Bad Love: An Alpha's Regret (Leah and Aaron)

Chapter 71

There isn't anything I can say that is going to dissolve his anger.

His eyes are gold. His chest heaves.

The huge muscles in his neck and shoulders bulge.

In the next heartbeat, Aaron relents. It's like he flips a switch because the rage is banked and he's entirely different toward

1.

"Let's try this a different way." He reaches into his pocket and pulls out two rings. One is the wedding band I'd given back to him when I demanded a divorce. The other is a giant diamond wedding band. I've never seen a stone so big.

He drops to one knee.

I can't believe this is happening.

"Let's try everything again, Leah. Only differently this time. Not for peace. Not for pride. Not for pack. I want you for my wife. Marry me."

Even kneeling this man is tall. His dark eyes are so earnest. I rub my eyes, because I'm convinced I must be dreaming.

Aaron reaches for my hand, but I pull it back.

"W-why?" I whisper.

He tilts his head. "I just told you. I want to marry you." Then he slays me when he adds: "Please."

It's like he pulled this script straight from one of my teenage

fantasies.

But I'm not a young girl anymore.

And though this proposal is perfect, there is no glazing over all the things that have gone unsaid.

I'm an Alpha... renewing our vows would further strengthen his claim on me, and by extension, my pack.

There still remains the fact that he could ki Il me and claim everything.

My father.

My ca ncer.

Whatever unfaithfulness-or marriage!?-with Jessica.

Years of being subjugated and unappreciated.

There is no mention of love.

Never love. This man isn't capable of it.

But the temptation is there to take his offer because I know he's

offering the most he can. And I never, never thought this man would offer me anything.

"You belong with me, Leah."

My gosh, I've waited so long for these words and hearing them, my heart hurts because I can't accept them now. I can't just think of myself.

I shouldn't even want to, considering how bad things have been.

I'm so weak. And he's so... bad for me.

"Leah."

My heart shatters. It just up and breaks entirely. "I'm sorry, Aaron. No. I cannot be what you want me to be."

Aaron's brows draw together and he frowns. He looks...hurt. I've never seen this man look anything less than stoic and right now, he's not masking his emotions at all. "Don't do this, honey."

I hold my ground.

He rubs his chest. Like I'm physically paining him in some way.

Liam enters the foyer. He smirks upon seeing Aaron on his knees. "You heard my sister. Her answer's no. Not much more to say now is there? Get out."

Aaron looks to me as if for confirmation. I give the slightest nod.

It's the best decision for all parties.

I can't trust myself when it comes to this man. I can't trust him.

It's hard to describe the maelstrom of emotions sweeping through me.

Hope and ha te.

Love and loss.

Regret. Always regret.

As he gives me one last look and then walks away, I'm left

thinking that no man on this earth can bring me to such highs or

leave me so low.

3

Se

I have every reason to hate him, to distrust him. So why does it

pain me to see him go?