Alpha’s Regret After Putting Me In Jail novel Chapter 207

chapter 207: A Wolf’s Bitter Warning

chapter 207: A Wolf’s Bitter Warning

(Celeste’s POV)

I felt Matthew tense beside me, his silver–gray wolf surging with barely contained rage. I quickly stepped between them, placing a restraining hand on Matthew’s chest.

Matthew lunged forward, but I pressed harder against his chest.

“Don’t,” I whispered urgently. “That’s exactly what he wants.”

“Smart girl,” Jason mocked, adjusting his designer watch. “At least one of you has a brain.”

I narrowed my violet eyes at him. “Your grandfather may be Senior Council Member Moore, but even he can’t abuse his position on the Alpha King’s council like this. The detention of Matthew’s father will be questioned.”

Jason shrugged, seemingly unconcerned. “My grandfather? Who said anything about my grandfather?”

His false innocence didn’t fool me for a second.

“This has your family’s fingerprints all over it,” I said coldly. “A merchant wolf with a weak heart just happens to die after arguing with Mr. Sterling? Convenient timing.”

Jason’s eyes gleamed with malice. “You know, Sterling, you should distance yourself from this

one.” He nodded toward me. “She brings nothing but trouble.”

Matthew growled, the sound rumbling deep in his chest. “Watch your mouth, Moore.”

“I’m just offering friendly advice,” Jason replied, his tone anything but friendly. “After all, you

have family to think about. Your parents, your little sister Lisa–what is she, sixteen now?”

The implied threat hung in the air between us.

Matthew’s body went rigid under my hand. “What did you just say?”

Jason examined his manicured claws with exaggerated casualness. “Nothing specific. Just that choices have consequences.”

He looked up, his gaze suddenly sharp. “Some consequences might involve three coffins. Such

a shame when entire families suffer for one wolf’s poor judgment, don’t you think?”

Matthew strained against my restraining arm, his wolf surging beneath his skin. “I’ll kill you if

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chapter 207: A Wolf’s Bitter War…

you touch them!”

“Matthew!” I hissed, pushing harder against his chest. “Not here.”

Jason laughed again, the sound echoing off the detention center walls. “Listen to your silver–scarred girlfriend, Sterling. She’s right–not here.”

He turned to leave, then paused. “Oh, and Sterling? Your father’s hearing is in three days. I

wouldn’t count on him coming home.”

With one final mocking laugh, Jason disappeared around the corner.

Matthew’s breathing was ragged with rage. “He came here just to taunt me. Just to make it

clear their family is behind this.”

I nodded, my mind racing. Three coffins. The threat was unmistakable.

But something else was becoming clear to me. This wasn’t just about Jason Moore’s

vendetta.

“It’s not just him,” I said quietly. “This goes higher.”

Matthew turned to me, his silver–gray eyes questioning. “What do you mean?”

I took a deep breath. “I think Alpha James Winters is involved.”

Matthew’s confusion was evident. “Your father? Why would he—”

“Former father,” I corrected automatically. “And because he doesn’t want you as my mate.”

The realization hit me with crushing clarity. Alpha James couldn’t directly forbid me from

choosing Matthew–I’d made it clear I didn’t recognize his authority over me. So he’d found another way to separate us. By targeting Matthew’s family.

Matthew shook his head. “I don’t think so, Celeste. The Alpha has always been fair in pack

matters. This is just Jason Moore’s malice.”

His faith in Alpha James’s character was touching but misplaced.

“Matthew-” I started.

“No,” he insisted. “I refuse to believe Alpha James would stoop to this level. There must be

another explanation.”

He took my hand gently in his. “I’ll look into this. I’ll find evidence of who’s really behind my

father’s detention.”

His determination was admirable, but I already knew the truth. Alpha James was sending a

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chapter 207: A

message–stay away from his former daughter, or there would be consequences.

I forced a reassuring smile. “You’re right. We need evidence. Focus on that.”

