The Alpha’s Hidden Heirs by Avery Rose

Chapter 128

I was stunned. More than shocked, I was upset. This wasn’t how I wanted our friendship to end up. I would have been far happier if Axel had confided in me about someone else he liked–anything but this.

His desperate eyes stayed fixed on me, and I could hear his heart pounding as he waited for my

answer.

How could I reject him to his face without breaking his heart?

“When?” I asked softly, trying to steady myself.

He lowered his head, his voice strained as he began to speak.

“From the day I met you. From the day Magnus brought you to the pack house.”

I looked away, my mind drifting back to the first time I met him. He had always been a kind and considerate man, his every action thoughtful and genuine. I had assumed his warmth toward me was simply because I was his best friend’s sister.

But now, with a heavy heart, I realized I had to tell him the truth–that I had never seen him in that way. “Axel, 1-”

“Selene,” he interrupted, his voice firm yet pleading. “I know you’re a single mother. I know your children mean the world to you. But you have your own life too–a life where you’re alone. You need someone who can protect you, someone who will always be there for you.”

I frowned, his words stirring an unexpected frustration within me. “Protect me? From what? You of all people know that I’m-”

“An alpha,” he finished for me, nodding solemnly. “I know. But what about your emotional and mental support?”

“Love is not about needing someone, Axel,” I murmured, my voice trailing off as memories from my past began to surface.

“Love is something we feel for someone, even if they’re completely unaware of it. Even if they choose to reject us,” I whispered, more to myself than to him.

through my mind. I remembered the days I had tried so hard to gain his attention, waiting weeks for him to come home, only to be met with indifference. I had loved him with everything I had, but he

mine, his thumb grazing

said quietly. “I’ve loved you for years. I want to be with you, to make you happy. I already live in this house. You and your kids are my family. You don’t have

and for them.”

understood what he was trying to say. He was laying out all the reasons why being with

sense.

sighed and tried to pull my hand away, but he

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they were my own. I’ll give them my name. You won’t have to worry anymore. You don’t have to hide them. You can proudly tell

for a moment, I felt something stir within me. He

couldn’t let him sacrifice his own happiness for me. I didn’t feel the same way about him, and letting him tie his

over his and

“I know you’re afraid to take a

tracks. Marriage? He was talking about

calm down,” I urged

mine, and I gestured for him to take a deep breath. Once he did, I spoke softly but

to see things from my side too. You’re not just my brother’s best friend–you’re my friend too.

my gaze as I struggled

a close friend. I

took a deep breath, glancing up to see the pain in his eyes as my words sunk in. His grip on my hand began to loosen, but I didn’t let go. Instead,

find your mate, someone who can love

knew this was the right thing to do. It should have happened years

said softly, watching him.