#CHAPTER 15 An Invitation to a Ball

Lucas glares at me. “What is that supposed to mean?” I groan in frustration, and pull his engagement ring from my pocket. “This will never sit on my finger Lucas. I would rather die than be bound to you for the rest of my life.” It fell from my fingers, clinking pitifully on the marble steps. “But you’re my mate! We have a bond, you belong to me, you are tied to me–” “Yes! Lucas!” I shout, the hurt and anger I have felt since my rebirth bubbling over into my words. “I am supposed to be your mate, and you are supposed to be tied to me, too! But I refuse to be treated like a pawn instead of your partner.” I know what I have to do. I call on my wolf, but my connection to her is still dark. Even without Willow, I muster every ounce of my energy to call the mate bond into my mind, attacking it with the full force of my consciousness. It trembles, and splinters, still present, but weaker. It hurts us both, and Lucas stumbles back, his shocked expression etch