Kemran's POV
I'd been running the course for hours, but I still hadn't managed to finish it. The more I tried, the more I remembered how Athènia had succeeded in completing it. Frustrated by my failure, I stopped and walked over to the bench where my sports bag was waiting—where I usually left it during the elite special training sessions. I pulled out a towel and wiped my face. Footsteps approached, and I already knew who it was.
Kemran: "Missing me already?"
I said as I turned around.
Naynah: "Not in the slightest. I'm here for something else."
Kemran: "And what would that be?"
Naynah: "We have to sever every bond that ties us together—including this one. So…"
She cleared her throat and finally looked me straight in the eyes.
Naynah: "I, Naynah Athènirah Delmal, reject you, Kemran Kan Talor, as my mate."
Damn it. I couldn't believe she actually did it. And why did it hurt so much, even though I'm a vampire, not a wolf? I hadn't hurt her enough for her to do this… I wasn't supposed to feel this pain. I wasn't supposed to accept it. But my mouth betrayed me.
Kemran: "It's for the best. I, Kemran Kan Talor, accept your rejection."
Naynah: "Goodbye."
She turned and walked away. I collapsed to my knees as the searing pain tore through my chest. This wasn't how it was supposed to go—I was meant to make her suffer through the bond. Now it was ruined.
Damn it all. Damn this pain.
I forced myself up and started running the course again, pouring all my frustration into every step.
---
Naynah's POV
I opened my apartment door and closed it quickly behind me. The pain was still there, sharp and unbearable, and I fell to the floor.
Naynah: "Ava, why do I still feel it?"
Ava: "It'll be over soon. Just hold on."
I focused on breathing in and out, trying not to let the pain overwhelm me. After a few minutes, it finally faded. I stood up, shaky but relieved. I hadn't expected it to be that painful.
Ava: "And you thought breaking a bond would be easy?"
Naynah: "Yeah, I know… it's not."
I headed to get ready for my evening with Aron.
Ava: "Mhm, our mate. And he's super hot, by the way."
Naynah: "Ava…"
Ava: "Come on! And on top of that, he's a real werewolf—not a vampire. He's one of our pack."
Naynah: "Even if he weren't, he'd have to leave his pack to come with me. But Ava… why does his scent feel so much stronger than a beta's?"
Ava: "I don't know."
I slipped into a black, low-cut dress that stopped at my knees and put on some light makeup. I left my hair down. One last glance in the mirror—perfect. I looked stunning.
I sat on the couch waiting for Aron. I'd already texted him my address earlier and given him my number. As I waited, my thoughts drifted back to earlier. Ava always told me I was a special wolf, that my gift of reading minds wasn't just a pack link. I never really believed her. I thought it was simply the mental bond wolves shared. She used to say: "If you can hear thoughts without the other person agreeing to connect, it's more than just a link." But I still doubted her.
Ava: "Because you're stubborn as hell."
Naynah: "What a joy you are…"
Then there was also this whole "Guardian Wolf" and "Blessed Wolf" thing she wouldn't stop bringing up. I was pulled from my thoughts by a knock at the door. My heart skipped. It was him.
I took a breath. It's just a guy. A normal guy. Well… a normal wolf.
I opened the door, and there he was, smiling brightly. His eyes swept over me, and I felt my cheeks heat up.
Aron: "You look beautiful."
Naynah: "Thanks. You don't look bad yourself."
He was dressed in a formal suit—looking way too good in it. Calm down, Naynah.
Aron: "Shall we?"
I smiled as I stepped out.
Naynah: "So… where are you taking me?"
Aron: "My favorite place."
We walked to the elevator.
Aron: "So, has Silver Moon changed since I left, or…?"
Naynah: "It's the same as always."
I cut him off quickly.
Aron: "So you mean my sister is still as annoying as ever?"
Naynah: "Yeah. Still a total pain."
He laughed.
Aron: "Doesn't surprise me."
We reached the lobby and stepped outside. He opened the car door for me—such a gentleman. I slid in, and he got behind the wheel.
Aron: "Seatbelt, please, Miss."
I buckled up, and he started the car.
Aron: "So… Naynah. Do you have your wolf yet?"
Naynah: "Why do you ask?"
Aron: "Because you recognized me as your mate. At your age, most she-wolves don't have their wolves yet."
Naynah: "I do."
Aron: "So the pack knows then?"
Naynah: "Not exactly."
Aron: "What do you mean?"
Naynah: "Royal Alpha bloodlines always awaken their wolves earlier than normal—usually at fifteen."
Aron: "You got yours at fifteen? That's not fair. I had to wait until I was eighteen."
Naynah: "I got mine at fourteen."
Aron: "Wow…"
The rest of the drive was quiet until we arrived at a restaurant. He led me to a private dining room. We sat down, and the waiter approached.
Waiter: "Good evening, sir, ma'am. I'll be your server tonight."
I skimmed the menu while Aron had already finished ordering. I placed my order as well, and the waiter left.
Naynah: "Aron, can I ask you two questions?"
Aron: "Go ahead."
Naynah: "Why do you smell stronger than a normal beta?"
He raised a brow.
Aron: "What do you mean?"
Naynah: "Your father is one of the best betas in Silver. He was my grandfather's beta, and now he's my mother's. I know his aura. I know your sister's too. But yours… yours feels like an Alpha's."
He sighed heavily, his expression darkening.
Aron: "Because I carry Alpha blood."
My eyes widened.
Aron: "My mother was Alpha-born. She was the fourth child—and only daughter—of Red Moon's Alpha. She met my father at a ball, and she left with him."
Naynah: "So Florence isn't your mother, or your siblings'."
Aron: "She's only Olivia's mother. Mine died when I was six. After that, my father found his second chance with Florence."
Naynah: "Wait… so that's why your brother became Alpha of Silver Moon?"
Aron: "Exactly."
Naynah: "But… if your mother was the fourth child, and the older ones were all men, wouldn't the Alpha title go to one of their children?"
Aron: "Unfortunately, my mother's entire family was wiped out in an attack. The wolf who took over couldn't hold the pack, and eventually Liam—my older brother—claimed the title of Alpha."
Naynah: "I see…"
The waiter returned with our food and set the plates down.
Naynah: "Bon appétit."
Aron: "Thank you."
We began eating in silence. And for once, I was happy—just being there with him. With Kemran, it had only ever been about obsession, about control. With Aron… it felt different. Real.
I prayed to the Moon Goddess that this time, it would last.