Page 149 of The Alpha King's Fate

His words brought her focus back to the situation. She met his gaze—there wasn’t even a hint of a smile in them. He had the serious face he wore to meetings or other pack duties. The face he wore when he was determined to do something.

“You don’t live in one now,” she stated.

“That’s not how it works. You’re my mate, so my home is where you are,” Jax said.

She turned away from him and leaned against the kitchen counter.

“How can you say that when you know...”

Her words trailed off. She shook her head and walked over to the carton full of water bottles. When she tried to pick it up, it barely budged, reminding her again that things had changed. It rose less than an inch above the floor before she dropped it back and picked out a single bottle instead.

“You’ve been through a lot, Layla. I only heard a little of it, but I can only imagine the courage it took to make that sacrifice. Only a Queen can think like that,” Jax said in a low voice.

The storm was still raging outside; she strained her ears to hear him.

“Look at me, Layla.”

His voice sounded closer. She turned back to Jax, her breath hitching when she saw him only inches away. He still looked serious, but there was something else in his eyes.

“Do you remember our last conversation before they took you? You assured me you were not with me because of the bond. I’m not here to force unwanted attention on you; I don’t want to be an asshole,” he said. “But if that was a lie... If our time together was a lie and I mean nothing to you, then look me in the eye and tell me now.”

How could he even ask that of her? He knew this had nothing to do with how she felt about him.

“Say it, Layla. If you don’t love me, say it.”

She closed her eyes and fought back her tears.

“You have to think of the pack. You have to think of Hope. They’ll come for you when they know I am no longer a wolf. The Circle will tear the pack apart. How can I stand by your side like this? No one will be safe,” she whispered.

“So you left me because it’s what’s best for me?”

“You can live your life now. My decisions won’t affect your life. You never wanted a mate anyway, and if you’re being honest with yourself, you weren’t happy with me towards the end—”

Jax grabbed her arm and turned her back to face him.

“Bullshit,” he growled. “Tell me the real reason. Your face has probably circulated in all the Hunter bases like Rebecca’s. Wolf or not, you’re safer in the packhouse. I know you know that. So tell me why you’re doing this.”

How could she explain things to him when she was still trying to get her head around it? She was the reason Nia was dead. Her stupidity. Her ego—believing she had to be around to help them with the rescue. She was the reason all those wolves were kidnapped. She was the reason the Commander started experimenting.

Everything was her fault. How could she look anyone in the eye again?

Her foolishness cost her things that should have lasted for an eternity. Nia. Her bond with Jax. Her bond with Hope. The pack. She’d lost everything.

And that was the punishment she deserved.

“I can no longer be called your mate. I’m not the Queen. I am nobody’s Luna. You’ll be better off with another wolf,” she whispered.

Jax took a step back as if she’d hit him.

“You’re telling me if you saw me with another woman right now, you’d be okay with it?” he growled. “If you saw me kiss her? Touch her?”

It felt like someone nailed hundreds of nails into her heart at the same time. How was anyone supposed to withstand such pain?

She looked away, but Jax stepped back to her, this time closer than he had been before.

“You won’t be okay with it, Layla,” Jax growled. “Do you know why? Because you’re still mine.”

The words warmed her up in a way the shower hadn’t. But they were still just words.

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