All Chapters of The Alpha's Regret : Chapter 61 - Chapter 70

Six months mated, and I woke to Skyler's nightmare.Not metaphorically—literally. Through the bond, his terror slammed into me like a physical blow, jarring me from sleep. He thrashed beside me, caught in whatever darkness haunted his dreams, a low growl rumbling in his chest."Skyler." I shook his shoulder gently. "Wake up. You're dreaming."His eyes snapped open—pure gold, his wolf too close to the surface. For a second, he didn't recognize me. His hand shot out, gripping my wrist hard enough to bruise before awareness returned."Wren." He released me immediately, horror flooding his face. "Did I hurt you?""I'm fine. You were having a nightmare." I rubbed my wrist—it would heal quickly. "What were you dreaming about?"He sat up, chest heaving, sweat dampening his skin. "Nothing. Just—nothing.""Skyler." I touched his back, feeling the tension coiled there. "I felt your terror through the bond. It wasn't nothing.""I don't want to talk about it." He moved to get out of bed, but I gr

Eight months mated, and Jace Thornton walked into my gallery unannounced."Surprise," he said, that familiar easy grin on his face. "Thought I'd check out the famous gallery everyone's been talking about."My stomach dropped. Not because I had feelings for Jace—I didn't, not beyond friendly affection—but because Skyler was going to sense this through the bond and completely overreact."Jace. This is... unexpected." I hugged him briefly, professionally. "What brings you to Ironvale?""Treaty renewal meetings with Marcus. Thought I'd stop by during my break." He examined the paintings on display. "These are incredible, Wren. You've really built something special here.""Thank you. It's been a lot of work but worth it." I felt Skyler's curiosity through the bond—he'd sensed the spike in my emotions and was paying attention now. "How's the Thornwood Pack?""Thriving. Though not as integrated with the human community as you've managed here." He gestured to a group of human tourists examini

Ten months mated, and opportunity knocked in the form of the building next door going up for sale."You should buy it," Patricia said during her monthly visit. "Expand. You've outgrown this space."I looked at the "For Sale" sign through the gallery window. The building was slightly larger than mine, currently a closed bookstore. Combined, they'd give me double the exhibition space, room for a proper classroom, maybe even a small café."I can't afford it," I said. "Not without taking on massive debt.""You have options. Investors. Loans. The pack's small business fund." She sipped her coffee. "Wren, you've proven this gallery works. You bring in consistent revenue, you're building community, your artists are gaining recognition. This is the logical next step."After she left, I stared at my financial spreadsheets until the numbers blurred. She was right—the gallery had outgrown its space. I was turning away artists due to lack of wall space. My classes were overbooked. The community n

One year mated—exactly twelve months since the ceremony—and Ronan showed up at the cottage with champagne and a grin that wouldn't quit."We have news," he announced, Sarah beaming beside him."You're pregnant," I guessed immediately.Sarah's hand went to her still-flat stomach. "How did you know?""You're glowing. And Ronan looks like he might explode with happiness." I hugged them both. "Congratulations! How far along?""Eight weeks. We wanted to wait until the second trimester to tell everyone, but—" Sarah laughed. "Ronan couldn't keep it secret.""I'm going to be an uncle!" He swept me into another hug. "Your kid is going to have a cousin!""Slow down," I said, extricating myself. "Skyler and I aren't—we're not planning kids yet.""But eventually, right?" Ronan's enthusiasm was infectious. "Our kids growing up together, learning to shift together—""Eventually," I confirmed. "Just not immediately."Skyler emerged from the bedroom, drawn by the commotion. "What's happening?""We're

Fourteen months mated, and Lena invited me to lunch.Just me—no Skyler, no other pack members. The invitation felt significant somehow, weighted with unspoken purpose."Thank you for meeting me," she said when I arrived at the small café downtown. "I know you're busy with gallery preparations and pack duties.""Always happy to spend time with you." I settled across from her. "Is everything okay?""Everything's fine. I just... I wanted to talk. Woman to woman. About Skyler." She stirred her tea nervously. "About what happened with his father."My chest tightened. We'd touched on this before, but never deeply. Never the full story."I'm listening," I said gently.Lena was quiet for a moment, gathering her thoughts. "Victor wasn't always a monster. When we first mated, I thought I was the luckiest she-wolf alive. He was charming, protective, attentive. Everything I'd dreamed of.""What changed?""The bond. Or rather, how he used it." She looked down at her hands. "At first, the constant