Dorian
"I thought so too after Malia's death but Melody's arrival changed that."
Estrella stared at me as I spoke. She was hurt by my words but I couldn't help saying that. Melody's arrival changed so many things in me.
I thought I was lost, that I was locked in a barrel of darkness and pain. After Malia's death, I thought that life wasn't worth living, but Melody's arrival changed everything.
At first, it started as my way of redeeming my family's deeds and as my way of avenging my parents' suffering, but as time went by, I became attached to her simplicity.
I became attached to her and slowly fell in love with her. I even received the goddess' blessing and she became my second-chance mate.
I was overjoyed.
I wanted nothing more.
Even though I was madly in love with her, Melody couldn't forget her first love. The man who broke her. The mate who rejected her. She kept stalling my proposal for years before she finally accepted it.
I thought she would leave me to be with Derek when she returned to Mallory, but she chose to be with me. I thought we could live peacefully and be happy together.
My heart became troubled by Estrella's arrival. First I was afraid of bringing the whole truth to light because I knew that it would break Melody's heart. Then I became worried about how she'd react when she found out the truth about Estrella and me.
Yes. I had known for a long time that Estrella was my mate but I was so broken by the loss of Malia that I gave no thought to the bond.
Besides, I found it unbelievable.
How could the moon goddess pair me with my supposed sister?
Even though Estrella isn't my sister by birth, she has become my sister by relationship. I watched her grow up, so any other relationship apart from being siblings seems barbaric.
I just couldn't accept it.
I never knew that she felt the bond as much as I did nor did I know that it was the reason why she gave herself to that old man, and also the reason why she left home.
Hearing her say all that made me feel guilty. She probably wouldn't have gone through all of that if I had accepted the bond or if I had rejected her in time.
However, what I find amazing is the fact that she is bonded to two people just like Melody is bonded to Derek and me.
How is it possible that both sisters feel the same bond with the same men?
Is it because they are twins?
As much as I would love to bring this up, I knew that I had to settle the pressing matter, which was to make Estrella see that no matter how much she insists, I'm never leaving Melody.
"Just accept your bond with Derek and you'll see that we can all start afresh and still live well."
She stood up as soon as I said that and she went towards Melody. I thought she would attack her but she stopped before her and looked at her, purposely checking her out.
"I wish...." she paused. "I wish you'd choose me instead."
This again?
I sighed inwardly.
How do I make her see that I will not accept her no matter what she does?
"If wishes were horses, Estrella, even a blind man would ride," I muttered frustratedly.
I also wished that Malia would come back. Every day I prayed and wished that her death was just a bad dream and I would wake up one day to see that it was all just a dream.
However, my wishes only remained a wish as Malia didn't come back and I had to live every night in despair.
"I cannot be with you," I stated blatantly.
"But I'm your mate," she emphasized.
I let out a heavy sigh and placed my hand on my waist, raising my head to look at her.
"Well, if that's the case, then, I, Dorian Flame, reject Estrella as my mate."
Estrella staggered backwards and gasped. She held her chest as if she was afraid that something precious might fall out of it.
"Why?" She whispered as tears trickled down her eyes.
Since the bond was the reason why she is clinging to me, then I shall free myself. However, my heart was gripped by fear as it crossed my mind, the possibility of losing my bond with Melody too.
"I want to be free," I muttered honestly.
I deserve freedom from the forced bond. Why should I be with Estrella when all I feel for her is brotherly affection? And why should I lose the one I love because of this?
"You want to be free?" She repeated, sounding aggrieved. She nodded and let out a bitter smile.
Disappointment and despondency were visible on her face as she looked at me as if hoping to hear me take back my words, but there's no way in hell that I'd do that.
"Yes, I want to be free," I affirmed.
"Alright," she sniffed back tears. "Then, I, Estrella, accept your rejection."
My eyes widened in shock as my body suddenly shook, a probable sign of the broken bond. I sighed in relief as I looked at Estrella, whose eyes didn't seem to hold an iota of feelings for me anymore.
She looked at me like I was her enemy. The hatred she felt for me now was evident in the way she looked at me.
"He's all yours now," she turned to Melody.
However, I found something odd in her sudden acceptance and the way she looked at Melody.
"I apologize for trying to come in between you." She pulled Melody in for a hug.
"I totally understand," Melody smiled, happy to have her sister with her.
I have known Estrella for a while and she is presently doing the opposite of herself. She would never just succumb to defeat. She must be planning something.
"So, do you accept me as your sister?" Her sweet docile voice snapped me out of my thoughts.
"Of course," Melody smiled and hugged her.
Tears flowed down her eyes as she hugged Estrella, her hand tapping her back.
As much as I would like to bask in the joy of being rid of Estrella, I couldn't because something just doesn't seem right.
"I shouldn't be left out," Malcolm muttered from behind as he broke through the hug.
"I'm sorry," Estrella whispered as she hugged him. "For not being the kind of sister you were hoping for."
She seemed to have changed completely. She was now willing to accept Malcolm and Melody as her family.
"It's okay," Malcolm replied. "Soon, you'll learn to be good."
It felt nice watching the siblings reunite. However, one question seems to be lingering in my mind.
Is this a reunion? Or a revenge scheme?