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''repletely unaware of it. Even if they choose to reject us," I whispered, more to myself than to him.


    Images of my ex-husband shed through my mind. I remembered the days I had tried so hard to gain his attention, waiting weeks for him toe home, only to be met with indifference. I had loved him with everything I had, but he had never acknowledged my feelings. In the end, all I had was heartbreak. A gentle touch pulled me from my thoughts. Axel''s hand held mine, his thumb grazing the back of my hand in a soothing motion.


    When I looked at him, his sad, earnest eyes met mine. "My love isn''t weak either, Selene," he 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 to worry about stability-I''ll always be here for you


    and for them."


    I understood what he was trying to say. He wasying out all the reasons why being with him made sense.


    I sighed and tried to pull my hand away, but he held it tighter.


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    "Selene," he added, his voice trembling with emotion. "I love your kids as if 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 everyone that they have a father."


    His words struck a nerve, and for a moment, I felt something stir within me. He was a good man. He truly cared about my children-loved them, even.


    But I couldn''t let him sacrifice his own happiness for me. I didn''t feel the same way about him, and letting him tie his life to mine would only lead to regret. He deserved love, and I couldn''t give that to him.


    I ced my other hand over his and gently rubbed it. "Axel..."


    He shook his head, his expression resolute. "I know you''re afraid to take a risk. But I''ll make sure this time-your second marriage-it won''t fail:"


    His words stopped me in my tracks. Marriage? He was talking about marriage.


    "Axel, calm down," I urged gently. "Look at me."


    He raised his eyes to mine, and I gestured for him to take a deep breath. Once he did, I spoke softly but firmly.


    "I didn''t know you had feelings for me. But you have to see things from my side too. You''re not just my brother''s best friend-you''re my friend too. I''ve always thought of you as family. Without you, my family would feel iplete."


    I hesitated, lowering my gaze as I struggled to find the right words.


    "But I don''t feel that way about you," I admitted, my voice barely above a whisper. "I''ve always seen you as a close friend. I won''t call you my big brother, because I don''t want to hurt you. But you are important to me in that way."


    I took a deep breath, ncing 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, I continued.


    "I don''t want this one-sided love for you. It''ll only bring you pain, the same kind of pain I''ve felt before. You''re a good man, Axel. You deserve to find your mate, someone who can love you the way you deserve


    to be loved. I''m sorry, but I don''t want to give you any false hope. I don''t love you."


    He stepped back, his hand slipping away from mine. The broken look on his face made my chest tighten,


    but I knew this was the right thing to do. It should have happened years ago. I didn''t want him to waste his life in a rtionship built onpromise.


    "Axel," I said softly, watching him.


    He lifted a hand, signaling me to stop. Turning his face away, he tried to hide his emotions.


    I walked toward him, reaching out to take his hand again. "I''m so sorry, Axel."


    He shook his head, his voice low and strained. "No, it''s not your fault. You can''t help how you feel."


    With that, he turned and walked toward the door.


    "Axel."


    "Just... give me some time," he replied, gripping the doorknob.


    But as he opened the door, he froze. His sudden stillness confused me.


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    His wide, worried eyes darted around, and his expression grew clouded.


    I rushed toward him, realizing he was receiving a mind-link message. I grabbed his arm, turning him toward me.


    "What happened?" I demanded.


    He looked shaken, his voice hurried as he said, "Magnus isn''t feeling well." Then he bolted out of the


    room.