Bound by faith the rise of a rejected mate

Melissa POV

The two packs were becoming more and more tense. Even in the absence of conflict, every day seemed like a struggle. But it was Raven that was causing me trouble. I was unable to continue to ignore his tactics since they were getting more and more blatant.

He was speaking to a bunch of wolves when I observed him strolling through the pack's area; his voice was believable and low. They nodded in agreement as though he—and not Dennis—was their leader, clearly ready to listen to him.

Why do people want to follow him so badly? I murmured to myself as I observed from a distance.

"Because he poses a threat," a well-known voice replied from behind me.

I looked around and saw Lucas approaching me. He looked serious, more serious than usual. He came to a stop beside me and looked over at Raven.

I have been investigating him, Melissa. I believe he is connected to a negative activity. Incredibly awful.

I scowled. "What are you trying to say?"

Lucas gently continued, "I've been looking into Raven's involvement in your parents' deaths," as our eyes met. "The more I look, the more I find, and I don't trust him."

My chest throbbed with my heartbeat. "You believe he bears some blame?"

Lucas gave a slow nod. "I believe Raven played a role in their demise. He is concealing something that has to do with what transpired with them.

A shiver went through my body. Is that possible to be true? Was Raven truly complicit in the demise of my parents? Lucas had never made a mistake before, even though I didn't want to accept it.

"I must obtain the truth," I murmured, my voice almost audible above a whisper.

"We'll locate it," Lucas assured me. But Melissa, exercise caution. Raven is a dangerous person, and he doesn't operate alone.

I heard something later that evening that instantly chilled me to the bone. I heard noises in the hallway as I made my way through the pack house. Raven had a conversation with Selena.

I did not know Selena very well. She had always desired to become Luna, and she was a strong wolf. Her aspirations were well known, and it appeared that she had partnered with Raven.

With a low, focused voice, Raven stated, "We have to move quickly." Dennis is starting to cause issues. We need to move quickly if we want to seize both packets.

"And Melissa, what about her? Selenaquestioned in a stern voice. "She's more powerful than we realized." She might present an issue.

Raven said, "Leave Melissa to me." "After Dennis gets out of the way, she will be simple to handle."

I took a step back and pressed myself up against the wall, attempting to slow down my heartbeat. Raven intended to depose Dennis and seize command of both packs. Nor was he working by himself. He had Selena by his side, and the two of them were planning to steal everything.

It was worse than I had anticipated.

I decided to speak with Dennis the next day. I had to let Raven ruin everything, and I had to keep this a secret. Dennis was practicing with some wolves in the training yard when I spotted him, but his attitude stiffened the instant he noticed me.

"Melissa," he said, his tone rigid. "What are you hoping to achieve?"

I swallowed, mustering up my bravery. "We must speak. It concerns Raven.

Dennis looked at me impatiently as he wiped the perspiration from his forehead. "How about him?"

Quite frankly, I stated, "He's plotting against you." "He intends to overthrow you and seize command of both packs."

Dennis squinted his eyes. Where did you hear about this, too?"

Last night, I heard him talking. He conversed with Selena. They both want you to get out of their way since they're working together.

Dennis stepped forward, his teeth tightening. And you're informing me of this because you have feelings for the pack? Or is it that, behind my back, you've been practicing with Damon?"

The charge made me tighten, clenching my fists. It's not about Damon in this. You are the subject of this. Dennis, you're in danger. Raven intends to turn against you.

With a harsh laugh, he laughed. And after all of this, you think I should be able to trust you? Following your escape with Damon?"

I yelled, "I didn't run off with him." "I'm attempting to ascertain the situation! I'm attempting to keep this pack safe!"

By joining forces with Damon? Dennisspoke softly, his enraged eyes glaring. Melissa, I don't trust him. I'm not sure whether I can still trust you, either.

I became frustrated, and my chest clenched. Dennis, trust isn't the issue here. This has to do with surviving. I'm trying to help you, even though I know you don't like what I'm doing.

Dennis looked at me for a considerable amount of time before his expression changed. His rage appeared to subside and be replaced by something more profound.

"You're not getting it, are you? Hestepped closer and whispered in a hushed voice. "Trust is not the only factor. It concerns you. Since I turned you down, I've felt... something. I can't help but feel drawn by you, despite my best efforts to resist."

My throat tightened around my breath. Dennis, I —

He gave a headshake. "However, I can't own it. I refuse to. I've made up my mind, and I'm not changing it.

Unsure of what to say, I just stared at him. His emotionally charged remarks lingered in the space between us. However, Dennis turned and left before any of us could say anything more, leaving me standing there with my heart thumping in my chest.

Lucas arrived at my place that evening, somber and with a pale face. After delving further into Raven's past, it appeared that he had discovered something dreadful.

"Melissa," he uttered in a strained tone. "I discovered something. It has to do with your parents.

My stomach dropped. What were the findings?"

Lucas replied, his voice hardly audible above a whisper, "Raven." "It was him who ordered the murder of your parents. Everything was planned by him.

The words felt like a kick to the stomach. I staggered backward, my thoughts racing. "No... That is not possible. How come he would do that?"

"He intended to undermine your lineage," Lucas explains, his voice quivering with rage. "Your parents were a threat to him," He was aware that you could take him on if you inherited their authority. Therefore, he ensured that they were out of the way.

My eyes welled up with tears as the truth hit home. My parents were slaughtered by Raven. He had done it to ruin my family and to rob me of the opportunity to grow into a strong person.

I wiped my eyes, a mixture of wrath and anguish burning in my heart. "I'll hold him accountable for his actions."

"We will," Lucas resolutely stated. However, there's more. I discovered additional information.

My heart pounded as I turned to face him. "What is it?"

"Raven intends to murder Dennis," Lucas added in a melancholy tone. "Raven will assume the Alpha title for himself after Dennis leaves."

A chilling panic swept through me. I had underestimated the threat facing Dennis. Raven would win, and then everything would be lost.

"We must stop him," I murmured, my voice trembling with resolve. "He cannot be allowed to win."

My heart pounded as I thought of Dennis, unaware of the danger he was in. I had to warn him, but time was running out. Raven's plan was already in motion. Would I be able to save him before it was too late?