Chapter 3

CHAPTER 003

Her shoulders shook with next to a waterfall of weeping tears, Bianca stumbled down the hallway. She clenched her chest, wincing as if to contain the ache, tried to stop herself from crying, but tears streamed down her face, blurring her vision in front of her. Max had rejected her. She had been thrown away like she meant nothing, by her true mate, the one person she was meant for.

She paused for a moment at Alpha John’s office door. Her hands shook as she wiped at tear streaked face, trying to regain composure as the hurt lay so raw. She pushed the door open and entered, sobs punctuating the quiet.

Sharp eyes from Alpha John glanced up from his study; he that wasn't sharp just glanced up. His bulk once more took up space over the room as he stood. He said, his voice stern, “Bianca.” “What does this mean?”

She fell to her knees before his desk, and tears soon flowed. “I’m sorry Alpha, I, I didn’t know where else to go.” It’s Max. He—he rejected me.”

Alpha John furrowed his brows and folded his arms across his chest. “Rejected you? What are you talking about?”

Bianca clenched her fists, tearing through her palms with her nails and struggled to find the words. “We were in a relationship. Secretly. He’s my true mate, Alpha. He told me he loved me. Now he’s chosen that girl, Aurora.”

The Alpha’s jaw tightened, his face darkened. “You’re hiding this from me?”

'Sorry' whispered Bianca, and her voice broke. I didn’t want to ruin your plans. But I love him. Please, you have to help me.”

Alpha John paced to the window, turning away. Silent for a long moment, he stared out at the pack grounds. He finally spoke, but in a low, calculating voice. “This is a complication. If Max was rejecting his true mate, it’s weakening his bond to the pack. His strength could falter. This is unacceptable.”

Bianca clasped her hands together in desperation and stood. “Then what can I do? I can’t lose him. I’ll do anything.”

His expression cold, Alpha John turned back to her. “There’s only one solution. “Bring me a fake bond serum,” you need.

Her breath hitched. “A fake bond serum?”

“It’s a potion that mimics the effects of the true mate bond,” he said. “Max will feel the connection to you again, even if the bond is broken, with it.”

The suggestion reeled in her mind. “I don’t know how to get something like that.”

His tone was final, “That’s your problem to solve.” “You’ll figure it out if you want to be Luna.”

Bianca swallowed and her stomach twisted. “Yes, Alpha.”

After plodding blurrily from the office, her mind was anything but calm. A fake bond serum. How was she supposed to find something so impossible? With every step, the ache in her chest could only grow heavier until she found herself standing in front of a dimly lit bar before she knew what had happened. The door swung inward and she stepped into it with smoke and alcohol hitting her like a wave.

She slid onto a stool, ordered a drink which she downed in one go hoping that the burn would numb the pain. It didn’t. A voice beside her broke the silence, and she was halfway through her second drink.

“Rough night?”

Glancing to her left Bianca noticed a woman sitting, a few seats away. She was sharp featured, dark eyed and her smile sent a chill down Bianca's spine.

“I guess Bianca muttered, barely loud enough for her to hear herself.”

The woman crawled closer, slowly, deliberating. “You seem like someone who’s lost something important.”

Bianca scoffed and swirled the drink in her glass. “What would you know?”

The woman’s smile widened. “More than you think. “What’s troubling you?” he asked.

Bianca paused. She wanted to run. But desperation won. "But I need a fake bond serum," she admitted. “Fixing something that shouldn’t be broken.”

The woman’s eyes glowed with interest. “A fake bond serum? That’s a rare request.”

“Can you help me?” Her voice trembled with hope, 'Bianca asked.'

The woman tilted her head, looking at her. “I can. Everything has a price, though.”

Bianca’s heart sank. “What kind of price?”

The woman’s smile became wicked. “Your soul.”

Bianca’s breath caught in her throat, and the air became colder. “You’re joking.”

The woman spoke sharply: “Do I look like someone who jokes?” “Think carefully, girl. Is he worth it?”

She thought of Max, the way he used to hold her, the way that his smile lit up her world. It was unbearable to lose him. Her fists clenched, putting an end to the debate already.

She said, her voice firm. 'I’ll do it.'

The woman grinned, and pulled a small vial from her pocket. “Then we have a deal.”

The scene shifted. The air was cool, the moon a pale glow, as walked through the pack grounds. I was a tangled mess of thoughts. Somehow the bond I felt with Max was impossible—and I’d tried hard—to ignore; it was like a string that dragged me to him, cutting it was out of the question.

I walked to the edge of the woods, listening to the soft rustle of leaves, that was all. And then, I wasn’t alone.

“Aurora.”

As his voice sounded, I turned sharply. Dark eyes, catching the light, Max stepped out of the shadows. I clenched my fists to keep my composure, my chest tightened.

“What do you want?” I kept my tone steady and asked.

He stepped closer, “I needed to see you.”

“Why?” I didn't budge an inch, demanding.

His gaze searched mine, he hesitated. “Because… I can’t stay away from you.”

I didn’t want to feel the connection to it, but damn, my heart raced with it. “You should.”

He asked, his voice softer now, “Why?” “Do you feel it too?”

I swallowed, swallowing hard with my resolve wavering. Of course I felt it. The bond of the fire was burning in my veins, couldn't be ignored. But I couldn’t let him in. It wasn’t when his father was the reason I’d lost everything.

I said, my voice sharp, “It doesn’t matter.” “I won’t be with you.”

Confusion flashed across his face and he frowned. “What are you talking about?”

I crossed my arms over my chest and took a step back. “Your father is a murderer.”

The words just hung heavy in the air and for a second, Max looked stunned. “What?”

I said, my voice trembling with anger, 'You heard me.' “My father killed your father.” He’s the reason I’m here. The reason for everything.”

Max’s jaw clenched, his hands curling into his sides. “You don’t know what you’re talking about.”

I shot back, “Oh, I know exactly what I’m saying.” “Your father is a monster. One day, everyone will see it.”

There was deafening silence between us. He didn’t deny it, but he stared at me, his expression unreadable. Could he? Or was the truth something he couldn’t even face?

What would he do now?