Chapter 6. The Vanishing

Leon’s POV

“I, Celeste Thorne, reject Leon Kaelen as my mate.”

Her words rang out, clear and final. I stood frozen for a moment, struggling to process the declaration. Then the truth struck me like an ice-cold wave—she had truly rejected me. A hot bolt of anger shot through me, my vision narrowing as I clenched my fists. But even as the fury built, it shattered the instant I saw her legs buckle. Celeste collapsed to the polished floor, her hand flying to her mouth as bright blood stained her fingertips. Everything else—my anger, my indignation—turned to ash. All I felt then was overwhelming terror and concern.

I sprinted to her side, my boots echoing against the corridor walls. By the time I knelt beside her, she was already unconscious. I cradled her slender form gently, as though wary of snapping fragile bone. Her breathing was shallow, barely perceptible, but I could still hear the faint thump of her heart under my palm. It was weak, fluttering like a dyi