Page 49 of Reign By Wrath

His hands balled into fists, nearly bending the metal fork.

“None of it had to be the way it was. You could’ve had another stalker like Ronin following her around, keeping her safe, but you stopped thinking about us the minute you sailed off on your floating throne.

“Remaining a blank so you didn’t push us into the life of a Rogue? That’s a thin excuse and you know it. We needed you, and you weren’t there— Worse, youchosenot to be there.” The words kept coming, shooting like bullets from my lips. Each meant to be fatal. “Leon Dumont blames himself for racking up so many evil, twisted enemies he didn’t know which one blew up his family and killed his wife. He shoulders the blame for his choices. How dare you do anything less?”

Alistair shot up, making my heart jump into my throat. He dropped to his knees before me, taking my hands in his. “You don’t have to do this. Drive me away. Whatever threats Everleigh’s made, she’s not going to get me too. You won’t lose anyone else that you love.”

“I don’t love you.”

The final bullet struck.

“I don’t know you,” I flung. “You’re just a stranger who burst into my life to admit how you screwed it up. I don’t want you here, Alistair. We’re not family. As far as I’m concerned, you lost two daughters the day Winter jumped off that bridge.”

Alistair was deathly pale. Deathly quiet. His eyes roved my face, searching for a trace that I didn’t mean what I said. That there was force behind my words and pressure that didn’t come from me. He could keep looking, but he wouldn’t find it.

“Just get out of here, Alistair. Before you get me killed too.”

Hands falling away, Alistair got to his feet. I bit my lip hard when a soft kiss pressed on my forehead. Blood stained my teeth.

“Okay, Luna. If that’s what you want.”

“It’s what I want,” I clipped.

He didn’t reply for a beat.

“Don’t blame yourself.” A gentle hand stroked my hair. “Whatever prompted you to say these things—whether it was forced or you truly feel this way—nothing will change how much I love you.”

I couldn’t see my feet through the tears.

“I’ll always love you.”

I smacked his hand away, getting up and storming to the door. “Just go. I never want to see you again.”

I slammed the door, rattling the priceless crystal chandeliers above. Ripping down the hallway, I ran till I found the front doors. Ran through the gates. Ran outside past Ronin and the car waiting to take me home. Ran and kept running—feet carrying me far away with nowhere to go.

No,I thought, snarl peeling back from my lips.I know where I’m going.

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