6

He pulled back and looked down at me, his eyes full of concern. "What is it, my love?"

I took a deep breath and looked up at him, my heart pounding in my chest. "I...I've never shifted. I'm wolf-less."

I watched as his expression changed from concern to horror. He let go of me and took a step back, his eyes wide with shock.

"What?" he asked, his voice barely above a whisper.

I felt tears prick at the corners of my eyes, and I looked down at the ground, unable to meet his gaze. "I'm sorry, Cassian. I should have told you sooner."

He ran a hand through his hair and let out a shaky breath. "I...I don't understand. How is that possible?"

I shrugged, my heart breaking at the look of disappointment on his face. "I don't know. It just never happened. I've never had a wolf."

He shook his head and took another step back, his expression unreadable. "I can't...I can't do this, Tarra. I'm sorry."

I felt like I had been punched in the gut. "What do you mean? Cassian, please..."

He turned away from me and walked towards the door, his shoulders slumped. "I need a luna that can help protect the pack." His words were hollow and it sounded like he was trying to convince himself as much as he was me. "I can't be with someone who can't shift. It's too dangerous."

I felt tears stream down my face as I watched him leave, my heart shattering into a million pieces. I couldn't believe this was happening. I had finally found my mate, and now he was rejecting me.

I collapsed onto the floor waiting for the inevitable. Looking up with pleading eyes I begged "Cassian, please don't reject me. There's still a chance I can shift in the future, it's not like I'm human!"

He looked at me with a stange mix of love and pity, "Tarra baby, I'm sorry," his eyes hardened and I saw him gather his resolve, a new wave of tears pouring from my eyes. "I reject you, Tarra Voss, as my fated mate and future Luna."

As soon as the words left his mouth a pain worse than anything I could imagine ripped through my chest. I dont know what I had expected, I should have told him as soon as I saw him instead of letting myself fall in love.

Laying in a puddle of my tears, I stared at the wall and whisper "I accept your rejection Cassian Black." Once I had accepted the rejection the pain lessened, but the hollow ache of where our bond should be remained. "We are no longer mates."

He stared at me, a mix of regret and something else in his eyes, before turning and leaving the room. The door closed behind him with a soft click, and I was alone.

I curled up into a ball and sobbed, my heart broken. I had lost my mate. I was alone again. I didn't know how I was going to go on.

***

I woke up the next morning feeling empty and numb. I didn't want to get out of bed, but I knew I couldn't stay here forever. I had to face reality. The mating ball festivities were nearly over and it was almost time to accompany Lynn back to our pack and home. Hopefully she found her mate, it would be better if at least one of us got a happy ending out of this trip. Maybe I would find another way to escape. I couldn't stay there any longer.

I slowly got out of bed and took a shower, letting the hot water wash away my tears. I got dressed and packed my things, trying to ignore the pain in my chest.

I made my way downstairs and found Cassian waiting for me by the front door. He looked just as broken as I felt, and it took everything in me not to run into his arms and beg him to take me back.

But I knew it was pointless. He had made his decision, and I had to accept it.

He led me out to the carriage, where a driver was waiting for me.

"Take her back to the ball," Cassian said, his voice cold and distant.

I turned to look at him, my heart aching. "Cassian, please..."

He shook his head and looked away, his jaw clenched. "Goodbye, Tarra."

I felt tears prick at the corners of my eyes, but I refused to let them fall. I wouldn't give him the satisfaction of seeing me cry. I climbed into the carriage and sat down, my hands shaking as I tried to hold myself together.

The driver closed the door and climbed onto the front of the carriage, urging the horses forward. I watched as Cassian disappeared from view, my heart breaking all over again.

I leaned back against the seat and closed my eyes, trying to block out the pain. I didn't know how I was going to go on without him. He was my mate, my other half. How was I supposed to live without him?

I felt the carriage come to a stop, and I opened my eyes to find that we had arrived back at the festivities. I took a deep breath and stepped out of the carriage, my legs feeling weak beneath me.

I made my way inside, my head held high despite the pain in my chest. I refused to let anyone see how much I was hurting.

I found Lynn and she quickly pulled me into a hug. "There you are! I've been looking everywhere for you! Where have you been?" Her eyes were sparkling in a way I hadn't seen before, I was immediately suspicious but put on a fake smile and said the first thing that came to mind.