Bound by faith the rise of a rejected mate

 Melissa POV

 It was a chilly and tense night. As Lucas and I stood in the clearing and stared forward at the dark jungle, my heart was pounding. Dennis was being held captive somewhere in Raven's fortress, and it was up to us to free him. But my mind was racing as we got ready for the task.

 My emotions were jumbled. My partner Dennis, the one I was meant to be with. He was extremely proud and difficult to approach. Then there was Damon, who was always there for me, encouraging and teasingly revealing emotions I wasn't sure I was ready to deal with. Lucas, too... the constant, dependable presence that, until recently, I hadn't even realized was there for me. Regarding each of them, how did I feel? I was tormented by the uncertainty.

 "Are you prepared for this? Damon interrupted, jolting me out of my reverie.

 I swallowed my doubt and nodded. Indeed. Dennis has to be saved.

 Lucas nodded comfortingly at me from his position to my left. "We'll manage to free him. Raven won't recognize what struck him.

 With the trees surrounding us like quiet shadows, the three of us ventured into the forest. The air was heavy with tension, and I felt my heart race with each snap of a twig. I made an effort to keep my thoughts on the goal, but they kept returning to my confused emotions. Even though I wasn't sure what I felt anymore, how could I fight for Dennis?

 Damon stayed close to me while we ventured farther into the forest. I could feel his anxiety and attention on me, but I was at a loss for words. I wasn't able to handle that at this time.

 In a quiet voice, Lucas said, "We're almost there." "Remain focused."

 We arrived at Raven's stronghold, a twisted, dark structure that gave off an air of impending dread. We slipped closer, dodging the guards circling the building. Even though my heart was racing, I managed to stay focused. Dennis needed to be let out. Whatever the circumstances.

 Damon motioned to us to halt. "You hold the key to this, Melissa. Use your authority if something goes wrong.

 I nodded, though on the inside I was scared. Even though my power had been increasing, I still lacked total command. And what would happen if I failed? What would happen if I didn't succeed?

 The air became more chilly as we crept inside. The walls were moist, and the tiny passageways were filled with spooky shadows from the flickering lights. With every step we took toward Dennis, we advanced in silence.

 Abruptly, a person emerged from the darkness in front of us. Selena.

 "Yeah, yeah, yeah," she scoffed as her gaze met mine. "If not the future little Luna."

 Beside me, Damon stiffened, prepared to fight, but I raised my hand. It was my fight.

 "You won't be able to stop us," I answered, maintaining a steady tone despite the growing panic within.

 Selena let out a harsh, frigid laugh. "Do you believe you can simply in here and grab him? Melissa, you're so innocent.

 "I'll take any necessary action to save him," I said, taking a step forward. "I'm not going to stop."

 With jealousy blazing in her eyes, Selena remarked, "Oh, I'm not trying to stop you." "I only want you to leave. You're not aware of my level of hatred for you.

 Her remarks struck me as a blow. "Why?"

 "Due to Dennis," she growled. "Because he's drawn to you regardless of everything." The relationship between mates... He is tied to you by it, and I will never have that.

 I blinked, startled. Is that the reason for all of this? Are you attempting to murder me because of our bond?"

 Selena's anger flared in her eyes. It goes beyond a simple friendship. You are the one. You are obstructing the path. When you're not around, everything will work itself out. I'll be Luna and Raven and I shall rule.

 Her jealousy was intense, and I sensed that things were getting dangerous. But I had no intention of giving up.

 I firmly said, "I won't let you win." "I'm more powerful than you realize."

 Selena extended her claws and lunged at me. Damon was faster than me, so I hardly had time to respond. With a growl, he pushed her back after blocking her strike.

 "Go, Melissa! Damon yelled. "Go to Dennis!"

 I wavered, unsure whether to pursue Dennis or stay and fight. Yet I knew what needed to be done.

 We hurriedly moved further inside the structure, abandoning Damon to keep Selena at bay. The attraction of the mate bond grew stronger as we grew closer. Dennis felt near to me.

 "There!"The heavy door at the end of the hallway was indicated by Lucas. I pushed it open without thinking, and there he was.

 Dennis, bloodied but still alive, strapped to a chair.

 Dennis! I ran to his side and sobbed. "You're going to leave this place."

 His eyes glowed with both pain and relief as he gazed up. "It's Melissa."

 But before I could free him, I felt a pulse of energy sweep through me. Raven.

 With a malicious glimmer in his eyes, he stood in the doorway. Do you believe you can just walk right in and grab him? You're not as smart as I imagined.

 I maintained my position, my strength smoldering just below the surface. "Raven, I won't let you win. This is now over.

 Raven smirked. "You believe you are strong? You're not aware of your opponents.

 He raised his palm and seemed to conjure a power that sent me flying to the floor and knocked Lucas off his feet as the room seemed to darken. I was in excruciating pain, but I made myself get up.

 I had to stop him from winning. Not right now.

 I let go of my force and let out a scream. With a flash of energy, it erupted out of me, illuminating the entire room. Raven was thrown back by its force, but it cost him. I could feel my body deteriorating and my strength running out.

 With a twisted expression of wrath, Raven stumbled to his feet. He snarled, "You're stronger than I thought." "Yet it won't cut it."

 I gave way to my knees, trembling from the exertion. I had exerted excessive force. I was exposed now.

 Lucas, though, appeared and drew me to my feet. "We must leave. Right now.

 We were able to free Dennis from his knot and get him walking with his assistance. He was alive but feeble.

 My voice trembling, I added, "We have to get out of here before Raven regroups."

 Lucas gave Dennis a nod of encouragement as we exited the structure. But a deafening roar resounded from behind us as we entered the jungle.

 Raven remained in the field. He wasn't finished yet.

 Though we returned to Moonvalley, the victory didn't feel real. Raven had gotten away, but Dennis was safe. And like a thick blanket, the weight of my tiredness pressed down on me.

 Dennis turned to face me as we walked into the pack house, thankfulness shining in his eyes. "I'm grateful, Melissa. My life was spared by you.

 Being too exhausted to speak, I nodded. "I simply carried out my duty."

 However, while I lay in bed, a persistent thought began to cross my head. There was a problem.

 When I woke up the following morning, there was a note on the pack house's doorstep. Raven sent it.

 As I read the words on the paper, my palms trembled:

 Dennis may have been spared, but this is far from done. Melissa, you're not really who you think you are. There's a secret in your genuine heritage that might wipe out both groups. I'll return to get you.

 The message's weight hit home, and my heart began to race. Regarding what secret was Raven speaking of? What was my ancestry connected to any of this?

 The note slipped from my fingers as I stared into the distance, a sense of dread settling in my chest. My past held a secret that could destroy everything. And now, Raven knew.

 What was he planning? And what would I do when the truth came out?