Page 48 of A Luna's Revenge

“Are you coming back?”

“To him? No.” I admit. “To the pack? Possibly. I don’t know yet. I hope so.”

“Is there a chance for us someday?”

I reach my hand out the window and slip it under his jawline, caressing. “Reggie, you are the most beautiful male I have ever seen. You are so sweet and tempting.” I close my eyes and shake my head in regret.

“Let me get through this right now. I don’t know what the future holds.” My heart aches at the look on his face. “I don’t want you to become a rebound fling. I make no promises,and I ask for none, either. But I want you to know this isn’t a rejection.”

He is leaning into my hand with his eyes closed tightly.

“You told me your mate left you for a Beta because she wanted someone more powerful.” I draw close and whisper in his ear. “She was wrong. I feel your Alpha aura strumming through you. You are a powerful Alpha in your own right.” I place a gentle, closed-mouth kiss on his lips. “Open yourself up to that possibility and accept it.” I withdraw my hand and pull the vehicle forward, sadly leaving Reggie in my rear-view mirror.

Charlie

It’s nearly 1:00 p.m., when I stop at a local truck stop to grab a bite to eat. A burger, fries, and shake for the road is exactly what I need right now. After collecting my dinner, I walk around the parking lot, looking at the tags of the various vehicles. While our territory is hard to find for humans, there is an abundance of them around. Whether they have been brought here as mates or companions to shifters or just having stumbled onto us, humans are attracted to our physical appearance. Our bodies are stronger and more muscular, especially the males who can get up to almost seven feet tall and broader than a linebacker.

I finally find what I am looking for: a pick-up with Canadian tags. Canada is far north of our territory. The truck’s occupants must be inside the building, so I toss my old cell phone in the back. I’ve already turned it off and smashed it, so hopefully, it leads Jenson on a wild goose chase far away to where he cannot track me.

Chapter 27 – Breaking the Mate Bond Ritual

Charlie

The clock on my dashboard reads 5:00 p.m. Jenson should be getting my little gift at any time now. I am at my destination, the little college town of Sparksburg. Everything is familiar as it is exactly as I remember from my dream.

I pull into the back parking lot of the strip mall behind Amaris’s clinic and shop. I'm enveloped by the strongest sense of déjà vu I've ever experienced,

Moving as if in slow motion, the next few minutes play out exactly as in my vision.

I spread a soft blanket next to my vehicle and lay out the items for the ritual: my grimoire, a shiny silver knife with a leather handle, and two small bottles of potion—one for pain relief and one to promote healing.

Sitting on the blanket, I take a deep breath and take out the alcohol and gauze. Putting on surgical gloves, I pull my blouse down to expose my mate mark above my breast. After carefully sterilizing the site and the knife, I clasp my talisman momentarily, feeling the weight of what I’m about to do.

As I focus on my purpose, I remind myself that this ritual is more than a procedure; it’s a way for me to take back my power.

With trembling fingers, I take the gauze and apply a generous amount of the pain and healing potions. I am ready to begin with the knife now poised over the scar. I hope this goes as planned.

Taking another cleansing breath, I begin, "I, Charlie Ann Black, Luna of the Little Silver Creek Pack, hereby rescind my position as Luna and as a pack member." I instantly feel the mantle of the pack bond lift from my shoulders, and calm settles in my chest as I officially become a lone wolf.

I take another deep breath and continue, "I, Charlie Ann Black, reject you, Jenson Black, Alpha of the Little Silver Creek Pack as my mate." The sharp pain that impales me as the mate bond shatters nearly doubles me over.

Panting, I start to slice around the mate mark. A pain unlike anything I’ve felt before surges across my sensitive skin, searing like a white-hot flame. I almost hesitate, but I can't stop now. I have to cut all ties, so Jenson can’t find me. I have to remove the mark before I lose consciousness.

I continue cutting with my right hand while I lift thebottle containing the pain relief potion with my left. Shivering, I pour more liquid on the spot where I am working. Dizziness assails me, but I press on with the knife. Finally, the fragment of skin with my mate mark falls free and fades to ash.

In desperation, I quickly pour the remaining pain potion over my burning skin. Collapsing to the ground, I also empty the healing potion onto my breast. Black spots dance before my eyes as the bottle slips from my trembling hand, and everything fades to black.

Jenson

It’s almost 5:00 p.m., and Charlie hasn't come back from her "errands" in town.

"Alpha, there is a man here to see you."My beta mind links.

"A man? Bring him up to my office."

The door opens in just a few minutes, the door opens, and a man walks in with a small rectangular gift package. "Jenson Black?" He asks as I nod. He hands me the gift and says, "You've been served."

"What the—what's this? What do you mean?" Confused, I tear the colorful wrapping paper from the package, open the box, and stare at the scrapbook at the bottom.

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