Alpha’s Regret After Putting Me In Jail novel Chapter 198

Chapter 198: A Promise and a Proposal (Celeste’s POV)

Chapter 198: A Promise and a Proposal (Celeste’s POV)

“Miss Scarlett has taken by rogue wolves!”

The restaurant’s attention immediately shifted from the unconscious beta to the newcomer. I pushed through the crowd, approaching the boy who couldn’t be more than sixteen. His clothing was disheveled, and he was breathing heavily as if he’d run all the way here.

“What happened?” I demanded, my silver–scarred wolf alert beneath my skin. “Who’s been

taken?”

The omega’s eyes widened when he saw me approach. He took a step back, clearly

intimidated.

“I–I saw it happen,” he stammered, his gaze darting between me and the exit. “Several rogue

wolves. They took Miss Scarlett just outside the pack territory.”

Lucas appeared beside me, his golden eyes sharp with concern. “Where exactly?”

“Near the eastern border,” the boy replied, his voice steadying slightly. “By the old oak grove.”

Without another word, Lucas bolted toward the door. “Alert the pack guards!” he shouted over

his shoulder before disappearing.

I remained focused on the omega wolf, something about his demeanor setting off warning

signals in my mind. As my violet eyes studied him more carefully, I noticed a strange bulge beneath his shirt. The fabric protruded unnaturally at his chest, as if he were hiding

something.

The boy noticed my scrutiny. His hand instinctively moved to cover the suspicious bulge. Our eyes met, and I saw a flicker of… something. Not just fear, but calculation.

“Thank you for bringing this news,” I said carefully, maintaining eye contact. “What’s your

name?”

“J–just a pack omega, miss,” he mumbled, already backing away. “I should go help search.”

Before I could question him further, he turned and scurried away, one hand still pressed

protectively against his chest.

Something wasn’t right. The timing was too convenient, the omega’s behavior too suspicious. But with Matthew injured and possibly in danger from retaliation, I couldn’t spare the time to

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Chapter 198 A Promise and an

investigate further.

I turned back to the gathering, where several high–ranking wolves were now tending to the unconscious beta. Their angry murmurs and pointed glares in the direction Alexander had taken Matthew spoke volumes about their intentions.

I cleared my throat loudly, drawing their attention.

“Gentlemen,‘ I announced, my voice carrying the authority I’d once wielded as the Winter Pack’s daughter. “Let me remind you that this gathering was hosted by the Winter Pack.”

I met each glare unflinchingly, my silver–scarred wolf lending me strength.

“Any medical expenses for today’s… unfortunate incident can be directed to me. I take full

responsibility for compensating the injured party.”

A few wolves exchanged surprised glances. They hadn’t expected me to take this stance.

“Furthermore,” I continued, my tone cooling several degrees, “I feel compelled to remind everyone that Matthew Sterling serves as Alexander Steele’s second–in–command.”

The mention of Alexander’s name caused several wolves to shift uncomfortably. The son of

the Alpha King’s Beta was not someone to cross lightly.

“Consider carefully before pursuing any form of retaliation against someone under his protection,” I warned, letting the implications sink in. “Alexander values loyalty above all else.”

I didn’t wait for their response. With a final pointed look, I turned and left the restaurant, hoping my words would provide Matthew some protection from their wounded pride.

My primary concern now was finding him and ensuring he was safe. Alexander would have taken him to Dr. Pierce, likely at the pack training grounds where the medical facilities were best equipped.

As I hurried through the pack territory, my mind raced with worry. Matthew had defended me without hesitation, placing himself between me and danger as he had done before. The memory of him collapsing, blood streaming down his face after Eric struck him, played on

repeat in my mind.

All for me. A silver–scarred wolf who wasn’t even worth a proper mate selection gathering.

The pack training grounds came into view, and I quickened my pace. The medical building stood at the far end a small stone structure with the pack’s healing symbol etched above

–

the entrance.

I burst through the door, my heart pounding in my chest.

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Chapter 198: A Promise and a Pr…

“Matthew?” I called out, my voice betraying more emotion than I’d intended.

A familiar figure sat propped up on a bed by the window. Matthew’s dark hair was partially covered by white bandages, but his silver–gray eyes were open and alert. He held a steaming mug in his hands, the herbal scent of healing tea filling the room.

He was awake. He was alive.

The relief that washed over me was so intense that I froze in place, tears suddenly springing to my eyes. For a terrifying moment, I’d imagined the worst – that Eric’s blow had caused irreparable damage, that Alexander’s healers couldn’t save him.

Matthew looked up at my entrance, surprise crossing his features before his lips curved into a

warm smile.

“Celeste,” he greeted, his voice surprisingly cheerful despite his condition. “You didn’t need to

come.”

He gestured to his bandaged head with his free hand. “It looks worse than it is. Dr. Pierce is just being overly cautious.”

“Overly cautious?” came an indignant voice from behind a partition. Dr. Samuel Pierce emerged, his silver–streaked hair disheveled and his expression one of professional irritation.

“You nearly fractured your skull, young man,” the doctor scolded, checking something on a chart. “Another inch to the left, and we’d be discussing whether you’d ever wake up again, not

whether you could leave the infirmary today.”

Matthew rolled his eyes good–naturedly, but I felt the blood drain from my face at the doctor’s

words.

“See what you’ve done?” Matthew chided the doctor. “You’ve frightened her.”

“Good,” Dr. Pierce replied unapologetically. “Maybe she can talk some sense into you. I’ve told

him he needs at least three days of rest and observation, but he’s already talking about

returning to duty tomorrow.”

The doctor tucked his chart under his arm and fixed Matthew with a stern look. “Silver

poisoning we can treat. Bleeding wounds we can stitch. But not even the best wolf healers can fix stupidity.”

With that parting shot, Dr. Pierce retreated to another room, muttering about “reckless young wolves” and “death wishes.”

Matthew watched him go with a bemused expression before turning his attention back to me.

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His smile faltered when he saw that I hadn’t moved from my spot by the door.

“Celeste?” he called softly. “I promise I’m fine. The old man exaggerates.”

But I couldn’t shake the image of him collapsed on the restaurant floor, blood pooling beneath him. Nor could I forget Dr. Pierce’s words about how close he’d come to death or permanent

damage.

All because he had defended me.

My legs finally moved, carrying me to his bedside. With trembling fingers, I reached out to touch the edge of his bandages, needing the physical confirmation that he was truly alright.

“Does it… hurt?” I asked, my voice barely above a whisper, thick with unshed tears.

Matthew looked up at me, his silver–gray eyes softening as they met my tear–streaked face. The vulnerability I saw there was unexpected from a warrior of his caliber.

“It doesn’t hurt,” he answered softly, his gaze never leaving mine.

His hand rose slowly, and I felt the gentle brush of his fingers against my cheek as he wiped away a tear I hadn’t realized had fallen.

“Really,” he insisted, offering a reassuring smile. “It takes more than a chair to break a Sterling’s skull.”