Chapter 4 Four

I stood frozen, staring blankly at the narrow beam of light seeping through the crack in the door. My heart had shattered into fragments. If I had been smart enough to listen to my instincts, I would've bolted from that castle-escaped the pack's territory entirely. But I remained still, refusing to accept the truth of what I'd just overheard.

"I'd love to watch that b*tch suffer and die," Dante said, clasping his hands together with a sinister laugh.

Enzo's cold voice followed, "If it's Gianna, I'm planning something more grand-right in the ballroom, for everyone to see."

Something inside me snapped. The sting of betrayal dulled, quickly replaced by a surge of pure rage. My hands curled into tight fists as I slowly forced myself out of my daze. A rush of heat filled my senses, signaling I had little time left. Despite my desire to storm in and confront them, I knew better. I couldn't take them on. With my jaw clenched, I turned and ran-determined to put as much distance between myself and Enzo as possible.

As I sped down the corridor, a large window on my right revealed the Blood Moon, hanging ominously at its peak.

Sh*t. A tremor rippled through my body, and my head began to spin. The scent of sandalwood was everywhere, surrounding me. I had never been particularly fond of that smell, but now... I craved it.

Heat coiled low in my belly, spreading between my thighs. My heart pounded erratically, and my knees grew weak, turning each step into a struggle.

"Goddess," I gasped, "please don't do this..."

I needed to run, to fight the pull, but it felt like my body was betraying me, desperately urging me to turn around. A hoarse whimper escaped my throat as the heat intensified, filling every inch of my being.

"D*mn mate bond," I growled, collapsing to my knees as I struggled to crawl away.

The sandalwood scent only grew stronger, pulling me toward the very place I'd fled. I knew the scent belonged to Enzo, but I refused to acknowledge it. Why had the Fates paired me with someone who didn't care if I lived or died?

I dug my nails into the cold marble floor, trying to drag myself forward despite the overwhelming urge to look back.

"Mate," Enzo's icy voice echoed down the hall, his footsteps growing louder as he approached. A low, mocking chuckle escaped his lips. "You can't outrun destiny, Gianna."

I bit down on my lip, forcing my body to move, but it was no use. His voice acted like a spell, keeping me in place until he reached me. Enzo crouched beside me, gently taking my hands and lifting me to my feet. His eyes locked onto mine as he stroked my cheek with deceptive tenderness.

"Why did you try to run from your mate?" His voice was almost soothing, like a lover's gentle coaxing.

"You want me dead," I spat through gritted teeth, my glare fierce.

He chuckled softly, pressing me against the wall, his body caging mine. "I don't want to kill you. Mates can't kill each other-it's the way the Fates designed it. I just need to be rid of you." He stepped back, a casual shrug following his cold words, making the blood in my veins freeze.

"How can you even say that?" I demanded, struggling to push him away, but he didn't budge. "I trusted you... I loved-"

"It hurts me too," he interrupted, his voice hollow and emotionless. "But I must admit, you look stunning in that dress." His gaze lingered on my chest, a cruel smile tugging at his lips. "It makes me want to tear it off and take you right here."

"You disgust me," I hissed, fighting the unwanted desire his words ignited. I hated that my body responded to him. I hated the mate bond for holding me prisoner to this ancient curse.

He leaned in closer, his breath warm against my ear. "I would've done it, too," he murmured, his hand tracing the curve of my breast through the thin fabric.

"Take your hands off me," I snarled, my voice trembling with fury.

"Make me," he taunted, a dark grin spreading across his face. He knew the bond wouldn't let me fight him off. After a moment, he pulled his hand away, sighing in feigned disappointment. "But I won't risk it now. If I mark you, it'll be game over, and we can't have that, can we?"

"For the love of Selenea," Dante groaned as he approached, my entire body tensing at the sound of his voice. "How long are you going to toy with her? Let's get this over with. I've already sent for Guido."

My eyes widened. "Guido?" Panic laced my voice. "Why do you need the pack healer?"

"I'm the future Alpha. I need a legitimate reason to reject you," Enzo announced with disgusting arrogance.

Terror knotted in my stomach as Dante drew closer, holding a small vial. "What is that?" I whispered, backing away only to be caught by Enzo's grasp.

"It's something to weaken you," Enzo said calmly, tightening his hold on me.

