Chapter 6
940words
Two days.
Just two days until what should have been my bonding ceremony—a ceremony that would never happen. I leaned back, watching the landscape blur past, feeling oddly serene.
The crescent mark on my wrist began to throb—the first sign of separation. The texts warned the pain would worsen with distance before eventually fading away.
A train attendant paused beside me. "You okay, miss? You're looking pale."
I mustered a smile. "Just tired. Thanks for asking."
After she left, I pulled out a small vial of herbal extract—a remedy I'd developed for werewolf pain. Never thought I'd need it myself. Now it was my only comfort.
The potion spread warmth through my body, dulling the mark's ache. I closed my eyes to rest, but Dominic's face haunted me behind my eyelids.
What was he doing now? Had he discovered my absence? Was he searching for me? Or consoling Vivian?
I shook my head, banishing these thoughts.
Leaving my mate violated every instinct I possessed.
If I could just survive this initial phase, the mark would lose its hold—and so would Dominic.
——
Dominic stood in the empty station, rain streaming down his face, indistinguishable from tears.
"Sir? You okay?" the station attendant asked worriedly.
"Southern train," he croaked. "When's the next one?"
"Eight tomorrow morning," the attendant replied. "But you'll need to book ahead—"
Dominic didn't wait for him to finish. He spun around and bolted toward the parking lot. He needed to go home, to think, to understand why I'd suddenly vanished.
Back home, he found Vivian perched anxiously in the living room.
"Dominic!" She jumped up at the sight of him dripping wet. "What happened?"
"Aria's gone," he said flatly, pain etched in every word. "Left the North."
Complex emotions flickered across Vivian's face before settling into concern. "How? Why would she leave?"
"Don't know," Dominic shook his head. "Just left a message saying she was gone."
"Maybe… this is for the best," Vivian suggested carefully. "If she left, she couldn't have truly loved you."
Dominic's head snapped up, anger flashing in his eyes. "No. You don't know Aria. She wouldn't leave without reason. Something happened."
"For three years, we've postponed the ceremony three times," he continued, voice shaking with self-reproach. "Each time because of you. Maybe she finally got tired of waiting."
Vivian paled, shocked by his directness. "Are you blaming me?"
"I'm blaming myself," he said bitterly. "For not protecting our relationship. For always letting her down."
He strode toward the bedroom, leaving Vivian alone, her expression unreadable.
In the bedroom, Dominic searched methodically for clues. My clothes still hung in the closet, books lined the shelves, favorite perfume sat on the dresser.
I'd taken only essentials, as if planning to return.
This gave Dominic hope. Maybe I just needed space. Maybe I'd come back.
He dialed my number again, reaching only voicemail.
"Aria, it's me," he pleaded into the phone. "Please come back. Or just tell me where you are. We can talk this out. I love you. I need you."
He hung up and sank onto the bed's edge, overwhelmed by unfamiliar helplessness and despair.
——
The mark on his wrist began to throb—separation's first warning. The texts said the pain would worsen, but he didn't care.
Physical pain was nothing compared to his soul's torment.
Night fell as the train pressed southward. I woke shivering violently despite the warm compartment.
The second stage of separation—chills. I drank more potion, but its effects seemed weaker now.
My phone stayed off. I dared not power it up, fearing Dominic's messages or calls. My resolve wasn't strong enough—his voice might make me waver.
The conductor announced we'd reach Southern Forest's border station at midnight. From there, I'd need to take a carriage to the research institute.
I nodded gratefully and returned to staring out the window. The moon hung high, nearly full.
In two days, under that full moon, Dominic and I should have completed our bond.
Now, it would mark the beginning of my new life instead.
——
Dominic spent the night scouring documents for clues in his study.
I'd taken most research notes, but one remained tucked in a bookshelf corner. He opened it carefully, desperate for any hint of my destination.
The notebook contained mostly herbal research, but on the final pages, he found an unfinished letter:
Dear Dominic,
By the time you read this, I'll likely have left the Northern Territory. This wasn't easy, but for three years I've been second place, waiting endlessly for a bonding ceremony that never happens.
I once believed we were destined mates. Perhaps fate was wrong, or we squandered the chance it gave us.
I don't hate you. I understand your family obligations. But I need to live for myself now—to chase my own dreams.
The Southern Forest Institute offers that chance—no more waiting, no more compromising.
I hope you understand. And I hope you find happiness.
Aria…
The letter remained unfinished, but told Dominic everything. I'd gone to Southern Forest Institute to pursue my dreams and escape a relationship built on disappointment.
He clutched the letter, decision made. Tomorrow morning, he'd board the southern train to find his destined mate.
No matter the time, no matter the cost, he'd win me back and make amends for three years of hurt.
In two days, when the full moon rose, we should stand together on the sacred altar to complete our bond.
He wouldn't let this ritual fail. Wouldn't disappoint me again.
This time, he'd put me first—whatever the cost.
