Alpha’s Regret After Putting Me In Jail novel Chapter 227

Chapter 227: A Heavy Price

Chapter 227: A Heavy Price

(Matthew’s POV)

The evening air was crisp as I made my way through the Winter Pack territory, two bottles of wine tucked carefully under my arm. One was significantly heavier than the other–the expensive Silver Moon Reserve, its label gleaming with actual silver flecks that caught the moonlight.

I’d spent more than I should have on that bottle. But Alexander deserved it.

The guards at the entrance to his private quarters recognized me immediately. They were all part of his elite unit–wolves I trained with daily.

“He’s reviewing territory maps,” one of them warned me.

I nodded my thanks for the heads–up. Alexander hated interruptions when working on defense

strategies.

His quarters were spacious but surprisingly sparse for someone of his status. Maps covered

the large oak table in the center of the room. Alexander stood over them, his white wolf’s

energy so focused that he didn’t immediately notice my entrance.

I cleared my throat. “Commander.”

He glanced up, his ice–blue eyes narrowing slightly. “Sterling.”

Without asking permission, I approached his table and set down both bottles. “Thought you

might appreciate a drink.”

Alexander’s gaze flicked to the bottles, then back to his maps. After a moment, he sighed and rolled up the parchment he’d been studying.

“What’s the occasion?” he asked, reaching for the Silver Moon Reserve.

I shrugged, trying to appear casual. “Just a thank you.”

Alexander uncorked the bottle with his teeth–a habit that would have horrified the wolves at

Moon Silver Restaurant. He took a long swig directly from the bottle, another practice that would have scandalized the elite wolves who typically sipped such expensive wine from crystal glasses.

He examined the label, his eyebrows rising slightly. “Silver Moon Reserve? Sudden windfall,

< Chapter 227: A Heavy Price

Sterling?”

+15 Points >

I reached for the other bottle–the ordinary moon–blessed wine I could actually afford. “Only one bottle is the expensive kind,” I admitted. “This one’s just regular blessed wine.”

“Hmm.” Alexander took another swig. “And what exactly are you thanking me for?”

My fingers fidgeted with my own bottle. “For the Moore situation. For helping me rescue.

Celeste.”

Alexander’s expression remained impassive. “That was Kane, not me.”

“Your brother happened to show up at precisely the right moment, with knowledge of a

personal debt between him and Senior Council Member Moore.” I met his gaze steadily. “And

my fellow guards wouldn’t have followed my orders to surround a pack house without your implicit command.”

A hint of amusement flickered in Alexander’s eyes. “You think I sent Kane?”

“I know you did.”

The admission hung between us for a moment. Then Alexander shrugged, taking another

drink.

“Fine. You’re welcome.”

Relief washed through me. I’d been right. Alexander had intervened, had ensured Celeste’s

safety.

“But what’s your plan going forward, Sterling?”

His question caught me off guard. “Sir?”

Alexander set the bottle down, leaning against the table. “You can’t physically protect her

forever. What happens when you run out of favors? When you exhaust your resources?”

I stiffened. “I’ll find a way.”

“By dying for her?” Alexander scoffed. “And what good would that do? You’d be dead, and she’d

be alone facing whatever threat killed you.”

His words hit me like a physical blow. I hadn’t thought that far ahead. My focus had been on immediate protection–getting her away from Jason Moore, securing my family’s safety.

“The Winter Pack isn’t going to suddenly approve of your mating just because you’re willing to die for her,” Alexander continued, his tone matter–of–fact rather than cruel. “And the Moores

won’t forget what happened.”

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<Chapter 227: A Heavy Price

I stared at the bottle in my hands, unable to formulate a response.

“Think on that,” Alexander said, returning to his maps. “You’re dismissed.”

+15 Points)

The conversation with Alexander weighed heavily on me as I left his quarters. The night air felt suddenly colder against my face.

