Marked By The Mad King Alpha (Phoebe and Perry) novel Chapter 146

Perry found himself lost in memories of the past, particularly the painful moments tied to Phoebe. He couldn’t shake the recollection of her previous cruel actions, the way she had toyed with his life. Yet, amidst the chaos that had begun to calm around them, a fierce determination ignited within him. He was resolute in his mission to regain her trust, willing to devote his entire existence to proving himself worthy of her faith.

With a gentle touch, he caressed the delicate curve of her cheek, his voice low and sincere. “Is it true?” he asked again, searching her eyes for a glimmer of hope. “I know you can’t fully accept me yet, but I’m ready to dedicate my life to earning your trust.”

These words felt heavy, like a sacred vow that he was prepared to uphold. After all, their fates were intertwined, and he was determined to make that a reality.

“I would trust you even if a blade were pressed to my throat,” Phoebe replied, her voice a blend of strength and vulnerability that struck a chord deep within him.

Her brow furrowed, confusion dancing across her features. What kind of man made promises like that? Perhaps she thought he had lost his sanity, but in this world, perhaps insanity was a compliment.

“Can you believe me on this?” he continued, his tone softening. “I won’t demand your trust right away, but please, grant me one more chance to prove myself. I’ll spend every day of my life showing you that I can be worthy of your faith in me. Can you allow me that?”

Phoebe’s silence spoke volumes; her head hung low as her fingers fidgeted nervously, a clear indication of the turmoil swirling within her.

“I hurt you terribly, didn’t I?” He pressed his lips to her forehead, hoping to convey the depth of his sincerity. “I’m truly sorry for all the pain I caused.”

She bit her lip, nodding ever so slightly, an almost imperceptible gesture that nonetheless echoed loudly in his heart. Yes, he had inflicted deep wounds upon her soul.

“I’m genuinely sorry,” he repeated, pulling her closer, wrapping his arms around her as if to shield her from the world’s harshness. He wanted her to grasp the extent of her importance to him.

“I’m sorry,” he whispered again, feeling the weight of his regret.

Tears began to flow silently down her cheeks, her body trembling against his, a physical manifestation of emotions she had kept bottled up for far too long. She hadn’t realized until this moment just how heavy the burden of her suppressed feelings had become.

This time was different; she felt safe enough to let it all out, to embrace her emotions fully and cleanse herself of the toxicity that had festered inside her. Those feelings had been like poison, seeping into her every thought each time she buried her emotions deeper.

“It’s okay, let it all out,” he urged gently, his heart aching for her.

Once, he had struggled to understand how to treat someone with tenderness; such fragile concepts had been alien to him. No one had ever shown him the softness of gentleness; his father would have met any display of weakness with harsh punishment.

Cordelia.

Yes, she had been the only one to show him that kind of kindness, but it felt like a lifetime ago. Each memory of her was intertwined with a crushing sense of regret.

Though his recollections of Cordelia were hazy, muddled by the sorrow of her loss, her smile remained etched in his heart. She had been like a mother to him.

But with Phoebe, he had learned the essence of gentleness over time. Now, he could offer it without hesitation.

But at what cost?

She lifted her head, tears streaming down her cheeks, and pointed toward his half-packed belongings, shaking her head in silent protest.

The message was clear. She didn’t want him to leave.

They walked for about thirty minutes, her breath coming in quick gasps, clearly in need of more exercise.

“Tired?” he asked, wiping the sweat from her forehead despite the cool breeze. He knelt down, gesturing for her to climb onto his back. “Come on. This will be quicker.”

Normally, he would have shifted into his beast form for this part of the forest, making the journey a mere five minutes. But in his human form, matching Phoebe’s slower pace, the trip felt much longer.

With no other option, she climbed onto his back, and he could sense her surprise at the solid muscle that defined his body.

Carrying her felt effortless, as if he bore nothing at all. He didn’t even feel winded when they finally arrived at the spot he wanted to show her.

But as they reached their destination, she recognized it immediately, especially when wild wolves emerged from the darkness, their eyes glinting ominously from behind the trees.

What did this mean?! Was he truly going to feed her to the beasts? Would he actually commit such a cruel act?!

Her instinct was to flee, but he tightened his grip on her hand.

“Where are you going?” he asked, his voice steady, trying to keep her from panicking.

As they stood there, the tension between them palpable, he felt the weight of his promise pressing down like a heavy cloak. The journey had brought them to this moment, where trust seemed both fragile and necessary. He could sense her fear, the instinct to run battling against the bond they were forging. He had vowed to protect her, yet here he was, leading her into uncertainty. He needed her to understand that the wolves were not their enemies tonight; they were a part of the wild beauty surrounding them. Just as he had learned to embrace his own vulnerabilities, he hoped she would learn to trust him, to find solace in the shadows rather than fear.

With her hand clasped tightly in his, he could feel the pulse of her heart, a rhythm that spoke of hope and trepidation. He whispered words of reassurance, urging her to see beyond the darkness, to recognize the strength that lay within them both. In that moment, he realized that their journey was not just about facing external threats, but also about confronting the inner demons that had haunted them for so long. Together, they would navigate the treacherous paths of their pasts, transforming pain into a shared resolve. Their hearts, once burdened by doubt, now beat in unison, ready to face whatever lay ahead.