Page 78 of Declan

“No one’s killing anyone!” Kaden steps forward, hands raised. “Declan, start talking. Now.”

I blow out a shaky breath. I’ve got no one to blame but myself. I should’ve told Wesley a long time ago. Should’ve fought harder to do this the right way. Now everything’s gone to shit.

“Yes,” I say, loud and clear. “I’ve been sleeping with Lena.”

Wesley lunges, but Elias shoves him back, Lex reaching out to hold him steady. But he’s foaming at the mouth now.

“You know how fragile she is. You know how fucking desperate she is to be loved. You took advantage of her. You took advantage of me. Our brotherhood. Our trust. You’re no better than your cold, worthless parents who didn’t give a shit about you. You don’t love anyone but yourself. You leave wreckage wherever you go.”

His words land like fists to my chest. I stand there, silent, as he unloads every ounce of venom he’s got.

“Stay away from her,” he spits. “Don’t look at her. Don’t say her name. You’re dead to me, Declan. Our bond? Gone. You ruined it the moment you stuck your dick where it didn’t belong. You deserve to be alone for the rest of your pathetic fucking life.”

That’s it.

Something inside me snaps.

I shove past Elias, stepping right into Wesley’s space. My voice is low, lethal. “You done?”

He sneers.

“I didn’t tell you, and that was wrong. I know that. I own that. But don’t you ever say I used Lena. Don’t you ever compare me to those cold-hearted assholes who raised me. You don’t get to say that.”

He laughs in my face, unhinged.

I step closer. “I didn’t want this, Wes. You think I asked to fall in love with your sister? I fought it. I fought it for years. I tried to look away. I tried to shut it off. But I couldn’t. She’s in my blood. I breathe easier when she’s near and I feel like I’m fucking dying when she’s not.”

Wesley swings, but Elias blocks him again.

I keep going, voice shaking now, eyes locked on his.

“I love her, Wesley. I fucking love Lena with every piece of me. This isn’t about sex. This isn’t a fling. I see my whole damn future when I look at her. And if I lose her, because of me, because of this, then I’ll live the rest of my life knowing I destroyed the best thing that ever happened to me. But don’t you dare accuse me of not loving her. Because I’d burn this entire club to the ground before I’d let her get hurt.”

I grab his shirt and yank him forward. “You hear me? I’d give up everything, everything, for her. I already fucking have.”

For a moment, he doesn’t speak. No one does.

The room is thick with fury, betrayal, heartbreak.

But my voice is clear. My heart is bare.

And even if he never forgives me, I won’t stop fighting. Not for Lena.

Never for her.

Wesley’s breathing like a bull ready to charge, his hands clenched at his sides, face twisted with rage. I just told him I love his sister and swore I’d give up everything for her and he still looks at me like I’m the fucking villain in his story.

“Get the fuck out of my house,” he spits.

“Wes—”

“I don’t give a shit what you say. I don’t care how much you think you love her. You stay the fuck away from Lena.”

His words land harder than any punch. Like he’s carving them into my chest with a rusted blade.

“You’ve already done enough damage. Now get out before I put you in the goddamn ground.”

I square my shoulders, jaw tight, throat burning. I know there’s nothing I can say that’ll change his mind, not tonight. But I won’t apologize for loving her. Not when it’s the only truth I know.

---