Page 153 of Axel

Jace has been so cryptic about his love life, but I know he spends a lot of time with Nash and Vale.

Funny, how Nash fought so hard against Jace, or any king, being Vale’s second king, but now, the three seem close. It’s like Nash and Vale bring Jace some warmth while he’s waiting in the cold for some mystery woman.

Everyone thinks Ruby’s not ready to be initiated because of Katya. That she’s still getting over me not telling her about my first wife.

Only Sire knows the truth.

And he’s taken Ruby’s side. He agrees that I shouldn’t tell Loch and Nash. That Alena should.

Which is odd for a man so devoted to the truth, but I guess he fears what it will do to our family.

Normally, I’d do whatever the fuck I want. I’m the first king. But since I’ve fallen in love and fucked up, my instincts are off. I can’t tell when I’m being selfish or selfless.

I just know I’m so goddamn in love with Ruby and I need her back, fully. I don’t want a show of her standing by my side, like it’s her duty.

I want her heart, body, and soul.

As much as she has mine.

“Tell him she’ll be ready soon. Right?” Nash asks Nick. “Ruby’s going to your parties with Zar. She’s recruiting more closeted players. She and Vale have some big meeting planned and?—”

Nick shakes his head. “We don’t talk about our queens. Period.”

“Come on. Give him a hope and a prayer,” Sire insists. “The meeting is soon, right? Then the mission will be done, and Ruby will be ready. We’re all ready for her to be a queen. Wren fucking loves her.”

Yeah, I love her, too, and Nick and Zar’s parties are my hell.

Because deep down I know that Ruby’s imagining my one time with Alena.

And without intention, she’s giving it right back to me.

Because all I can imagine is how she’s the fiery seductress, the only woman allowed at Zar and Nick’s intimate parties for closeted players, and it makes me sick with jealousy how some of those men want to score with her, too.

But I trust her.

I know she’d never cheat.

Still, I can’t shake this feeling that something bad is going to happen.

“Why is everyone so damn worried about Axel and Ruby?” Loch huffs. “They’ll be fine. She fucking loves him. She kneels for him, and he worships her. In the meantime, Alena won’t even talk to me, and it’s not my fucking fault.”

He glares at Nash, then at me.

“What, man?” I answer him. “Nash was just trying to protect his daughter, and I apologized to her, like you asked. I told Alena the truth; you love her. You weren’t forced to marry her. You already had a ring. So, did we order you to protect her? Yes. But you can’t make a man love a woman. So now, fucking fight for her.”

Like I’m secretly fighting for Ruby.

What will it take to win her trust again?

For now, Ruby insists that I stay out of this drama between Alena and Loch, and I understand. Alena’s hurt and angry, and I won’t pour salt on her wound by telling Loch and Nash about us.

I’m too focused on how I hurt Ruby.

“Don’t give up on her,” Jace urges Loch. “We’re all here, alive and well as brothers, because we’ve seen how love can conquer all.”

“Good God in heaven.” Sire rolls his eyes. “Who the fuck has you talking like a goddamn Hallmark movie?”

“What?” Jace booms back. “Don’t preach as if you don’t worship Wren more than God.”

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