Page 78 of The Possessive Alpha’s Reborn Luna

"The day you disappeared, Cedric went looking for you. I don't know what happened, but when I found him, he was gravely injured with no will to live. I barely convinced him to keep living by invoking your name. The next three days, dragging his wounded body, he frantically searched the forest for any trace of you," Caspar's voice was soft. "Everyone begged him to rest. He wouldn't. He said he wouldn't stop until he found you."

Caspar sighed before continuing. "Finally, he found large amounts of blood where you'd disappeared. We all thought you were... he completely despaired. Believed he'd caused your death. He held a dagger to his own heart, wanting to atone with death."

My breath stopped. I'd never imagined Cedric had nearly killed himself for me.

It didn't seem like something he'd do—he was always so cold, so rational.

But I also knew Caspar wouldn't lie to me. My heart ached with a feeling I couldn't describe. I opened my mouth to speak but no sound came.

Caspar looked into my eyes. "Alice, I know he's done terrible things, hurt you badly. But his love for you is also real. I've never seen him lose control like that."

My eyes burned.

"Do you want to see him? He's badly injured. The healers said... if you'd stopped the contest any later, he would have died in that arena."

"I'll leave now so you can decide. Of course, don't force yourself." With that, he nodded and walked away. I stood there, fingers gripping my skirts tightly.

The restlessness in my chest grew stronger.

Go.

Go see him.

Just once.

I took a deep breath and pushed open the door. Moonlight streamed through the window. I saw Cedric lying in bed.

His entire body was wrapped in bandages—barely any intact skin visible. His face was deathly pale, forehead covered in cold sweat, breathing shallow and labored.

I walked to the bedside, looking down at him.

Even though he'd hurt me, I still couldn't completely let him go.

"Why..." I murmured. "Cedric, why would you do this..."

"Because... I love you."

A weak voice.

I jerked my head up to see he'd opened his eyes.

Those dark blue eyes were exhausted, but seeing me, something sparked in them.

"Alice..." His voice was hoarse. "I love you. I'll prove my love to you. Prove I'm worthy of courting you again."

Hearing those words, the emotions I'd been holding back finally exploded.

"You're insane!" My voice trembled. "Do you know you almost died?"

"I know." He spoke with difficulty, each word seeming to drain him. "But if I didn't do this, how can I make you believe I'm serious..."

He tried to lift his hand, but it fell limply back down.

"I'm sorry..." He closed his eyes, tears sliding from the corners. "I shouldn't have doubted you. Shouldn't have let Victoria hurt you. Shouldn't have stayed silent when everyone accused you. Shouldn't have made you face all that alone..."

His voice grew weaker.

"I love you. I've loved you for so long, but I kept running from it. I used my father's tragedy to convince myself I couldn't love you. I told myself you were just duty, just an obligation..."