All Chapters of The Alpha's Regret; Too Late To Claim Me: Chapter 11 - Chapter 20

VELDANA'S POV “Eldric?” My heart raced in nervousness, and I could feel my eyes twitching as I stared at Eldric. His face held the look of; i-needed-to-answer-his- question kinda look, and I swallowed the lump in my dry throat. “When did you arrive?” I questioned, trying to change the topic. I hoped in my mind that he didn't eavesdrop on our conversation. He had changed into something better and brighter, wearing a pair of brown jeans and a white t-shirt with brown boots. “Just now.” He replied, raking his jet-black hair backwards. I shut my eyes, breathing out in relief. Thank goodness he didn't hear everything.“I heard you speaking about Leila's Father, right?” He asked again, and I glanced at Freya, hoping she too wasn't having a thought about who Leila's father was. I had told everyone who needed to know that Leila's father was late; I couldn't afford to tell them the truth. There was this feeling I had, it was more of fear than anxiety. I was afraid that if Maurice found

AUTHOR’S POVThe hospital held its usual peace apart from the beeping monitors. Leila lay on her bed, boredom etched on her little face as she scanned the room, trying to search for a plaything apart from the toys Freya got for her. Before Sally left the room, the wires attached to her chest and the pipes through her nostrils were removed so she had easy access to move around. Rising slowly from the bed, she moved to the paper back Freya had brought, curiosity played in her eyes as she dipped her hands into the bag. Her eyes gradually lit up when she pulled out a Time Magazine, its cover featuring a man with sharp jaws, dark hair, and eyes that seemed to stir something within her. “ He is like a hero in my bedtime stories mom reads to me. “ She whispered, a grin resting on her lips. Her little mind pictured the man holding hands with her mother, giving her the smile she had lost. “ You'd be perfect for Mommy.” She talked to the magazine, giggling at the thought.At 9 pm, the silenc

AUTHORS POV The ward was lightened by the radiant glow of early morning sun slipping through the window blinds and painting shadowed stripes on the white wall. The soft hum of the humidifier gave a soothing refresh to the room. Leila slowly sat up on the bed, her hands raised upright as she yawned.A smile crept to her small lips as she remembered the hero she met yesterday in the Hallway. “He promised to come here today.” She let out in excitement as she swung her small legs.Suddenly, the door creaked open, and Maurice stepped in. He wore a leather jacket with blue jeans. His face softened when he saw her. He hadn't planned to keep that promise, but something about her tugged him. It bothered Ry, too. “Hey, kid,” Maurice said, his voice low but warm. He held up a paper bag that was branded with a famous breakfast cafe. “Maurice!” You came!” Her face lit up in undeniably excited.“I told you I'd come by, “ Maurice mumbled, his face void of his usual coldness as he walked closer t

MAURICE'S POVThe atmosphere in the office was thick with the smell of smoke and soil. I leaned against the table, grazing its edges softly with my fingers. Fred and Gary sat across from me, their faces calmer than the other night at the birthday party.Clearing his throat, Fred pushed forward.” So, the engagement ceremony,” he began, crossing his arms as he stared at me.” Big day for you and Hailey, huh? The whole pack has been talking about it nonstop.” I didn't look at him; my eyes stayed on the fireplace, watching the flames twist and roar. My fingers reached out to the mug; the coffee inside long cold. Engagement. The word felt like a chain, heavy and cold on my chest. “ It's not about Hailey and me.” I said, my voice low. “ It's for the betterment of the pack.” Gary sprawled in his chair; one leg crossed over the other. He raised an eyebrow and his hair fell to his eyes.” Come on, man,” he said, a half-smile crawling to his lips.” Hailey's not exactly a bad choice. She's… yo

When Veldana finally opened her eyes, it was morning, the faint gray of light entered the hospital room through the thin curtains, that was the first thing she saw. Her body, especially her back ached from sleeping in a sitting position on the stiff chair, but the discomfort wasn’t the first thing she noticed.Rather, it was the tiny weight of Leila laid up against her, with Leila’s breath feeling warm against her skin. Her head was resting just under Veldana’s chin without any slightest form of movement.She just sat there, listening to the way her daughter was breathing, it felt very comforting to her. ‘She had crawled into my arms when she woke up during the night, and even in her sleep, she had clung to me in a way no one did.’ Veldana thought. Even the thought of it made her heart melt, she loved the way her daughter loved her. Maybe the only thing she truly needed to survive this world was Leila.Carefully, Veldana shifted up, slipping one arm under Leila, trying to carry he