Chapter 6

Renna's POV

I didn't understand what Leia meant by ‘ruining her plans’ until she dragged me by my hair out of my room towards the direction that led to father's study. No matter how hard I tried to break free from her hold, she was too strong for me and I was too powerless to do anything. 

I finally resigned to fate when we got in front of father's door and she tossed me inside. I nearly stumbled if it wasn't for the sturdy arms of Kieran that caught me in time, but I flinched from him, moving away as fast as I could like his touch burned me.

I stood transfixed to a spot when I noticed that the study was filled with people. Not just anyone, but father, his Luna, Kieran and Kayden. I faltered when I realized that they were going to force me into breaking the mating bond! 

I thought Kieran said he'd let me know when it was time to break our link but I guess my opinion didn't really matter in this. I had no say when they chose to force me away from my mate to another, and I also had no say when they chose to make me break the bond.

“What are you all doing?” I questioned, watching Kayden stare at them begrudgingly. 

Father merely shrugged, looking at me like I was some petulant child. They wouldn't let me die, they wouldn't let me live. I didn't as much as mean anything to them at all. 

“I know I said three days, but Leia made me see reasons why we had to fasten the process and get this over with as soon as possible before the rest of the pack starts to ask questions.”

“I know you do not care about me, but the least you could do is have me choose when I want to break the bond or not.“ I laughed in ridicule, “How cruel of you father. To do this to your own flesh and blood.“

In an instant, the Luna, my step mother suddenly appeared beside me, dragging me to where Kieran stood, tilting my head to a side to spot my mark.

“Nobody cares about your feelings, child. End this mate bond, now!”

She seethed through cold, vile lips while Kieran on the other hand, walked towards me like some puppet. He tried to open his mouth to speak but I gave him a glare of my own, shutting my eyes tight to urge him to get this over with as soon as possible.

His claws made a small cut at my neck and he slowly lapped at the crimson liquid that trickled down slowly. I clenched my fists tight, my nails digging into my flesh in an attempt to fight back the urge to go on my knees and stop him from making such reckless decisions but I had to save myself some dignity.

He slit his palm, placing it at the cut on my neck, so our blood mingled for one last time as he uttered those dreadful words out of his lips, 

“I, Kieran Crosby, reject you, Renna Kane as my mate.”

We both gasped when pain surged through us and our bond that fought to hold still bristled and crackled as it burst into pieces, a million shards of memories fizzling into nothing else. A sound akin to a whine slid through my chest one last time and I clutched it tight when it was all over as fast as it had started.

I couldn't even keep still but a hand pulled me over to the seat and when my eyes finally pried themselves open, I realized it was Kayden instead. He in turn walked towards Leia, who couldn't even contain the excitement on her face as they did a repeat of what Kieran and I just did.

“I, Kayden Blackwood, reject you, Leia Kane as my mate.”

And soon, it was all over.

“Splendid!” Circe applauded. “Now, that wasn't so bad, was it?” she waltzed towards Leia, making her hold hands with Kieran, who was once my mate. “Now it's time to make new memories. You know what to do, son.”

I could see his body bristling when he tried to hold back his shift, his eyes were bloodshot and they remained fixated on me, wanting me, needing me. But I could care less what it was he felt in the aftermath of her bond, he brought this upon himself anyway.

“Do it!” Leia commanded with a growl.

He nodded in agreement, baring his canines and wrapping his arms around her and in one swift fluid motion, they sank deep down her neck she moaned from the pain. Squirming in his arms when their bond began to form. I knew the feeling, tiny webs attaching themselves in form of small strings untill they grew into large, thick twigs, wrapping themselves around each mate's mind in a woven bond.

I could feel the heaviness once more, regret and hurt baring down on me. I could barely stand its weight. I turned to face Kayden who was now seated beside me, patting his hands gently when his eyes wouldn't leave Leia.

“I know how it feels. To lose a mate.” I whispered softly with a brittle voice. “Soon, it'll all be over and you'll forget the bond ever existed.”

He hummed, holding my hand instead, my eyes widened when I realized that it was now our turn. This feeling of dread and anticipation engulfed me, wrapping itself around me like deathly claws.

“I should warn you too, my bite would hurt like hell. Try as much as you can to not resist my mark.”

I nodded. 

His arms snaked their way down my back and he eased me further into the couch, my chest heaved. I drew in shaky, ragged breaths in furious pants. He gave me a knowing smile to assure me that I was in safe hands then suddenly, strong alpha dominance washed over me I nearly whined out from it's hold.

Inclining my neck to him, and eyes growing wide as saucers, I realized this wasn't coming from father! It came from Kayden instead but, I was the only one experiencing it all.

Then his canines glinted under dim light, finding purchase in my neck. My mind whirled, too ecstatic to think. This wasn't pain, this was a warm sensation that wrapped itself around me like a cocoon when our mate bond began to fall into place, sealing our fate together.

I nearly cried when his teeth left my neck, his tongue darted out to lick my blood off his lips in a way that earned a reaction from me. Slowly opening me up to him.

“It isn't as bad as you say it is,” 

I tied to mind link him to feel our bond but before I could get to him, he shut himself off from me, giving me a smile that told me he didn't want me prying into his mind. He was keeping me away from knowing something, and he wanted me out of his mind.