He was right. I had been reckless, focusing only on immediate threats rather than long–term protection. What would happen if I died trying to protect Celeste? She would be left vulnerable, possibly in a worse position than before.

My silver–gray wolf paced anxiously beneath my skin, disturbed by the realization of our

inadequacy.

Lost in thought, I almost walked directly into Lucas Winters as he emerged from Dr. Pierce’s

clinic. He was moving stiffly, one hand pressed against his lower back.

*-need to rest for at least three days,” Dr. Pierce was saying, following Lucas to the doorway. “Those wounds could cause lasting damage if not properly treated.”

Lucas’s nostrils flared as he caught my scent. His golden eyes narrowed with immediate

hostility.

“Sterling,” he growled.

Dr. Pierce glanced between us, then retreated back into his clinic, clearly wanting no part in whatever confrontation might ensue.

“Lucas,” I acknowledged, my curiosity piqued by his obvious injury. “Everything alright?”

“Perfectly fine,” he snapped, attempting to straighten his posture despite the pain evident in his expression.

I could smell blood–both dried and fresh. The wounds on his back must have been

significant.

“Have you seen Celeste?” I asked, suddenly worried. “Is she okay?”

Lucas’s jaw clenched. “She’s none of your concern.”

“She is every bit my concern,” I replied, keeping my voice calm despite the tension rising between us. “Is she hurt? Did something happen after I left yesterday?”

“Just go home, Sterling.”

He tried to push past me, but winced at the movement. Fresh blood seeped through the back

of his shirt, staining the bandages visible through the thin fabric.

< Chapter 227: A Heavy Price

“You’re bleeding,” I noted. “Those claw marks… did someone attack you?”

His golden eyes flashed with anger. “I said it’s none of your business!”

But I could see the truth in his pain–filled expression. The realization hit me suddenly.

“It was Celeste, wasn’t it?” I kept my voice low, not wanting to embarrass him further by drawing attention from passing pack members. “She did this to you.”

Lucas’s face contorted with a mix of anger and exasperation. “Fine! Yes, your precious

mate–to–be slashed my back open. Satisfied?”

My heart clenched with worry. “What happened? Is she in trouble? Where is she now?”

+15 Panta >

“By the Moon, you’re persistent,” he groaned, pressing his hand to his back again. “Celeste is fine. She’s with our grandmother.”

“Then why did she attack you?” This wasn’t the Celeste I knew. She could be cold, even calculating when necessary, but not violently aggressive without serious provocation.

Lucas’s patience was visibly wearing thin. His golden wolf stirred beneath his skin, agitated by

the pain and my questioning.

“Because I tried to stop her from killing Scarlett,” he finally admitted, his voice dropping to ensure no one else heard. “She nearly succeeded too.”

I blinked in shock. “What did Scarlett do to provoke her?”

“Does it matter?” Lucas hissed. “I’m the one with four gashes down my back! Scarlett nearly

died from blood loss!”

The intensity of his reaction told me there was more to the story. Celeste wouldn’t have attacked her adoptive sister without extreme provocation, especially knowing the

consequences such an action would bring.

“It does matter,” I insisted. “Celeste wouldn’t do something like that without reason.”

Lucas ran a hand through his auburn hair, frustration evident in every line of his body. The movement clearly pained him, causing him to wince again.

“Scarlett sent one of her betas to tell our grandmother about Celeste’s plan to sever pack ties,” he finally admitted, the admission seeming to cost him. “The shock and distress nearly killed Eleanor. Dr. Pierce says she only has days left now.”

Understanding dawned. Eleanor was Celeste’s only true ally within the Winter Pack, the only one who had fought for her release from Moon Shadow Prison, the only one who had

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< Chapter 227: A Heavy Price

welcomed her back with genuine love.

“I see,” I said softly.

“Do you?” Lucas challenged, his golden eyes flashing. “Do you understand that your mere presence in her life is causing all this chaos?”

+15 Points >