Page 42 of The Possessive Alpha’s Reborn Luna

Alice

The door slammed shut behind me with the finality of a death sentence. I stood frozen, every muscle locked tight. My wolf howled in my chest, shredding herself raw over her mate's distrust.

Cedric had left with Victoria in his arms.

He never looked back. Just like last time. Just like every damn time. He'd always choose her.

"Damn it..." I whispered through clenched teeth, biting my lip until I tasted copper. My nails dug crescents into my palms. The sting spread through my hands, but it couldn't touch the real pain—the feeling of my heart being ripped apart.

I was such a fool.

When he'd demanded to know why I'd tried to run, when he'd said "You're my mate, everything about you concerns me"—for one stupid moment, I thought he actually cared.

But the second Victoria opened her mouth, he believed every word! Didn't even question it. Didn't give me a chance to explain. Just locked me up!

"Cedric, you bastard!" The curse tore from my throat, bouncing off the empty walls. "You call me vicious? Can't you see through that bitch's act? You blind asshole! Stay fooled by her for the rest of your life!"

I kicked the door hard. Even that couldn't touch the rage burning through me.

I was a goddamn joke. For a second there, I'd actually softened because of what he said. Actually thought he gave a shit—

Damn Cedric! Damn Victoria!

Rapid footsteps sounded outside.

"Your Majesty!" Amy's voice, thick with panic. "Your Majesty! Are you all right?"

"The King's orders!" A guard barked. "No one enters until the Queen apologizes!"

"Please, just let me see her! She needs me..." Amy's voice cracked.

"Get lost! Or we'll make you!"

I took a breath. "Amy, go. Don't worry about me."

"But Your Majesty—" She was already crying.

"That's an order." I softened my tone. "Amy, go rest, okay? I'm fine. Really."

Silence. Then Amy's muffled sobs and retreating footsteps.

The room went dead quiet again. I slid down to the floor, arms wrapped around my knees. That's when it hit me—how pathetic I was. I'd already died once. Lived through that whole nightmare. Yet this time, when he'd demanded to know why I was leaving him, some stupid part of me had hoped. Actually hoped he loved me.

My wolf whimpered weakly in my chest. She was hurting too. Our mate had never chosen us. Not once.

I laughed bitterly. That heart that loved Cedric finally shattered completely. I wiped the tears from my eyes. I couldn't drown in this. Had to plan. Once I got pregnant, I'd leave immediately. To survive what was coming, I'd need them to think I was dead. Had to map escape routes. Gather enough gold. Prepare—

My thoughts tangled. Exhaustion crashed over me like a wave. I don't know when I closed my eyes. My consciousness sank into darkness.

Fire burned.

Orange flames devoured everything. Heat slammed into me, stealing my breath.

"Mama..." A weak voice.

I looked down. A tiny figure lay in my arms. A beautiful child with Cedric's same dark blue eyes.

"Baby!" I tried to hold him tighter, but his body turned transparent.