THE BOND UNCHAINED
Vivienne's POV
*Wake up Vivienne, Wake up!*
I was pulled awake from my restless sleep by an unknown voice. At first, I thought it was the guards shouting in the distance or the clanking of chains, but it wasn't.
My eyes snapped open. I sat up, scanning the darkness, trying to find where the voice came from, but there was no one close to me. Just the girl lying nearby.
We weren't alone.
There was a stronger presence.
*You're not imagining this. I am here.*
It was then I realized, The voice was inside me—strong, firm, and undeniably real.
A shiver of excitement ran down my spine. I knew what this meant.
My wolf.
All my life, I had waited. Expectant.
At a point, I began to wonder if she even existed. Yes, I had felt the pull, and instincts, but she had never spoken to me or guided me like wolves were supposed to do for their hosts.
And now. After all these years.
She was here.
*You ignored me, she said. You doubted me.*
*I didn't know if you were real.* I admitted, my voice barely above a whisper.
*Because you were afraid. You thought yourself unworthy.*
I swallowed hard. It was true. I never had a true connection to my wolf. Even though my parents kept telling me how special and different I was, they failed to show me, until death took them. Which left me feeling lost and uncertain.
But ever since my first shift back at the underground market, I had started to believe that I could be different.
*You are no ordinary wolf, Vivienne. You are a Divine Born. A Luna crafted by the Goddess herself. But power means nothing if you don't claim it.*
I took a shaky breath. "How?"
*Trust me and accept me. You must let go of the fear and doubt that has kept you dormant. You cannot be both captive and queen.*
With her words echoing in my soul, I closed my eyes and focused inward. Reaching for that piece of me that I had ignored for so long. Then I felt her truly. Her strength and wisdom. She wasn't just a part of me, she was me.
I was startled out of my trance by the loud banging of the gate. I turned to see two guards coming down with their usual rotten scraps of food.
My stomach twisted in protest. I had eaten worse than this to survive, but something inside me recoiled at the thought of forcing it down.
One of the guards shoved a wooden tray through the bars. It had stale bread, moldy cheese, and a bowl of something that smelled awful.
He then picked off the only good thing on the tray. A bowl of water. And made a show of pouring it on the dirt floor with a malicious smirk on his face.
Then sneered before walking away, both their laughter echoing through the corridor.
I ignored them, turning my attention back to the sleeping girl.
The shivers had stopped and her fever was gone. I crawled closer, staring in shock.
Her wound—ragged and deep just last night—was now nothing but a thin closed scar. The infection was gone, along with the redness and swelling. It had all vanished.
I noticed her skin looked a lot healthier, as I carefully brushed a strand of dirty hair from her face. She was really tired, but she was healing.
I placed my hand to my chest, sighing in relief. *Had I done this?*
The presence I had felt last night, the power that surged through me. It was my wolf. My own power. Not Selmara.
A Divine Born Luna.
This was proof that I was something more than I ever gave myself credit for.
The girl stirred slightly, her eyes fluttering open. Weak, but alive. She needed real food, not whatever this was.
I clenched my fists. "There has to be a way."
*There is, my wolf said. If you let me guide you.*
I took a deep breath, closed my eyes, and reached for the connection between us. Trust. That's what she said. So, I placed my hands over the tray and focused on what I wanted.
Not the rotten food, but something fresh and healthy.
Warmth spread though my chest, the runes on my arms glowed, with a gentle hum of energy moving through my fingertips.
A soft light pulsed beneath my fingers. When I opened my eyes, there was a sweating bowl of water, the stale bread was now golden and warm, the cheese rich and fragrant, and the bowl now held a steaming stew, filled with tender meat and vegetables.
I gasped. My hands shook. "I... I did that?"
*We did.* my wolf said.
*These are mere party tricks I've shown you. You must first harness your lunari, to unlock the true extent of your divine powers.*
I carefully took the food to the girl so she could eat. And for the first time in forever, I had the power to help.
She forced her eyes open, and blinked up at me, her lips dry and cracked. "You… saved me?" she asked, looking confused.
"I don't know," I admitted. "Maybe. But you need to eat."
I could hear her bones crack as she slowly sat up for the first time in days. She reached for the water and took a long drink, her expression melting into one of relief as its coolness hydrated her.
I watched while she relished the meal slowly. Like she didn't want it to finish.
Tears burned behind my eyes. I had this power… but how many others had suffered because I hadn't harnessed it sooner? And the lives I could have saved. My parents included.
I clenched my fists. No more. I was done being weak and afraid.
Footsteps echoed down the corridor. More guards. This time, not for food.
"Lie down, and stay quiet," I whispered to the girl.
She nodded weakly. I stood, stepping in front of her just as the cell door creaked open. Two unfamiliar guards entered, their leering expressions sending a chill through me.
"The Alpha wants you," one said, smirking. "Hope you're ready to play nice?"
*Do not cower,* my wolf growled. *You are not prey.*
I lifted my chin, staring them down. "Touch me, and I'll show you exactly what a Divine Born can do."
They laughed at me—harsh and mocking, but I saw something flash in their eyes. Uncertainty.
I loved it. They should wonder. And fear.
Because I was physically their prisoner, but mentally, I was free.
They yanked me forward with rough hands, but I didn't fight them. Not because I was scared, but because I could do with a shower and a fresh set of clothes.
But something was off.
I knew the way to Balthazar's chambers. I had every turn and stone pillar memorized, and this wasn't the usual route. We weren't headed towards the bath chamber either.
I stiffened. "Where are you taking me?"
Neither of them answered.
Their grips on my arms tightened. So, I dug my heels into the ground, trying to slow them down. "I asked you a question!"
The guard on my left grunted. "Shut up and walk."
A cold feeling spread in my gut. This wasn't the usual visit to Balthazar.
I turned my head slightly, using my evolved senses. The hall had very dim lightning and this part of the keep was quieter and isolated.
I wasn't being taken to him.
I was being taken somewhere else, without Balthazar's knowledge. Most likely to have their way with me.
Panic coiled in my chest, but I buried it. I couldn't show weakness. Plus, I wasn't anyone's plaything.
I slowed my steps deliberately. "You're not taking me to Balthazar, are you?"
The guard on my right chuckled darkly. "Guess you're not as dumb as you look."
I felt anger rising beneath my skin. "I don't like repeating myself."
He smirked. "And I don't like mouthy b—"
He didn't finish his words, before his hand moved toward me—maybe to slap me, maybe worse—but my instincts took over.
I twisted, lifting my knee sharply into his groin. The impact made a sickening crack as his body crumpled, his face twisting in agony. He gasped, clutching himself, eyes wide with shock—then he collapsed, unmoving.
The second guard froze. For a split second, he hesitated.
That was all it took.
His grip loosened. His eyes darted between me and his fallen companion. Then, without a word, he turned and ran.
*What a coward.* I thought to myself as I stood there, my breath unsteady but controlled. I looked down at the unconscious guard. One kick. And that was it.
I clenched my fists. My power was growing.
And now, I had a choice.
I could run. Try to escape.
Or I could stay and buy some time till the girl recovers fully.
I can't leave her here.
Having made my decision, I inhaled deeply, straightened my shoulders, and moved forward.
If Balthazar wanted me—he shouldn't have to send his dogs.
I would go to him myself.