to my office. His face is etched with concern when he arrives, clearly sensing that something is amiss."Brayden," I begin, taking a deep breath before explaining everything that has transpired between Aria and me. "Aria has left the pack – for good. I broke our bond and... and she rejected me as her mate."His eyes widen in disbelief, shock written all over his face. "Callum, why on earth would you do that? You and Aria were perfect for each other. I know you don't love Tamara, not like you loved Aria. She was the love of your life."My emotions bubble over, a mixture of anger, regret, and frustration. In a fit of rage, I sweep my arm across my desk, sending papers and small objects flying. "I don't need you to tell me that, Brayden!" I yell, my voice cracking. "I already know!"My Alpha aura flares up, and I fix Brayden with an intense stare, trying to regain control of the situation. "I need you to track Aria down," I demand, my voice tight
Aria My feet feel heavy as I walk away from the only home I've ever known, leaving behind everything and everyone I once held dear. The forest is quiet except for the sound of snapping twigs beneath my feet, twigs that seem to mimic the cracking of my heart. I have no idea where I'm going or what the future holds for me now. The life I thought I would have has crumbled around me, destroyed by Callum's betrayal. All I know is that I have to get as far away from here as possible, even though each step fills me with pain. As I walk, tears streaming down my cheeks, I pull out my phone with a shaky hand. There's only one person I can think to call, one friend I've known since childhood who might help me in my hour of need - Leah from the Silverfang Pack. She answers after two rings, concern evident in her voice. I break down as I explain everything that's happened between Callum and me. Through broken sobs, I tell her how he shattered my heart and destroyed our bond. "Aria, I am so sor
Callum The silence in my quarters is deafening. I pace back and forth, Aria's face haunting my thoughts. Her beautiful amber eyes, once so full of life and love, now shattered by my betrayal. I should never have let her go. She was everything to me - my fated mate, my Luna, my whole world. And now she's gone, slipped through my fingers like sand. My wolf whines and scratches inside me, aching for our mate. Our true mate. No matter how much I try to justify it, I know Aria and I belonged together. What have I done? I sink down on my bed, head in hands. Doubt gnaws at me, shame burning through my veins. I was the one who pushed her away and destroyed our bond. For what? For power? Prestige? None of it matters without her. I should go after Aria. Fight for our love and bring her home where she belongs. Before it's too late. But it's too late, isn't it? She's fled, far beyond my reach. And now duty binds me here as Alpha - I cannot simply abandon my pack for a woman, no matter how
Aria A piercing howl shatters the silence of the night, jolting me from restless dreams. I bolt upright, heart pounding, the ghostly ache of a severed bond throbbing through me. The howl echoes again, full of longing and sorrow. Trembling, I rise and go to the window, peering out into the darkened woods surrounding Leah's remote home. Moonlight filters through the trees, casting shifting shadows across the forest floor. As my eyes adjust, I spot a lone wolf standing at the tree line, massive form silhouetted in the silvery glow. My breath catches. Even at this distance, I'd recognize that wolf anywhere. Broad shoulders. Jet black fur with a splash of silver across the chest. The white flash of scars on his face, marks of an Alpha who has battled fiercely to protect his pack. Callum. My wolf stirs inside me, whining softly. She aches for our mate, yearns to run to him, and nuzzle into his familiar fur. To pretend, just for a moment, that things are as they were before. But I force
Callum Rage boils through my veins as I pace back and forth across my study. The image of Aria kneeling before that cursed Silverfang Alpha is seared into my mind. Elijah's hands on her shoulders, embracing her. The words of loyalty slipping from her lips. Words that should have been meant for me alone. With an anguished roar, I sweep my arm across the desk, sending papers and books crashing to the floor. It does nothing to the tempest inside me. "Callum, you need to calm down," Brayden urges, watching me warily from across the room. "Losing control won't change anything now." I whirl on him, eyes blazing. "You don't understand! I've lost her, Brayden. Truly lost her this time." My voice cracks on the words. Aria pledged herself to another Alpha tonight. Severed the last fragile bond still tethering us. She is bound to the Silverfangs now in a way I cannot undo. Brayden's green eyes reflect sympathy and regret. "I warned you that casting Aria out would only lead to more pain. Bu
Aria I toss and turn in the unfamiliar bed, the events of the acceptance ceremony replaying in my mind on an endless loop. My wolf paces restlessly beneath my skin, still unsettled from severing our final ties to Moonshadow. To Callum.After hours of this, I can't take it anymore. I need to move, to run, to feel the wind in my fur and the earth under my paws. Shifting forms as quietly as possible so as not to wake Leah, I slip out into the moonlit night.The cool forest air fills my lungs as I break into a loping stride, picking up speed until the trees blur around me. For a moment, I am free, untethered from the pain and confusion weighing me down.But then a scent hits my nose, stopping me dead in my tracks. Earthy and wild with hints of pine and smoke. A scent I would know anywhere, in any form.Callum.My heart clenches painfully in my chest. Some masochistic part of me is tempted to turn tail and flee the other way, putting as much distance as possible between myself and my form