From Rougue To Luna novel Chapter 13

I sighed loudly and yanked a hand through my hair as I took a large step away from him. "I'm not strong enough for this Rhett. I don't know what you think you see, but it isn't true. I'm too weak to be the mate to someone like you." My voice broke as my emotion finally crept into my words, tears threateningly filling my eyes.

He laughed tightly and stepped in front of me. "You may not see it, but it's there. And I know everyone else will see it too if you just give them the chance. Lili you're anything but weak."

I fought back the tears and glared up at him as his eyes captured mine. Before I could stop myself, my hand reached up and shoved my hair away from my neck. I stepped forward and inclined my neck, holding his gaze. "Does this look like strength to you? Letting someone I didn't love mark me?"

His face didn't change in surprise as I'd expected, and instead softened at my visible pain. "I don't know why it happened, but I know it had to be for a reason or you wouldn't have allowed it."

"I did it to save myself from being alone. I did it because I was a coward. I didn't have the strength or the courage to leave and I let him force the mark on me." My voice came out as a pathetic whine as the tears fought hard as they tried to fall. I forced them down and gritted my teeth, trying to breathe through the hurt now coursing inside of my heart.

A low growl rumbled through his chest and my eyes widened in surprise. "He forced you to let him mark you? You didn't want it?"

My jaw opened and shut trying to answer but I couldn't seem to push my answer out. Instead, my eyes dropped to the floor as a tear broke through and streaked down my cheek. He stepped closer to me and finally gripped his large hands around my shoulders.

"Lili, it makes no difference to me that some coward marked you. You're more mine than he could have ever wished, and when I find him, I'll kill him myself for that."

The tears is been fighting back finally broke free and streamed down my face. His thumbs gently rubbed them away from my cheeks as he leaned his forehead against mine, breathing deeply in an attempt to release some of the anger rolling off him.

More tears streamed down my cheeks as I buried my face into his strong chest. His arms wrapped around me as I felt the shame I'd been holding on to finally burst out of me. I knew he deserved to know all of it. All of the dark dirty horror I'd been through, but part of me knew that there was only so much the mate bond could forgive. Once he knew all of my secrets, how could I possibly expect him to accept what was left of me?

His hands stroked up and down my back as his lips kissed the top of my head. "Lili, I swear to you, I will not let anyone hurt you again, but I need you to talk to me. I need you to let me in." His voice was tight but smooth, wrapping around me like silk.

I could feel the steady hum of the bond working through us. Every part of me told me to let him in, to tell him everything. But I just couldn't. The fear was greater than the desire.

I shook my head against him as I choked through a sob. "I can't Rhett. You'll never want me if I do. I can't tell you."