Air shifted next to me as a familiar furry paw grabbed my hand, jerking me to a stop. A hiss escaped my lips as I tried to yank my hand away, to no avail.
“Selena! Stop,” Zirene begged.
“Let go!” I growled, facing him as I tried to pull away.
His feline amethyst eyes searched mine.
“Why are you running?”
Through my bond threads, I could sense my nestmates surrounding me as a crowd formed around us.
“I will tell you one more time. Let. Go.”
He sighed and complied. I hurriedly wrapped my arms around my waist, refusing to allow him a chance to grab my hands again.
“Why did you run? You won. You should be proud of yourself, not running as if in fear.”
“Are you really asking this? Right here? Right now? Are you really that clueless?”
He took a step closer, and I replied with a step back.
His face filled with concern, his eyes laced with hurt.
“Why are you backing away from me? What did I do wrong?” he asked, holding his paw out to me, confused.
“Let me ask you this. Is this a game to you? You made me believe I was alone in the universe, only to be accidentally told I was some prized possession to be added to your collection of demi-humans you have gathered over the years. Is that all I am to you?” I demanded, not caring who heard. I pulled my hood off and tilted my head, revealing his mark on my neck. “Does this mean anything to you? Or is it a brand to show I am your property?”
Zirene dropped his hand, and his face hardened.
“Are you going to believe what some… stranger… said?” He paused and glanced at the gathered crowd. “Or are you going to let me explain everything to you?”
I rolled my eyes as I covered my silver hair once more.
“Why should I trust you?” I barked. “You made me believe we had something special. You have abused that connection to use me for your political gain every chance you get. You were collecting demi-humans this whole time! You got me pregnant without my consent, only to force me into a political battle without proper preparation.” I paused and took a deep breath as tears threatened to fall. “Leave me. You disgust me.”
“Selena…” Zirene stepped closer and tried to cup my face.
A hiss escaped my lips as I dodged him. “No, Zirene. I want nothing to do with you anymore.”
He quickly studied the crowd before locking his eyes with mine. Wordlessly, Odelm and Xylo flanked him with the princes directly behind him.
“Selena. Let us retire. You should get some rest. Perhaps after, we can have this much-needed discussion,” Zirene urged.
“There is no ‘we.’ I want nothing to do with you. Not after today.”
His eyes hardened as he closed the gap between us. Swiftly, he gripped my arm and lowered his face to mine.
“You are MINE,” he growled. “You will stop embarrassing both of us and do what I said.”
“Let go,” I snarled as I tried to yank my arm from his paw locked around my wrist. His nails dug into my skin as he tightened his grip. “Let. Me. Go!”
Betrayal. Disappointment. Hurt. Rage.
My need to get away from him—from everyone—heightened as he stared deeply into my eyes, refusing to let go.
Everything I thought I knew about him came crashing down.
Gathering all the power in me, I pulled back my free hand and let go.
