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I see the moment he decides not to believe me.

I feel it.

His eyes harden, and he looks away, like he can’t bear to acknowledge me another moment.

As soon as his eyes leave mine, I panic.

“Please,” I beg. Some part of me reaches out for him, raw and bleeding. I don’t know why, but he has to believe me.

“We’re done here.” His tone is flat. Dismissive.

“I’m telling the truth!” My voice cracks, making me wince. “I felt him. There’s a Bond between us. If you all would just listen to me, please.”

“A Bond,” Vae’s laugh is bitter. Somehow, even more cruel than the laughter of his friends. “Right. You expect me to believe my brother formed a Bond with you?”

His sneer guts me. The disdain in his eyes makes me want to hide somewhere and disappear.

But what’s most painful is the way he acts like I’m the last person on earth Caelan would choose to be Bonded to.

My heart cracks open. It fractures into a thousand pieces, and they fall, tumbling into an endless black abyss.

It shouldn’t matter, but his disgust aches. It’s a loss designed to keep me broken.

Will I ever know what it feels like to be whole?

Loved?

I want to argue, but I know if I try to speak, my tears will break free. I bite my lip so hard the skin splits. I tuck my chin to my chest, instinctively making myself a smaller target.

My heart pounds in my ears. Blood rushes to my face, and I only realize I’ve curled my hands into fists when I register the pain of my nails breaking the skin of my palms.

I can’t remember the last time I felt so humiliated. So worthless.

This moment feels like a rejection. Vaelenor’s not only rejecting me because I’m not worthy enough to Mate Caelan, but he’s also making it clear I’m not worthy of him, either.

Which is ridiculous because he isn’t my Mate.

He’s my Mate’s packmate, though. As soon as Caelan wakes up and tells them the truth, I’ll have to live the rest of my life knowing my Mate’s closest friends think I’m undeserving of him.

Maybe I am. I couldn’t even keep him safe from my father, despite how hard I tried.

Silas claps loudly and stands. “Well, you can try again at dinner, I suppose.”

I watch as he snatches what’s left of my meager breakfast, walking it to the trash bin in the corner. He grins and tosses the uneaten toast away. The sound of the lid falling shut may as well be a death knell.

“I answered your question,” I argue. I whine, but cut it off, so my words sound strangled.

“You lied,” Vae responds flatly.

Over platters piled high with food I’m not allowed to touch, his beautiful green eyes bore into me. Judging me. Condemning me.

Consuming me.

Something snaps, like a rubber band pulled too tight. My hands start shaking again, but this time, it’s not from fear.

It’s rage.

“I didn’t lie!”