Page 56 of The Possessive Alpha’s Reborn Luna

Cedric, answer me...

But the bond stayed silent. He didn't respond. Maybe... maybe Victoria was right. Maybe he really did want me dead. Maybe his earlier response was just another lie.

My heart shattered. Despair and agony swallowed me whole. The pain in my chest made it hard to breathe.

I bit my lip until it bled, using the pain to stay conscious.

"Still holding out hope?" Victoria sneered. "He's not coming, Alice. He hates you. He wants you dead."

She waved her hand. The guards raised their weapons and advanced.

"No—" Adrian struggled to stand, but his back leg was useless. He collapsed. "Damn it..."

I looked at him. Victoria's triumphant laughter echoed around us. Was this it? Even after coming back, I couldn't change my fate? And this time I'd dragged an innocent person down with me...

My hand pressed against my belly. I'm sorry, baby. Mommy couldn't protect you.

Serena stood, closing in with the guards. That aged face twisted with bone-deep hatred.

Victoria was still talking. "Hurry up, Serena! Drain her power, but keep her alive. I want to finish this bitch myself!"

Serena didn't look back, just gave a cold grunt. Magic gathered in her hands, ready to strike. Danger and terror crashed over me, but I had no strength left to fight or run.

Adrian was still struggling, pinned down by guards. He snarled, "Don't touch her! You damn witches!"

Victoria spat viciously, "Kill him! He's too loud, that stupid fool, trying to save this slut!"

I tried to move. "No! Adrian has nothing to do with this!"

Guards grabbed my shoulders, holding me down.

The scene overlapped with my death in the past life. Same pain. Same despair. How could I have been so stupid? Last time, Cedric chose Victoria without hesitation, left me to burn in the flames. This time, I'd actually put my hope in him again.

I looked at Adrian, guilt crushing me. "I'm sorry, Adrian. This is all my fault..."

Serena stood before me now. The magic made the pain surge again, but my body was already destroyed. I closed my eyes in despair, waiting for death.

But even in death, I refused to belong to Cedric. Bitter tears slid down my cheeks. I took a deep breath and sent one last message down the bond.

"I, Alice, reject Cedric as my mate. From this moment on, we have nothing to do with each other."

Chapter Fourteen

Cedric

I stood by the window, fists clenched tight. The chaos of footsteps below faded as I sent every guard out. They had to find Alice, even if they had to tear the kingdom apart. She was pregnant. How could she survive out there alone? The thought made my chest tighten.

I reached for the mate bond, forcing my consciousness deeper, but got nothing back. The other end was silent—maddeningly silent.

I had no idea which way to go, but the silence meant she was safe. At least that's what I told myself.

Then Alice's voice broke through.

Cedric.

Cedric, help me.

Please, I can't hold on much longer.