Page 71 of Rejected By My Shifter Billionaire
Finally, they were getting somewhere,Domenico thought. Leaning back against his seat, he asked again, “So...what do you‘get’?”
“I get why you’ve changed, why you’re letting all those bastards think they’re stronger than you. You’re doing it to make it right for Misty, not just for her but for yourself and for the whole pack, too.” But all throughout it, he wasn’t remembering how it had been between Domenico and his human wife. Instead, he rememberedhisown human girl – the one who captured his heart the way Misty had captured Domenico’s.
Love, selfless and unlimited.
And yet, like Domenico, he had crushed that love. They might have different motives, but the results were the same.
He had broken Kassia’s heart the same way Domenico had broken his wife’s.
More images of Kassia danced in his mind, but all of them had her face ravaged with pain.
Kassia, seeing him with another woman—-
Kassia, learning he had fucked someone else—-
Kassia, waking up alone in his bed yet again, believing it was all a game to him—-
The memories made him whiten with shame and self-revulsion, and he told Domenico tonelessly, “Believe me, Igetit better than any other man could. Making it right for Misty is what’s going to make you earn your honor back.” A humorless smile formed on Alessandro lips. “That’s what makes you stronger,notflexing your muscles in front of other Lyccans.”
“I’m sorry, Alessandro,” Domenico said quietly, knowing that by “getting” it, Alessandro also had to know how much he had hurt the young girl every time fear made Alessandro push her away.
“She told me she loved me, but that she didn’t think she could ever trust me again.” His fists clenched as he spoke, Alessandro struggling to keep his tone even and his emotions under control. “And I couldn’t even blame her. Even if the thought of her leaving me terrifies the fuck out of me, I just...” He drew his breath sharply. “I don’t even know if I have the right to stop her if she chooses to leave.”
Looking at his brother’s bent head, Domenico’s senses suddenly prickled.Danger,his battle-hardened instincts warned him. Danger not to himself but to Alessandro, and the realization made him say sharply, “Tell me what your plans are.” He knewhis brother was a full-grown man, with skills that most Lyccans would find unbeatable. But he didn’t give a damn. Alessandro was his baby brother, his responsibility. No fucking way would Domenico allow anything to happen to him.
“Alessandro...”
His brother’s warning tone almost made Alessandro smile as he came to his feet. “I also came here to tell you I’ll be bringing Kassia with me to your birthday party.”
Domenico’s gaze narrowed. “Has she agreed to be your mate?”
“No.”
What the fuck?
“Alessandro,” he growled, but his brother only bowed in response before walking away. Domenico pinched the bridge of his nose as the door closed behind Alessandro.Goddammit.Why couldn’t one member of his family have a fucking peaceful love life? Alessandro had just indirectly told him he was going to risk execution for Kassia. Last night, Alejandro had told him he was going to fight to the death if the Panthera chose to execute the princess he served and, Domenico suspected, loved as well. And the night before that, he had spoken to Esme, who had then confessed that she might just be in love with a pack prince who also believed Domenico was a dog.
His gaze strayed towards the framed photo of Misty he had on his table.What would you have done in this position, sweetheart?Unlike him, she had never closed herself off from her siblings, no matter what life had thrown at her.
If she had been here, she would probably know what to do right away.
But she wasn’t.
Misty was gone, and he was alone, and remembering this made him realize he, too, had made up his mind.
He might have already blown his chance with his wife, but Alessandro still had a chance to make things right. So did Alejandro and Esme, and Domenico was determined to do whatever it took to help them.
THE PROFESSOR WAS IGNORINGher.
She had texted and called him numerous times in the past three days, but he hadn’t answered any of them. She visited his office every day but always ended up knocking on a locked door. The only time she caught glimpses of the professor was when he was in class, and only the fear of causing talk about them prevented her from interrupting him then.
But today was going to be different,Kassia thought determinedly. Sure, the professor had so far successfully avoided eye contact with her from his place on the platform in front of the class, but sooner or later—-
“Any questions?” the professor drawled in his usual, beautifully accented voice at the end of his lesson.
Kassia’s hand shot up.
The professor’s gaze went through her as if she didn’t even exist, and instead he called the girl seated right behind Kassia. “Yes, Ms. Perez?”
