Eclipse of the Fated Bond

Mira’s POV

The Shadow Bridge grand hall was packed to the brim tonight. Burning torches lined the entrance all the way to the stone altar.

I stood in front of the altar with a wide smile on my face. I couldn't believe Jax and I would seal the deal in front of everyone tonight. We had known each other since childhood. I'd dreamed of this moment for so long.

I had felt his heart beat against mine and his lips dance with mine in passionate kisses, but tonight, we would go one step further. He would slide into me and fill me with bliss.

"Wow, easy there," Katie, my wolf, whispered.

"Aren't you excited, too?" I asked, rubbing my thighs together. Merely thinking about Jax made my nipples throb.

"Let him get here first."

"Ugh, can't you show excitement for once?"

"That's not my job," Katie replied drily. She was always like this. Calculating, analyzing. . .

The night wind blew my white dress and whipped against my face. Honestly though, where's Jax? Why did he have to be late on a special night like this? 

"He's close," Katie sniffed and whispered. "Now, I'm excited."

For the first time in a while, I felt her leap within me. . .

The elders approached the altar. Lady Trish, the priestess of the moon goddess, lifted her wooden staff and began the bonding ritual.

“Tonight, the Moon Goddess will seal what has been bonded forever. After this ritual, there is no going back. Now, step forward. Alpha Jax Kane and Mira Locke."

My heart slammed as I heard my name. The moment of truth is here. But where is Jax? 

Jax appeared from the shadowed side arch. He looked dashing in his black robe. His brown hair was swept back and tied in a pony tail. His brown eyes steadied on me and the corner of his lips lifted.

Yes, that's my alpha. He would be mine from now until eternity.

He approached slowly, then stopped four steps away. He folded his arms across his chest. I have witnessed many unions in the grand hall, it never went like this. The two that intended to be united always stood side-by-side. 

My brows lifted as I stated at him. What was wrong?

I waited for him to close the distance, to reach for me like he always did in the shadows when no one watched us.

Jax didn't come any closer.

Lady Trish waved her staff. “Jax Kane. The Goddess has declared you fated with Mira Locke. Step forward to seal this union.”

Something is wrong, Katie blurted. He's not himself.

Jax stayed where he was. Murmurs went off in the hall.

“Jax? What's wrong?” My voice came out desperate, but I didn't care. I just wanted my alpha by my side.

Jax didn't say a word. He looked at me, unsmiling, unblinking.

“I reject you, Mira Locke!"

The words struck me like a punch. Gasps exploded around us. Someone cried out. That should be my sister, Paula.

I froze, wondering what led to this. What did I do? Memories of our kisses flashed through my mind. Was this really happening?

The bond snapped right away and brutal pain struck me. It felt like someone set my chest on fire. I staggered and screamed out. My hands flew to my chest, but the pain got worse.

I dropped to my knees and then fell to the stony floor. My forehead slammed against the stone, but the pain in my chest was worse.

Katie howled inside my skull. Her scream broke my heart. She felt every bit of my pain.

Lady Trish turned to Jax. “Why? The Moon Goddess does not joke with bonds.”

“I know that, but Mira is unworthy to stand as my Luna. She is low-born. A mere omega. Weak, lacking decent heritage.”

"If these are your only concerns. . ."

"She has cursed blood.”

The hall echoed with gasps. I couldn't believe my ears. Yes, I was a weak omega, but cursed blood? There's nothing cursed about my blood!

Although pain gripped me hard, I lifted my head. "Why are you lying?'

He didn’t look at me. Instead, he spoke to the elders. He couldn't look into my eyes and tell those horrible lies. What a coward!

“Her blood carries a taint. She would drag our pack into ruin if she carries my child."

“I don’t… I don’t have cursed blood!" I groaned.

No one answered me. It looked like they were more interested in what Jax had to say.

Lady Trish frowned. “How long have you known this? And why are you revealing this on the night of bonding?”

“It doesn't matter when I found out. The most important thing is the welfare of the pack members,” Jax said. “I will not tie my bloodline to a curse."

He sounded so certain, and through the haze of pain, I started to wonder if he had indeed made a research about it. But when did he make this research, we still kissed this afternoon.

My fingers clawed at the stone floor. I wanted to stand, but my legs were numb. The pain got worse. I felt like I was sinking into an abyss.

“The Alpha has spoken," Lady Trish declared. "The bond is severed by free will. The Moon Goddess allows choice in the heart’s matters."

What about my own choice? Well, the last thing I wanted was for the moon goddess to bind me with a man who rejected me in front of everyone and caused me pain.

"Mira Locke," Lady Trish turned to me. "Accept the rejection so your pains can stop."

I looked up at Jax. It still felt like a dream. Again, he refused to meet my eyes.

Tears slid down my cheeks as I parted my lips. "I accept the rejection!"

But the pain didn't stop. My legs were still numb with red hot pain.

Jax snapped his fingers, and a woman stepped forward.

She was tall with long red hair that fell in waves over her shoulders. She was in white just like me.

Jax took her hand and pulled her to his side.

“This is Selene,” he announced. “She is my chosen Luna. Our union will bring Riverdale’s strength to Shadow Bridge. This is what I desire.”

"And so shall it be," Lady Trish said.

Cheers erupted in the hall. Everyone had forgotten about me!

Tears stopped flowing down my cheeks. It made no sense to cry over a wolf who had replaced me while pretending to still love me. This arrangement must have taken weeks, maybe months.

I just wanted the pain to stop.

"Help me," I whispered to a nearby guard. He didn't hear me. Just like everyone else, his attention was fixed on Jax as he pulled Selene closer. He pressed his lips to hers and everyone cheered. Everyone except me.

Wow, the same lips that used to press against my neck in the dark. He was already locking lips with someone else.

A hand pulled me up. I looked up. It was Paula, my sister.

She lifted me up and pat my back.

"Thank you," I tried to say, but the words froze on my lips.

Why was the pain getting worse? I already accepted the rejection!

My vision blurred. Torch flames became like candle light.

Katie. What's happening?

She didn't say anything. I closed my eyes and sank into darkness.

Life was so cruel, so unpredictable. I had gone from expecting to seal my bond with the alpha to this sorry state. I couldn't even hear from my wolf. I was all alone, sinking.

Damn you, Jax! I never did anything to deserve this cruelty.

"I can't bear your full weight. Move your legs," Paula pleaded.

Her voice sounded like it came from far away. I was only barely hanging on to consciousness.

If I survive this, I would make sure Jax paid for this evil.