Dante seized the moment, shoving my head back and forcing the liquid down my throat. I choked and tried to resist, but his hand clamped over my mouth, stifling my cries. My struggles were no match for them.

"Stop fighting. You'll never win," Enzo growled, and a part of me crumbled.

Defeated, I swallowed the vile substance. They released me, and a moment later, fire coursed through my veins. Tears blurred my vision as I fell to my knees.

"What have you done to me?" I whimpered.

"It's wolfsbane," Enzo said, watching me coldly. "Guido has to declare you too weak. I can't risk him saying otherwise."

The poison spread quickly, twisting my insides into knots. Even through the excruciating pain, I lifted my head, baring my teeth in defiance.

"You b*st*rd," I spat.

Enzo laughed cruelly while Dante knelt beside me. "Don't worry, the burning will stop soon enough," he whispered. "But the real pain? That'll come after the rejection."

*

Twenty minutes later, I stood in the ballroom, barely able to keep myself upright. Dante hovered behind me, catching me each time I came close to collapsing. The wolfsbane had nearly paralyzed me, leaving me unable to scream or speak. I could only watch helplessly as the main event began-Enzo, playing his role to perfection.

The poison running through my veins had one small mercy: it dulled the overwhelming pull I once felt toward Enzo. The warmth between us shattered, replaced by a bitter, consuming hatred. My head swam, forcing me to close my eyes.

Suddenly, an image flashed before me-the dark-haired man from the lake. I remembered the aura of power that radiated off him. Would he treat his mate this way, if she turned out to be a shrouds wolf? Or worse, wolfless? Why was I even thinking about him right now? I snapped out of the daze, taking a deep breath before refocusing on the scene in front of me.

Enzo, my mate, stood there, addressing the crowd, declaring that though he had found his fated partner, the bond-with me-would only weaken him. He claimed he was ready to sacrifice his mate for the good of the pack. What a lie. I'd never heard a more pathetic excuse to reject someone. How could no one see through his deceit?

I looked to Alpha Fabio, hoping, praying that he might recognize the truth. But he sat silently on his throne, scratching his long gray beard and nodding along. What was I even hoping for? Justice? Fairness? There was none here, not for me. In this place, weakness was a crime, and being a weak woman... that was a death sentence.

The pack and visiting guests had gathered around the podium, eager for the spectacle. I scanned the faces in the crowd, desperate to find my sister. But she was nowhere to be seen. Without her, I felt my last shred of hope slipping away.

"Guido!" Alpha Fabio's voice rang out as the pack's healer approached the dais. "I need you to assess whether my son's bond with his mate will weaken him." He gave a sharp nod to Dante, who yanked me onto the dais like I was nothing more than a rag doll.

Alpha Fabio glanced at me with disinterest before turning to Guido. "Look her over and tell me if she's too weak to be my son's mate."

Guido stepped closer, his hazel eyes filled with disdain as he surveyed me, my legs barely holding me up as Dante kept me from collapsing. "Why does she look so pale?" he asked, suspicion in his voice.

"I gave her some liquor," Enzo replied smoothly. "How was I supposed to know shrouds wolves can't handle alcohol?"

The crowd erupted into mocking laughter, and my insides twisted. Couldn't they see what was happening? Couldn't they tell I had been poisoned?

Guido placed a hand on my forehead, concern briefly flashing in his eyes. "There's something wrong with her," he said softly, but Alpha Fabio's patience snapped.

"Just answer the d*mn question, healer! Is she too weak to be my son's mate, or not?"

Guido hesitated, his brow furrowing. "She's weak now, but-"

"You heard him!" Enzo cut in sharply, pushing Guido aside. "Gianna will only weaken me as an Alpha!"

The crowd erupted, the room buzzing with voices. "Reject her!" someone shouted. "She can't be our Luna!" another voice chimed in.

Enzo's lips curled into a cold smirk. He gave Dante a signal, and I felt his grip loosen, leaving me to crumple to the ground at Enzo's feet. My heart pounded wildly, my vision blurring with hot tears.

I knew my end was near. I could feel it. The golden thread that connected our souls shimmered faintly between us.

"Gianna Greco," Enzo's voice echoed through the ballroom, each word striking like a blow, "I, Enzo Caruso, reject you as my mate."

And just like that, the thread snapped.