Chapter 71

Axton

Two days later

After digging for the past two days, and even trying to bribe a few officials, no one would hand any information over about this new Alpha living on the borders of my pack. Literally living on the damn borders, he isn’t even three kilometers from the border fences.

I had sent scouts to check it out, but Marco warned me against it, stating I could start an unnecessary war. We did manage to find the dirt road on a map. So today we are going to introduce ourselves and see if I can cut a deal with the Alpha. I’m even willing to give up the vacant land I own by the river. From what Marco’s told me, his pack isn’t very big.

So worst-case scenario, they may just disappear off the face of the earth if my pack has to invade. Though, by the sounds of how small it is, Eli and I can probably handle it ourselves. Switching my computer off, I grab my jacket when my phone rings on the desk. A number I haven’t seen before pops up on the screen.

“Alpha Axton,” I state, wondering who the caller is. For a few moments, I get no answer.

“Hello?” I growl, annoyed, and quickly glance at the screen to see if the call is still connected.

Someone sighs, and I press my ear closer, trying to figure out who it is.

“It’s me, Axton,” comes Elena’s voice on the other end of the phone.

Honestly, I am shocked she called. I thought for sure I’d be forced to hunt her down. I fall back into my chair and shake off my shock.

“How are the boys?” I ask, not knowing what else to say.

“They are good. I know I said two weeks, but I can bring them by on the weekend if you want?”

“Can they stay for the weekend?” I don’t want them for a few hours; I want to spend time with them.

Elena falls quiet.

“Elena, they’re my sons too. If this goes through the courts, you’ll be forced to share custody. It’s no different.”

“You don’t even have baby stuff there, and you wouldn’t…”

“I can have my office turned into a nursery by then, and I’m sure making formula isn’t that hard. You’re looking for excuses, Elena. Either I can have them, or I can’t,” I snap at her.

“Can I think about it?”

I growl. “I’ll see you in court then!” I move to hang up on her when I hear her speak.

“Wait!”

I grit my teeth while Khan snarls in my head at my threat. “I want my sons, Elena.”

She growls, and I can feel a flicker of something through the bond, but it is so weak I can’t identify what it is. The bond at my end has been growing more and more each day. Her distance has been giving me mood swings. The entire pack has been walking on eggshells around me.

“Elena?” I ask, my eyes darting to the clock on my desk. I need an answer. I have an Alpha to meet.

“Fine, but for one night, Axton. I can’t be without them for longer than that.”

“But it’s okay for me not to see them at all?” I ask her.

“You know that’s different. I’m a fucking she-wolf. You know we fret without our pups.”

“Why? Because I’m an Alpha, I don’t give a shit about my own kids, Elena? You took them and ran from me.”

“Because you made me! You’ll never learn, will you? You ruined my life, Axton, and expect me just to forgive you. My own father nearly killed me because you leaked that fucking sex tape!”

“But you didn’t have to run from me. We could have worked things out! You rejected me. Don’t put the blame on me over this. You didn’t even give me a chance. Just rejected me and left!”

“And if I didn’t? Would it have changed anything, Axton? You still would have leaked that tape. Tell me I’m wrong.”

I grit my teeth, knowing she is right.

“I’m right, aren’t I?”

“Maybe I wouldn’t have,” I exhale, tasting the lie as it leaves my mouth. “I can’t change what I did, Elena. And you can’t keep punishing me for it. We have kids together. Don’t be a bitch and keep them from me just because you’re angry. You’ll only hurt them in the end,” I tell her.

Elena goes quiet for a second. “I’ll call you before I bring them over,” she says, hanging up before I can say anything else.

“Well, that went well, you twat! You’re a real fucking dick, you know that?” Khan snarls at me.

I don’t bother answering because he is right. Instead, I quickly save the number and notice a message from Eli saying he is waiting in the car for me. Grabbing my wallet and jacket, I head downstairs and walk down the driveway to where his car is parked.

Eli looks at me when I climb into the passenger seat.

“Don’t ask.” I wave him off, and he starts the car.

Still seething over her hanging up on me, I text her.

Me: You didn’t need to hang up on me.

It takes a few minutes, but I eventually get a reply.

Elena: The conversation was going nowhere. I’ll see you soon.

Me: So, is this your number or a burner phone?

Elena: Mine.

Me: Good. I’ll video call you tonight so I can see them.

She doesn’t text back. Twenty minutes go past when I finally give in and text her again.

Me: ??

Elena: Fine. I gotta go. I have to drive home!

I smile. I want to see the boys, but I also need to see her face. The bond has been driving me insane, and I know she hurt herself the other day because my shoulder blade is killing me. Khan wanted to go hunt her down to check on her, but I could feel she was alive and was trying to wait for her to reach out. Now she had. I could see I would become a pest with messaging and calling her. I let her go, and nothing has caused me more stress in my entire life. I still wonder if I made a mistake.