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His brothers move to intervene.

"Don’t." His voice stops them all.

He catches my wrists. Holds me still.

I shake with rage. With betrayal. With the aching, bleeding hole in my chest.

"You were never going to let me leave, were you?" I whisper.

His grip tightens.

"No."

The truth slams into me harder than his touch.

I shove him away. Disgusted. Heartbroken.

"I trusted you."

That is the worst part.

Not the betrayal.

Not the lie.

That I trusted him. That I loved him.

I turn and run.

I hear him move behind me.

I push harder. Faster.

But he is a predator.

I do not make it far before he catches me.

One arm around my waist, the other clamping over my mouth.

"Stop," he growls against my ear.

I thrash. Fight.

I will not be his sacrifice.

"You cannot outrun me."

I kick. Bite. Scream.

It does not matter.

He drags me back.

"You think I wanted this?" His voice is raw. Broken.

"Then why?" I whisper.

I feel him exhale against my neck.