THE HEALER'S CURSE

I stood in front of him in the moonlight clearing and trembled as I said, "Say it, Kieran." The only sound to break the stillness of the woodland was the distant rustling of leaves.

His golden eyes were steely and icy as he gazed at me. There was not a glimmer of warmth or a hint of the connection that was pulsing through my chest like a lifeline. I held my breath as his lips parted, hoping that something, anything, would ease the anguish.

His tone was sharp and abrupt as he said, "You're not what I need."

My lungs were robbed of breath as the words crashed into me. "What do you need?" I could hardly hear my voice when it cracked.

His eyes remained fixed. Celeste, you heard me. I need to be strong. A Luna who can lead alongside me and stand at my side. Not. He dismissed me with a sweep of his hand, like if I were a mistake. "Not a healer who uses prayers and herbs to hide."

I took a step back, feeling as if our relationship was a thread on the verge of breaking. "That is not what you mean. You are unable to.

"Yes, I do."

Tears pricked my eyes, but I fought the want to let them fall. "You're turning me away? Like that?

"Yes," he answered, his voice cutting through the darkness like a razor.

Anger rose to replace the sadness, and I gulped down the sob that stuck in my throat. And Kieran, what about the Moon Goddess? She granted us a mate connection, but what about that? Are you so conceited that you believe you can just discard it?

He clenched his jaw. "What this pack requires is unknown to the Moon Goddess. Yes, I do.

The sound of my loud, hollow chuckle was unpleasant. "Obviously. Kieran, the Alpha, is the expert. even in matters of destiny.

He didn't recoil. He remained silent. Just stood there, where my companion should have been, on a stone wall.

"All right." I pushed steel into my trembling voice. Say the words if you're that certain. Turn me away. Cut the connection.

Something flared in his eyes for the first time. Feeling sorry? Uncertainty? It didn't matter that I couldn't tell. The quintessential representation of an uncompromising Alpha, he straightened his shoulders.

"You, Celeste, are rejected as my mate and Luna by me, Kieran, Alpha of the Moonshadow Pack."

The connection broke.

I stumbled as the anguish tore through my chest like a physical blow. The world tipped around me, and I gripped at my heart, struggling to breathe. There was a glaring hole where the warmth of the connection, the kinship I'd felt when I first saw him, had been.

"Kieran..." I said in a shattered whisper.

With his back to me, he muttered, "Go, Celeste." "Go live your life as you see fit. You are now at liberty.

Free? It was an insensitive joke. I didn't feel liberated. I felt as if a part of me had been torn out and would never be put back.

I turned and staggered into the trees as the tears I had been suppressing overflowed. I felt the chilly night air on my face, but it didn't make the ache go away.

The pack's mutterings grew behind me, whispering softly through the woods. Everyone had witnessed it. Heard it. Their Alpha turned down his destined mate.

I didn't turn around.

I took off running.

I continued despite the branches tearing at my flesh and the roots threatening to trip me. I was unable to stop. Even though my legs hurt and my chest burned, I persisted because I was anxious to get away from the shame, the betrayal, and the emptiness.

It was in a little clearing far from the pack's boundaries when I eventually passed out. The world was bathed in silver light from the full, brilliant moon that hovered high above me.

I let out a yell.

It was an unadulterated, guttural cry that contained all of the hurt, rage, and heartache I was unable to control. My fists clenched in the soil, and I shed a lot of tears, which soaked the earth below me.

What was he doing? How could he disregard me as if I were unimportant?

I pictured his icy, unforgiving gaze. He had given me the impression that I was unimportant. He had said those statements in a brutal and definitive manner.

I snarled, my voice scarcely heard above my cries, "You bastard."

I remained there till my tears dried up, curled up on the woodland floor. till the agony subsided and my chest began to hurt throbbingly. Until the moon started to disappear beyond the horizon, causing the sky to become pink and gray.

Then I got up.

I cleaned my hands of the grime and my face of the tears. Despite my weak body and unstable legs, I vowed not to fall again.

It's okay if Kieran didn't want me. He wasn't necessary for me. None of them were necessary to me.

The life I had believed to be mine, the pack, and the link were all gone.

However, I remained here.

And I would live.

I turned and left the Moonshadow Pack behind, taking one final look at the waning moon.

With every step I took, the jungle got darker and I moved farther away from the spot I used to call home. Even though I was exhausted and my limbs were shaking, I continued. I was unable to. Every rustling of leaves and crack of a twig served as a reminder that I was alone in the woods, and the silence pushed on me.

Then I had a tingle at the nape of my neck.

