Bound by faith the rise of a rejected mate

Melissa's POV

Now that there was quietness on the battlefield, it wasn't reassuring. It weighted an impending storm. As the first rays of morning peaked through the clouds, I stood at the edge of the clearing, gazing at the horizon. The pack started reassembling, but their eyes were tired and their actions slow.

Damon's voice broke through my mental fog and said, "Melissa." He came over to me with his customary assurance mixed with worry. "We must get together and speak to everyone. You must speak with them.

I swallowed hard and nodded. Raven's remarks were still causing my head to spin. You'll ruin them all. I was plagued by his voice, and his final admission about my past made my chest turn like a knife.

With their faces etched with terror and fatigue, the pack formed a semicircle. I inhaled deeply before moving forward.

"We've won this battle," I said, maintaining my composure despite my internal conflict. The war hasn't ended, though. We must remain alert and unified.

There were whispers among them. While some appeared unsure, others nodded in agreement.

Damon was standing next to me, his hand briefly touching mine. A tacit expression of solidarity. Melissa is correct. We are stronger together. We must remember that.

Nevertheless, Raven's remarks continued to weigh heavily on me. Could I keep them safe? Or, as he said, was I destined to bring ruin?

Dennis came over with a serious expression in place of his typical jovial grin. "Are you okay, Melissa? You appeared to be... back there, preoccupied.

"I'm fine," I said too hastily, my voice trailing off. He scowled, but he didn't say anything more.

The pack scattered, and Damon drew me away. "What's happening? Quietly, he inquired.

I lied and avoided looking at him. "Nothing." "I just need to get some rest."

Later, when my room was silent, I sat on the side of my bed and mentally reread Raven's remarks. I unlocked my nightstand's drawer with trembling hands. My mother's old journal, which I hadn't looked at in years, was inside.

After a moment of hesitation, I opened it. I was greeted by her elegant although occasionally hurried handwriting, which suggested that she had been in a haste to write down her ideas.

"To Melissa, my daughter. The prophecy has started if you are reading this.

A beat skipped in my chest. Her remarks were mysterious and full of caution as I continued reading.

"Your inner strength is a blessing and a burden. It has the power to either save or kill our people. You have to make an informed decision because the repercussions are severe.

Tears clouded my eyes and her words became hazy. "Mom, why didn't you tell me this? I spoke softly to the empty room.

Something concerning a temple location connected to our lineage and the prophecy—was referenced in the next entry.

With my mind racing, I closed the journal abruptly. I may find the answers I needed in this temple if it existed.

Damon discovered me at the library the following morning, the journal firmly grasped in my hands.

He started, sitting across from me, "Melissa." His sharp eyes looked into mine. "We must speak."

I gave a headshake. "Damon, not right now."

"Yes, now." He said in a stern yet friendly tone. "After Raven spoke to you, I could see how shaken you were. What was it he said?"

My voice was hardly audible above a whisper when I stated, "It doesn't matter."

He leaned closer and repeated, "It matters to me." "You don't have to bear the burden alone; you're carrying a heavy load."

I paused, running my fingertips along the journal's borders. "He stated... "I'd destroy the pack," he added.

Although Damon's jaw tensed, his eyes remained fixed. "You know that's untrue, Melissa."

"What if it is? I exploded, letting the words fall out of my mouth. What if he is correct? What if I am cursed with this power?"

Damon covered my hand as he reached across the table. "We'll work it out. Together.

Even though his comments were consoling, I couldn't get rid of the doubt that kept bothering me.

A scout, with a pale complexion and a difficult breathing pattern, rushed into the library as Damon and I were wrapping up our chat.

"Alpha Melissa," he gasped and bowed a little. "I have some news."

"What is it? I got to my feet and asked.

His voice was shaking as he replied, "We found something." A shrine tucked away in the woods. It's... It's unlike anything we've ever seen.

My heartbeat accelerated. "A temple?"

He gave a nod. The symbols in the engravings are the same as those found in the ancient scrolls. However,..."

However, what? Damon stepped up and demanded.

The scout's voice was hardly audible above a whisper when he stated, "There are traps." an indication that Raven hadalready visited. He's gone. Anything at the rear.

My stomach rumbled. Raven would be aware of the temple, of course. He was constantly ahead of the game.

"Have you seen him? I inquired.

The scout said, "No." However, he can be found anywhere. There's also another thing. The temple's surrounding energies... Alpha, it's dark. It feels like... incorrect.

I felt a chill go through me. The cautions in the notebook kept repeating in my head. Your fate is linked to the temple. However, it is also a dangerous location.

"We must go there," I firmly stated.

"Melissa, hold on," Damon said. "It might be a trap if Raven has been there before."

My resolve stiffening, I snapped, "I don't care." "I must see that temple for myself if it contains answers regarding the prophecy and my abilities."

With a groan, Damon combed through his hair. "Then I'll accompany you."

"No," I blurted out. "I can't let you go."

He retorted, "And I'm not risking losing you either."

The scout spoke again before I could counter. "There's one more thing, Alpha."

He had a pale face when we turned to face him.

He remarked, "The temple wall has a carving on it." "It states... It states that the person entering must give up something valuable.

His words hung over us like a thick mist, and the room went silent.

"What sort of sacrifice? My voice was hardly heard as I asked.

"I'm not sure," he said. However, it is connected to the prophecy. And to you.

I gripped the journal more tightly as the scout's comments lingered in the air. Raven's jeers, my mother's cautions, and the mysteries of the temple all clashed in my head.

Damon grounded me by placing a hand on my shoulder and saying, "Melissa, we'll face whatever happens."

But I wasn't certain. Yes, there were answers in the temple, but there were also risks. What I would discover there was no longer the only question.

What I would lose was the main concern.

I looked at Damon as the scout walked away. Despite the fury inside of me, I said, "We leave at first light."

"Are you certain? He inquired.

"No," I said, looking him in the eye. "But I have no other option."

A terrifying thought began to creep into my head as I gazed out the window into the pitch-black trees.

What if the temple required more than just a priceless item as a sacrifice? What if someone did it?