(Ronan's POV )
The last threads of the mate bond snapped like a wire pulled too tight.
Ronan staggered back, gripping a tree trunk as a burning pulse shot through his spine. His wolf let out a wounded, furious howl inside his head — but the Alpha forced it down, jaw clenched.
He rejected her.He had to reject her.
The girl—Evelyn—had collapsed moments ago, her body dropping to the forest floor as if the moon itself had struck her. Ronan stood there breathing hard, trying to steady himself, trying to ignore the phantom ache clawing at his own chest.
But then—
The world shifted.
The forest dissolved into darkness. The moonlight fractured and a cold wind swept across his skin.
The Goddess. He knew the presence instantly.
Ronan's shoulders tensed as a voice whispered through the shadows, soft but sharp enough to cut bone.
"Alpha Ronan. You have chosen."
Golden light burst before him, swirling, stretching—then forming a vision.
Evelyn.
Lying on the ground, gasping. Her fingers dug into the dirt as shadows curled protectively around her body, reacting like living creatures. Dark energy pulsed beneath her skin, glowing faintly, like embers waiting to ignite.
Ronan's heart lurched.
What… is that?
The vision shifted again.
This time, he saw himself — standing behind Evelyn, arms wrapped around her waist as she leaned back against him, marked, claimed, glowing with power.
And then—
Blood.
His own.
A blade tearing through his chest. His body falling lifeless beside hers.
Ronan stiffened.
"No." His voice came out low, rough. "I don't die. I don't fall. Show me the truth."
The Goddess did.
The vision split into two paths.
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PATH ONE: CLAIM HER
Evelyn stood before him, mate-mark on her neck, eyes blazing midnight. A force spiraled around her, ancient, electric, terrifying.
Behind her lay the bodies of Alphas. Packs kneeling. A world drowned in shadow.
Ronan—dead at her feet.
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PATH TWO: REJECT HER
Evelyn stood alone, trembling, broken. But the shadows still rose for her.
Still obeyed her.
Still crowned her with impossible power.
This time, she wasn't killing him.
She was killing everyone else.
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The vision cracked apart like shattered glass.
Ronan staggered, grabbing his head. "What are you saying? Either way—she becomes a monster."
The Goddess's voice echoed around him:
"Not a monster.""A balance.""A force."
"But only the pain you gave her will awaken what she is."
Ronan felt cold sweat drip down his spine.
"You're telling me rejecting her was the right choice?"
Silence.
Then—
"It was the only choice."
The vision dissolved.
Ronan's breath came heavy, uneven. He rubbed a hand over his face, muscles tight.
Evelyn. A girl he had never met before tonight.
A girl the Goddess had bound to him… then warned him away from.
If he claimed her, he died.
If he rejected her, she became unstoppable.
His wolf snarled at him, furious, grieving.
We should have kept her.
"Shut up," Ronan growled under his breath.
But his wolf only repeated one broken word:
Mate…
Ronan clenched his fists until blood dotted his palms.
He turned toward the path where Evelyn had disappeared, her scent fading.
He wasn't going after her.
He wasn't.
He couldn't.
But as the forest wind carried the faint echo of her cry…
…Ronan's jaw tightened.
Something was wrong.
Something was coming for her.
And despite everything—
Ronan felt fear.
For her.
For himself.
For the prophecy.
For whatever Evelyn was about to become.