Page 66 of Rejected By the Shifter King

Don't!

The walls in her mind wavered at the depth of her distress, enough to let him catch a glimpse of what she was hiding—-

I d-don't think I'll be able to stand myself if I see you...knowing...

And that was when he saw the girl hiding within the wolf.

Please...please don't make me see you now—-

She wasn't just crying. Wasn't just hurting. She was fading.

I w-wouldn't be able to bear it.

Because he had made her believe she wasn't bright enough to shine.

****

MY LOVE.

Whispered so faintly, the words almost didn't register, and only when he spoke again did Estrella realize that she hadn't imagined hearing him say the words.

Listen to me one last time, my love.

Her brain begged her not to listen, but her heart was stubborn even as it continued to bleed.

Green eyes lifted to his, and the despair in them slashed at him.One last time,he thought bleakly. He had to fucking try one last time, because he knew, imperfect as he was, no one in this world could ever love her the way both the beast and man in him loved her.

So just one last fucking time, and then he would go, if it turned out that she could only shine with him out of his life.

You were right. I never chose you.

Estrella's heart lurched.

I never chose you the way I once wanted to marry Misty.Guilt flayed him at the way her lips trembled at his words, but he forced himself to continue, knowing that this time, everything had to come out in the open. I never chose you the way I wanted Fina to be my mate.

Estrella's nails dug deep into her palms.

But you, my Star...Lysander's throat tightened.I chose to love you.

Her gaze flew back to his.

The beast doesn't need me to love my mate. But I fell in love with you anyway. And that was my choice. I loved you when I thought you were perfect. I loved you when I was being an idiot and thought you had fallen off the pedestal I myself had put you on.

An icy wind blew around them, and Estrella cried out.No.But when she opened her eyes, it was too late. The man she had loved, and the man who had broken her heart far too many times, the man who was so beautiful that her heart still ached at the sight of him—-

That man was staring at her now with love in his eyes.

And she just couldn't make herself believe it.

She just couldn't.

Couldn't.

The wolf tried to run away, but the prince with the soul of a beast was faster, and Lysander locked her into place as his arms wrapped tightly around her body.I'm not done talking.

The wolf howled and snarled, baring its fangs as it attempted to free itself.

The jinn spoke of a prophecy—-