Bella's POVThe thick scent of the smoke filled the air. The burning boat smoldering in the waters as we all watched, tears dripping down our cheeks. The smoke travelled deep into the sky, thick with grief and pain. The loss of one, the weight of the pain, the weight of being the savior of the world, just so overwhelming. My chest is locked with untold pain. I looked into their teary faces, their eyes burning with hurt. The names of the dead are whispered softly, their faltering breaths and quivering voices accelerated the pain. One after another they called, tears flowing down my cheek, standing alone in their midst, feeling the winds carry the names away. I wish it could take the pain too.We all watched the boat vanish in the silent waters, the lingering pain sulking my heart.All around me, their annoying whispers were endlessly growing, constantly reminding me I need to something. Something, anything, but I have not a single idea what to do.“The sacred river is poisoned.” I hea
Ryan's POVI struggled with the chain, each unfruitful tussle, adding to my agony. I heard them approaching behind me. Bella, I'll fucking kill the both of you!My body thudded against the cold and rough forest ground. The last remnants of my magic flicker right in my eyes, like dazzling beauty, blown away by the whooshing air. I couldn't feel my legs anymore. The chains tore through my skin and dug into my body. Blood oozed out of my torn skin. I'm barely conscious, just around the lines of life and death, hanging in the balance. The world around me is just a blur of shadows and whispers of hoarse voices.I struggled to rise to my feet once again, at least get myself to relax on a rock, but I was sent crashing down again by a brutal kick that found its way down to my ribs and tore through my skin. My abdomen felt the impact, and I felt the pain explode from the inside out. Let me just sit erect. Fuck this!The pain found its way to my sickened mind, corrupting my soul, and took away
Bella's POVMy eyes flipped open, my skin warming slowly, my body aching painfully, my breath faltering, my mind saturated. My eyes met the darkness glowing around me. The only light I could see was the warm glow of the moon. I felt the rumbling of my belly. Anxiety washed over me as I scanned the area.The last I could remember was being taken by rogues; now I find myself in an isolated camp, deep in the heart of the woods. My heart pounded heavily inside my chest, each throb sending shivers down my spine. My body shook violently, and the cold of the night seeped into my skin. The air around me is thick with the scent of pine and the chilling scent of the damp earth. My ear is filled with the chatter and the indistinct howls of wolves in the distance, the chirping of insects, the hooting of owls. They all formed a symphony of confusion and danced to the sweet melody that was already playing in my troubled mind.I stood up from the rough bed I found myself lying on. My senses are on
Bella's POVMy legs strolled down the bushy paths, the woods covered in mist and uncertainty.Basically, I was not really in search of Ryan. I just needed some time alone. I need to reflect on this whole shit.My heart was heavy with pain, and the torture of her sweet revelation hit me hard only chest. My breath faltered the moment I thought about Rose. Good Lord. I hope she's okay. I really do. I just can't stop thinking about her right now. In fact, my head is a complete mess.I turned back again at Chloe, she looked at me exhausted, unable to speak a word. The silence between us lingered, the tension high in the air, the emptiness growing with unspoken words and the weight of our pain heavy in the air, making it difficult to breathe.I looked at her once again, I could feel her guilt. All these while, she's been carrying such a heavy amount of pain. All these hate I've harboured against her, against Luka. My God, Luka, my sweetheart. I miss you, I really do. I'm so sorry for everyt
