The Cursed Land

*Selena*

Zander stood there, flanked by his beta, Maddox, and gamma, Ethan. His aura exuded intimidation, demanding submission from those around him. Despite the urge to run and jump into his arms, I resisted. He still held that effect on me. But then he dropped the bombshell: he claimed that Damon and my mate bond was fake. How could he say such a thing? I knew what I felt, and the undeniable pull of the mate bond between Damon and me confirmed its authenticity.

"What are you saying, Zander?" I retorted, my voice laced with confusion. "I can feel the bond too. How can you claim that Damon is faking it?"

"Because it's true. Avery revealed it before she died," he declared solemnly.

"What? Avery has died?" I gasped, my heart sinking. "H...how? What happened to her?"

"It's a long story, Selena, and I'll explain everything. But now is not the time. You need to leave from here," he demanded, his tone firm.

"So you're trusting Avery over me?!" I countered defensively, incredulous that he wo