Page 44 of His to Claim

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„Thank God you're okay," Dhakar sighs. "They took you away from me so fast."

I smile at him, feeling my heart melt under his gaze. "I'm fine," I admit softly. "Anil'ha brought me back."

"That bastard," Dhakar snarls. "I'll kill him when I get the chance."

I blink at him, my cheeks flushing red. "He is good to me."

"Hmmm…" Dhakar shrugs. "Maybe he thinks you're his."

My cheeks burn with embarrassment as I speak.

„What?" Dhakar frowns.

„I love Anil'ha," I confess.

Dhakar's eyes widen.

I gulp and continue. "So much that I can't imagine being with anyone else. I want him."

I wait for Dhakar's reaction.

But instead of anger, hatred, or disgust, I see sadness in his eyes.

"You love him," he murmurs.

„Yes."

Dhakar walks over to me, stops right in front of me, and looks down at my face.

„Did he hurt you? Did he threaten you to say this?"

I shake my head. "No," I reply quietly. "He only wants to protect me."

Dhakar smiles sadly, then nods. He moves one step closer to me and wraps his arms around my waist.

"What are you saying, Emma? This is a lie."

I place my hands on his chest, trying to push him away. "No," I whisper. "No… it's not."

Dhakar pulls me against him and kisses my forehead. "Why can't you just tell me the truth?"

„I love Anil'ha," I whimper.

Dhakar doesn't let go of me. Instead, he places his hand on my cheek, tilting my head up to meet his eyes.

"Tell me the truth, Emma."

„I love him," I admit.

„How could you betray me like that?" Dhakar growls. "How could you choose him over me, over us? You promised me you would never leave me."

„I can't," I whisper. "I just can't."

Dhakar grabs me by the shoulders and shakes me.

"Are you sure?" he whispers. "Are you really sure about him? Are you certain you don't feel anything for me anymore?"

I shake my head.

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