Alpha’s Regret After Putting Me In Jail novel Chapter 199

Chapter 199: A Promise Amidst the Storm (Matthew’s POV)

Chapter 199: A Promise Amidst the Storm (Matthew’s POV)

“Will you become my mate?”

Her words hung in the air between us. I froze, the moon–blessed berry still extended in my palm, my brain struggling to process what I’d just heard. Had Celeste Winters–the silver–scarred wolf who had survived four years in Moon Shadow Prison, who had stood tall against humiliation time and again–just asked me to be her mate?

I blinked, certain I’d misheard. My recent head injury must be affecting my hearing.

“I’m sorry, what did you say?” I managed to stammer, my wolf stirring anxiously beneath my

skin.

Celeste’s violet eyes held mine, still glistening with tears but now with something else too-

determination, perhaps. Or hope.

“I asked if you want to be my mate,” she repeated, her voice steadier this time.

She reached out, taking the forgotten wolf rib from my other hand and bringing it to her lips.

She took a small bite, a playful smile emerging through her tears.

“Well?” she prompted, her smile growing. “Do you?”

My wolf howled its answer before my human side could formulate a response.

“Yes!” The word exploded from me, urgent and desperate. “Yes, absolutely yes!”

My enthusiasm startled even me, but I couldn’t help it. Some primal part of me feared she

might withdraw the offer if I hesitated.

But almost as quickly as my joy rose, it was tempered by reality. My smile faltered, and I

looked down at my hands.

“But… I’m just Alexander’s second–in–command,” I said, the words bitter on my tongue. “I’m not worthy of someone like you.”

“Someone like me?” Celeste echoed, setting aside the wolf rib. “You mean a silver–scarred wolf who was disowned by her pack? Who was just publicly humiliated at a mate selection gathering where no respectable wolf would have her?”

Her words cut deep, but before I could protest, she reached out and cupped my face between her hands.

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Chapter 199 A Promise Amidst…

“Matthew Sterling,” she said, her violet eyes unwavering, “do you dare to be

my mate?”

The emphasis wasn’t lost on me. This wasn’t just about want or desire. This was about courage, about willingly tying myself to her complicated fate.

Being Celeste’s mate wouldn’t be easy. I knew the challenges we would face–from Lucas’s disapproval to the pack’s whispers, from Alexander’s potential opposition to the constant

reminder of her past connection to him.

But looking into those violet eyes, I found my answer without hesitation.

“I dare,” I replied, my voice finding new strength. My hands rose to cover hers against my face. “I, Matthew Sterling, swear by the sacred moon to mark you and love you always. May the

Moon Goddess curse me if I break this vow.”

It was the most sacred oath a wolf could make–binding and unbreakable. Some might call it

rash, but in that moment, it felt like the only truth worth speaking.

Celeste’s eyes widened at the formality of my oath. Then a genuine smile spread across her

face, lighting it up in a way I’d rarely seen.

“You’re still calling me ‘Miss Winters,” she teased, her fingers tracing the edge of my bandage

with tender care. “If we’re to be mates, don’t you think you should use my name?”

I felt heat rise to my face. Despite my warrior’s training and the battles I’d faced, this simple intimacy left me flustered.

“C–Celeste,” I whispered, testing the shape of her name on my tongue for the first time.

(Alexander’s POV)

I stood motionless outside the window of Celeste’s quarters in the Winter Pack house, a

pouch of moon–blessed healing herbs crushed in my fist. I’d come to deliver them for

Matthew’s injuries, knowing the pack healers might not prioritize him after the restaurant

incident.

Instead, I’d arrived in time to witness the entire scene unfold.

“I, Matthew Sterling, swear by the sacred moon to mark you and love you always.”

My white wolf thrashed beneath my skin, a mixture of emotions too complex to name surging through me. Rage. Disbelief. Something that felt uncomfortably like jealousy.

Blood dripped from my clenched fist, the crushed herbs falling unnoticed to the ground. My claws had extended without my awareness, digging into my own palm.

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Chapter 199 A Promise Amidst

I wanted to burst through the window, to confront Matthew, to remind him of his place in the pack hierarchy. But what right did I have? I was promised to Scarlett. The mate claim with

Celeste had been severed years ago.

For years, I’d maintained my distance, watching her suffer from afar, telling myself it was for the best. That my duty to the pack outweighed personal feelings.

And now Matthew–my own second–in–command–had done what I never dared.

“Alpha Steele!”

The urgent voice broke through my thoughts. A beta wolf guard approached, his face flushed

with exertion.

“Miss Scarlett has been found,” he reported, bowing slightly. “She’s at the main pack house, but she’s hysterical. Alpha James has requested your presence immediately.”

Duty called again, as it always did. I glanced back toward the window where Celeste had emerged from her room, her face glowing with a happiness I hadn’t seen in years.

Something twisted in my chest, but I forced it down. Without a word, I turned and strode away, leaving behind bloodied herbs and unspoken regrets.

(Celeste’s POV)

I caught a glimpse of Alexander’s departing figure, his white wolf’s aura unmistakable even in the shadows. Something dark dripped from his hand as he stalked away. Blood?

“Is everything alright?” Matthew asked, appearing at my side. Despite Dr. Pierce’s orders to rest, he’d followed me to the doorway, his silver–gray eyes alert with concern.

“I’m not sure,” I admitted, watching Alexander disappear toward the main pack house. “I think

Alexander was here.”

A flash of tension crossed Matthew’s face. “Perhaps there’s news about Scarlett’s supposed

kidnapping.”

I nodded slowly. “That’s what I was thinking. The timing of that young omega’s announcement

was too convenient.”

I had told Matthew about my suspicions regarding the omega wolf at the restaurant–his

nervous behavior and the mysterious bulge under his shirt.

“I should go check on the situation,” I said, turning back to Matthew. “You should rest. That

head injury is serious.”

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