Alpha's Twins Chapter 127

I was completely floored. More than just shocked—I was genuinely upset. This wasn't how I wanted our friendship to go. Honestly, I would've been happier if he'd come to me gushing about some other girl he was crushing on. Anyone but me.

Those desperate eyes were locked on mine, and I could practically hear his heart hammering as he waited for my answer.

How was I supposed to reject him to his face? The last thing I wanted was to crush him.

"Since when?" I asked, trying to pull myself together.

He dropped his head and started talking.

"Since the day I met you. The day Jason brought you to the pack house."

I looked away, remembering that first day. He'd been nothing but sweet to me—every gesture, every word. I'd just figured it was because I was his best friend's sister.

My heart felt heavy as I prepared to tell him I'd never seen him that way.

"Eric, I—"

"Natalia, I know you're a single mom. I know your kids are your whole world. But listen to me—you've got your own life too, where you're completely alone. You need someone who can protect you."

I frowned. "Protect me from what? You know I'm—"

"An alpha. Yeah, I know. But what about emotional support? Mental support?"

"Love isn't based on need, Eric," I mumbled as old memories started flooding back.

"Love is something we feel for someone even when they don't know it, even when they want to turn us down," I whispered.

I thought about all those days I used to follow my ex-husband around, desperate for his attention. All that waiting—sometimes weeks before he'd even come home. I'd loved him with everything I had, but he never once acknowledged it. In the end, all I got was a broken heart.

I felt a hand take mine, his thumb gently stroking the back of it.

I looked at Eric, who gave me this sad look and said, "My love isn't weak either, Natalia. I've been in love with you for years. I want to be with you. I'll always try to make you happy. You know I live here—you're all my family. You wouldn't have to think about leaving them. You could stay with them forever."

I got what he was getting at. He was basically listing all the perks of being with him.

I sighed and tried to pull my hand away, but he held on tight. "Natalia, I love your kids like they're mine. I'll give them my name. You won't have to worry about them anymore. You won't have to hide them either. You can proudly tell everyone they have a father."

That hit me right in the gut. His words were really getting to me. He was such a thoughtful guy, and he genuinely loved my kids.

But I couldn't just ruin his life like that. I didn't have feelings for him. Tying his life to mine would just be a waste. He'd never get what he really wanted from a life partner.

I looked down at our hands and rubbed his hand with mine. "Eric."

He shook his head. "I know you don't want to take the risk. I'll make sure your second marriage doesn't fall apart."

I was blown away. He was talking about marriage.

"Eric, take a breath and look at me."

He met my eyes. I motioned for him to take a deep breath, then spoke as calmly as I could.

"I had no idea you felt this way about me. But you need to understand where I'm coming from too. You're not just my brother's best friend—you're mine too. I think of you as family. Without you, my family wouldn't be complete. I know you love my kids, but Eric..."

I paused and looked down, unable to keep eye contact.

"I don't have feelings for you. I've always seen you as a really close friend. I won't call you my big brother because I don't want to hurt you even more. But you matter to me. My kids love you just as much as you love them. But Eric..."

I took a deep breath and glanced up at him. His grip on my hand loosened, but I didn't let go. I kept talking.

"I don't want this to be one-sided. It'll only hurt you, just like I got hurt years ago. I don't want to do that to you. You're a good person, and I want you to find your mate and be happy. I'm sorry, Eric. I don't want to give you false hope. I don't love you."

Eric stepped back, his hand slowly slipping away from mine. I watched his face crumble, and I felt awful, but this needed to happen. Maybe it should've happened years ago. I didn't want him settling for someone who couldn't see him as more than a friend. That would just be a marriage built on compromise.

"Eric," I said softly, watching him.

He held up his hand to stop me and turned his head away, trying to keep it together.

I walked over and reached for his hand. "I'm so sorry, Eric."

He shook his head. "No, it's not your fault. You can't help how you feel," he muttered, slowly walking past me toward the door.

"Eric."

"Just give me some time. I'll be okay," he said, grabbing the doorknob.

But the second he opened the door, he froze. The sudden stop confused me.

He looked around with wide, panicked eyes. He looked worried, and his eyes went cloudy—the telltale sign of a mind-link.

I rushed over as soon as I realized someone was communicating with him telepathically.

I grabbed his hand and turned him toward me. "What's wrong?"

He looked completely shocked as he bolted from the room, saying, "Jason's in trouble."