Weight Of Regret

Kaden stood at his office window, his eyes locked on the iron gates that guarded the edge of his territory — the same gates where he had last seen Ella, dragged away, her body frail and her eyes filled with terror. Her screams still echoed in his mind, tearing at him, refusing to fade.

He squeezed his eyes shut, his jaw tightening as he fought to block out the memory. But he couldn’t. The image of her tear-streaked face haunted him, each sob a bitter reminder of the choice he’d made.

She had looked at him with betrayal, with heartbreak... and even then, in her final breath before banishment, she had whispered that she loved him.

His chest ached, the weight of it almost too much. He had done what was right. She’d poisoned his mother. She was a traitor.

So why did it feel so wrong?

“Kaden?” Lila’s gentle voice pulled him back. She stepped inside, her face pale, her eyes glossy with tears. “I still can’t believe she did this…”

Kaden’s gaze hardened, his fists balling at his sides. “She’s gone. She won’t harm you, or anyone, ever again.”

Lila nodded, shivering slightly as she wiped at her cheek. “Thank you... for protecting your mother, for protecting us.”

He stared at her, guilt and duty warring in his heart. Lila had always been kind, always soft-spoken. She didn’t deserve to live in fear. He had done what was necessary. For her.

And yet, a shadow of doubt refused to leave him. He kept seeing Ella’s face — the pleading, the desperation.

Had it all been a lie? Or had he condemned the wrong woman?

“Kaden?” Lila’s voice trembled as she searched his face. “Are you alright?”

He forced a nod, his throat tight. “I’m fine.”

But he wasn’t. No matter how hard he tried, he couldn’t forget her.

---

As soon as Lila left Kaden’s office, the sorrow on her face melted, replaced by a cold, victorious smirk. It had been easier than she expected. A few tears, a mention of Ella, and Kaden had sent her packing without question.

Foolish Alpha. So easy to bend. So easy to use.

Her steps light, her heart pounding with triumph, Lila glided down the corridor. But banishment wasn’t enough. Ella was stubborn — too strong-willed to die quietly. If she survived out there… if she came back…

No. Lila wouldn’t take that chance.

She reached the servants’ quarters and spotted the figure waiting in the shadows — a man with sharp eyes and a cruel grin, a rogue she’d secretly kept in her pocket for moments like this.

“She’s gone,” Lila whispered, her voice sharp as ice. “But I want her dead. Make sure she never returns.”

The rogue’s grin widened. “Consider it done.”

“And make it look like an accident. I don’t want any questions.”

He chuckled, dark and eager. “She’ll just be another rogue lost to the wild.”

Lila’s heart raced with satisfaction. Soon, Ella would be gone for good. And Kaden? He’d be hers to control.

---

Ella stumbled through the forest, every breath a struggle, every step a battle. Her body was battered, her ribs aching from the beating, her face swollen. Hunger gnawed at her insides, her vision blurred and spinning. But she kept moving. If she stopped, it would all be over.

A root caught her foot, and she crashed to the ground, pain bursting through her body. She lay there, trembling, so tired. The darkness tempted her. Just give up. Let it take you.

Then — footsteps. Slow. Deliberate. The crack of branches under boots. Her heart seized with fear. She tried to rise, but her limbs wouldn’t obey.

Laughter echoed, cold and cruel. Figures emerged from the shadows, their eyes glinting with malice.

“Well, well… the little rat didn’t get far,” one sneered.

“She’s done for. Let’s finish this before someone sees,” another muttered.

Ella’s heart pounded. She could smell them — rogues. But these weren’t random scavengers. They were waiting for her. Sent for her.

Lila. It had to be Lila.

Panic surged through her as she tried to crawl away, but they were on her, rough hands grabbing her, dragging her up.

“She’s barely standing,” one spat. “No fight left in her.”

“Good. Makes it easy. Kill her. Leave her for the crows.”

They threw her down, raising fists and boots to strike. Ella braced herself, eyes shut, heart racing.

But then — a growl. Low, deadly, rippling through the air.

The rogues froze. A figure stepped from the shadows, towering and powerful, fury burning in his gaze. An Alpha. Not Kaden. Stronger. Fiercer.

Ella’s breath caught as she tried to focus on him. Who… who was he?

The Alpha’s eyes darkened as he saw her — bruised, broken, trembling. His jaw clenched, his voice a deadly promise.

“You dare harm what’s mine? On my land?”

The rogues quake

d under the weight of his presence. And for the first time, Ella felt the spark of hope.