Page 25 of Broken Souls

“What do you mean?” Dashiell frowns.

“Imagine what the pack would do if they found out about Axe and me. An alpha with the crossbred. Axe would be shunned,” I state the worst-case scenario.

“Do you think anyone would be stupid enough to go against the alpha? Everyone still believes he's unstable and locked away... wait.” Realisation spreads across his face. “Crossbred... are you telling me those bruises are from someone in the pack?”

“You didn't know?” I ask. How oblivious can everyone be?

“No, I mean I know teenagers say shitty things but I didn't know it was physical abuse. Why didn't you come to me?” Dashiell looks bothered.

“I was scared.”

“You thought I would hurt you too,” he finishes my sentence. He shakes his head in an annoyed way. “Listen, you have my blessing to be with Axe. Axe and I hold the power in this pack so fuck what anyone else thinks. No one will ever hurt you again.”

His words are kind. I can't believe all this time the abuse could have stopped if only I'd had the courage to tell Axe or Dashiell.

“I need time to think,” I tell him.

“I understand. Just know, if you have the chance to be happy, take it. I'm twenty-eight and still haven't found my mate.” Dashiell looks sad when he says the last sentence.

“Oh.” I hear the shower stop and so does Dashiell.

“I'll go. Mind link me if you need to talk.” Dashiell smiles and I smile and thank him.

Chapter Twenty-One

Talking to Dashiell really is helpful. When he says no one will ever hurt me again, it gets me thinking. I have the two most powerful wolves in this pack on my side. Maybe I shouldn't worry about anything and follow my happiness. If Axe wants me, what reason is there for me not to give him a chance? Joel means nothing since the rejection. I'm free. Maybe this is my good karma, alpha Axel. I've been tormented for years to end up in a protective man's arms. This is definitely something I need to consider. I doubt anyone would find out about us anyway since we don't leave the house much.

After Dashiell leaves, I go to my room and lock the door so Axe can't come in. I need this time alone to think about everything. I want to come to this decision with a logical mind. If I stare into his intense eyes while making a decision, he will sway me. Now that I've felt his lips against mine, I know my barriers would drop around him.

I know I said I would leave everything behind and marry a human one day. But if I went down that road, my connection to my wolf would lessen. She may become detached and uncontrollable. Plus, how would I shift if I live a human life in the city in some apartment? If I stay with Axe, my wolf will stay connected to other wolves. But then again, my wolf still yearns for Joel, so I'm not sure how she would react to Axe's wolf if I got close to him. I have to take her and myself into consideration.

***

I've stayed in my room all day and I've planned to for the night as well but my stomach is grumbling. Even though I'm still undecided and don't want to run into Axe, I'm too hungry, so I head to the kitchen. After cutting up some chicken, I go through the fridge, trying to find something to have with it. It's always hard to pair a side with protein.

“Elora.” I jump at his voice and spin around. How didn't I know he walked in?

“Hi,” I murmur.

“Can we talk?” Axe asks, and I nod. “First of all, I want to say I'm sorry if I forced myself on you before.”

“No, you didn't. I mean it took me by surprise but I liked it,” I ramble.

My eyes go wide when I realise I just admitted to him that I liked it. He bites his lip as if to prevent a smile.

“You liked it?” He comes closer and stops in front of me.

“What did you want to talk about?” I ask to end this embarrassing conversation.

“I've been thinking, a lot. I keep going back and forth but I need to ask you this. Then I'll know for sure.”

The next question is going to be the most important one in my life. Even though I haven't heard it yet, it will be. Axe hesitates, averts his eyes, leaning back on his feet, running his hand through his hair. When he looks back at me, he straightens his posture and clears his throat.

“Do you want to give us a chance?” He gestures between us.

“I've been thinking about that all day,” I start, trying to give myself time to think.

“I know I'm older than you. I know you may have worries because of the stories about me that circulated around the pack for years. I know I have a lot of flaws. I know you're young and may have plans for your life but if you want this, I'm willing to try to be happy again, and I think you're my best shot at it.” Axe's eyes are honest. I can see the vulnerability in them.