Semua Bab Alpha's Regret: Return of the Rejected Mate: Bab 31 - Bab 40

Penelope’s POVI turned my back on Dominic, deliberately excluding him as I continued my discussion with the council members.“As I was saying,” I emphasized pointedly, “this creature had control over plants. It generated vines from the forest floor to restrain me.”Alpha Kenneth leaned forward, absorbing every detail. “And you believe this was a deliberate attack? Not random aggression?”“It seemed targeted,” I confirmed. “Too coincidental to find me right after my car crashed.”Dominic stepped into my line of sight. “Penelope, you can’t seriously believe Kelsey tried to kill you.”I stared through him as if he were invisible. Alpha Oliver gave me a sympathetic glance before addressing the council at large.“We should increase patrols near pack borders,” he suggested. “If these advanced mutations are occurring naturally, we need to contain them.”“And if they’re not natural?” I asked pointedly.Silence fell across the room as the implication sank in.Dominic moved closer, invading m

Penelope’s POVI spotted them from across the courtyard. Dominic bent down, talking to Debbie.My heart slammed against my ribs. Time seemed to freeze as my worst nightmare came tue before my eyes. My daughter chatted animatedly with the one person who must never know she existed.“Debbie!” I yelled, running toward them. My ankle twisted on the uneven ground, but panic numbed the pain. “What the hell are you doing here?”Debbie jumped, startled by my tone. She clutched her stuffed wolf backpack tighter. “Mommy!”I grabbed her arm, harder than I meant to. A red mark bloomed on her skin. “You shouldn’t be here. Who brought you?”“Uncle Ryan,” she said, her lip quivering. “Don’t be mad. I wanted to surprise you.”I scanned the area frantically. No sign of Ryan. That traitor. I’d fire him the second I got home.“I saw a kitty cat,” Debbie continued, words tumbling out fast. “A really cute one. I went to pet it, and when I came back, Uncle Ryan was gone.”“And you just wandered off? After

Penelope’s POVMy jaw ached from clenching my teeth during the confrontation with Dominic. My pulse still hammered against my throat as I tried to steady my breathing.Council members hurried past me, their whispers following like little daggers. They’d witnessed everything—Dominic’s possessiveness, my rejection, Debbie’s existence revealed. The political fallout would be a nightmare. Pack alliances hinged on less scandalous revelations than my secret child.At least she was safe.Ryan barreled toward me. His eyes bulged with panic, red blotches covering his neck. His normally slicked-back hair stood in disarray, as if he’d been tearing at it. Clearly, he was still searching for Debbie.“Princess!” He skidded to a stop, gasping for air. “D-Debbie—I can’t—she was right beside me and then—” He bent over, hands on knees. “One second checking a security alert on my phone, and she—she vanished!”“Calm down, she’s safe, but how could you?” I hissed, digging my fingernails into my palms to ke

Penelope’s POVMy hand flew to my throat, fingertips brushing the tender spots where the beast had tried to strangle me. I’d forgotten about the marks in all the chaos with Debbie and Dominic. The skin felt hot, pulsating faintly under my touch.“It’s nothing,” I lied, dropping my hand quickly. “Just a training accident.”My father growled, the sound rumbling low in his chest like thunder. He rose from his chair, crossing the room in three swift strides. His fingers gently tilted my chin up, exposing the full extent of the bruising.“Those are handprints,” he said flatly. “Someone tried to choke you. These aren’t training bruises.”Debbie looked up from where she’d been arranging decorative pillows on the floor, her eyes widening. “Mommy has an owie?”“It’s okay, sweetheart,” I said quickly, forcing a smile. “Mommy just had an accident. Nothing to worry about.”She frowned, unconvinced. “Does it hurt? Want me to kiss it better? Grandma says kisses have magic.”Before I could answer, my

Penelope’s POVI tucked the blanket around Debbie’s small body, smoothing it under her chin. Her eyelids fluttered, fighting sleep even as exhaustion pulled her under.“One more story?” she pleaded, voice thick with sleepiness.“Not tonight, sweetheart.” I kissed her forehead, breathing in her clean scent of baby shampoo and innocence. “Mommy has to go out for a little while.”“With Edward?” She yawned, eyes already closing.I hesitated. “Yes. And Grandpa.”“He’s nice.” Her words slurred as sleep claimed her. “Makes you smile…”I watched her drift off, wondering if she was right. Did Edward make me smile? After years of Dominic’s cruelty, I’d forgotten what genuine happiness felt like. Now wasn’t the time to analyze my feelings. I had a ritual to face.I slipped from her room, closing the door quietly behind me. I stared down the empty hallway, dreading what awaited me at its end. Every step toward tonight’s ritual felt heavy, like walking into quicksand.In the living room, I jumped a