Page 67 of Rejected By the Shifter King

I don't want to hear it,she screamed in his mind.Just let me go—-

But still the prince held on and kept talking.A wall that breaks his heart...

She knew immediately what the words meant, and her pain knew no bounds. She twisted around and sank her teeth into his flesh.

The one that shines to make it beat once more, he continued doggedly as her teeth dug deeper.

A beast to overcome.And he started to bleed.

And a betrayal that may ruin all.

She pounced on top of him, her claws just inches away from slitting his throat, but he didn't look away.

I thought you'd betray me. It was why I believed in Fina's lies so easily. It never occurred to me that the betrayal...would come from me.

Both wolf and princess cried.

I should've never doubted what I already knew when I first met you.He pushed himself up.The first time we met, I already knew you'd be the kind of woman to take everyone's breaths away. The kind of princess everyone would worship. But most of all, I knew even then that you'd be the kind of star that would shine so brightly you could light up the fucking universe.

He slowly laid out one hand.I'm sorry I made myself forget those things, ma belle etoile. But if you trust me just one last time, I will devote my entire life to you.His eyes closed.I love you, Star.And then he waited. Even with hope dying for every second that passed and he heard and felt nothing - he waited. After all the pain he caused her, waiting was the only thing he had a right to do.

More moments ticked by.

It was over,he thought dully. If he opened his eyes, she would be gone, and the rest of his life would be swathed in darkness. No more Star squealing in his mind just because he called her 'wife'. No more Star looking up at him like he was the most beautiful thing in the world even if he was a twelve-foot beast with the horns, fangs, and tail to match.

Oh God.

He might as well be dead. But it was the least—-

And then he felt it.

Thick, silky soft fur rubbing against his palm.

His eyes flew open.

And he found himself staring into green eyes filled with tears as the wolf rubbed its head against his hand.God.So much tears. But glimmering more brightly behind them was forgiveness...and love.

Lysander.

Her voice shook, and as he pulled her close to wrap his arms around her flank, she felt his own tears wet her fur—-

Je t'aime, ma belle etoile.

The way his own voice broke at the end had her crying harder.Je t'aime aussi.Her eyes closed as his arms tightened around her.Never let me go,she whispered.

A rather difficult request, considering how his (gaping) soldiersandall three of her (glowering) brothers had finally caught up with them...and saw him naked with his arms around their baby sister's wolf form.

But because he had meant it when told his wife he would devote his entire life to her—-

He kissed the top of her forehead, saying gruffly,Never.