All Chapters of Alpha's Regret: Return of the Rejected Mate: Chapter 271 - Chapter 280

Kelsey’s POVThree days had passed since Nick’s offer, and I still hadn’t given him an answer. I kept mulling it over as I walked toward the nursery for my afternoon visit with Alexander.The guards nodded respectfully but watched my every step. House arrest meant constant surveillance, every movement monitored and recorded for security reports that would influence my eventual fate.“Hello, my beautiful boy,” I whispered, lifting Alexander from his crib.He smiled up at me, tiny fingers grasping at my hair. At three months old, he was growing so fast that each visit revealed new developments. Stronger neck muscles, more alert eyes, the beginning of personality traits that would shape the man he’d become.“Mama’s here,” I murmured against his soft cheek. “Mama loves you more than anything in the world.”I knew that if I refused Nick’s offer, I’d serve my full sentence while others made decisions about Alexander’s daily life, his training, his exposure to influences I might not approve o

Kelsey’s POVThe afternoon nursery visit had become my favorite part of each day.Alexander lay on his play mat, reaching for colorful toys. He was becoming more aware of his surroundings, tracking movement and responding to familiar voices.Footsteps in the hallway announced another visitor. Debbie appeared in the doorway carrying a small bag and wearing the serious expression she used when tackling important responsibilities.“I brought supplies,” she announced, setting the bag beside Alexander’s crib. “Books for story time, and some toys that are good for his development.”“You’ve been researching baby care?”“I asked the librarian at Rainbow Claw for books about taking care of little brothers. She said reading to babies helps their brains grow faster.”I smiled. Debbie’s genuine desire to help her brother was exactly what I’d hoped to encourage, but her innocent enthusiasm made me feel guilty about the motives behind my encouragement.“Reading is wonderful for babies. Would you lik

Penelope’s POVThe warmth of home wrapped around me as I closed the front door behind me. After hours of tense Council meetings and emergency briefings, the sight of our cozy living room felt like stepping into another world—one where political complications couldn’t follow.“Mommy!” Debbie’s voice rang out from the kitchen. “You’re home early!”I found her at the table working on homework, red curls falling across math worksheets. The sight of her focused concentration made my chest tight with affection and guilt. How many evenings had I missed because of territorial obligations?“Math homework can wait,” I announced, scooping her up from her chair.“Mommy, what are you—”My fingers found her ribs, tickling mercilessly until she dissolved into giggles. Her laughter was pure joy, infectious and healing.“Stop! Stop!” she squeaked between breathless laughs. “I can’t breathe!”“Never!” I declared dramatically, chasing her around the kitchen table. “The tickle monster has captured Princes

Julian’s POVThe mountain cave stretched into darkness beyond my flashlight’s reach. Water dripped from limestone formations.Perfect isolation for what I was about to attempt.I spread the ritual components across a flat rock formation near the cave entrance. Twelve silver needles gleamed, their points honed to perfection during the last solar eclipse. Bundles of dried herbs emitted scents that made my wolf pace restlessly beneath my skin.The enhancement compounds sat in medical vials, their contents dark as old blood.Thirty percent survival rate. Worse odds than I’d hoped, but better than remaining weak while Dominic claimed everything I wanted.My phone showed 11:47 PM. The new moon reached its peak at midnight, providing optimal conditions for bloodline modification. I had thirteen minutes to complete the preparation ritual before the window closed for another month.I stripped off my clothes and arranged them in a neat pile near the cave mouth. The ritual required direct contact

Julian’s POVThe bathroom mirror reflected the same face I’d always known, though something had changed.Three days had passed since the enhancement ritual, and while my features looked unchanged, there was a vitality there that hadn’t existed before. Healthier somehow, more defined without being different.The coffee mug sat on my counter. I reached for it carefully, remembering yesterday’s accident when I’d grabbed too hard and shattered the handle. My strength had increased, but more importantly, my awareness of that strength was sharper, more precise.My phone vibrated with a message from Penelope: Council meeting at 0900. Need intelligence update from your contacts.The same courtesy she’d always shown, but now I could see patterns in her communication that had been invisible before. The slight formality that kept distance between us. The boundaries that maintained our working relationship without allowing deeper connection.She still saw me as useful but unremarkable. That needed