Page 70 of Princess Redeemed

“Remember,” she says, her voice hypnotic, “resisting urges and desires is crucial.Make those desires work for you.That’s as crucial as wielding power.Push back against that which threatens to break your focus.Use it as a wall.A defense.Your will is your shield.”

I swallow down the lust for blood, but I don’t try to deny it.No longer will I deny who and what I am.I’ll embrace it.Embrace it as I embrace the child inside me.

I will love myself—both parts of myself.

I will love myself and my child more than Rogan ever could.

The stone wobbles in midair at my thought of Rogan.

I steady it with my mind.Rogan.He won’t break me.

I will be unbreakable.

“Excellent.”Alara’s voice is laced with pride.“Lower it now.Slowly.Let it rest on the ground.”

With my eyes, I focus the strength inside me, watching as the stone falls as if in slow motion back to the ground.

I turn to Alara.“Now what?”

“Now you reflect.”

“On…?”

“On what you’ve accomplished, of course.How do you feel?”

“Exhausted, to be honest.”

“Good.It is exhausting to wield such power, but that will wane in time.Rest for a few moments.Gather your thoughts.”

“And then what?”

“What do you think, Hannah?Then, you will do it again.”

42

Again?

Has Alara gone bananas?

Lifting that stone just once took every ounce of strength I possess.Sweat beads on my forehead.My muscles are weak.My mind fatigued.

“I’ll need more than a few minutes to recuperate,” I tell her.

“You won’t.You will endure.”

“But, Alara?—”

“Stop!”She holds up a hand and her violet eyes light with fire.“Have you forgotten?”

“Have I forgotten what?”I ask.

“The wolf father of your child is with his true mate, Hannah.His true mate.But don’t forget that his mate is not who she seems to be.”

I drop my jaw.

I’ve been so focused on losing Rogan, taking care of my unborn son, and listening to Alara that something slipped to the recesses of my mind.

“The two vamps,” I say softly.“She…Shecut out their hearts.Mutilated them.”