Elara's POV
“I am.” The words sound final. “I fell for a human who wanted to sell me so I could be bred like a farm animal. So my children could be sold as exotic pets to powerful humans who wanted shifters as slaves.”
Kael goes completely still.
“I’m stupid and pathetic, and you were right all along. I was annoying. I kept trying to find the good in life when the truth is that there is none.”
Silence stretches between us. Luna purrs against my chest, the only sound in our little clearing.
Finally, Kael speaks. “You trusted Andrew because he said he cared about you.”
“Yes.”
“Would you trust me if I show you that I care about you?”
Anger flares in my chest, and my voice turns sharp, cutting. “I don’t need you feeling sorry for me.” I start to stand up, and Luna hops off my lap. “If
