Alpha’s Regret After Putting Me In Jail novel Chapter 123

Chapter 123: A Desperate Gambit

Chapter 123: A Desperate Gambit

(Lucas’s POV)

The heaviness of the moon–blessed wine sat in my chest like a boulder, its warmth doing little

to dull the waves of frustration and guilt crashing over me.

I studied Alexander across the tavern table, his composed, infuriatingly calm face framed by

the warm glow of the room.

His ice–blue eyes regarded me with that unsettling mix of indifference and calculation. It was

a look that hadn’t changed since we were kids, even when the stakes were tenfold higher now.

“You’re planning something,” I accused, narrowing my eyes at him. My words came out sharper than I anticipated, and I felt the low growl of my wolf rise in protest. “You think I can’t tell when you’re scheming?”

Alexander met my gaze without a flicker of emotion. His fingers toyed idly with the rim of his glass, as though my accusation wasn’t worth acknowledging. The silence between us

stretched, his white wolf’s presence cold and unperturbed, amplifying the tension.

“The pack’s strongest warrior wouldn’t just stand by while Marcus tortures his-” I bit the inside of my cheek, cutting myself off before the word “mate” could slip out. Some things he word “mate” could slip out. Some things

didn’t need to be said aloud.

A faint smirk tugged at Alexander’s lips, but he didn’t look at me. Instead, he swirled his wine absently, the liquid catching the faint light of the tavern’s scattered lanterns. “And what do you think I’m planning, then?” he asked, finally breaking the silence. His voice was too calm, as if

he were discussing the weather.

I scoffed, my wolf bristling at his unaffected demeanor. “This isn’t a game, Alexander,” I spat, leaning forward over the table. The rich scent of the moon–blessed wine and the worn oak of

the tavern filled my senses, grounding me as I tried to temper my anger.

“Celeste’s life is on the line, and you’re just sitting there like none of this matters,” I accused,

glaring at him.

He finally looked up from his glass, his ice–blue eyes locking onto mine. “And what would you

have me do, Lucas?” he replied evenly, tilting his head slightly. “Challenge the Alpha King’s decree? Perhaps take on Marcus directly on her behalf?”

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Chapter 123: A Desperate Gambit

My jaw locked at his words. There was a subtle edge to his tone, enough to make my wolf shift uncomfortably.

“You wouldn’t do that,” I muttered, though it felt less certain leaving my mouth. “You wouldn’t

risk everything for her. Not when you don’t even…”

…

Not when I don’t even what?” Alexander challenged, his gaze sharpening.

I faltered under his intensity, clenching my fists against the rough wood of the table. Despite knowing him for years, the cold resolve in his expression still unnerved me.

“You wouldn’t do it,” I whispered, my voice quieter now. “Not anymore.”

“Perhaps you’re right,” Alexander replied smoothly, leaning back in his chair. He tilted his head slightly, deliberate in his nonchalance as he raised the glass to his lips. “Perhaps I wouldn’t.”

There was something off about how easily he agreed, something that prickled the edges of my wolf’s awareness. Whether it was the moon–blessed wine intensifying my senses or old instincts honed over years of training, I couldn’t shake the feeling he wasn’t being entirely

honest.

I narrowed my eyes further, my wolf stirring uneasily. “You’re hiding something,” I accused, forcing my voice firm despite the unease clawing at me. “You’ve got that look in your eyes

again.”

Alexander smirked faintly, though it didn’t reach his eyes. He set his glass down with

deliberate care, the movement slow and steady, drawing out the moment.

“And what look is that?” he asked lightly, his tone bordering on amused.

“The look you get right before you drop your real move,” I shot back, my wolf’s hackles rising

further. “You’re planning something dangerous. I know you are.”

His smirk widened ever so slightly, though his gaze never lost its unsettling sharpness. Instead of answering immediately, he motioned toward the beta server for more wine. The

deliberate silence only served to rile me further.

“Even if you have a plan,” I pressed, my chest tightening with frustration, “it doesn’t matter. The Alpha King’s decree is absolute. Marcus’s mate claim on Celeste can’t just be ignored. No one else can mark her without facing royal punishment.”

The server refilled our glasses, and Alexander took his time before responding. When he finally spoke, it was so casual I almost missed the significance of his words.

“My brother Kane” he said simply.

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Chapter 123: A Desperate Gambit

The name shattered my composure. My wolf stiffened, snarling instinctively as though the

word itself were a threat.

Wine spluttered from my mouth, spraying across the table and onto Alexander’s unforgivingly pristine shirt.

“Are you insane?!” I exclaimed, coughing as the alcohol burned my throat. Drawing the attention of a few nearby patrons, I lowered my voice to a harsh whisper. “Your brother is even

worse than Marcus!”

Alexander didn’t so much as flinch at my outburst. He calmly wiped the spilled wine from his

shirt with a napkin, unbothered by the force of my reaction.

“But my brother can’t physically torture her like Marcus does,” Alexander countered, his tone

calm and measured.

I froze mid–protest, the words catching in my throat. He spoke with a confident finality that

made it clear this wasn’t some offhanded comment.

“Physically…” I trailed off, dread creeping into my voice.

Alexander leaned forward slightly, resting his arms on the table. The lighting cast his face in shadows, but his ice–blue eyes gleamed with the intensity of his conviction.

“Kane may have a temper,” he began, his voice low and steady, “but his condition ensures he lacks the strength to inflict lasting damage.”

The logic was twisted, but I couldn’t immediately refute it. Kane Steele’s once–mighty reputation had been reduced to that of a crippled relic. A war hero left broken by the silver–chain attack meant for the Alpha King himself.

But his temper…

My wolf bristled with unease, the memory of Kane’s volatile outbursts vivid as though no time had passed.

“The Alpha King could never fully repay the sacrifice my brother made,” Alexander continued, his eyes gleaming with purpose. “If he were to mark Celeste, the King would conveniently

overlook Marcus’s claim.”

The pieces fell into place too quickly, and I hated how much sense Alexander’s logic made. It was both disturbing and brilliant.

But there were still too many holes.

“How are we supposed to convince Celeste?” I asked warily, my grip tightening around the

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