Lahat ng Kabanata ng Alpha's Regret: Return of the Rejected Mate: Kabanata 161 - Kabanata 170

Dominic’s POVPenelope’s taillights disappeared down the drive, leaving me alone in the foyer. My skin still burned where she’d touched my face. The moment had been perfect until—“That was quite the scene,” Kelsey said behind me.I turned to find her standing at the foot of the stairs, her nightgown stretched over her belly, arms crossed as she watched me through narrowed eyes.“Penelope was checking on Debbie,” I said evenly.“At eleven o’clock at night. By the fireplace.” Kelsey’s voice dripped false sweetness. “How appropriate for a custody arrangement.”“What’s that supposed to mean?”“It means other people might get the wrong idea about late-night visits between former mates.”Heat flared in my chest. “Careful, Kelsey.”“I’m just saying, people talk.” She moved closer, her hand resting on her swollen stomach. “About stability.”“You’re concerned about Debbie’s stability?”“I’m concerned about this family’s stability. What happens when people start whispering that you’re having an

Dominic’s POVPenelope walked me to the front door, her movements unhurried. Neither of us wanted the evening to end.“She really was amazing tonight,” I said, pausing in the doorway.“She wanted so badly for you to be proud of her.”“I am proud of her. More than I know how to express.”Penelope leaned against the doorframe, her hair flying a bit. “Thank you for making tonight special for her. For making her feel like she has a complete family.”“She does have a complete family.”“Does she?”I moved closer, close enough to see the uncertainty in her green eyes.“Yes,” I said firmly. “She has two parents who love her more than anything in the world.”“Sometimes love isn’t enough.”“What else is there?”“Trust. Forgiveness. The ability to move past old mistakes.”“We’re already doing that. Tonight proved it.”Penelope’s hand rested on the doorframe near my shoulder. “Did it?”“Didn’t it? The three of us together, laughing, celebrating—it felt right.”“It felt dangerous.”“Why dangerous?”

Penelope’s POVI climbed the stone steps to Darkwood Pack house, my stomach fluttering. Last night’s kiss with Dominic kept playing in my mind—the warmth of his hands, the way he’d looked at me like I was precious. Everything between us was shifting, and I wasn’t sure how to deal with it.Sophia opened the front door before I could knock. Her usually flawless appearance seemed disheveled—hair slightly mussed, pale eyes darting around anxiously.“Penelope, thank goodness,” she said, pulling me inside quickly. “I’ve been beside myself all afternoon.”“What’s wrong?”“Several things that disturb me greatly.” Sophia paced across the marble foyer. “There are irregularities in our household. Strange behavior from people I trusted completely.”“What kind of strange behavior?”“Secretive phone calls. Lies about whereabouts. And this afternoon at the hospital—” Sophia stopped pacing and fixed me with her intense stare. “I detected a male scent in Kelsey’s car. She claimed to be alone, but someo

Kelsey’s POV“Please. I beg you.”“No. My son needs to know immediately what kind of deception has been poisoning his household.”“Please,” I begged, reaching for her arm. “Let me explain everything first—”“Explain how you’ve lied about my grandchild’s parentage?” Sophia jerked her arm away from my grasp. “There’s nothing to explain.”“Luna, wait—”“I’ve waited long enough. Watched you manipulate my son’s emotions, watched you play the helpless victim while scheming behind our backs.” Her voice turned vicious. “Did you really think I wouldn’t discover the truth eventually? I never should have defended you after you tried to kill my real grandchild!”Before she could leave, the doors opened. Penelope stepped onto the balcony, concern creasing her features.“Luna Sophia, it’s getting late. I came to say goodbye. Debbie and I should head home now,” she announced, then noticed the tension between us. “Is everything alright?”Sophia immediately blocked Penelope’s path. “Actually, Penelope,

Penelope’s POVThe heavy oak door slammed shut behind me. The lock clicked. I was trapped outside Dominic’s study with the woman who’d just destroyed my life.I threw myself at the door. Pounded on the thick wood with both fists.“Let her out!” I screamed. “Dominic, let Debbie out of here!”My hands hurt from hitting the door. I didn’t care. I hit it harder.“I need to see Debbie! She needs her mother!”Silence from the other side. Dominic had locked himself and Debbie in there while investigators processed the scene. While my daughter cried for me there. While everyone believed Kelsey’s lies.I spun around to face her. She sat in one of the leather chairs like she was having tea. Her hands rested on her pregnant belly. Her face was calm. Serene.“Why?” I demanded. “Why did you lie?”Kelsey looked at me with empty eyes. “I told them what I saw.”“You saw nothing! The railing collapsed!”“I saw you grab it. Saw your enhanced strength break the metal while Sophia was leaning against it.”