Page 93 of Rejected By the Shifter King

“May I ask why?”

No,I’m childishly tempted to snap at him, and that...that’s a surprise because I’veneverbeen tempted to snap at anyone.

Not even at my grandfather, who used to lock me in my room without food, just to make sure I remember that he’s the one who calls the shots.

But anyway...

Remember the goal, Sam: we’re already in, so just say your piece, then leave.

“I want you to be happy.”

“You don’t think I’ll be happy with you?”

“I think you’ll be happiest with the woman you love.”

“Alphonse told you about her.”

How did he know that? Is he really sure he doesn’t read minds? How could he have known—

“It is best not to lie about this as your expression confirms as much.”

I...I think I’mthisclose to hating my face, grr.

“Okay, fine,” I say rather grumpily, and (yes, I know)childishly,too. “Your brother dropped by my workplace and told me just a bit.”

“So he told you justa bit—”

I can’t help wincing at the laziness in his tone.

“And that’s enough for you to make your mind up about my proposal?”

His words make me feel rather...foolish, and that’s...that’s so manipulative! It’snotfoolishat allto care about happy-ever-afters.

Right?

And rather than foolish like he says, it’s...it’s actually, um, selfless—yes, that’s right,selfless!—of me to prioritize someone else’s happiness over mine—

A vision pops in my mind, coming from nowhere, and completely blindsiding me because it’s of Hexius with another woman in his arms, and even though she has her back turned to me, I’m absolutely certain it’sher.

Brandy.

The woman he rejected me for.

And the moment I think that, I’m stunned and aghast to feel my eyes actually well up with tears—

Seriously, Sam?

I didn’t even cry when he rejected me six years ago, so why am I crying now?

“Um—” Great, oh, great. My eyes aren’t just burning, but my voice has gone wobbly, too, and so all I can do is quickly turn around in hopes that he doesn’t catch sight of me falling apart. “I’ve already said what I’ve come here to say, so if you don’t mind—”

Get moving, Sam!

The sooner I’m out here, the quicker I’ll be able to forget about anything and everything that has to do with the Merciers.

Gotta get to the door, gotta get to the door, oh, finally—

Not that I’m heartbroken or anything—really!—but I just want a clean break, you know?