Bound by faith: the rise of a rejected mate

ven's fortress, and it was up to us to free him. But my mind was racing as we got ready for the task. My emotions were jumbled. My partner Dennis, the one I was meant to be with. He was ext

ake any necessary action to save him," I said, taking a step forward. "I'm not going to stop." With jealousy blazing in her eyes, Selena remarked, "Oh, I'm not trying to stop you." "I only want you to leave. You're not aware of my level of hatred for you. Her remarks struck me as a blow. "Why?" "Due to Dennis," she growled. "Because he's drawn to you regardless of everything." The relationship between mates... He is tied to you by it, and I will never have that. I blinked, startled. Is that the reason for all of this? Are you attempting to murder me because of our bond?" Selena's anger flared in her eyes. It goes beyond a simple friendship. You are the one. You are obstructing the path. When you're not around, everything will work itself out. I'll be Luna and Raven and I shall rule. Her jealousy was intense, and I sensed that things were getting dangerous. But I had no intention of giving up. I firmly said, "I won't let you win." "I'm more powerful than you realize." Selena extended her claws and lunged at me. Damon was faster than me, so I hardly had time to respond. With a growl, he pushed her back after blocking her strike. "Go, Melissa! Damon yelled. "Go to Dennis!" I wavered, unsure whether to pursue Dennis or stay and fight. Yet I knew what needed to be done. We hurriedly moved further inside the structure, abandoning Damon to keep Selena at bay. The attraction of the mate bond grew stronger as we grew closer. Dennis felt near to me. "There!"The heavy door at the end of the hallway was indicated by Lucas. I pushed it open without thinking, and there he was. Dennis, bloodied but still alive, strapped to a chair. Dennis! I ran to his side and sobbed. "You're going to leave this place." His eyes glowed with both pain and relief as he gazed up. "It's Melissa." But before I could free him, I felt a pulse of energy sweep through me. Raven. With a malicious glimmer in his eyes, he stood in the doorway. Do you believe you can just walk right in and grab him? You're not as smart as I imagined. I maintained my position, my strength smoldering just below the surface. "Raven, I won't let you win. This is now over. Raven smirked. "You believe you are strong? You're not aware of your opponents. He raised his palm and seemed to conjure a power that sent me flying to the floor and knocked Lu