#Chapter 228: Broken

Ella’s POV The curse was broken, and so was I. The sacrifice I had made in exchange for Liam’s life—it was the mate bond I shared with Alexander. The invisible thread that had tied us together across lifetimes. Our fated bond. It was gone. Or at least… I couldn’t feel it now. But perhaps I was mistaken. Perhaps I was simply exhausted, or perhaps… Each explanation that I came up with in my head felt even more absurd than the last. The mate bond was gone. I wanted to imagine that there was some other reason for the emptiness I felt in my chest at the moment, but I knew there was none. My wolf was still there, at least. I could feel her presence in my mind, steady and strong, as always. But she sensed it, too. She didn’t feel weaker, just… lonelier. “Ella? Dear, are you okay?” My mother reached out and pressed a gentle hand to my forehead, pulling me out of my spiraling thoughts. Her palm was cool and soothing against my skin. I forced a nod