Chapter 18
Jaxson stared at Aveline quietly, choosing his words carefully. “Stel, please don’t stay upset. You know I can’t stand it when you’re cold with me or when you pull away like this. Lirael is about to graduate, and her parents are worried about her joining another pack’s business. Our pack alliance is vital to Thorne Corporation. I only see her as a friend–really, nothing more.”
But the more he explained, the more it felt like he was trying to cover something up.
If he genuinely thought he’d done nothing wrong, why keep repeating himself?
Deep down, even he knew that what happened with Lirael had gone too far.
Aveline’s voice turned sharp, her eyes distant. “Would you kiss a friend like that? Hold her in your arms, like you
Jaxson’s expression wavered briefly, but he quickly changed the subject.
did in your office?”
“Aveline, let’s have a baby,” he said, switching gears. “You’ve always said you wanted a pup, haven’t you? If we have a child, you’ll always be my mate. You won’t feel so insecure anymore.”
A cold shiver passed through her. Yes, once upon a time, she had wanted that–a child with him.
But that was back when she believed she was the only one in his heart. Back when having a child felt like the most natural thing–a piece of the love they shared, a future built together.
And now, after what he did with Lirael, right in front of everyone, how could he still have the audacity to talk about having a baby?
Did he think a child was some kind of bargaining chip? Just a way for her to hold on to the title of Thornpeak Pack Luna?
Was she supposed to accept being humiliated, sharing him with another woman, just for that?
Was being Thornpeak Pack Luna even something she cared about anymore?
At that moment, it hit her–Jaxson never really understood her at all. Everything they had, all those years, now felt like some tragic joke.
Without a word, she shut her eyes and quietly slipped under the covers.
Jaxson, however, took her silence as a green light. Smiling faintly, he switched off the light and wrapped his arms around her like everything between them was just fine.
As his breath brushed against her ear, Aveline’s stomach turned. She kept her voice steady and muttered, “I’ve got a headache. Maybe some other
time.”
Jaxson paused, caught off guard. He finally remembered the injury she’d sustained earlier. “Maybe the wound didn’t get handled right. Let me grab the first aid kit–if it gets infected, that’s serious! I’m sorry, Aveline. I should’ve paid attention.”
Aveline let out a short, bitter laugh. She shoved his hand away and stepped aside.
“Maren already took care of it. No need for your concern.”
Jaxson’s face sank, the rejection hitting him like a splash of cold water.
Aveline couldn’t take another moment beside him. “I’ll sleep in the study,” she said quietly, slipping on her shoes and walking out without looking back.
Jaxson didn’t stop her. He watched her go.
He had to admit, Aveline had always been stunning. From her graceful figure to her flawless looks, she effortlessly drew every eye in the room.
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Betrayed by Her Ex, Marked By the Alpha King
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Chapter 18
She wasn’t just beautiful–she was unforgettable.
And yes, he did love her. He loved the way she stood by him all these years, unwavering in her loyalty. He loved the stability she brought to his life, the way her presence grounded him.
To him, whether Aveline was his fated mate didn’t even matter.
As for the women outside? They were just passing flings, brief moments of thrill. None of them could ever replace Aveline. He’d never let anyone take her place as Thornpeak Pack Luna.
He just wanted some variety, that’s all–it was a mistake any man could make.
Besides, he was a pack Alpha. It was practically inevitable. But that didn’t mean he didn’t care about her.
She was just angry now, but he was sure she’d come around.
The following morning, Aveline had already left for the research institute by the time Jaxson even opened his eyes. She didn’t bother waiting for him.
As soon as she arrived, Maren rushed over and pulled her aside. “Aveline, something’s changed. They’ve made adjustments to the team for the classified project.”
Aveline’s heart skipped a beat. Her voice shook. “What do you mean? I thought the list was final. Why would it change now?”
Maren frowned, clearly just as frustrated. “I’m not sure. They said they’ll release the updated list later. Alistair’s on the project too now. Because of his position, he has to personally review every name on the team.”
A wave of unease hit Aveline.
If everyone was being reviewed again, that meant even those who had already been selected could lose their spot–hers included!
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