Bound by faith the rise of a rejected mate

Melissa's POV

I realized there was a problem as soon as we got back to the pack's territory. The once-bright, verdant woodland was now covered in a strange, unnatural blackness, and the air seemed heavy. The trees appeared to be sagging under the weight of an invisible force, and the ground was chilly beneath my feet.

"What is this, exactly? With a trembling voice, I whispered.

Damon, who was standing next to me, looked around grimly. It is the weapon's evil energy. It is spreading.

Members of the pack came out of their houses, their faces white and terrified. I overheard mutterings of uncertainty and concern.

Melissa, what's going on? With a stern yet worried tone, Thorne demanded.

I took a deep breath to regain my composure. "This darkness was released by the destruction of the weapon. The Void is connected to it. I swear I'll fix this, even though I don't fully grasp it yet.

"Repair it? One of the younger wolves let out a cry. "Our country is dying! How do we combat this?"

Damon moved forward before I could answer. "Melissa is making every effort. We must remain together and have faith in her.

Although some of the throngs appeared to relax after hearing his speech, the tension remained high. Dennis stood at the edge of the gathering, his face unreadable, and I looked at him.

I yelled out to him, gesturing for him to come closer. "We must speak."

After a moment of hesitation, he nodded and trailed me into the main house.

I walked straight to the bookshelf as soon as I was inside and took out an ancient, dusty journal. It was Mom's property. Although I hadn't examined it in years, it might now contain the much-needed answers.

"What are you trying to find? Dennis, who was on the other side of the room, inquired.

As I turned the pages, I answered, "Anything about The Void?" Dennis, she had secrets. One of them might be able to assist us right now.

Damon crossed his arms and walked in. "You believe that keeping a notebook will help us?"

I glanced at him. "I'd be interested in hearing your better idea."

He didn't say anything, so I went back to the journal. My mother's immaculate handwriting filled the pages, which included warnings, predictions, and rites.

Then I discovered it. A section with red ink underlining.

"The binding ceremony must be finished to permanently close The Void. It necessitates the heir's strength and the readiness to make significant sacrifices.

My voice trembled as I read the sentences out loud.

"A huge sacrifice? Damon repeated. "What is meant by that?"

I looked at the paper and said, "I don't know." "However, this ritual could be our only opportunity."

Dennis took a step forward, his face solemn. "We'll work it out." You're not working alone on this.

Startled, I looked up at him. "I assumed you no longer trusted me."

His eyes grew softer. "Melissa, I made mistakes. But now that I'm here, I won't be leaving.

Later that day, Dennis and Damon stood together close to the training fields and whispered to each other. I was uncertain of what to anticipate, so I approached cautiously.

"Are you two conversing? I raised an eyebrow in question.

Damon looked from Dennis to me and back again. "We're making an effort."

Dennis gave a nod. Protecting you and the pack is what we both want. We no longer have the money to fight one another.

I was too shocked to disguise it. Whoa. This is a surprise.

There was a faint smirk on Damon's face as he said, "Don't get used to it."

Dennis reached out to Damon. "Reality?"

After a moment of hesitation, Damon shook his hand. "Reality."

A tiny smile pulled at my mouth. I had hope for the first time in a long time.

"Thank you," I muttered. "You two."

Dennis's gaze was stern as he glanced at me. "We're with you no matter what happens next."

The darkness outside appeared much denser as night fell swiftly. I held the notebook tightly as I stood in the middle of the pack's meeting room.

I told the assembled wolves that the ceremony must be carried out in the centre of the darkness. "It's the only way to stop The Void, but it's dangerous."

Damon took a step forward. "We will always keep you safe."

Dennis gave a nod. "We're prepared."

I experienced a wave of thankfulness, but terror soon overcame it. I was unaware of the full cost of this ceremony, which had the potential to alter everything.

We were about to depart when the room suddenly became cold. A person appeared out of the darkness as the shadows in the corners appeared to become deeper.

With wide, terrified eyes, the pack froze.

"Who are you? I stepped forward despite my trepidation and request.

A tall, ethereal creature with piercing eyes and a commanding aura emerged as the person moved into the light.

With an uncanny echo, the figure murmured, "I am your ancestor." "I'm here to warn you, too."

Tell me what to be wary of. With my heart racing, I inquired.

"The ceremony you want to carry out will seal The Void, but it has a price—a price you might not be prepared to pay."

"How much? I muttered, fear beginning to seep into my voice.

"You must sacrifice the very thing that ties you to this world to seal The Void," the figure said, her gaze seeming to penetrate through me.

As the words' impact sank in, the room became quiet.

"What does that mean, exactly? Damon's question was hardly audible above a whisper.

The figure remained silent. Rather, their last words hung in the air as they started to disappear back into the darkness.

Get yourself ready, Melissa. The decisions you make will affect everyone's destiny.

I had a surge of anxiety and doubt as the apparition vanished. What did you give up? What would I be sacrificing?

I didn't have any answers, so the pack turned to me.

Damon put a hand on my shoulder and said firmly, "We'll figure it out."

Though my thoughts were racing, I nodded. It was all too much—the sacrifice, the rite, the pack's destiny. I also couldn't get rid of the notion that the worst was still to come as I gazed out into the gloomy woodland.