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?”

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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?

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

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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

agreeing with Axel’s assessment of me.

whisper this time, looking

the

for a second and I

me after

from here

then he seems to give in to whatever

his head.

he says gently, pulling me closer still, holding me properly now, his touch tender.

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I say, daring

in a way I

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

startled to realize I’ve never considered things from this

perspective.

total sense why he rejected

was trying to save both of us from the inevitable

in a quiet voice, and a hint of gratitude

he continues. “I’ve made

I will no doubt make many more in

had a mate, any of them could easily

in countless terrible ways.”

as I realize that all this time, I

had been selfish, that he was some

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person who simply didn’t want to be with

like I am.

trying

were the least selfish ones

up with.

I realize it hurts that my mate

position, and there’s nothing I can do to help

him.

whispers, as if he can’t quite believe it, or doesn’t

do with the fact.

I nod emphatically.

to do is make your life harder, and that’s

doing these

fault, Emily,” Axel replies. “I played my part

well.”

a hug, and for a moment, we stand there holding one

trust and depth of

between us.

in my

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