I placed my hands on Scott’s chest, closed my eyes, and tried to recall that feeling of energy.
Nothing.
“Focus,” I told myself.
I remembered the Moon Goddess’s voice: “Great pain and great love are equally powerful. Your heart has grown strong through both hatred
and love.”
Yes, to escape the shadows of my past life, I’d been willing to give anything.
That intense emotion, that determination, was the true source of my power.
A warm, golden light flowed from my fingertips, surrounding Scott’s wound.
“What’s happening?” Derek stepped back, amazed.
“She’s healing him,” Riley’s little head poked out from the basement door, eyes wide with awe. “Elena is a messenger of the Moon Goddess!”
The golden light grew stronger, filling the room. I could feel Scott’s wounds knitting together, his life force returning.
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+25 Bonus
Finally, the light faded. Scott’s wounds were completely healed, leaving only faint scars.
He opened his eyes, staring at me in shock. “You saved me… Why?”
“Don’t get any ideas,” I said coolly. “I just didn’t want the shelter to become a crime scene.”
Standing up, I felt a new wave of determination.
It was time–time to completely break my link with Scott and be truly free.
“I know why you came,” I said to Scott. “Because of the mate bond. As long as it exists, the Bloodfang pack will keep hunting us, because I’m your weakness.”
Scott nodded weakly. “I’m so sorry for dragging you into all this…”
“Don’t be sorry,” I cut him off, my voice firm. “Because I’m going to end it.”
Scott looked up, shocked. “What?”
“I’m going to break our mate bond,” I announced. “For good.”
“No… that’s impossible…” Scott’s voice trembled with fear. “Mate bonds can’t be broken.”
“The old shaman gave me an amulet.” I pulled out the amulet with the broken chain rune from around my neck. “The Moon Goddess will give the right to choose to those who are determined enough.”
“Elena, think about this…” Scott said desperately. “Do you know what breaking the bond means for an Alpha? I’ll lose the chance to ever find a true mate, to ever complete a true marking…”
“I’ve thought it through,” I said coldly. “This is what I’ve wanted from day one. True freedom.”
Scott closed his eyes in pain. “If this is your choice…”
“It is,” I said firmly.
I closed my eyes, clutched the amulet, and called out to the Moon Goddess. A silvery white light descended from the sky, enveloping me.
“Child,” the Goddess’s voice echoed in my mind, “are you sure you want to do this?”
“Yes,” I answered without hesitation. “I don’t want to be bound by fate. I want to choose my own path, my own love.”
The Goddess was silent for a moment. “Your hatred is so deep, yet you can channel healing. That is rare.”
“My power comes from my desire for freedom,” I explained. “Healing others makes me feel like I’m more than just fate’s puppet.”
“You have a rare will, Elena,” the Goddess said. “That is why I gave you the gift of healing. You have the right to make your own choice.”
I felt a force wrench from my heart, the sensation of my link with Scott being torn away. Agony ripped through me, but I gritted my teeth and
held on.
The light faded. I felt an emptiness in my chest, but then an incredible sense of relief washed over me. That feeling of being connected to Scott, mind to mind, was gone. In its place was complete freedom.
Scott was on his knees, gasping in pain. “The link… it’s broken…”
He looked at me, stunned, his eyes filled with disbelief and a deep, raw hurt. “Elena, do you really hate me that much?”
“I don’t hate you, Scott,” I said calmly. “I just chose myself.”
Derek came to my side, a silent support. He didn’t speak, but his presence gave me strength.
Scott looked at us, and finally, understanding dawned. “You chose him.”
“chose happiness,” I replied. “I chose someone who respects me, who cherishes me.”
Scott closed his eyes, a look of deep pain on his face. “I understand.” He slowly got to his feet. “I’ll leave this town. I won’t bother you again.”
“Thank you,” I said simply.
Scott walked to the door, then paused. “Even though this isn’t how I wanted it to end, I’m still glad I met you, Elena. You taught me what true love and responsibility really mean.”
His voice held genuine regret and a blessing. “May you find true happiness.”
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I didn’t answer. Watching him leave, I no longer felt the old resentment, just a strange kind of peace.
Derek gently took my hand. “Are you okay?”
“Better than I’ve ever been,” I answered.
