Chapter 5 Chapter 005: A Fate Worse Than Rejection

RAFAEL'S POV

The pain I felt after trying to be with Zara was excruciating. It was like my entire body was on fire.

If I weren't an Alpha’s son, I doubt I would've survived it. I've never felt anything like it not even when I tried sleeping with other women, or when Zara got hurt and I felt her pain through the bond. This was far worse.

I didn't even realize she had left the room until the pain finally subsided.

Groaning, I forced myself to my feet, only to collapse onto the bed.

That girl... What has she done to me?

Why is everything so different with her? I've never seen a bond this intense, this unpredictable. It has to be witchcraft. What else could explain it?

Why do I suffer every time she's in pain?

I can't be with someone else, I also can't be with her.

I shook my head. No one can convince me that she hasn't tampered with the bond somehow.

I need to find out what she did and undo it. And when I finally break free from this cursed connection, I'll make sure she pays for everything. She'll regret ever crossing paths with me.

With newfound determination, I forced myself to my feet and headed straight to the pack seer's home.

When I arrived, I knocked on the door and only entered when she permitted me.

"Rafael, it's a pleasure to see you." She said with a small bow.

"Please, take a seat." She gestured to a chair in front of her, and I sat down immediately.

"I wasn't expecting to see you here, Alpha. But if you don't mind me asking, what brings you to my home?"

I hesitated, debating whether to tell her the full truth or leave some details out.

But since I truly wanted answers, I decided it was best to come clean.

"There’s something I need to discuss with you, Pack Seer. But whatever we talk about must stay between us. No one else can know." I said firmly.

“And I mean no one.”

"Be rest assured, Rafael. I would never betray your trust." She replied.

I took a deep breath before speaking.

"I’ve found my mate… but I don’t even know if she’s truly my mate, or if she’s somehow manipulated the bond to make me believe she is." My voice carried a hint of frustration.

"I… I want to reject her, but I don’t think I can.

I can’t touch another woman. Every time I try, I feel unbearable pain.

And whenever she gets hurt, I feel it instead. I…"

I trailed off, unsure how to admit the rest.

"Go on, Rafael. I’m listening." The pack seer said gently.

"I tried forcing myself on her as punishment. I thought… since I can’t be with anyone else, I should at least be able to be with her.

But it ended badly. The pain I felt was excruciating. I’ve never experienced anything like it. If I weren’t an Alpha’s son, I don’t think I would’ve survived.

It felt like my whole body was on fire, and it lasted for a long time."

"I strongly believe she’s using witchcraft to manipulate the mate bond.

She’s an omega I can’t be mated to an omega. And I’ve never seen a bond like this before.

Why am I the one who suffers every time she’s hurt? None of this feels right, and that’s why I came to see you."

"I want to know what she’s done to me, and how I can undo it."

The pack seer nodded, closed her eyes, and began muttering incantations.

Suddenly, she gasped and opened her eyes wide, staring at me with an unreadable face.

"You can’t reject her." She said.

I frowned.

"Why not?

And besides, I want to know if she’s—"

"She’s not a witch, Rafael.

She hasn’t manipulated the bond in any way. She is your true mate.

And yes, your bond is unique. Be good to her. Make sure she’s well cared for.

Try not to anger her, or the pain you feel will only grow stronger over time. I’m afraid no one can help you if that happens."

"This bond isn’t a curse; it’s a punishment. You angered the one who created you, and now you’re paying the price. This is your karma, Rafael."

"I don’t understand. Do you mean the moon goddess?

What did I do to her?

Why would she punish me like this?

Is there anything I can do to appease her?

I’ll do anything to be free from this curse."

"Like I said, Rafael, there’s nothing you can do to change your fate. Take good care of your mate.

She possesses great abilities. If you treat her well, you’ll benefit from her gifts."

"Zara?

Great abilities?" I scoffed.

"The only ability that girl has is running her sharp tongue endlessly." I muttered.

"Are you sure there’s nothing I can do about this bond?

Are you sure she hasn’t done something to me?" I asked, feeling a strange sense that the seer was hiding something.

"Go to your mate, Rafael. Be good to her." She said simply.

I left her home more confused than when I arrived. I came seeking answers, but now I had even more questions.

I didn’t want to believe what the pack seer had told me. I still felt certain Zara had done something. And if she couldn’t help me, maybe someone else could.

No matter what it takes, I will find a way to break this bond.