Bella's POVHer hands clutched to mine, tightly glued to it like a vice unwilling to let go. Her legs dashed into the dense forest, pulling me alongside her as we pushed through the trees, her grip firm and unyielding.My head spun with thoughts: guilt and pain. We shouldn’t have left him back there like that. Oh God, Ryan, I'm sorry. After all, he saved us, and we just ditched him the moment we got the chance. Fuck! It's not fair.The vibration of my heart shook my rib cage, my mind a whirlwind of confusion, my head a total mess, my eyes burning with anguish. The pain is too much for me to bear, not alone. Damn!He'll hate me forever. God!! I have to go back. I can't just leave him there all alone.Adrenaline coursed through my veins, my body burning with rage, fueling the growing strength in my muscles, my eyes fixed on Chloe's tight grip, visualizing how I'm gonna pound them.I found strength, even in my weakness, just enough to break free. I struggled with her as we ran, slowin
Ryan's POV“Damn it!!”I paced around endlessly in my chamber, my head spinning like a buzz and my mind troubled.I just can't sit. My heart throbbed inside my chest, my breath faltered, my lungs shut down, and my body riled up. Each inhale caught in my throat like thorns, I couldn't breathe. I didn't deserve to.My hand reached for the wall slowly, and before I knew it, I slammed right into its face, as if that could silence the storm in my head.“Fuck!!!”I hate being mated to her. Right from the very first day, I've never known peace. Funny enough, I can feel her damn pain.My mind, the master tormentor replayed the moment I cast her out. The projection was huge enough for a cinema. Tears streamed down my cheek, leaving scars as the heat passed through.I see her eyes gleaming with fear and frustration. I remember her weak expression, her tears, her silence, gosh! It kills me.My chest was locked with grief. It overwhelmed me and chained me to a spot. I hate myself now. I blame Jo
Bella's POVMy eyes slowly pushed through, my eyelids shook slowly like feathers and finally, it opened. The light forced its way through and went straight to my weak eyes. I ducked immediately, my head pounding heavily and my limbs trembling. My body shook and my soul was shattered.The air around smelt awful. Like that of rotten flesh. This was when I realized I was not with the moon goddess. I was once again, yet in another cave.The air was heavy with the stench of the odor, and the dim blue light flickering across the area illuminated the cave. I found myself on top of a cold stone, my hands tied heavily with strong chains, my blood pumping rapidly in my veins, and my face reddened in fear.Panic surged through my nerves, my body stiffened, and my chest tightened as I struggled to get back to my feet, but the chains held firm and pulled me back to the ground.“Here we go again.” I thought.Now, where am I? Dragged like trash. Now dumped here. Great, just great!Still reeling wit
Bella's POVI can't believe he said this to me. You know, I used to think love was a beautiful thing, so they said, but in my own story, every time I find love or love finds me, it always ends tragically. Love is never beautiful, not to me, not to anyone. We just have to confront the truth.My head was jammed with thoughts. I looked at him, my vision blurred by the tears budging in my eyes, my legs trembling and my soul drowning.“Ryan…”He stood up, his expression darkening into a fierce scowl. His anger simmered inside him and found its way out the surface.He clenched his jaw and gripped my chin hard, his eyes locked onto me, his gaze a mix of uncertainty but anger vivid.“I told you, I don't want to be your mate. I can't be your mate.” He snapped, his voice cut through the silence like a sword.Those were heavy slams. I bet I'll prefer him hitting me than hurting my feelings. My heart cracked to pieces, and the strong mask I wore before fell off, exposing the weakling behind the s
Bella's POV I jerked sharply and awoke with vigor. My heart pounded like a war drum. I sat upright, and my hands immediately trailed to my side, only to find its smooth, completely unbroken skin. The fuck! “Where… am I?” I whispered into the empty room. I woke up and found myself lying on a thick stone slab, softened with beddings of fur. The walls are rough stones, lit by dim flickering lights and an eerie blue flame. I expected to find myself somewhere else, maybe with the moon goddess, probably dead, or in the Crescent's territory or prison. But here, it looked somewhat… cozy. Come to think of it, where is Rose? We were together back there? I scanned around the room, checking for any trace of her, but I couldn't find her. I still continued to look around the room, it looked a little bit familiar. The air is thick with the scent of moss, pine, and something else, something familiar. Something I can't seem to remember but this place feels oddly familiar. I don't u