Page 40 of Princess Redeemed

The day my mother forsook Larissa and me for this bastard.

Thisdemon.

My mother, though hurt by my father, used to be a loving parent.Always ready with a hug when I needed one.Always ready with a kind word.But all that changed when Richard entered our lives.At first I tried to be understanding, to welcome him into our family with an open heart.I wanted my mother to be happy, after all.She, of all people, deserved happiness after what my father did to her.

But something shifted, something dark and insidious.He started to manipulate her, twisting her perception of me, casting doubt where there wasn’t any.I didn’t know demons existed at that time.I didn’t know I was half vampire.

Butheknew.

Healwaysfucking knew.

All he’s said and done burns like a fire inside me.He took advantage of a broken woman and turned a loving mother against her own flesh and blood.Her own children.

The pain was unbearable then.The loss of my mother.How her new husband hated me.

I left as soon as I could, yet here I am, faced with the evil demon once more.

This is my fate.

I may not be Rogan’s fated mate, but my fate is tied to this man.This demon.

And it’s time to end it.For my mother, my sister, my unborn child.

For Rogan.

And for me.

My fangs snap down as I growl and close the distance between my stepfather and me.

Demon blood.

I’ve never tasted demon blood.

It whooshes through his veins, the sound like a high-pitched siren.

But I feel no craving for it.My child is still sated with Dominic’s blood for now.

Richard is injured.Easy prey.

With one more step, I lunge.

23

“That’s it,”he seethes through his clenched teeth.“Take it, Hannah.Take my blood.Nourish your growing child with darkness.Do it.Do it.”

I have no yearning for Richard’s vile blood.Only for his death.His death at my hand.

I lunge into midair, my cuspids sharp and pointed, everything in me ready to attack?—

Whomp!

I end up on my ass, and between me and Richard is a wolf.

A growling wolf with green swirling eyes.

“Rogan!”

His growl vibrates into my body.