Alpha’s Regret After Putting Me In Jail novel Chapter 34

Chapter 34: Ungrateful

Chapter 34: Ungrateful

(Celeste’s POV)

Alexander’s words weighed heavily in the air. “Don’t act like your acceptance of Marcus’s possessive displays doesn’t deserve criticism.” His voice was cold, sharp, and deliberate.

His words sliced through me. My wolf stiffened, sensing both truth and humiliation in what he

said. My pulse quickened.

The urge to defend myself sparked like fire, but I had nothing to say. Because no matter how

much I hated it–he was right.

Still, surrendering wasn’t an option. I swallowed the sting and locked my gaze with his. His

ice–blue eyes bore into mine, emotionless yet cutting.

“So I’m the disgrace,” I snapped, my voice harder than I intended. “I’m the one who should stay

silent while Diana and the rest of them trample over me?”

My voice rang louder than I meant. Every wolf watching stiffened. I kept going, too furious now

to stop.

“You think I owe discipline to Lucas because he’s the Alpha heir? Because he thinks he still

holds authority over me?” My lip curled slightly. “Here’s the truth: I’m not a Winters by blood. I

owe Lucas nothing.”

The second the words escaped, I saw Lucas’s face darken. His wolf surged inside him. His golden eyes flared like fire, anger sweeping off him in waves. The air seemed to crackle with

his rising dominance as he took a step toward me.

“Impudent,” Lucas spat, his voice low but filled with venom. His wolf, Bloodfang, hovered

dangerously close to the surface. “You’ve forgotten yourself, Celeste.”

My heart pounded, but not from fear. His accusation didn’t just sting–it infuriated me.

Memories of four years ago burst through my mind, the sight of Lucas watching as I was dragged to Moon Shadow Prison.

The humiliation, the cries that went unanswered–his silence cutting deeper than any

punishment,

Forgotten myself?

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Chapter 34: Ungrateful

The anger grew until it spilled over. I stepped forward, closing the space between us, my voice

trembling with the weight of everything I had held back.

“Forgotten myself?” I repeated, mockery lacing my tone. “Where was this energy, Lucas, when they chained me in silver?”

Lucas froze mid–breath. His wolf faltered for just a second. I saw the flicker in his eyes–the guilt he still refused to face.

“You stood there,” I said, my voice rising, each syllable sharper than the last. “You watched.

Four years, Lucas. Four. Years.”

My throat tightened, but I forced the words through. “You let them take me, all for your

precious Scarlett. You said nothing.”

The silence that followed roared like thunder. The wolves around us barely moved; even

Alexander shifted uncomfortably at the sheer force of my words.

Lucas’s lips parted, but there were no words. None that could defend him. His golden eyes

betrayed a twinge of hesitation. His wolf, confronted with the truth, seemed to falter.

Instead of continuing, he tried to summon his authority, again. His growl was low and dangerous. “You-”

I didn’t let him finish.

“You think you’re still my brother?” My laugh cut through his attempted dominance. It was bitter, cold–a knife against everything we used to have. “That man died a long time ago. My brother died the day he threw his sister into Moon Shadow Prison.”

The impact was immediate. Lucas visibly recoiled. His wolf retreated, stunned. The words

struck their mark, shattering the thin pretense of control he had carried.

His face twisted–shock, disbelief, perhaps even anguish–but he didn’t respond.

The bond that had meant the world to me–it was broken. Lucas seemed to realize that now.

too.

Before either of us could speak further, Scarlett’s soft, trembling voice pierced the silence. She stepped forward, her emerald eyes shimmering with well–timed tears that cascaded down her perfect cheeks.

“Please, stop,” Scarlett begged, her voice breaking. Her hands trembled as she reached for mine, delicate and small, as if her touch alone could mend the ruins of what stood between Lucas and me. “Please don’t do this. Don’t push him away like this.”

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Chapter 34: Ungrateful

Her knees seemed to give out, and she dropped to the ground, her wolf cowering visibly.

“This is my fault,” she sobbed. “It’s all my fault. Four years ago–my return. I ruined everything. If it weren’t for me, none of this would’ve happened.”

The others around us watched in stunned silence as Scarlett broke down like a delicate flower

wilting under the moonlight.

I didn’t miss the way some wolves exchanged glances–whether in pity or doubt of her

sincerity, I couldn’t tell. But to most watching, Scarlett appeared the picture of selfless guilt.

She clutched my hand tightly, her tears spilling over. I felt the burn of my scars beneath her

touch. Her voice cracked as she added, “Even today–I told Marcus you’d be here. I thought

he’d look out for you, but I didn’t mean for this to happen. I’m so sorry.”

The room seemed to hold its breath, waiting for my response.

I stared down at her. My chest tightened, but not in pity.

Enough. I couldn’t take it anymore.

I pulled my hand away sharply, wincing slightly at the pounding ache in my silver scars.

Scarlett blinked up at me, her perfect face painted with confusion and hurt.

“No,” I said chillingly. My voice was cold, even, detached. “He’s your brother now. Keep him.

The pack made that decision four years ago.”

Scarlett’s lips trembled, her emerald eyes widening as if I had slapped her. The pity she had

hoped to summon vanished like fog against sunlight. Her wolf whimpered audibly, shrinking

further.

Lucas quickly stepped in, his hands slipping under Scarlett’s arms to pull her gently to her

feet. His gaze was sharply trained on me now–angry, hurt, and accusing all at once.

“You’ve gone too far,” Lucas snapped, his voice trembling with unbridled rage.

His wolf growled low and deep in his throat. Bloodfang was no longer retreating–he was

rising, golden eyes practically glowing.

I raised my chin, unflinching under the heat of his rage. “Have I? Then say it, Lucas. Say I

deserved everything they did to me.”

“You think you’re blameless?” he roared. “You, who can’t even see past your own bitterness?

Not even the Moon Goddess would grant prayers from such an ungrateful wolf,”