Alpha's Regret: Mated with My Ex's Uncle

Camellia's POVI stared at the empty Ironclaw packhouse, disappointment clawing at my chest.The full moon hung heavy in the sky. I'd hoped my mate Esmond would be here with me.Three days ago, I caught a whiff of unfamiliar verbena on his collar. I didn't know what it meant, but it left a knot in my stomach.Strong arms suddenly wrapped around my waist from behind.The scent of damp pine needles and smoky oak flooded my senses—Esmond's scent.His heated body pressed against mine as his teeth grazed my earlobe, sending sparks down my spine.His lips brushed the nape of my neck. I shivered."Where do you want me tonight, sweetheart? By the window or on the couch?" His voice rumbled against my skin, his breath hot.Before I could answer, he scooped me up and dropped me onto the leather sofa, his shadow looming over me."Since you're being quiet, I'll pick the couch." His amber eyes glowed with that primal hunger all wolves carried during the full moon.Our mate bond pulsed stronger unde

Camellia's POVThe door clicked shut behind me. Cedarwood and iron tang hit my nostrils.What kind of body wash was that?I sniffed deeper, craving more of his scent.Then it hit me – that aggressive, intoxicating musk only a prime Alpha could emit.The rock-hard muscles under my fingertips tensed.A calloused hand clamped around my wrist, yanking me away from the warmth I desperately wanted to explore.My blood roared when that velvet baritone rumbled, "Hold up. Who the hell are you?"He stubbed out his cigarette.Moonlight caught the glint of his eyes as he spread my arms, scanning me head to toe.His gaze lingered on my curves.A low whistle made me shiver."Damn, you're easy on the eyes. Wrong room?"I wriggled, trying to break free from his grip. I sidestepped and tripped him with my leg, sending him sprawling onto the floor.He landed with a thud, looking up at me in surprise.In the faint moonlight, I could just make out a vague smile on his face.I gasped and covered my mouth.

Camellia's POVI stumbled out of the hotel in a daze. My head was spinning as I tried to make sense of everything.Pulling out my phone, I drafted a text to Lionel."Hey, it's Camellia. Let's just pretend last night never happened? I was totally wasted."But when I hit send, the message bounced back with that awful red exclamation mark. Blocked.Great. I shoved my phone in my pocket, weirdly relieved.At least he wanted to forget this too.In the hotel lobby restroom, I splashed cold water on my face until my eyeliner stopped running.The sun was rising when I finally made it back to the packhouse, my sneakers crunching on the gravel driveway.The text notification made my stomach drop. Some random number sent a link. I shouldn't have clicked it, but my stupid thumb did anyway.There they were - Hazel and Esmond tangled in bedsheets, his bare chest covered in scratch marks.My phone case cracked under my grip.Compared to last night's pain, this hurt wasn't enough to break me.The mat

Camellia's POVThe Ironclaw Pack held monthly gatherings, usually just for their inner circle.Ever since Esmond and I did that moonlit mate vow thing, I'd been dragged to every single one.Most pack members treated me okay since they saw Esmond as the future Alpha.However, the Daltons—Alpha Drogo's family—were always throwing shade.I used to tell myself I didn't care as long as Esmond loved me.But now? I could no longer deceive myself.The packhouse smelled like burnt pine resin and roasted venison tonight. Twelve wolf-head lanterns hung from the ceiling, casting flickery shadows.I sat frozen at the vanity while Esmond leaned against the doorframe, his stupid cologne of pine needles and lemon verbena stinging my nose."Alpha Drogo's waiting," he said, adjusting that tacky Ironclaw pin on his black suit.The silver thorns etched into it made my eyes hurt."I'm not going." I yanked off my pearl earrings. The clatter in the jewelry box echoed way too loud.Esmond's jaw twitched."Ho

Camellia's POVSpotlights burned into us from every direction. I could practically taste the curiosity dripping from their stares.I opened my mouth, but Esmond grabbed my hand first. "We're working on it, okay?"His voice went two octaves higher than necessary. He was trying to project confidence and control in front of everyone."The kid thing is already in the plans." His shaky delivery completely ruined the "confident future Alpha" act.My fingers twitched to pull away, but his grip turned vise-tight.Fine. If he wanted to play dirty...I tilted my head just enough to expose the faded bite mark."We're not true mates," my calm voice cut through the tension. "Never completed the bond. And lately? Our connection's been... glitchy."The crowd erupted like someone dropped a grenade in the punch bowl.Murmurs rose from the crowd. The gazes turned more surprised and puzzled.Esmond's grip on my hand tightened abruptly. His face darkened considerably.Sensing the pain in my wrist, I frow