Semua Bab Alpha's Regret: Return of the Rejected Mate: Bab 201 - Bab 210

Kelsey’s POVI walked down the hallway toward Alexander’s nursery, carrying the bottle I’d just warmed. The house was quiet except for the gentle sounds of a baby who might be ready for his feeding.But when I reached the nursery doorway, I stopped cold.Nick sat in the rocking chair beside Alexander’s crib, my infant son cradled in his arms. The sight took my breath away—not because it was unexpected, though it was, but because of the expression on Nick’s face.Gone was the crude blackmailer who’d threatened and manipulated me for months. Gone was the greedy smile and sleazy eyes. Instead, Nick looked down at Alexander with such genuine tenderness that my chest tightened with confusion.“He’s beautiful,” Nick said softly, not looking up when I entered. “Look at those perfect little features. He’s going to be strong like his old man.”Alexander stirred in Nick’s arms, making small baby sounds. Nick’s face broke into a smile—not his usual smirk, but something warm and real that I’d neve

Dominic’s POVMy wolf’s response was a flood of memories—Penelope’s scent on our pillow, the way she’d arch her back when we touched her, the soft sounds she made when we claimed her.All of it inappropriate and unwanted but impossible to silence.“That’s not true—” she started.“It is true. It’s all true, and pretending otherwise just makes you look pathetic.” I finally stepped back, breaking whatever spell had held us in place and putting distance between us before my reaction became obvious. “My mother is dead because of you. My daughter lost her grandmother because of your selfishness and rage.”The space helped, but her scent still lingered in the air between us, making my wolf pace restlessly. I hated that part of me still wanted her, even knowing what she’d done. Hated that biology could override justice so completely.She’s not ours anymore, I reminded my wolf savagely. She hasn’t been ours since she chose murder over family.“Debbie loves you. She talks about Alexander constan

Kelsey’s POVI stood in the kitchen making tea, my hands shaking as I waited for the water to boil. Nick was somewhere in the pack house meeting with Dominic, and the knowledge made my skin crawl.Every day he grew bolder, more confident in his position, harder to control.Getting him the job had been a mistake. I saw that now, but it was too late to undo the damage. He’d integrated himself into pack operations so thoroughly that removing him would raise questions I couldn’t answer.The nursery door upstairs was locked. I’d started doing that whenever Nick visited, not wanting him to have easy access to Alexander. It looked suspicious, but I couldn’t stand the thought of him constantly checking on the baby like some devoted father figure.Frankly, I didn’t want Nick to influence Alexander or establish any claim over him. The less contact they had, the safer we all were.Heavy footsteps approached the kitchen. I tensed, recognizing Nick’s particular way of walking—confident and predator

Penelope’s POVI knelt beside Debbie in our garden, helping her plant marigolds while trying to pretend my world wasn’t crumbling around us. Yesterday’s council humiliation still burned in my chest—Dominic’s public attack, the whispered conversations, the looks of pity and suspicion.“The flowers are so bright, Mommy,” Debbie said, patting soil around a orange bloom. “They’re like little suns.”“They are beautiful, sweetheart.” I forced enthusiasm into my voice, though everything felt gray despite the brilliant colors surrounding us.Mom worked nearby, her presence a comfort even as worry lines creased her forehead. She’d heard about yesterday’s council session, seen the news reports about the “heated exchange” between former mates.“Mommy, why do you look sad when we’re planting happy flowers?” Debbie asked.“Just thinking about some things, baby. Nothing for you to worry about.”“Is it about Daddy being mean to you?”The question stopped my hands mid-motion. “What do you mean?”“Emma

Penelope’s POVI was adjusting weapon racks when Ryan crashed through the training facility door, his face ashen and every step panicked. My students stopped their sword work immediately, sensing catastrophe in his wild-eyed expression.“Commander,” he gasped, his chest heaving like he’d run miles to reach me. “Emergency. We need to talk. Now.”“Take a break, everyone,” I told the class, my stomach already clenching with dread. “Work on individual forms.”Ryan grabbed my arm and pulled me toward the office, his fingers digging in hard enough to leave marks. Once inside, he shoved his phone at my face with shaking hands.“They found this,” he said, his voice cracking. “Crime scene investigators discovered it wedged in the stones exactly where Sophia died.”My jaw dropped.My Moon Goddess earring stared back at me from the photograph, its silver crescent clear against dark stone. The knotwork was unmistakable—a family heirloom I’d treasured since my awakening ceremony.“That’s impossible