A strong taste of blood filled Rachel's mouth.
She loosened her bite on his shoulder, watching in shock as crimson spread across his skin, staining it with a patch of red that burned into her eyes.
Suddenly, tears welled up and spilled down her cheeks.
Her voice cracked as she choked out, "I thought you really didn't want me… that you were going to give me away."
Kellan's eyes narrowed, his gaze dark and unreadable.
In that moment, he realized the truth, her quiet obedience before wasn't because she was weak.
It was because she was terrified of being abandoned. She wanted to stay by his side.
For the first time, his heart softened.
His tone dropped, carrying a rare gentleness. "Fortunately, you were smart enough to stay with me. Otherwise, maybe I really would have given you away."
Rachel cried harder, her voice trembling with indignation. "Aren't you afraid that I'll actually leave with him?"
