Chapter 101
Ciel
He looks stricken, but I keep going—the dam already broken, the words spilling out faster than I can stop them.
He opens his mouth, but I lift a hand, shaking my head.
"Please. Let me finish."
"Every day," I say, voice trembling, "there's this voice in my head—telling me that today'sthedayyou'llgettiredof me. That you'll finally see I'm not worth the trouble, not worth the patience. That you'll leave."
My breathing quickens, shallow and uneven. I press a shaking hand to my chest, trying to stop the ache that's been building there all week.
"And what happened with that alpha…" I hesitate, forcing myself to exhale, the sound coming out shaky and small.
"It reminded me of what I am. It was like a splash of cold water."
I turn fully toward him, fists clenched in my lap. He's staring at me, completely still. I meet his eyes, and for once, I don't look away.
"I'm not confident enough to believe you'll love me regardless, Jack," I say, my voice breaking.
