Marked By The Mad King Alpha (Phoebe and Perry) novel Chapter 291

Chapter 291: Chapter 291 Hearts Learn To Trust

Phoebe’s POV

I watched Jude struggle for words, seeing myself reflected in her pain. She appeared completely exposed. I had voiced what she couldn’t express herself. I understood the crushing weight of powerlessness. I knew the shame that comes when a woman is violated against her will.

It had never occurred to me before that someone else might have walked through the same nightmare I had endured. She had survived the identical torment.

Eventually, she returned my embrace, sobbing against my shoulder as I stroked her back soothingly, though finding calm seemed impossible for Jude.

A fierce tempest raged within her soul.

"How—" Jude attempted to speak but the words caught in her throat. Her breathing became shallow. "How... how did you manage to..." She shook her head in frustration at her inability to articulate clearly.

"How did I learn to trust again? How did I allow Perry close and open my heart to him?" I asked, sensing what she was trying to express.

I had guessed correctly, as Jude gave a confirming nod.

"The path was treacherous, Jude. Nothing about it was easy. It was filled with torment and suspicion. I nearly surrendered completely. I came so close to walking away." I held Jude more securely. "But Perry wouldn’t let me fall.... He rescued me. We rescued each other..."

"I’m terrified..." Jude finally confessed.

"I understand. Fear consumed me too... our first intimate moments weren’t simple. Opening myself to vulnerability proved incredibly difficult and we faced countless misunderstandings. He wounded me deeply and I inflicted the same pain on him, but... I chose to believe in miracles and the sacred mate bond the moon goddess granted us."

"I don’t believe I’m capable of it, my queen..." Jude whispered, her voice barely audible, shattered and aching.

She desperately wanted to believe Timothy wouldn’t abandon or harm her, but trust felt impossible. Her heart knew he would never betray her, yet this terror devoured her from within, leaving her breathless. The harder she tried to trust, the more intense her fear became.

Timothy wasn’t the issue—she simply didn’t know how to accept compassion and affection. She was the source of the problem and Jude worried the mate bond wouldn’t be powerful enough for Timothy to endure her brokenness.

"People in this kingdom reject the mate bond. What if... what if Timothy grows weary of me? What if he stops wanting me?" Jude’s tears flowed freely. "What happens when he leaves? I won’t survive it. If... if... I end things now... perhaps it won’t devastate me as much... perhaps I could bear it."

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