Chapter 4 Trust Moiras POV " Why ? " The word rips from my throat , raw and desperate . " Why are you telling me this now ? " Jaxon flinches like I've slapped him . His hands shake as he runs them through his hair , and I can see something broken in his eyes that wasn't there this morning . " Because I can't " His voice cracks . " I can't be part of this anymore , Moira . Not this . " I laugh , but it sounds more like a sob . " Now ? After years of " I touch the fresh burn on my arm , and he follows the movement with his eyes . " After everything you've done to me , NOW you grow a conscience? " " I know how this sounds . " He takes a step closer , and I instinctively back away . The hurt that flashes across his face surprises me . " I know I don't deserve your trust . But I'm begging youplease , just listen . " My whole body trembles . ' This could be another trap . Another way to hurt me . ' " Talk fast ," I whisper . Jaxon sinks back into the chair like his legs can't support him anymore . " I used to think " He stops , swallows hard . " Dad raised us to believe certain things . That you were weak . That Mom spoiled you . That teaching you lessons would make you stronger . " The casual way he says it makes my stomach turn . " Lessons ? " " That's what I told myself every time I " His voice breaks completely . " Every time I hurt you . I thought I was helping ." I want to scream at him . Want to tell him how those ' lessons ' felt when I was twelve and he held me down while Tristan cut my hair off . How they felt when I was fourteen and he watched Marcus break my wrist . How they felt every single time . But the words stick in my throat . " What changed ? " I manage . 21:27 1.81 % < Chapter 4 Trust Get 5 > Menu " Rosalie had the baby three weeks ago . " His voice goes soft , almost reverent . " Our daughter . And when they put her in my arms " My chest tightens . Jaxon ? A father ? " She was so small . So perfect . And all I could think about was someone hurting her the way we hurt you . " His voice drops to a whisper . " I went home that night and I looked at youreally looked at youand I saw what we'd done . " The silence stretches between us , heavy and suffocating . " I'm sorry . " The words are barely audible . " I'm so fucking sorry , Moira . For all of it . For every time I hurt you , every time I watched them hurt you , every time I told myself you deserved it . " I want to stay angry . Anger is safeit keeps me protected , keeps me strong . But something in his voice , something in the way his whole body shakes ... ' Trust him .' The voice is so faint I almost miss it . Like someone whispering from very far away . I shake my head , confused by the strange thought . " Why should I believe you ? " My voice cracks . " How do I know this isn't just another way to " " Because I'm getting you out of here . " He's on his feet again , pacing like a caged animal . " Tonight . Before they canbefore Victoria " The urgency in his voice sends ice through my veins . " What's she planning ? " " I don't know the details . But Dad put her in charge , and she's been talking to Tristan and the others all day . They're excited , Moira . Too excited . " His face goes gray . " They always take you to the warehouse when they want to really hurt you . " My legs give out . I slump back in the chair . " We have to go now , " Jaxon continues , his voice getting more frantic . " I can take you to Rosalie's pack . Crimson Eclipse . They'll accept you there . " " No. " 21:27 1.948 < Chapter 4 Trust The word surprises us both . " What ? " Jaxon stares at me like I've grown a second head . Get 5 Menu " I said no . " I stand up , my legs steadier than they should be . " If I disappear tonight , they'll know you helped me . You'll be a rogue , Jaxon . " " I don't care " " I do . " The words come out stronger than I intended . " You have Rosalie . You have a baby . I won't be the reason you lose that . " Jaxon's face twists with anguish . " Moira , you don't understand . If you staythe things they'll do to you " " I can survive one more night . " The certainty in my voice startles me . " I'll endure whatever they have planned , then escape tomorrow before they hand me to Sterling . " " No , you can't . " He grabs my shoulders , and for the first time in my life , his touch doesn't hurt . " I've seen what Victoria is capable of when she really lets loose . " " Then that's a risk I have to take . " I pull away from his grip . " But I won't drag you down with me . " We stare at each other across the space between us . " There has to be another way , " he whispers . " I go to the warehouse alone . Face whatever she has planned . You stay away . " " Absolutely not . " Jaxon's voice is flat , final . " I won't let you walk into that alone . " " You have to . " " No. " He steps closer . " I'm coming with you . " " Jaxon " " I'll stay hidden . But close enough . " His jaw sets with determination . " If I hear you screamreally screamI'm coming for you . " I stare at his face , searching for any sign that he might change his mind . But his jaw is set , 21:27 2.08 % < Chapter 4 Trust his eyes hard with determination . There's no budging him on this . Get 5 > Menu " Fine . " The word comes out reluctantly . " But you stay hidden . You don't come out unless " " Unless you really need me . I know . " " And if something goes wrong , if they catch you " " They won't . " I want to argue more , but I can see it's useless . For better or worse , Jaxon has made his choice . " Just " My voice catches . " Be careful . Please . Your daughter needs her father. " Something soft passes over his features . " She needs her aunt too . " The word hits me like a physical blow . Aunt . I'd never thought of myself that way before . " The oak grove , " I whisper . " Fifty yards south . " " I'll be there . " ***** We leave the library separatelyJaxon first , then me a few minutes later . The rest of the school day passes in a blur . I sit through chemistry , English , and history , my mind barely registering the teachers ' voices . Other students chat and laugh around me , but their voices sound muffled , distant . When the final bell rings , I pack my bag slowly , watching classmates rush toward the doors . The hallways empty quicklyeveryone eager to start their weekend . I step outside into the afternoon sun , and my blood turns to ice . They're waiting by the parking lot . Tristan leans against a black SUV , his arms crossed and a cruel smile playing on his lips . Ethan stands beside him , cracking his knuckles . Marcus paces back and forth like a caged animal . And Victoria sits on the hood of the car , swinging her legs , looking perfectly innocent in her pink sundress . 21:27 2.22 % < Chapter 4 Trust Get 5 > Menu " There she is ! " Victoria calls out sweetly , waving at me like we're best friends . " Come on , Moira ! We're giving you a ride home ! " My feet freeze to the pavement . Every instinct screams at me to run . " Don't be shy , " Tristan adds , his voice mockingly gentle . " We just want to spend some quality time with our little sister . " I know this game . I know exactly what they're doing . They want me to come willingly . Want me to walk right into whatever trap they've set . But I already know where this is heading . Chapter Comment ( 3 )