Page 40 of Heart of the Rebel Mate

"I kept wondering what I did wrong."

I close my eyes.

"I thought maybe I misstepped. That I wasn't careful enough. But it wasn't that, was it?"She turns to face me again, eyes burning."It was you."

I open my mouth, but nothing comes.

I should tell her I had no choice. That I didn't know until it was too late.

But we both know the truth.

I was complicit.

I was part of the system that destroyed her life.

She exhales, pressing the heels of her hands against her eyes."God, I should hate you."

I don't flinch."I know."

She drops her hands. Her jaw is clenched."So why don't I?"

I don't have an answer for that.

She steps closer again, slower this time. The space between is filled with every choice we've made, every betrayal, every wound still bleeding between us.

And yet, the bond hums again, pulling us closer despite it all.

"I want to trust you,"she whispers."I don't know if I can."

I lift my hand, hesitating before I brush a strand of hair from her face."Then don't."

She blinks.

"Not yet,"I say softly."Just let me prove that I deserve it."

Elara watches me for a long moment, and then, slowly, she nods.

For now, that's enough.

She tilts her head up, and the space between us vanishes.

Her lips are warm, hesitant at first. Then they press harder, like she's chasing something she shouldn't want. Like I'm the last solid thing in a world that has crumbled around her.

I don't deserve this.

But I take it anyway.

My hands slide to her waist, pulling her closer. Her breath hitches and her fingers tighten against my shirt. The kiss deepens, turning from hesitation to something more certain.

The bond flares, and I can feel heat coiling through my veins.

This is dangerous.

But for once, I don't care.

Her lips press together, and for a long moment, she says nothing. Then, softly—"You should've left me there."

The words send something cold through my chest."I couldn't."

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