Bound by faith the rise of a rejected mate

Melissa's POV

As everyone milled around the area, getting ready for the impending combat, the tension in the pack was palpable. Sentences were positioned at the borders, and weapons were sharpened. Even with the preparations, there was still a sense of apprehension.

With duty weighing heavily on my heart, I stood in the middle. This was no ordinary altercation. Everything could be decided in the battle.

Lucas stated steadily, "Melissa, we're ready." I was given a border map by him. "Dennis is guarding the northern edge, and Damon and his group are based here."

I remarked, looking at the map, "Good." "Tell them to stay where they are. Don't interact if you see Raven. Let me deal with him.

Lucas paused. "Are you certain? He's dangerous.

"I'm sure," I cut in, my tone steely. Raven is more than simply a threat. He is sly. I must confront him head-on if we are to prevail.

Reluctantly, Lucas nodded and left.

Dennis stepped forward, his face solemn. "You don't have to do this by yourself, Melissa. I can fight beside you.

I looked him in the eyes and replied, "Thank you, Dennis." However, this is my battle. I sense it.

He scowled without protesting. "Just, please, don't act carelessly."

I forced a tiny smile. "I'll give it a shot."

Night arrived swiftly and with it a spooky quiet. Then came the low, guttural, ominous howls. At the forest's edge, shadows moved, and the outlaws appeared, their eyes blazing.

"Places!" I raised my voice above the growing growls and yelled.

With their weapons shining in the moonlight, the pack formed a defensive line. I felt my strength stirring within me, waiting to be let out.

Chaos broke out as the first rogue charged. The beast flew as I threw out my hands, releasing a blaze of light. Despite the vast numbers, the pack around me fought bravely and held their footing.

"Behind you, Melissa!" someone shouted.

I whirled barely in time to use a shimmering barrier to deflect a rogue's blow. The shield resisted the creature's snarling and clawing.

Dennis battled next to me, his motions crisp and incisive. "We must not allow them to push us back!" he said, taking down another outlaw.

"I understand!" I answered, feeling energized.

We drove them back one by one, but it was tiring. A spooky laugh reverberated across the area just when it appeared like we were winning.

Raven emerged from the darkness, his aura brimming with strength and wrath. The outlaws instantly withdrew, encircling him in a circle of protection.

"Melissa," he continued, his tone full of derision. "You've performed admirably, but let's face it. All you're doing is postponing the inevitable.

I stepped up and said, "Raven, your reign of terror ends here."

His pointed teeth gleamed as he grinned. "So assured. Do you even comprehend the prophecy, I ask you? Are you aware of the cause you are fighting for?

I firmly answered, "I'm fighting to protect my pack."

He gave a gloomy laugh. "How honourable. However, you're up against destiny itself. Melissa, you can't prevail. The prophecy encourages chaos rather than heroes.

I was chilled by what he said, but I was not going to back down. "We'll check on that."

When Raven sprang at me, our abilities clashed in a dazzling display of light and dark. As we battled, neither of us willing to give up, the ground trembled beneath us.

Raven acknowledged, in a tone that bordered on admiration, "You're strong." "Better than I anticipated. However, strength is insufficient.

I felt a glimmer of victory as I shoved Raven away. I had towin this. Then again, in a low, mocking voice, he spoke.

"Melissa, are you even aware of your differences? Why do you possess abilities that no one else does?

All he wanted was for me to hesitate. He sent me sprawling to the ground with a blast of dark energy.

"Melissa, get up!" Dennis yelled, but I was immobile. Raven's words kept repeating in my head.

"What are you discussing?" Struggling to stand, I demanded.

His grin grew as he knelt next to me. "You are more than just a guardian. The secret to everything is you. Saving your pack is not the purpose of the prophecy. The goal is to destroy them.

"No," I said in a whisper while shaking my head. "You're telling lies."

Leaning closer, he asked, "Am I?" "Consider why you believe your abilities are so special. What makes you believe that the prophecy solely mentions you? Melissa, you are not their rescuer. You are the reason they fail.

I froze as his words struck me like a thunderbolt. Was it accurate? Was I responsible for the devastation I was working so hard to stop?

Raven sprang to his feet and held up his hand before I could reply. "Good luck trying to figure it out," he replied, laughing cruelly.

Dark energy surged from him, and I had to protect myself. He and the other rogues were gone when the light cleared.

My thoughts were racing as I stumbled to my feet. The faces of the group were puzzled and worried as they surrounded me.

"How are you, Melissa?" Lucas enquired.

I didn't know if I was numb, but I nodded. Even while my strength still pulsed inside of me, it seemed unsteady and uncertain now.

Dennis touched me on the shoulder. "Don't be alarmed by anything he said. Together, we will solve this.

I tried to smile, but his remarks didn't calm the chaos inside of me.

A vision of a weird, luminous symbol carved into the ground and a voice whispering, "The truth will destroy you," appeared as the pack started to reassemble.

I was shocked and out of breath when the picture disappeared. What was meant by it? And since I no longer knew who I was, how could I defend my pack?