Bound by faith the rise of a rejected mate

Melissa's POV

Although the morning air was clear, there was a lot of tension between us. Dennis and Damon were waiting for me to lead the way at the forest's edge. With solemn expressions, they were both armed.

Damon stated firmly, "You don't have to do this."

I gave a headshake. "Yes, I do." We cannot afford to ignore the temple if it has the answers we seek.

Dennis gave Damon a stern look while crossing his arms. And you believe it's a good idea to go without backup? She isn't travelling alone.

With a chilly tone, Damon answered, "I didn't say she was."

I stepped in between them and yelled, "Enough." We're squandering time. Let's leave.

Ahead, the dark, ominous jungle loomed. The weight of my mother's journal, which was safely inside my bag, served as a continual reminder of the danger.

Damon fell into stride next to me as we ventured farther into the woods. "Melissa, I still think this is a trap," he said. Raven desires that you go there.

"I acknowledge that," I said. "However, I must seize the opportunity if this temple can assist us in any way."

Dennis gave us a snort from behind. You see? She faces the threat head-on without fear. For once, perhaps you should try to trust her.

Damon turned to him and stopped suddenly. "Trust is not the issue here. The goal is to keep her alive.

"Enough! I repeated, this time with more volume. "You two need to pay attention. We must cooperate if we are to get through this together.

They nodded reluctantly, but their anxiety remained high.

The trees surrounded us as the woodland grew denser. My senses were on high alert, and every rustle of leaves made me cringe.

With his hand on his firearm, Damon whispered, "Something's not right."

The air was pierced by a piercing whistle before I could ask what he meant. Suddenly, we found ourselves encircled by the shifting shadows among the trees.

"Rogues," Dennis bared his teeth and hissed.

With their guns at the ready and their eyes wild, the assailants moved quickly. Dennis and Damon sprang into action, fending them off with well-honed accuracy.

However, there were too many.

"Remain back, Melissa! Damon yelled in an agitated tone.

I tried to comply, but one of the outlaws got past their defenceand came directly at me.

It was instinct. I lifted my hands, and the rogue flew as a blast of electricity erupted from my palms. The air crackled with power, and the brightness was blinding.

The other assailants paused, their terrified eyes wide.

Dennis stepped forward and taunted, "That's right." "Run back to your starting point."

I staggered as the rogues ran away, my body shaking. Before I hit the ground, Damon grabbed me.

"How are you, Melissa? With concern in his voice, he inquired.

I answered softly, "I'm fine," but I wasn't sure if I believed it. I was exhausted from the energy I had expended, and my mind was racing.

Dennis's tone was extremely serious as he stated, "We need to keep moving." "They'll return with more troops."

Grasping me more tightly, Damon nodded and said, "Let's go."

I had never seen a temple like this one. It stood in a clearing with old engravings all over its stone walls. Although the surface was covered in vines, the symbols were still discernible and showed a faint glow in the low light.

With wonder in my voice, I muttered, "This is it."

Dennis gave a low whistle. "It appears to be something from a children's book."

Damon took a step forward, looking at the engravings. "These signs... They resemble the ones in your diary.

I opened the journal that contained my mother's writings after taking it out of my bag. Although her explanations were ambiguous, she had sketched several of the same symbols.

I trembled as I read aloud, "The Power of Creation and Destruction." "The same coin on two sides."

"What is meant by that? Dennis frowned as he asked.

"I'm not sure," I said. However, it has to do with my abilities. In addition, the prophecy

I experienced an odd pull as we visited the temple as if the walls were calling to me.

With his hand hanging close to his firearm, Damon said, "Melissa, exercise caution."

With a determined tone, I stated, "I have to see this through."

A pedestal with a smooth, polished surface stood in the middle of the shrine. It has a single, gently lit sign engraved into it.

How would you react if you touched it? Dennis eyed it suspiciously and inquired.

To be honest, I responded, "I don't know." "However, I believe it holds the secret to the temple's mysteries."

Damon took hold of my arm. "Wait, Melissa. It might be a trap.

I withdrew and said, "I have to try."

I inhaled deeply before touching the sign. Suddenly the room was filled with light as the glow grew stronger.

My head was filled with pictures future visions. I saw the pack, defeated and broken. Bodies were lying on the ground and the forest was on fire.

Then I saw myself, with blood on my hands, standing in the centre of the mayhem.

"No! I cried out, but the vision persisted.

With his laughter resonating throughout the temple, Raven emerged. Melissa, you cannot avoid your fate. You are the one who will bring about their demise.

Abruptly, the vision came to an end, and I fell to my knees, struggling to breathe.

"Hey, Melissa! In an instant, Dennis and Damon were by my side, their faces displaying worry.

"What did you observe? Dennis's voice was frantic as he inquired.

I was unable to answer myself. The pictures were too graphic and too realistic.

However, it was evident that the truth had not merely been unveiled by the temple. I had learned the price of failure from it.

My voice faltered as I glanced up at Dennis and Damon. "Raven must be stopped. Prior to it being too late.

However, I had a sneaking suspicion that it was already too late.