I had witnessed it before. A warrior had once rejected his mate, and she had screamed in agony for three days before her wolf finally succumbed to the pain, leaving her an empty shell.
Owen’s smirk widened. “You see, Ariana, I’ve been saving this moment. If I reject you now, the pain will linger until you reach the Night Walker Pack. And in your weakened state, well… we all know what happens to the weak there.”
My blood ran cold.
The Night Walkers had no use for the weak. Those deemed unworthy were either cast into the wilds to die alone or used as entertainment in their sadistic games.
I gripped the bars, shaking my head violently. “Owen… please. I’m begging you. We were meant to be forever.”
His expression remained indifferent. “Forever?” he repeated mockingly, before straightening and speaking loud enough for everyone to hear.
“I, Alpha Owen, reject you, Ariana James, as my mate and future Luna.”
Agony. Pure, unfiltered agony. It ripped through me like a thousand knives plunging into my heart, tearing apart the bond that had once tethered us together. A raw, ragged scream was ripped from my throat as my body convulsed from the sheer force of it.