Marked By The Mad King Alpha (Phoebe and Perry) novel Chapter 86

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Chapter 86: The Price of Truth

Phoebe’s Perspective

“Please, Perry, just trust me this once,” I implored, my voice trembling with desperation. I looked directly into his eyes, searching for any flicker of belief, any crack in the armor of his doubt. “I’ve started telling you the truth—I don’t want to lie to you now.”

His gaze narrowed into sharp slits, and I could see the fury burning fiercely behind them. The tight clench of his jaw spoke volumes—he was furious, and I knew he wanted to hurt me. But something held him back from causing permanent damage, a restraint I wasn’t sure I understood.

“Telling me the truth?” His voice was low, cold, and merciless, slicing through the air like a knife. “How do I know you’re even being honest now?”

Those words hit me like a blow to the stomach. My worst fear—being disbelieved—loomed over me again, haunting me like a shadow I couldn’t shake. Perry had trusted me once, had believed my words for a time. Losing that trust felt like losing a piece of my very soul.

I forced myself to take slow, steady breaths, battling the rising panic that threatened to swallow me whole. But it was useless. The expression on his face told me everything: he was wounded, and no matter what I said, he simply wouldn’t believe me.

Still, I summoned every ounce of courage and tried again.

“Perry, I was wrong to do something so terrible behind your back. I’m sorry. Back then, we weren’t getting along, and you scared me. But please—I wasn’t lying when I said I stopped giving you the poison before we even left for the Crimson Moon pack.”

“Should I believe you?” His hand shot out suddenly, knocking mine away with harsh force. The sting of the blow made me wince, and I caught a brief flicker of guilt cross his face as he realized how hard he’d hit me.

“Please…” I whispered, voice barely audible.

—

“So, tell me—what made you change your mind?” His eyes narrowed dangerously, and I felt the air tighten around me, making it hard to breathe.

Panic surged through my mind, choking my throat until speaking felt almost impossible. This was only getting worse.

Around us, Timothy had ordered the warriors to leave—they weren’t meant to hear this conversation. He stood firm, holding Mason back with a steady grip.

“I…” I faltered. I couldn’t say the truth. If I did, it would only make Perry more stubborn. Knowing his temper, he’d do the exact opposite just to prove me wrong. He’d go to extremes.

So I kept silent, unable to find another way out. I lowered my gaze, but then the words escaped my lips without my permission.

“Because I don’t want you to die.”

It wasn’t a lie. I truly didn’t want Perry to die. I’d glimpsed that softer side of him, the one elder Tricia said still existed deep inside—the sweet boy I longed to see again.