Seline’s world blurred as she leaned against the counter, her vision tunneling. She tried to keep herself steady, but her legs gave out before she could reach for a chair. Her coworker and friend, Lila, screamed her name, rushing to catch her before she hit the ground.
The next few moments passed in a haze. Seline could hear voices, muffled and distant, and then the sensation of being carried. When she finally opened her eyes, the warm, earthy scent of herbs hit her nose, followed by the sight of a cramped room filled with jars and dried plants hanging from the ceiling.
“You’re awake,” a soft voice said.
Seline turned her head, wincing at the sharp pain behind her eyes. Lila sat beside her, looking pale with worry, while a woman with silver hair and piercing green eyes leaned over her.
“Where am I?” Seline croaked.
“The healer’s cottage,” Lila answered, her voice trembling. “You passed out at work. I had to bring you here. I didn’t know what else to do.”
Seline groaned, trying to sit up, but the healer placed a firm hand on her shoulder. “Stay still,” the older woman said. “You’re in no condition to move right now.”
The healer began to check her over, her hands glowing faintly as she ran them across Seline’s body. After a few minutes, she frowned and stepped back.
“What is it?” Seline asked, her voice tinged with fear.
The healer sighed heavily, pulling up a chair. “It’s rare for hybrids to find their fated mates,” she began. “When they do, the bond is powerful but also fragile. If that bond is rejected…”
Seline’s heart sank. “What are you saying?”
The healer’s green eyes met hers, filled with sorrow. “The rejection is killing you, Seline. It’s eating away at your energy, your strength—everything that makes you who you are.”
The words felt like a punch to the gut. Seline stared at her, unable to speak.
“Is there a way to stop it?” Lila asked, her voice desperate.
The healer nodded slowly. “The only way to halt the process is for you to receive the mating mark. Without it, the bond remains incomplete, and your body will continue to deteriorate.”
Seline’s stomach churned. She knew what the healer was implying, and she felt bile rise in her throat. “You’re saying I have to go to Austin and ask him to—”
“Yes,” the healer said simply.
Seline shook her head vehemently. “He’d rather see me dead than give me that mark.”
The healer’s expression was grave. “Then you need to prepare yourself, Seline. If you don’t receive the mark, you won’t survive. You have about a year, maybe less.”
The room spun, and Seline gripped the edge of the cot she was lying on. Lila reached out, squeezing her hand, tears streaming down her face.
The healer handed her a small pouch of herbs. “These will help keep your energy up, but they’re not a permanent solution. Be careful with them—too much over time can turn toxic.”
Seline nodded numbly, her mind racing as she clutched the pouch. When they left the healer’s cottage, the cold night air hit her face like a slap. Lila insisted on walking her home, her arm wrapped protectively around her.
Once inside, Seline collapsed onto her couch, her head in her hands. “What am I supposed to do, Lila?” she whispered. “If I stay here, I’ll die. But if I go to him, he’ll just reject me all over again.”
Lila sat beside her, rubbing her back gently. “Maybe you should leave,” she said softly. “Get a fresh start somewhere far away.”
Seline looked up, her eyes red-rimmed. “And what? Die alone in some random place?” She laughed bitterly. “At least here, I have a few people who care.”
“You don’t have to do this alone,” Lila said. “Talk to Austin. Tell him what’s happening.”
Seline shook her head. “You don’t get it, Lila. He doesn’t care. He’s made that perfectly clear. The only reason he’s even around me now is because he thinks I’m useful. One of the juveniles let it slip—his packmates think having a witch around could be good for their barrier spells or whatever. That’s all I am to him: a tool.”
Lila frowned, anger flashing in her eyes. “That’s not true, and you know it. If he didn’t care, he wouldn’t have come looking for you or tried to help you clear your name.”
“Maybe,” Seline said quietly. “But it doesn’t change the fact that he’d never choose me. Not really.”
The hopelessness in her voice broke Lila’s heart, but she didn’t push further.
---
The next morning, Seline’s mood hadn’t improved. She went about her day on autopilot, barely able to muster the energy to smile at the bar’s customers. When the mayor, who also owned the bar, stopped by to check on things, she pulled him aside.
“I want to put in my notice,” she said, avoiding his gaze.
The mayor raised an eyebrow. “Why?”
Seline hesitated, struggling to find the words. “I just… need a change,” she said vaguely.
The mayor studied her for a moment before nodding. “I’ll accept your resignation, but I’ll need at least three months. You’re one of my best employees, Seline. I can’t replace you overnight.”
She nodded, relieved he hadn’t pressed for more details. “I understand.”
As she returned to the bar, an older man walked in, his presence immediately commanding attention. Seline recognized him from Austin’s pack—Daston, one of the elders.
He approached her with a scowl, his eyes cold and judgmental. “You,” he said, his voice low and filled with disdain.
Seline straightened, her heart pounding. “Can I help you?”
“Stay away from Austin and the rest of the pack,” he snarled. “You’re nothing but trouble, and we don’t need your kind poisoning our ranks.”
His words stung, but Seline refused to back down. “Don’t worry,” she said, her voice steady. “I’m already planning to leave. Your precious Alpha is safe from me.”
Daston looked pleased, but his satisfaction only fueled her anger. She stared him down until he finally turned and left the bar.
Sam, the warlock, approached her shortly after, his expression concerned. “What was that about?” he asked.
Seline shook her head. “Nothing important.”
But Sam wasn’t convinced. “You’re leaving?”
She hesitated before nodding. “Yeah. I’ve got some things I want to do—stuff on my bucket list.”
Sam’s eyes grew heavy, a shadow passing over his face. “The bucket list is for people preparing to die, Seline.”
She forced a laugh, trying to brush off his concern. But deep down, his words hit too close to home.