Bound by faith the rise of a rejected mate

 Melissa's POV

 I felt the weight of Raven's message bear down on me as I clutched his note in my palm. As I explained the contents of the letter to Damon and Lucas, they stood beside me, their faces tight.

 I muttered, my fingers shaking, "He said... my lineage holds a secret that could destroy both packs."

 Damon's hand extended to rest on my shoulder as his eyes grew softer. "We'll work this out, Melissa. I will not allow you to suffer any harm. But first, we need answers.

 Lucas looked intently as he nodded. Perhaps it's time to research your ancestry. You don't have any knowledge of your forefathers, do you?

 Slowly, I shook my head. "No, all I know is fragments. My parents never talked about much. However, we must find out the truth if Raven's claims are accurate.

 I could feel the warmth of Damon's confidence as his hold tightened. Then, collectively, let's find out. We'll find whatever is hidden.

 I gazed at them both, with a peculiar mixture of appreciation and perplexity. Their encouragement was

 invaluable, but it also triggered emotions I wasn't prepared to deal with. This was about all of us, not just about myself.

 "Let us visit the old pack library," I proposed in a forceful tone. "It will be there if there is anything to find."

 We made our way to the library as stealthily as possible, slipping past the darkened corridors until we came to an ancient, dusty door. As soon as Damon pushed it open, the stale air hit us.

 I inhaled deeply before going in and letting my eyes adjust to the dim lighting. The area was lined with shelves that held books and scrolls that had been dust-covered for years. It was like stepping into a world that had been forgotten.

 "All right," Lucas said as he glanced around. "Where even do we begin?"

 I scanned the book spines as I made my way down the closest aisle. Anything that refers to alpha lineages or family records. Somewhere in here should be my family.

 We dispersed, each of us searching the shelves. Hours passed in what seemed like minutes, until at last I discovered a scroll buried deep in an ancient book stack. The crest on it matched my family's seal, but the cover was old and hardly readable.

 "Damon! Lucas! I held it up and called. "I believe I have discovered something."

 We unrolled the scroll simultaneously as they hurried over. The parchment was scribbled with words that described the lives, abilities, and strengths of my ancestors. As well as a reference to "the forbidden power."

 "What power is prohibited?" I asked, struggling to maintain a steady voice.

 Damon traced the words with his finger and scowled. It states that this power is ancient and dangerous and that only a select few in your lineage possess it. They could either defend or... demolish.

 Lucas's face went white. "Destroy? However, that would imply...

 With my heart racing, I concluded, "That my powers could be a threat to everyone."

 As we gazed at the scroll, the words blending in my head, the library fell silent. I wasn't meant to hurt my pack; I was meant to protect them. How could my abilities be so harmful?

 I heard a familiar voice behind me before I could express my anxieties.

 "Why are all of you here?"

 Dennis was standing in the doorway, his face unreadable, as I turned around. He had already spotted the scroll, so I hastily concealed it behind me, but it was too late.

 He spoke quietly, "Melissa, what's that?"

 I paused, looking at Lucas and Damon. But now there was no use in concealing it. It has to do with my ancestry. Raven warned me in his note that there was a frightening force in my family. To check out if it's true, we came here.

 Dennis took a step forward, his face serious. "And? Have you discovered anything?

 I nodded and bit my lip. It claims that my family possesses a "forbidden power," which can either save or... ruin the werewolf world. Dennis, I have no idea what it means.

 Dennis inhaled deeply, his eyes growing gloomy as he took in the details. "This is serious, Melissa. Raven will stop at nothing to use your abilities against us if he finds out.

 I said, "I know," as the burden of accountability weighed heavily on me. However, I have no idea how to manage it. I'm not even sure I comprehend it completely.

 Dennis's hand touched mine, his hold solid and comforting. Together, we'll figure this out. He can't take advantage of you. None of us will.

 I experienced a brief glimmer of hope, but scepticism soon eclipsed it. What if my abilities were harmful? What if I was powerless over them?

 A violent crash reverberated throughout the library as we began to piece together the specifics. I peered about, trying to find the source, and my heart leapt.

 "Have you heard it?" Damon narrowed his eyes and looked around the room before asking.

 Before we could respond, rogue wolves with threatening gleams in their eyes charged into the library. They were all around us, snarling deep in their throats, and I knew right away that Raven had sent them.

 "Come with me, Melissa!" Dennis yelled and moved forward in a defensive position.

 Lucas and Damon stood on either side of him, prepared to defend. However, I sensed a force that I couldn't ignore stirring within me as I watched the rogues close in. The forbidden force arose and poured energy into my veins.

 As I fought to control the feeling, my body stiffened and heat rose in my chest. It rushed through me like lightning and fire, pleading for release. The air around me thickened as the force struggled to escape, and my hands started to shake.

 "How are you, Melissa?" Lucas inquired, his worried eyes wide.

 Panic starting to set in, I muttered, "I... I don't know." I wanted to assist and fight, but this power was too great. I thought I might lose control at any moment.

 Dennis took a step forward and spoke firmly. "Listen to me, Melissa. You must maintain your composure. Concentrate on managing it.

 I took a deep breath and tried to follow his instructions, but the strength rushed again, stronger this time, and was almost hard to control. I could see my companions' horror in their eyes as the air crackled around me.

 "You're glowing, Melissa!" Damon said in a tone that was both amazed and concerned.

 I was shocked when I looked down at my hands. They were encircled by a dim, golden glow that flickered like flames. I was terrified fearful of what I might do, fearful of the damage I might wreak.

 The rogues halted for a moment, their eyes wide with fright, as if they sensed my strength. Then, as though on Raven's orders, they charged forward, bared their teeth, and prepared to strike.

 "No!" I sobbed as I felt the power explode. I sent out a surge of energy that threw the rogues back like leaves in the wind.

 There was a brief pause while everyone gaped at me in disbelief. Though I was exhausted and my power was quickly waning, I could still feel the electricity flowing within me. Dennis held me before I collapsed because my knees gave out.

 "What did you just do, Melissa?" His voice was a mix of wonder and worry as he asked.

 I shook my head, struggling to speak. "I'm not sure," I had no control over it.

 Damon took a step forward, staring intently. "It's strong, whatever it was. But before it's too late, Melissa, we must decide how to handle it.

 I felt a chill go through me as I nodded. It was terrifying, and the power was real. One thing was certain—this was just the beginning—but I had no idea how I would manage it.

 As the adrenaline began to fade, I heard a low, mocking laugh echo through the room. My heart raced as I looked around, trying to find the source. And then I saw it—a message scrawled on the wall in dark red letters: "You can't run from destiny, Melissa."