Chapter 3

Ezora's POV:

“Have I offended you, My love?”

“You disreputed the Blood Moon Pack, I will not marry such a being and bring misfortune to the pack.”

“I may not know how to stop time, but I know you deserve better.”

Cautiously, Arlan unwrapped the gift he held, revealing a rare luminous pearl that legends claimed could only be found in the heart of Kanuis, a three-eyed sea monster no one saw up close and survived. That's when I noticed the bruises on his arm and palm, his torn undershirt hidden under his tailcoat

My anger swayed for a moment. Did he really face death to get this to me? No, no, no, focus Ezora! He played the tricks of a perfect lover before, and the result was the ruin of me.

Anger rekindling inside me, I unsheathed my father's dagger with a swift move and pointed right at Arlan.

Murmuring rose again amongst the witnesses.

“Have you gone mad, Ezora?!”

“He is a traitor!” I snapped back at my father, “a liar and a cheat who will end up killing us all!” I returned my focus sharply to Arlan, “bodies of our people lined up like a trail, he spared no one!”

My gaze swept through the crowd, hoping my words would sink in and their eyes would open, but they all looked at me like I had gone crazy, even my father.

Out of nowhere, laughter burst through the silence and the others followed. My words had landed as nonsense to their ears.

My father's deadpan stare turned stern.

“This is no child's play for you to babble. Your mother would be ashamed were she alive” He stomped his cane to the floor.

“Babble? I'm telling you this Man here is vile! He massacred our entire pack.” I yelled out the truth again, but they laughed even harder.

My father turned red with embarrassment. I suddenly felt like I was drowning again as it dawned on me that carrying the burden of the past life alone was a price I had to pay for being reborn.

I shifted my gaze to Arlan. Was that pity in his eyes? My nails bit into my free hand, the other clamped tighter to the dagger.

He must not win, no, not in this lifetime.

To my surprise, Arlan stepped closer till the tip of the dagger pressed against the center of his chest. Any more uncalculated step and it will plunge in, was he trying to get off so easily? Play honourable? My arm did not tremble even though I felt a muscle ache from holding out that long.

Arlan peered into my eyes without a flicker. “I believe my beloved has cold feet, she looks beautifully unwell. I suggest we postpone the betrothal ceremony and the wedding.”

“No!” My hands moved on reflex, pricking the tip further. The spot soaked fast in circles, but I could not care less. “I will not marry you, I, Ezora Wellfield, reject you—”

Something surged between my ribs like molten moving with the speed of a lightning bolt till it jabbed into my heart. My breath snagged short and fast. The dagger clattered from my hand as I clutched my chest in anguish.

What in the sorcery was that? I forced a breath in, and then out to clear my airways. I had not noticed the hands that steadied me were Arlan's till I straightened.

I shrugged free and took five steps backwards upon noticing. He can fool everyone but not me. His gentlemanliness was novelty, twisted to fit his agenda and sadly they were all unaware.

“I, Ezora Wellfield, reject you Arlan —” A shot of pain clogged my lungs again. My wolf bowled and I suddenly found myself gagging for air.

The room quickly tilted fast in my vision, I heard a loud ringing in my head, and my name from every angle as my body hit the floor.

“The healer, get the healer quick!!!!” “ Stay with me, Ezora, stay with me!” My father's voice called countless times.

I myself was afraid to close my eyes lest I never get another chance to open them again. goddess sake, I had just arrived.

The room spun in my vision. From the side I saw Arlan's silhouette frozen in place. An elderly woman hurriedly crouched beside me and sprang into action, placing both hands on my chest and adding pressure to every push. It wasn't long before I sucked in a desperate breath, my chest lurching as I did.

“Take her to her room, quick! She needs a proper breathing space” The healer ordered.

*************

I waited impatiently until the last visitor left.

“Finally,” I exhaled, getting out of my bed.

Isabella walked in to find me rummaging through the drawers, holding another dry herbs incense. The room already smelled like a ritual at this rate, sickening me.

“Miss, what is it you need? I–I can help you.”

Poor child. I must've scared her earlier. I was about to go on with my search when a thought clicked.

“Perfect!” I squeeled, tiptoeing to her. “Switch dresses with me.”

“What?! My lady, that's a rather absurd request, I can't.” She crossed her arms over herself.

“Switch with me otherwise I tell Ursula you have been secretly seeing a guard boy at night. You are not as careful as you think.”

Her lips dropped to an ‘O’. Reluctantly, she undressed and helped me out of mine.

We dressed up in each other 's clothes in a rush. “This is good. Now lie down in that bed and cover yourself completely with the blanket and pretend to be asleep if anyone comes looking for me.”

“And where'd you be? What should I say when I get caught? How long you'd be out for?”

I rolled my eyes at her many questions as I grabbed a shawl and wrapped the perfect disguise. “I shall be out for a moment. DO NOT get caught.” I said, slipping out before she threw another question.

The temple reeked of pine, more herb smoked incense and wet earth. Fire torches lit up the building in a circular arrangement, giving life to the ancient stone walls. A fire crackled in the hearth built in the middle of the building.

“I knew you'd come” A shrill voice startled me from a corner.

I jerked around, a frail old woman with dull grey hairs emerged from the dark in shaky footsteps. The high priestess; I have once caught a glimpse of her at my mother's funeral.

“I come to seek help—answers. The man I am to marry is vile and untrustworthy. How can I break the mate bond and free myself?” I asked, studying as she climbed up the sturdy slabs.

“Even if it costs you your life again?”

Again? I frowned. Could she possibly know about my past?

“What do you mean, high priestess?” I closed the distance between us, my heart thumping restlessly. “Do you…perhaps know something?”

“I know that sometimes our wisest decisions may be the most foolish of all decisions”

My shoulders tensed at her words. What did she really mean? “I wish to break the mate bond, Is that foolery?”

“You will die.”

I shuddered. My nerves racked and I bunched the sides of my dress tightly in my fists.

“How so?” I breathed.

“You gave half your wolf spirit to him, have you forgotten? Breaking the mate bond in such a situation will cause you to suffer a backlash worse than death—and eventually death itself.”

My knees weakened. “But I have been reborn, how can he still have half of my…”

It hit me, I have been played once again by fate; rebirthing to a time after I had foolishly carved out half my wolf spirit to save a dying man before falling helplessly in love with him.

“No! There must be a way out, I cannot marry him, help me break the mate bond please, I am ready to do whatever it takes!”

The high priestess let out a heavy sigh.

“The sacred love curse tree beyond the whispering river, is the only way to break the mate bond. Its fruit holds the power you seek.”

“But the love curse tree is a myth,” I held her gaze, my eyes brimming, “no one has ever seen it with their eyes—”

“No one alive has.” She cut in, her expression turning grave as she moved closer and stretched a thumb to my face

“The breath you carry is no longer yours; it frays, shortening with every wrong decision.” She added, drawing an ‘X’ sign on my forehead.