Page 19

"Luna!" Isolde spoke with force as she points to Trin.

After Trin's gasp, there was heavy silence. Isolde slowly sat back down letting the others chew on the revelation. She was looking intently on everyone's reaction especially Alpha Bowen's.

Davos looked upset. Bowen retained a nonchalant face but his mind is as chaotic as tornadoes. But Sara...Sara was nonplussed. But it was Davos who could not take the silence anymore.

"Isolde, are you certain? With all due respect to you, and no offense to Trin, but how sure are you that Trin is the luna?" Davos itched to ask. It was like he will never be at rest until Isolde reverses her words.

Sara's body stiffened. Her shoulders hunched and her hands clenched into fists. She refused to make eye contact with any of them. All of which indicate a level of perturbation.

Alpha Bowen's pulse quickens. Trin! How can it be Trin?

He thought in utter disbelief. No, it can't be her, his mind and heart kept refusing the outcome.

Davos voiced out the very question he had.

He looked at Trin who is still shocked which to Bowen was odd.

She should be screaming and dancing with joy by now.

Perhaps she is still affected with the news of her parents' death, he reasoned.

However, she did not look that devastated when he told her this morning.

She seems to expect it already and she even looked relieved. Bowen is puzzled with Trin's reaction.

Then Bowen glanced at Sara. One look at her tensed expression and his heart broke a thousand pieces.

Oh, his brave one. He sighed. Then he saw Sara massage her chest as if having a hard time to breathe.

She looked heartbroken. And now, the thought of losing her drove Bowen to the edge of madness. He could not take this any longer!

"There must be a mistake!" Bowen's voice boomed to everyone's terror. His angry outburst made Trin shrink on the very chair she is perching on. Isolde held her composure. Waiting.

Bowen turned to the witch. "You must be mistaken or telling a joke in bad taste. Trin is not my mate. Sara! It can only be her. I feel it in every bone, bond or no bond. Sara is my one true mate! Say you were mistaken! Say it!" Bowen demanded.

"Alpha..." Sara coaxed.

Sara was forced to get involved. She could not take the intense situation anymore much more Bowen's outburst. She wanted to calm him, despite her emotions equally in turmoil.

Sara could not understand her reaction to this news.

She should be glad because she did not want Bowen in her life, right?

She should be relieved this is all over and she and her Pappy can go home, right?

But a bigger part of her is grieving. Devastated.

That's the word. She was almost sure she and Bowen have a connection, a bond.

But now, this! Why is her heart breaking as if she experienced the pain of being rejected?

Sara is once again pulled on opposite directions.

She does not know how long she can take any of this?

Isolde's face softened as she looked at Sara. "My dear, how do you feel right now? Say only the truth." She encouraged Sara.

Sara looked at Isolde. Uncertain of what to say, apprehensive to open up. But she has to be strong, she knows it and so she spoke. "I feel like I was being rejected by my mate. It's breaking my heart." She confessed.

Again, the dead silence.

Bowen growled and was set on going to Sara to hold her in his arms but Isolde lifted a hand and stood again to explain. "I am not mistaken when I said that Trin is luna. She will be luna one day. But...not to Alpha Bowen."

Everyone gasped. Now all attention is at Isolde as she continues.

"It was all a test. Your sincerest reactions tell the truth that we all sought.

Trin was surprised because she is settled that she is not the alpha's mate.

Davos questioned the truth because his wolf is already loyal to his true luna.

Sara felt the pain of rejection because she felt the bond of a true mate with Alpha Bowen.

And, Alpha Bowen's declaration by his own lips that Sara is his true mate just made the truth heralded loud and clear.

In fact, he already knew who his true mate is, long before this gathering. Am I correct, Alpha Bowen?"

Bowen approached Sara and sat on the chair next to her.

"It's true. My wolf and my heart already knew you were mine long before this meeting.

I rarely trust people, but with you, all my guards are down.

I never felt protective and possessive over anyone but you.

When werewolves and witches plotted against your life, I felt such utter rage and fear.

I can't lose you, Sara. I am already in love with you.

The pack has already felt your presence as its luna.

I could hear their thoughts vowing to protect their white wolfed luna! " Bowen said sweetly.

"I do not know what to say," was Sara's honest response.

Isolde interrupted them for a very important matter to settle. "We are not done yet. Now the question of Trin being an impostor hangs in the air."

Trin trembled. She remembered the alpha's threat to the impostor. "I swear, I do not intend to deceive the alpha! Please, believe me." She pleaded.

Sara stood. "She is not an impostor! I know she isn't. There must be an explanation to all this!" She spoke boldly in defense of Trin as she took Trin's hand, starring Trin in the eyes vowing she will protect her.

"Let me finish, then." Isolde exasperatedly said. When everyone calmed down she sighed, "good."

Isolde walked to Trin's direction. "A witch gave you this bracelet, am I correct?" She asked.

Trin nodded. "I had it for a long time. I was instructed never to remove it." She shared.

"Remove it!" Isolde commanded harshly.

"Why?" Trin's voice shook.

"I sensed it the first time I laid eyes on it.

This bracelet has black magic all over it!

Since the moment they made you wear this cursed thing, all you can think of and dream of is Alpha Bowen.

You are in bondage to your infatuation as long as you wear it.

You may not be an impostor but you are a puppet set to ensnare the wealthiest and most powerful alpha.

Set yourself free. It's time you live your life, Trin. Take it off." The witch persuaded.

Trin sought Sara's eyes. Sara nodded. "Remove it, Trin. She is right, release yourself from anyone's bondage over you. Live the life you chose. It's going to be okay. No one can harm you now."

Trin's tears started to flow. She could not believe her parents used her. All those years, her life was manipulated by others for their own interest. She thought the witch who gave her the bracelet and taught her how to woo males was a good witch.

She felt ashamed of how she seduced Alpha Bowen. She was raised like a bimbo. She was just a pretty face.

She is angry at herself for being gullible that the bracelet is for her protection.

She believed she was in love with Alpha Bowen.

Her life centered on it and she did not question it.

But now it ends! Trin gathered her courage and smiled at Sara.

Trin slowly pushed down the bangle and when it was completely off her wrist she shoved it on the table to Isolde's direction.

Trin collapsed. Sara and Bowen rushed to aide her. Isolde comforted them by saying, "she just needs rest."

Davos volunteered to take Trin to her room as Isolde dealt with the bangle.

Bowen led Sara back to his bedroom. Hand in hand the two went off to face another serious obstacle to their relationship.

Abby's death.