With my heart racing, I froze. I turned slowly, looking around in the dark. Darkness enveloped the twisted outlines of the trees, which stood quiet. With the shards of our connection to the pack still fresh and sensitive, my wolf moved nervously.

"Who's there?" Fear gnawing at my throat, I yelled, my voice calm.

Quiet.

A primitive sense told me that I wasn't alone when the hair on my arms sprang up. I became more perceptive and detected the slightest movement behind the woods.

With my feet firmly planted on the woodland floor, I commanded, "Show yourself." Low in my breast, my wolf snarled, prepared to defend if necessary.

A silhouette emerged from the darkness, moving with a smooth, almost predatory gait. As I looked at the guy in front of me, my breath caught. Lean and tall, with piercing blue eyes that appeared to gleam in the low light and black hair that curled slightly at the corners. My pulse skipped a beat because of the jagged scar that went down his jaw, giving him a dangerous edge.

He continued, "You're far from home, little wolf," in a smooth but dangerously laced voice.

"Who are you?" With a harsh tone, I asked.

A little grin tugged at the corner of his lips as he cocked his head. "A person who has been anticipating this moment."

I felt a flash of confusion. "What are you discussing?"

His eyes never left mine as he took a step closer. "You no longer belong to them, do you? The group. The friend who discarded you.

I tensed up, clenching my fingers into fists. "How are you aware of that?"

His teeth, just too sharp, showed through his widening grin. "Celeste, I know more about you than you realize."

My blood became icy. "How are you aware of my name?"

His eyes brightened, and I felt like I was being held still by the intensity of his stare. "Because your narrative and mine, little wolf? Long before tonight, they were bound together.

A low, eerie wail echoed in the distance as the wind became stronger.

And I became aware for the first time that I could have encountered something far more hazardous than Kieran's rejection.

Sharp, constant pain shoots through my chest. I felt as if I was pulling a piece of myself that had been ripped apart and let to bleed with each step. The deep aching inside of me persisted even as the moon sank below the trees, its silver light diminishing as daylight approached.

This was the most intense feeling I had ever experienced when a mate link was severed. The threads that bound my heart and soul together seemed to have been torn out, leaving behind open, raw scars. Every pulse served as a harsh reminder that something essential was missing, and every breath pained.

However, I continued to move. I was forced to.

Except for the crunch of my shoes against the underbrush, the forest was strangely still. Even though my limbs were heavy and shaking from fatigue, I continued. I was unable to remain in the vicinity of Moonshadow land. Not after the events that transpired. Not when it seemed like every shadow was observing me.

I tripped and tried to stabilize myself by rubbing my fingertips on the bark of a nearby tree. This time, the weight of everything caused my eyesight to blur rather than tears. The humiliation, the emptiness, the rejection. The only sound that came out of my mouth was a ragged gasp, although I wanted to shout, weep, fight, or do anything else to relieve the pressure that was rising inside of me.

"You are not necessary for me."

I could still hear Kieran's icy, contemptuous voice. Each time the words were played again, they became deeper. I had been rejected by my partner, or rather, my ex-mate. Without hesitation, he ripped us apart while staring me in the eyes.

I snarled and slammed my fist on the tree, saying, "Damn you, Kieran." My skin was pricked by the bark, but the discomfort was a pleasant diversion.

I was really more hateful of myself than I was of him. Despite seeing the warning flags, I had allowed myself to trust in the link and in him. Because I believed the mate link meant something, I had disregarded his ambition, his coldness, and the way he treated me more like a tool than a companion.

It hadn't meant enough, apparently.

My wolf roused, her rage blending with mine, and I felt a low growl vibrate in my breast. Her sorrow and anger pulsed through me like a second heartbeat, yet she was wounded rather than shattered.

In my head, she growled, "We don't need him."

I said, "No, we don't," despite the fact that it sounded false.

My gut twisted when the breeze changed and carried a familiar aroma. Earth and pine, with a hint of something acrid-wolf. There was a person close.

As I studied the woods, I forced my body to comply and straightened. Every sound and shadow was heightened, and my senses were on high alert. My wolf snarled, prepared to defend if necessary, but no one was in view.

My pulse accelerated as the smell intensified. There were no pack wolves here. Their smell was wilder, more wild. An outlaw.

My thoughts were racing. I was in no shape to repel a rogue, and they were erratic and often aggressive. My vitality was depleted by the never-ending flood of emotions, and my body was still weak from the broken relationship.

My pulse thumping, I turned abruptly as I heard a rustling of leaves to my left. A person with eyes that shone in the dim light stepped out of the shadows.

