Bad Love an Alpha’s Regret by Elise Sinclair

Chapter 345

I can’t bring myself to name what I’m feeling.

If I do, it’s putting too much power behind the emotion.

“Axel, why did you break the bond?”

1/6

I didn’t mean to blurt that out, but once the words are out there, I

watch him flinch.

But he keeps walking.

Axel?” I try again.

He doesn’t answer right away, and I swallow down the lump in

my throat. But I don’t turn back. I follow him into the annex. To the

far end, pushing into the bathroom after him and not caring if he

wants his privacy or not.

He washes himself in the sink. The blood sluicing off his arms and

chest.

I wait as he cleanses away the remnants of the fighting. I want to

help him. To take the towel from his hand and care for him myself,

but I know it’s not what he wants right now.

“Why, Axel?” I repeat. “Is it because of what happened to me?

Chapter 345

Because you knew I would be some broken, fragile mess?”

2/6

He hurls the last of the rags aside and steps forward. He catches. my upper arms, his expression fierce.

“I don’t think that about you at all, Emily,” he says in an intense tone. “I think you’re strong and resilient. I think you’re amazing. Instead of being broken by what you went through, you let it make

you stronger. Not many people can claim that.”

I let a wan smile tug at my lips.

Not many people have been through what I went through, and I

trouble agreeing with Axel’s assessment

I whisper this time, looking up at him, searching

the

looks torn for a second and I think maybe he’s

me after all.

from here if he can’t be truthful with me.

to give in to

inside his

says gently, pulling me closer still, holding me properly

Chapter 345

3/6

me,” I say, daring to lift my

in his embrace in

never once granted me a mate. I understood why. I live a dangerous existence. And I’m immortal. What good would it do to have a mate for a single, mortal lifetime, only to lose. her and then maybe lose myself in the process. How

realize I’ve never considered things from this

perspective.

it makes total sense why he rejected

both of us from

lonely,” I tell him in a quiet voice, and a hint of gratitude crosses his face at

all,” he continues. “I’ve

and I will no doubt make many more

mate, any of them could easily threaten or

me in countless terrible ways.”

for him as I realize that

had been selfish, that

Chapter 345

4/6

who simply didn’t want to be with damaged

like I am.

he was trying

the least selfish ones he could

come up with.

it hurts that

such a terrible position, and there’s nothing I can do

him.

he whispers, as if he can’t quite

do with the fact.

I nod emphatically.

last thing I want to do is make your

been doing these

Emily,” Axel replies. “I played my part

well.”

and for a moment, we stand there holding

the new trust and depth of

between us.

in my

Chapter 345

5/6