Page 41 of The Possessive Alpha’s Reborn Luna

"You're insane!" Her voice came out raw, eyes fixed on me.

She was right. She was driving me insane. My wolf howled and clawed at my chest, trying to break through my control, wanting to beg her not to leave us.

Alice backed away, putting distance between us. It felt like a knife to my heart.

Did she think I'd hurt her?

She stared at me coldly, then suddenly said, "Cedric, you didn't actually fall for me, did you?"

All my words lodged in my throat. My mind flashed to Father—driven mad by Mother's betrayal, dying in despair in a pool of blood. He'd been in so much agony.

I couldn't repeat Father's mistakes! I forced myself to stay calm and laughed coldly. "Fall for you? Alice, don't flatter yourself. As queen, you should remember your position instead of getting tangled up with other men."

Alice's face went whiter. I caught the flash of hurt. Regret hit me instantly. I wanted to say something else.

Then the door opened.

"Cedric..." A weak voice called out.

I turned. Victoria stood in the doorway, gripping the frame, deathly pale.

"Victoria?" I frowned. "What are you doing here? I told you to rest."

"I... I came to see Alice." Her weak gaze found Alice. She walked in slowly, every step labored.

"Alice, I know you must be angry. You blame me for taking the Luna's chambers, but I didn't mean to. Once I'm better, I'll move out right away." She reached Alice and took her hand. "We're sisters, after all. I don't want this to come between us... Alice, can you forgive me?"

Then I saw Alice shove Victoria away.

"Ah—" Victoria cried out, lost her balance, and collapsed to the floor, clutching her chest, face draining of color.

"Victoria!" I rushed over and lifted her. Her body shook in my arms, breathing rapid, cold sweat beading her forehead.

"Alice!" I whirled on her, furious. "Why did you push her? She's your sister! She came to apologize sincerely—if you won't accept it, fine, but why hurt her?"

"I didn't push her!" Alice looked at me stubbornly. "I just pulled my hand away! She—"

"Still making excuses?" I cut her off harshly. "I saw it myself!"

"Sister..." Victoria's weak voice came from my arms. She lifted her head to look at Alice, eyes filled with pain. "I came to apologize... why would you treat me this way..."

Her eyes closed. She passed out.

"Victoria!" Panic seized me. "Victoria! Wake up!"

"I just pulled my hand back! Cedric! She's faking!" Alice's tone turned frantic. "She's lying to you!"

"Guards!" I ignored Alice completely, shouting to the corridor.

Guards rushed in.

"Lock the queen in her room!" I bit out. "Don't give her any food! She stays there until she acknowledges her wrongdoing!"

"Yes, Your Majesty!"

"Cedric!" Alice looked at me in disbelief, pain and grief washing over her face so intensely I almost wavered. "You never believe me. You give her all your trust..."

Chapter Ten