Chapter 4: Breaking Bonds

Luna’s POV

The early morning sun filtered through the trees as Rowan and I approached the training grounds. My muscles ached from yesterday's exertions, but a newfound energy thrummed through my veins. For the first time in days, I felt alive.

"So," Rowan began, a mischievous glint in her eye, "I have a surprise for you."

I raised an eyebrow, curious despite myself. "Oh?"

She nodded, her grin widening. "My father's been working on something. A customized training plan, just for you."

I stopped in my tracks, shock coursing through me. "What? But... why?"

Rowan's expression softened. "Luna, you've talked about becoming a warrior since we were pups. Did you think no one was listening?"

A lump formed in my throat. The idea that someone—especially Rowan's father, our pack's respected gamma—had put thought and effort into my dream was overwhelming.

"But I'm not... I can't even shift yet," I mumbled, old insecurities rising.

Rowan's eyes flashed with determination. "That doesn't matter. You have the heart of a warrior, Luna. The rest will come with time and training."

As we resumed walking, Rowan outlined the training plan. It was comprehensive, covering everything from physical conditioning to strategy and pack law. It was clear that a lot of thought had gone into it.

"We'll start with the basics," Rowan explained, "Building your strength and endurance. Then we'll move on to combat training in man and wolf form."

I nodded, trying to absorb it all. Part of me was excited, eager to begin. But another part hesitated, old doubts whispering in the back of my mind.

"What if I can't do it?" I asked softly. "What if I'm not cut out to be a warrior?"

Rowan stopped, turning to face me fully. "Luna, listen to me. You are stronger than you know. You've survived loss, betrayal, and pain that would break most wolves. Being a warrior isn't just about physical strength. It's about heart, determination, and the will to keep fighting. And you have that in spades."

Her words warmed me, chasing away some of the doubts. I opened my mouth to respond but suddenly froze as a sharp pain lanced through my chest.

The mate bond.

Caspian's emotions flooded through me - excitement, lust, satisfaction. Emotions that weren't directed at me.

"Luna? What's wrong?" Rowan's voice sounded distant as the realization hit me.

He was still cheating. Even after everything, even after nearly beating me for wanting to reject him, Caspian was still with that other woman.

A white-hot rage quickly replaced the pain. How dare he? How dare he make me feel worthless, make me question myself, while he continued to betray our bond?

"Luna!" Rowan's sharp voice cut through my anger. I blinked, realizing I was shaking.

"He's still cheating," I ground out, my hands clenched into fists. "I can feel it through the bond."

Rowan's face darkened with fury. "That bastard," she snarled. "I'll kill him."

But I shook my head. "No. This ends now. I'm going to reject him. Officially."

Fear flashed across Rowan's face. "Luna, are you sure? After what happened last time..."

"I'm sure," I said, surprised by the steadiness in my voice. "I won't let him hurt me again. But I won't let him control my life anymore, either."

Rowan studied me for a long moment before nodding. "Okay. But I'm coming with you."

We found Caspian near the pack house, laughing with a group of other wolves. The sight of him, so carefree while I had been drowning in pain, only fueled my anger.

"Caspian," I called out, my voice ringing clear across the clearing.

He turned, surprise flickering across his face before it settled into a smug smile. "Luna. Come to apologize?"

His arrogance made my blood boil. "No," I said, stepping closer. "I've come to reject you. Officially."

The smug smile faltered. "What? Luna, don't be ridiculous. We've been through this."

"Yes, we have," I agreed, my voice cold. "And now we're finishing it. I, Luna Evernight, reject you, Caspian Wolfsbane, as my mate."

Gasps echoed around us as the other wolves realized what was happening. Caspian's face contorted with rage.

"You can't reject me," he snarled, taking a threatening step forward.

But this time, I stood my ground. "I can, and I am. You've betrayed me, hurt me, and made me feel worthless. But no more. I reject you, Caspian. I reject our bond."

As I spoke the words, I felt something inside me shift. The mate bond, once a warm presence in my chest, began to fray.

Caspian lunged forward, his hand raised as if to strike me. But Rowan was there—Rowan was there before him, her eyes blazing with protective fury.

"Don't you dare touch her," she growled, her voice low and dangerous.

Caspian hesitated, his eyes darting between us. I could see when he realized he was outnumbered, not just by us but by the disapproving stares of the wolves around us.

"Fine," he spat. "I, Caspian Wolfsbane, accept your rejection, Luna Evernight. You're not worth the trouble anyway."

With those final, cutting words, he turned and stormed away. I felt the mate bond snap as he did, leaving a hollow ache.

For a moment, I stood there, feeling oddly light. Then, the reality of what had just happened crashed over me. My knees buckled, and I would have fallen if Rowan hadn't caught me.

"I did it," I whispered, tears stinging my eyes. "It's over."

Rowan hugged me tightly. "You did, Luna. You were so brave. I'm so proud of you."

Rowan led me to a quiet spot beneath a large oak tree as the other wolves dispersed, murmuring amongst themselves. We sat silently for a while, and the weight of what had just transpired settled over us.

"How do you feel?" Rowan asked eventually.

I took a deep breath, considering the question. The pain was still there, a dull ache in my chest where the mate bond used to be. But alongside it was something else. Relief. Freedom.

"I feel... lighter," I said slowly. "Like I can breathe again."

Rowan smiled, squeezing my hand. "Good. That's good, Luna."

As we sat there, I thought about everything that had led to this moment—the betrayal, the pain, the fear—but also the strength I'd found, the support of my friends and family, and the dreams I'd almost forgotten.

"I want to start the training," I said suddenly, turning to Rowan. "Your father's plan. I want to do it."

Rowan's eyes lit up. "Really? Are you sure?"

I nodded, feeling more specific than I had in days. "I'm sure. I'm done letting others define me. It's time I became the wolf I want to be, not the one others expect me to be."

Rowan and I discussed the training plan earnestly as the sun climbed higher in the sky. The rejection ceremony had drained me, but a new fire was burning inside me. A determination to prove Caspian wrong, to prove to myself that I was more than just a rejected mate.

I was curious to know what the future held. The pain of Caspian's betrayal was still fresh, and I knew there would be challenges ahead. But I was looking forward to facing them for the first time in what felt like forever.

I was Luna Evernight. I was no one's mate. And I was going to become a warrior.