章 26: Under the Blood Moon (3)

Author's note: This is from Sergio's point of view

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I felt ridiculous while getting ready for the ceremony. Why did I shave cleanly? I showered twice and used my new hair gel like I'm going on an important date. I knew that it's stupid, but it's an urge to appear in the best possible in front of the mate... even when one is about to cut the bond by rejecting the mate.

The moment my eyes landed on Calista, I felt my will wavering as the scent of the Moonflower reached my senses. She was more beautiful than I remembered, and the ceremonial outfit only made her more enchanting.

My wolf was whimpering, begging me to change my mind, but there was no other way.

'She doesn't want us.', I told my wolf. 'If we continue like this, it's only a matter of time before this body gives up. We need to cut this bond, even if it kills us. At least, it will be a quick death instead of this torment.'

I knew that my wolf understood everything, after all, we share one body and emotions, but he was still hoping that things might work out.

'Why don't you talk to her? Tell her that she is our mate.'

I knew it's hopeless. 'And then what? Don't you see that she is not even looking at us? Like we never met.'

'She ignored us the last time also.', my wolf reminded me.

'That was the FIRST time. It was normal that she looked at me like a stranger because I was one, but this time, it's obvious that she wants to pretend like nothing ever happened between us.', I responded dejectedly. 'She is a pureblood vampire with no respect for anything spiritual. If she finds out that we are mated by the Moon Goddess, there is a chance she will use it against us. I have no intention of becoming her slave.'

Silence, but I could feel that my wolf disapproved. He didn't agree with me, but I did some digging about Calista Mezzanotte and the only thing I found was that she is a heartless party girl, vampire royalty, haughty, willful... in the worst possible way.

'You know this is the only way. What happened was a one-time thing.', I told my wolf while regretting that one time for the millionth time because it was a taste of Heaven that will never be mine.

'What if it happens the second time?', my wolf asked.

'If it happens the second time, it will count as a miracle, and if you can prove that it was not a dream or a figment of my imagination, I promise to listen to you. Now step back and stop distracting me. I can't mess this up.'

The truth is that I didn't want to anger my wolf because I needed him. I knew that backlash of severing the mate bond will be agonizing, and without my wolf's support, I won't make it.

I pushed my wolf to the back of my mind and focused on the ceremony.

I was not in that moment, but I was about two decades in the past, surrounded by hundreds of werewolves who were waiting for me to establish the connection to the Moon Goddess who will bless them.

Even without the oaths, births, deaths, and blessings, there were other occasions for me to conduct ceremonies.

We did the pack run on every full moon. There would be food and music around the bonfire, and it was all spiced up with good mood. After the ceremony, everyone would shed his (or her) clothes, shift into wolf forms and dash into the forest, following our Alpha. The feeling of belonging to something greater than myself was exhilarating.

The blessing we received was nostalgic, even though it was just a shadow of the energy boost I experienced when the Bluemoon pack was in its prime.

I could see that all of them were surprised by the unexpected energy burst and the young master was already undressing Seraphina with his eyes.

The teens left first, and then the young master ran to the villa with Seraphina in his arms. Kids.

I must say that I was jealous. If my mate is a werewolf, that would be me... blissfully in love, but the Moon Goddess decided to punish me with a mate who will never accept me.

I was not sure if they planned to leave me alone with Calista, but this was the chance I was looking for.

'Reconsider…', my wolf pleaded.

'No. It needs to happen now.', I said while gathering my strength to reject my mate.

I didn't know how breaking the bond will affect me, but I didn't want anyone to see me in a more miserable state than I already was, so I asked Calista to follow me to my house.

Even if I collapse there, I will have some time to collect myself before people notice my absence.

We entered my house, and I turned to look at her.

Goddess, she was beautiful in that ceremonial outfit.

If she was a werewolf, things would work out. I remember she-wolves fighting over me. Unfortunately, the Moon Goddess had other plans for me but I can't blame this on anyone other than myself.

The Eclipse was still not over, and the reddish light seeped through the windows and the open door, enhancing the red eyes of the woman who stood in front of me.

My mate.

My other half.

No matter how much my heart raced, I reminded myself that I didn't want a mate.

I saw the downfall of my pack because my Alpha found his mate. The moment he met Isabella, the powerful Alpha Damiano turned from a mighty leader into a dotting husband. The pack and everything else took the back seat because his focus was on one woman, and one woman only. I hated her and I hated him for neglecting us. New Luna was the weak link that led to the demise of the Bluemoon pack, and Damiano knew it, yet he still allowed it to happen.

I often wondered if Damiano would regret it. Was it worth it?

If Damiano knew that things will end like this... that he won't be able to save Isabella and that everything will collapse, would he reject the bond?

That's why I didn't want a mate, believing that she will change me completely and ruin me… and I was not wrong.

Since I met Calista, the only thing I know is suffering and this agonizing pain of wanting to be with her even though she is not sparing me a single thought.

I hate her and I hate myself for succumbing to this stupid bond that is eating me alive from the inside.

"Well? You said that you want to talk. Start talking.", Calista snapped at me, reminding me why we are here.

I inhaled forcibly and suppressed the whimpers of my wolf while saying, "Calista Mezzanotte, I, Sergio Agosti, reject you…"

"What?", she interrupted me. "You reject me?"

I could see that she was angry, and I didn't get it. The mate bond doesn't mean anything to her, if it does, she wouldn't be so indifferent toward me. Who knows what's going on in her mind?

I raised my hands, indicating to her to calm down. "Let me finish."

She narrowed her eyes at me. "Finish, what exactly?"

"Calista, this is important."

She walked to me and grabbed my chin. The sparks upon contact jolted my brain instantaneously and the scent of Moonflower dazed me.

Calista was glaring at me, and it was a silly image because she is more than a head shorter compared to me, and smaller in every way possible, but she has the strength of a vampire, so I didn't dare underestimate her.

"Do you know who I am?", Calista asked while her eyes flashed with fury. "No one rejects this princess. No one!"

'SLAP!'

A harsh slap landed on my cheek and my left ear was ringing.

I didn't expect it, but I welcomed the pain.

'SLAP!'

This one made my right cheek throb and my vision blurred for a second.

Good. Make me hate you. Maybe that hatred helps me push through the pain of rejection.

Calista was saying something, her words laced with venom. I didn't hear the beginning, but I heard the ending, "It seems you need a reminder, wolf boy."

Before I knew what's going on, her hand was behind my neck, and she yanked me down violently.

I had no idea what to expect.

Will I be slammed to the ground? Or get a knee in the face?

This woman is crazy!

'That's our mate!', my wolf said enthusiastically.

'Shut up!' This was really not the time to praise Calista's fighting skills. I knew this mate bond will be the end of me, but this was NOT what I had on my mind!

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