Page 129 of Broken Souls

“Axe.” I stop walking and grab his arm. Axe turns to me and frowns. “Don't you think you being here is going to be awkward?” I ask.

“So?”

“Axe, can't you wait outside the door?”

“I don't know why you're protecting him,” Axe growls but leans against the wall with his arms crossed. “Go ahead.”

I sigh, knowing he's pissed off again. Is it really so much for me to ask to be alone to accept the rejection? I knock on the door and slowly open it, then walk in. Joel is sitting on the bed. He's not in the bed; just sitting there on the edge.

“Joel,” I say softly.

“Was it your idea to free me?” he asks, not looking at me.

“More or less so. Jenna pressured me about it a few times.”

“Jenna? Why would she do that? She left me in the dirt.” His brows crease.

“She still cares.”

“Whatever. Just say what you want to say and go.”

“I... came to accept your rejection,” I mutter.

“What?” He looks up at me. His once gorgeous blue eyes are lifeless. “I rejected you. It's done.”

“No, I need to accept it for it to be done. I never knew I needed to at the time.”

“Then get on with it.” Joel stands up giving me a cold-blooded look. I take a deep breath.

“I, Elora Raines, accept your rejection, Joel Lewis.”

After I say it, nothing happens. There's no pain like there was when he rejected me. It's most likely because the bond was so weak.

“I hate you, Elora,” Joel admits.

“Why? You're free now. I made that happen.” I frown.

“You were mine and you never gave me a chance. I have to live my life without my mate.”

“Are you serious? You were the one who didn't give me a chance,” I say aggressively.

“I've had a lot of time to think being locked up. I made a mistake but I realise that. You made a mistake but you've stuck with it.”

“What mistake did I make?” I question.

“Being with the alpha. I thought you just did it to punish me. I thought he was just a rebound from me. But you stayed with him. That was your mistake. When Jenna left me, we could have given us a chance but you stayed true to him.”

“It doesn't matter now, does it?”

“No, I suppose it doesn't.”

“Answer me this. Did you reject me because you loved Jenna or because I was the crossbred?” I ask, wanting to know the true reason.

“It doesn't matter now, does it?” Joel repeats my words back to me scornfully.

“Whatever.” I go to turn around.

“Is the alpha standing outside that door right now?” Joel asks.