Matthew’s expression remained troubled. “You won’t…” He paused, seeming to struggle with his words. “You won’t give up on us because of this, will you?”

The vulnerability in his question made my heart ache. I stepped closer, wrapping my arms

around him.

“Never,” I promised fiercely. “We face this together. But Matthew-”

I pulled back to look into his eyes. “Be careful. Please. These are dangerous wolves we’re dealing with.”

He nodded, pressing his forehead against mine. “I will.”

As he turned to leave, I watched his retreating figure with a mixture of affection and resolve. Once he was out of sight, my expression hardened, all warmth draining from my features. Alpha James had made a serious miscalculation. He thought threatening Matthew’s family would make me back down.

He was wrong.

It just meant I had to change my approach.

The Winter Pack house loomed ahead as I returned from the detention center. The familiar stone walls that had once represented home now felt like a fortress of enemies.

As I entered, Betty, the head pack housekeeper, intercepted me in the main hall.

“Miss Celeste,” she said, her voice low and urgent. “Alpha James wishes to see you

immediately. He’s in his study.”

I nodded, unsurprised by the summons. “Thank you, Betty.”

The older beta wolf hesitated, concern evident in her eyes. “He seems… displeased.”

“When is he not?” I replied dryly.

Betty’s lips twitched in a suppressed smile before she schooled her features back to neutrality, “Be careful, child.”

I made my way to Alpha James’s study, my footsteps echoing on the polished wooden floors. I

paused outside the heavy oak door, gathering my thoughts before knocking.

(૩)

“Enter,” came the immediate response.

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chapter 207: A Wolfs Bitter War…

Alpha James sat behind his massive desk, papers spread before him. His golden eyes fixed on me as I stepped into the room.

“You’re late returning,” he observed, his tone deceptively mild. “I expected you back hours ago.”

I kept my face expressionless. “I had matters to attend to.”

“Gallivanting around outside pack territory, no doubt,” he said, his voice hardening. “That ends now. You’re confined to pack grounds until further notice.”

I expected this restriction. It was his next move in our ongoing chess game–keep me away from Matthew while his family was under threat.

“As you wish,” I agreed calmly.

My easy compliance clearly caught him off guard. His brow furrowed slightly, golden eyes narrowing in suspicion.

“No argument? No defiance?” he questioned.

I shrugged. “Would it change anything?”

He leaned back in his chair, studying me intently. “You’ve been to the detention center.”

It wasn’t a question.

“You seem well–informed about my movements,” I replied evenly.

“I’m Alpha of this territory. Nothing happens without my knowledge.” His tone carried a

warning.

I maintained my composure, though my silver–scarred wolf bristled beneath my skin.

“Is that all, Alpha James?” I asked, deliberately formal. “Or was there something else you

wished to discuss?”

He watched me for a long moment, clearly expecting accusations about his involvement in

Matthew’s father’s detainment. When none came, his suspicion seemed to deepen.

“That’s all for now,” he finally said. “You may go.”

I turned without another word and walked to the door.

“Celeste,” he called just as my hand touched the handle.

I paused but didn’t turn around.

“Perhaps you’re finally accepting the realities of pack hierarchy,” he suggested. “Sterling is beneath your station, regardless of your… feelings.”

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chapter 207 A Wolf’s Bitter War…

My grip tightened on the door handle, but I kept my voice level. “Perhaps.”

I left without waiting for his response, closing the door quietly behind me.

In the hallway, I took a deep breath to calm my racing heart. Alpha James was puzzled by my behavior. Good. Let him wonder if I’d given up on Matthew. Let him think he’d won.

It would make my next move all the more unexpected.

Instead of returning to my quarters, I headed toward the Silver Moon Wing of the pack house- the section reserved for pack members requiring… special accommodations.

Or in Scarlett’s case, confinement.

The beta guard stationed outside her door straightened as I approached, surprise evident on

his face.

“Miss Celeste,” he stammered. “I wasn’t informed you’d be visiting.”