Page 40 of The Possessive Alpha’s Reborn Luna

"Cedric, you're impossible! Don't project your filthy thoughts onto us! We're friends—nothing inappropriate happened!"

"I'm impossible?" I grabbed her shoulders. "You're intimate with another man, and I can't even question you?"

"So what if I am?" She shoved at my chest. "Cedric, it's none of your business!"

"Of course it's my business!" I roared. "You're my mate!"

"Mate?" She stared at me mockingly. "When did you ever treat me like one?"

I looked at her. The words stuck in my throat. Because she was right. I'd only married her because of the bond. Because the kingdom needed a stronger heir.

The pain in my chest intensified.

Silence fell between us.

"Why did you try to run?" I asked.

She froze. Her face went white.

"Alice," I pressed. "Give me an answer."

She looked away silently.

"I asked you a question!" My voice rose. "Answer me!"

"It's none of your concern." Her voice sharpened with irritation.

"None of my concern?" I stared at her in disbelief, my heart practically stopping. "You're my mate! You tried to flee the kingdom! Leave me! And you call that none of my concern?"

"So what?" She lifted her head, eyes filled with finality. "Where I go is my own business! You don't control me!"

"Where do you want to go?" I looked at her. A thought flashed through my mind.

She'd just been with Caspar. She'd defended him desperately.

"It's for him, isn't it?" I nearly ground my teeth to dust. "You're running away from the kingdom, from me—all to be with Caspar?"

"What?" Her eyes widened. "What are you talking about? This has nothing to do with him!"

"Then tell me!" I shook her shoulders. "Tell me why you're running! Why you're leaving me!"

"Because I'm done!" Her voice rose. "Done with your coldness! Done with everyone's mockery! Done with this damned palace! I hate every second I spend with you! Happy, now?"

Her words squeezed my heart. Panic crashed over me in waves, nearly drowning me. She said she was done with me. Said she hated every second with me.

I pulled her into my arms, cradled her head, and kissed her before she could react.

"Mmph—" She gasped, shoving at my chest.

But I didn't let go. I deepened the kiss—brutal, demanding, filled with all my rage, jealousy, and panic.

I bit her lip. The taste of blood spread through my mouth. The more she struggled, the harder I kissed, arms locked around her like iron bars.

I needed her to know—she couldn't go anywhere. She could only stay with me.

"Cedric! Let go!" She trembled in my arms.

I finally released her. She stumbled back, wiping her mouth with the back of her hand, eyes full of anger and fear.