The guy had wild black hair, was wiry and tall, and had a sneer that made my skin crawl. He stepped closer, his motions slow and deliberate, like a predator playing with its prey, and his yellow eyes glinted.

"What do we have here, then?" His voice was low and sarcastic as he drew close. A little wolf, by himself in the forest. How sad.

I tensed my body, ready to shift if needed, but I didn't answer.

He looked at me with a hungry fascination as he cocked his head. He sniffed the air and stated, "You smell... off." Not quite like a pack wolf. Are we rejected?

The phrase struck me harder than I anticipated, and I flinched. He grinned more broadly.

He took a step closer and remarked, "Thought so." "Don't you think rejection leaves a mark? That pain and emptiness are like poison in your veins.

I made myself stand up straight, defiantly looking into his eyes. "What are you looking for?"

The sound of his laughter was piercing and frigid. "What am I looking for? What do you want, tiny wolf? That's a better question. Retaliation? Strength? Or have you been cast aside by your oh-so-perfect pack and are you just searching for a place to call home?

My nails dug into my hands as I clenched my fists. "There is nothing I need from you."

His countenance hardened and his grin wavered. His voice was grim as he said, "Everyone needs something." "Even you. Particularly you.

The tension between us increased, and my inner wolf growled, demanding that I take action. However, his head jerked sideways before I could react, and his face changed to one of astonishment.

"Interesting,"

As he smelt the air, the rogue's head cocked slightly and his nostrils flared. His smile turned into something darker and more cunning as his face darkened.

He said, "Looks like we're not alone," as his eyes darted beyond me and into the forest's darkness.

The hair on the back of my neck stood up as I tensed up. My feet seemed stuck in place, despite my instincts telling me to flee. The rogue stepped back, his motions smooth yet stiff, as though he were getting ready for combat.

"What's the matter?" I pushed out, speaking more steadily than I really felt.

He didn't respond right away. Instead, he gave me a stern look as his lips twisted into a sneer. "You don't realize what you've gotten yourself into, do you?"

I scowled, dread and uncertainty at odds. "What are you discussing?"

The jungle erupted into anarchy before he could react.

The earth under my feet shook as a loud, resonant roar echoed through the woods. The rogue's eyes widened as a huge, swiftly predatory form sprang out of the darkness.

It was a different kind of wolf from the ones I had previously seen. This one was huge, its black fur shining in the early morning light. With a ferocious intensity, its eyes, which were an unusual shade of electric blue, latched upon the renegade.

The rogue snarled, stepping back a few paces, "Damn it." A glimpse of something unreadable passed over his face as he looked at me. "You'll stay out of this, little wolf, if you're smart."

The rogue changed before I could ask him what he meant, transforming from a human into a snarling, lean wolf. Without hesitation, he sprang for the black wolf, and their bodies hit each other with a gruesome thud.

With my pulse racing, I staggered backwards as the two wolves engaged in a fierce battle. Snarls filled the air, claws ripped into fur, and teeth snapped. The situation was playing out like a nightmare I couldn't wake from, and I was having trouble processing what was occurring.

Then it took place.

With one huge paw, the black wolf pinned the rogue to the ground after overwhelming him. The black wolf was too powerful for the renegade, who struggled, snapping and growling. The rogue froze, his yellow eyes wide with terror, as it bent down and bared its fangs.

I didn't hold out to see what would happen next.

I turned and sprinted into the woods, gasping for air. My body moved instinctively as the jungle flickered around me.

However, I was unable to escape the sound of paws hitting the ground behind me.

I was stopped in my tracks by a strong, authoritative voice that reverberated in my head.

"Celeste, do not flee."

My blood became chilly as I froze. Even though I didn't know the voice, I could tell it was powerful.

As I turned, I saw the black wolf standing directly in front of me, its electric blue eyes penetrating my whole being.

Even after three years, the agony continued to gnaw at my ribcage like a persistent ache. The excruciating, soul-shattering pain of the mating link dissolving was not what had finally subsided, leaving me with bearable scars. No, this was not like the others. It was the type of anguish I had when I yearned for tranquility, which I knew would never come.

I looked at the clock that was mounted on the wall of the clinic in the tiny town where I worked. 6:00 p.m. With the exception of the faint buzz of the fluorescent lights above, the waiting area was deserted once my shift ended. With a sigh, I leaned back in my chair and massaged my neck to relieve the stress.

Three years. It's been three years since I broke up with him and the Moonshadow Pack. because I made a fresh start.

I wasn't unique in this sleepy little town that was tucked away from the pack territory and the woods. Only Celeste, the nurse who sutured cuts and bandaged injuries. I was reminded of the life I had left behind by the absence of wolves, Alpha instructions, and mate ties.

