Page 45 of Shattered Soulmates

“No one I’ve spoken to knows anything,” Knight answers.

“They’re about to magically and surgically remove Miles’ mate mark,” I warn. “We need to find her, and fast. We don’t know what that could do to her. It might not affect her, but from everything I’ve seen between them—the lingering effects of their bond, her sadness, and his obsession with her, even after hebonded with Marissa—this is like nothing I’ve ever witnessed. If something goes wrong, it could hurt her. And if it does, she’ll need medical intervention again, from someone who knows what they’re doing.” I swallow, my voice tight.

“I’ve got all available units on it, Alpha,” Knight grits out hopelessly.“She’s my number one priority.”

“Keep me updated on your progress.”

“Will do.”

After we end the call, I pace the hallway in front of Miles’ room. The surgical team comes out pulling his gurney.The doctor follows behind.

“Wait,” I plead, reaching out to grab the doctor’s arm. “You can't do this yet, we can’t locate his fated mate.”

“He can’t wait,” the doctor informs me. “You need to either allow me to proceed and take that risk, or we let him die. If they’re still connected in some fashion, it’ll affect her anyway. Nothing changes that outcome. However, with surgery, we’ll save him.”

My hand drops to my side in defeat. I nod. “Proceed.”

Chapter 20–Dueling Bonds

As Miles is prepped for surgery, his heart beats a staccato rhythm:

Thrump, thrump, thrump.

The surgical technician drapes his body in sterile paper sheets, then swabs the skin around his mate mark with alcohol.

The anesthesiologist lowers the mask over Miles’ face, the hiss of oxygen filling the room. With practiced ease, he inserts a syringe into the IV port and administers the sedative, ensuring Miles stays under.

Thrump, thrump, thrump.

The surgeon scrubs up at the sink, then slips on her latex gloves. She approaches the instrument stand and scans through the tools, double-checking that everything she needs is in place.

Thrump, thrump, thrump.

Across from the surgeon stands the local witch, dressed in surgical attire, holding an ancient tome wrapped in plastic for sterility. Her eyes are shut, and she appears to be humming and softly chanting to herself.

“Everyone ready?” Dr. Skye asks as she surveys the room, taking in the various medical technicians and nursing staff. “This is a first for me, but hopefully, we can quickly manage anything that comes up during the procedure.”

“Yes, doctor,” the different voices agree.

“Ms. Rathbone,” she instructs gravely, addressing the witch. “You may begin.”

The witch stops humming and starts to cast a spell that will hopefully break the bond between Miles and Marissa, ultimately saving his life. As she chants, a chorus of unearthly voices recites the translation for everyone to hear.

“O Ghealach Dhiadhachd cho soilleir,”

“Oh, moon goddess, light so bright,”

“Sàbhail am fireannach seo bhon bhàs an oidhche seo,”

“Save this male from death this night.”

As the first words slip from the witch’s mouth, Dr. Skye takes a scalpel and begins to cut the mate mark from Miles’ neck. Once it’s free, she uses tissue forcepsto place it into a metal bowl, where it immediately turns to ash.

The witch continues her incantation.

“Bris an ceangal rinn cho neo-ghlic,”

“Break the bond so unwisely made,”

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