Page 141 of Rejected By the Shifter King

His voice is hoarse.

He still can’t hear my thoughts, but I no longer care.

Because we walk by faith, not by sight, and so I manage to smile, not just with my lips, but with my heart as well, as I whisper the truth.

“I feel...loved.”

Two Months Later

THEL’Alliancecourtroom buzzed with barely contained energy as the judge’s gavel came down for the final time. Hexius watched from his position in the gallery as Vaughn was led away in enchanted chains, the snow leopard’s head bowed in defeat. Life imprisonment for the attempted murder of a human—specifically, the attempted murder of Samira Hondros-Mercier, mate to the Leopard King.

“This is Camille Dubois reporting live fromL’Allianceheadquarters,” the reporter spoke rapidly into her camera. “In what can only be described as the trial of the century, we’ve just witnessed justice served not only to Vaughn Mercier, but shockingly, to Arnulfo Hondros—grandfather of the victim herself.”

Hexius’s jaw clenched as the reporter recounted the horrifying details that had emerged during the trial. Even now, knowing Samira was safe, the revelations made his leopard snarl beneath his skin.

“The elderly Hondros, who appeared via video link from Greece, was found guilty of conspiracy to commit murder, supernatural trafficking, and—most disturbingly—the murder of an innocent human woman twenty-five years ago. The court heard how Hondros killed this unnamed victim as an offering to demonic forces, seeking to discover the perfect mate for his granddaughter in order to increase his family’s power.”

Several people in the gallery gasped, though Hexius remained stoic.

“But here’s where it gets even more twisted,” Camille continued, her voice dropping dramatically. “Hondros had been giving his granddaughter what he claimed was ‘medicine’ during her years living with him. This substance, derived from ancient dark magic, permanently blocks the telepathic bonds between mates. The grandfather’s goal? To prevent Samira’s future mate from reading her thoughts, allowing Hondros to eventually control her through supernatural means.”

The reporter paused, allowing her audience to absorb this information before continuing. “When Hexius Mercier rejected Samira six years ago—a rejection the court learned was influenced by Hondros feeding false information to both brothers—the grandfather flew into a rage. He’d assumed mates would be instantly, irresistibly attracted to each other. Believing the devil had cheated him, he threw Samira out of the family home, cutting her off entirely.”

“But the devil had kept his bargain,” Camille said with relish. “Hexius Mercier was indeed Samira’s perfect mate. It was Hondros’s own manipulations that caused the initial rejection.”

She gestured to the crowd. “The story only gets more complex. The court heard how Hondros gave ancient compatibility findings to Alphonse Mercier, the former Snow Leopard King, who had no idea these perfect scores came from a demonic bargain. Alphonse, we learned, genuinely meant well—he wanted his younger brother to find happiness.”

The camera panned across the gallery, finding Alphonse seated with his arm around a beautiful blonde woman. “Speaking of the former king, there he sits with his wife, Brandy Mercier. Yes, you heard that right—Brandy, who was nearly killed trying to stop Vaughn’s attack, has since married Alphonse Mercier.”

Camille’s eyes gleamed as she moved to the most salacious part of her report. “And here’s an exclusive tidbit from our investigative team: we tracked down several participants from that fateful speed dating event three months ago. Every single man who spoke with Samira that night told us the same thing—they’d love another chance if the Leopard King ever lets her go.” She laughed. “Though I doubt that’s happening anytime soon.”

The camera finally found Hexius as he rose from his seat, preparing to leave. Camille practically sprinted over, microphone extended. “Your Majesty! How do you feel knowing you’ll never be able to read your mate’s thoughts? That this telepathic bond all mated couples share has been permanently blocked? Don’t you feel cheated?”

Hexius paused, one eyebrow rising in that distinctly arrogant way of his. The entire courtroom seemed to hold its breath.

“Why would I need to read my mate’s mind to know what she’s thinking?” His voice was calm, matter-of-fact. “I love her. It is enough.”