It was secure. It was easy.

Nevertheless, I kept feeling that it wasn't sufficient.

My thoughts were interrupted by the sound of the door opening. I looked up and straightened, forcing a businesslike grin. My throat tightened each breath.

Tall, broad-shouldered, and ruggedly attractive, he had eyes like storm clouds and black hair that curled at the corners. Even though his pants and leather jacket were a little old, it just made him seem more mysterious.

"Evening," he replied in a deep, silky voice that had a faint undertone of threat.

I stood up and pointed to one of the seats after forcing myself to breathe. "How may I assist you?"

He grinned, the type of grin that could both stir up trouble and dissolve resolve. collided with some barbed wire. I figured I'd best get it examined.

His hand went to his side, where his blood-stained shirt was ripped. I nodded quickly as the sight of it jolted me out of my reverie. "Take a seat. I'm going to get some supplies.

I could feel his intense gaze on me as I turned to face the cabinet, making my skin tingle.

"Do I know you?" he inquired abruptly.

I was taken aback by the inquiry and froze, clutching the counter's edge. No, no, no. There is no way he could know me. Could he?

With a firm hand holding the first aid box, I turned back to him and feigned a chuckle. "I don't believe so. But it's a little town. After a time, faces most likely begin to appear familiar.

He didn't seem persuaded, but he didn't ask any more questions. Rather, he removed his jacket and raised his shirt to show a ragged slit down his side. My breath caught once again. Because of the body it was sliced into-muscle, slender and strong, with a scattering of scars that told a thousand untold stories-rather than the wound itself.

I took a deep breath, concentrated on the wound, and crouched next to him to clean it.

I said, "This could hurt."

His laughter was rich and low. "I believe I can manage it."

The tension in the room became more oppressive as I rubbed the wound. His aroma, which included woodsmoke and a deeper, more primordial perfume, enveloped me like a second skin and drew me back to unpleasant memories.

"Your hands are steady," he said, his tone suddenly gentler and almost respectful.

Startled by the change in tone, I looked up at him. As if he could see right through the barriers I had spent years erecting, his intense and unwavering stare was fixed on me.

With a firm voice in spite of my racing pulse, I said, "I've had practice."

For a brief time, it seemed as if the world outside this room didn't exist as his lips quivered into a half-smile. It was just him and me, and something I couldn't identify but couldn't ignore was crackling in the air between us.

He abruptly exclaimed, "You're different," his voice becoming almost whispery.

The fabric hovered over his flesh as I froze. "In a different way?"

With his eyes narrowing slightly as if attempting to solve a conundrum, he said, "Not like the others here." "You have a crazy quality about you. concealed.

I stepped back, stood up suddenly, and feigned a chuckle. "I believe you've lost blood." causes folks to say odd things.

I felt vulnerable beneath the weight of his unwavering stare. Then he broke the moment by leaning back. "Perhaps," he murmured carelessly.

While my thoughts raced, I kept my hands calm and busied myself dressing his wound. Who was he? He felt so...familiar, but why?

"There," I exclaimed at last, taking a step back to see my creation. "You're ready to leave. Simply try not to rip it open again and maintain it clean.

He put his jacket back on and stood taller than me. His voice was pleasant but yet tinged with menace as he replied, "Thanks." I guess I should give you one.

Eager to get him out of the clinic and away from the tempest he was igniting inside of me, I hurriedly responded, "No need."

However, he hesitated as he made his way to the door, looking back over his shoulder. "What's your name?"

I exclaimed, "Celeste," before I could stop myself.

Once again, his lips formed that damnable sneer. "Celeste, nice to meet you. My name is Lucian.

Then he was gone, leaving me to stare after him while my thoughts were racing and my pulse was thumping.

Lucian.

Long after the clinic door had closed, I could still hear the name. That was a name I recognized. I was acquainted with him.

And that could only imply one thing if he was present.

My peaceful existence was about to come to an end.

I didn't get any sleep that evening. I was unable to. His face appeared each time I closed my eyes. His sinister smile, his penetrating eyes, and the way he gazed at me as if he knew my secrets.

I was a complete mess by morning, worn out, nervous, and overcome with a persistent feeling of dread.

A message was waiting for me on the counter when I got to the clinic. The handwriting was strong and accurate, and it was written on plain paper.

"We must speak. This evening. The diner's rear woods. Don't force me to look for you. -L

As I read the message over and over, my hands shook and my stomach fell.

It wasn't by chance that Lucian had entered my life. He had a purpose for being here.

And whatever it was, I had a terrible sense that it would make a huge difference.