Alpha's Regret After Putting Me In Jail novel Chapter 66

Chapter 66: A Wolf’s Rest and Rising Storm

Chapter 66: A Wolf’s Rest and Rising Storm

(Celeste’s POV)

The steady glide of Nina’s hands across my wrists as she applied the moon–blessed healing salve momentarily eased the relentless stinging. Her silver–gray wolf’s protective aura, even after everything she’d endured today, provided an unexpected balm to my frayed nerves.

Her voice broke the silence, gentle but resolute. “Let me take care of this, my Lady. At least let

me do this much.”

I opened my eyes, meeting the determined expression on her pale face. Guilt twisted in my

chest, a sharp ache that rivaled the burns lining my wrists and back.

This was the same wolf who had braved Lucas’s assault at the Sacred Moon Temple and then

faced mercenaries for my sake. Yet here she was, caring more for me when she should be

resting.

“You should be in bed,” I replied firmly, though my voice softened as the words left my lips.

“You’re risking reopening your wounds any further.”

Her gray eyes flicked downward, staring at my bandaged hands. “I failed to protect you,” she

murmured, her voice trembling with suppressed pain. “At the Sacred Moon Temple… at the

tavern. This is the least I can do.”

Her hands paused momentarily before resuming their careful movements. She dabbed more

salve onto the raw burns where the ancient wolfsbane ropes had seared my skin. Her touch

was as gentle as she could manage, though the salve’s sharp sting still drew a flinch from me.

“You didn’t fail,” I countered quietly. This time, my words carried no sharp edges. “You’ve done

more for me than anyone in this pack ever has.”

Her wolf whined softly at my words. She kept her gaze low, focusing entirely on her task. “It’s

still not enough,” she said softly.

“Nina.” My tone grew firmer, pulling her gaze up to meet mine. “It’s more than enough. You

need to rest now. This is an order.”

Her lips pressed into a thin line as she hesitated, her resolve visibly battling against exhaustion and pain. From the corner of my eye, I noticed the healers hovering nearby, their quiet work slowed as they listened. Whether their reluctance stemmed from their fear of

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Chapter 66: A Wolf’s Rest and Ri…

Marcus’s wrath or genuine concern, I couldn’t tell. Either way, their presence felt strange-

unnerving even.

“I’ll rest after this,” Nina promised weakly. Her hands shook slightly as she tied the final

wrapping around my wrist.

“You’re lying,” I said flatly, catching the tremor in her fingers as she withdrew her hands from

mine.

Before she could reply, the pack healer nearest us approached, holding fresh bandages. “Allow us to assist you, Captain,” they said, their tone filled with hesitation.

Nina shook her head weakly. “I can-”

“Captain,” I interjected, my voice calm but unyielding. “You’re done here. They’ll take over now.”

Relief flickered in her eyes for the briefest of moments, but she didn’t rebuke me. The healers

moved in quickly, their hands careful and measured as they began tending to my injuries in

her stead.

As Nina staggered slightly, two healers guided her toward a makeshift seat. She resisted at

first but finally allowed herself to be settled down, her gaze never straying far from me.

Even as they tended to her, her voice reached me. “I’ll stand by you again, my Lady,” she said

softly, her words laced with determination.

Tears pricked the edges of my vision, though I fought to suppress them. Her loyalty was

unwavering, something I hadn’t truly experienced in years.

“Rest,” I said gently, my eyes locking onto hers for a moment before exhaustion dragged at

every fiber of my being. “That’s an order.”

The nightmare came swiftly, suffocating me.

I was back in the cold, merciless halls of Moon Shadow Prison. The silver chains bit into my

flesh, their cuts deep and unyielding.

Lucas’s golden eyes glared down at me, the edges of his mouth twisting in cruel satisfaction. He clutched the chains wrapped around my wrists, tugging harshly as if enjoying my pain.

Beside him stood Scarlett. Her emerald eyes shimmered with tears–not of sorrow, but of smug delight. Her soft sobs reverberated in the cramped, dark hall, a cruel parody of

innocence.

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Chapter 66: A Wolf’s Rest and Ri…

“No one will protect you now,” Lucas growled.

I struggled against the chains, screaming soundlessly as the silver links tightened. The burns

seared me as Scarlett’s smile widened.

Pain exploded through me as reality snapped back into focus.

—

I jolted awake with a gasp, my heart hammering against my ribs. The suffocating weight of the dream lingered, its vivid edges clawing at my rapidly fraying nerves.

“My Lady!” Nina’s voice called sharply, drawing me from the haze.

I blinked rapidly as she rushed into the room, her silver–gray wolf emitting waves of panic.

Her hands grasped the bedframe as she steadied her breath. “It’s Eleanor,” she rasped.

Ice filled my veins. “What’s happened?” I demanded, already shifting to stand despite the pain radiating from my back and wrists.

“She’s collapsed,” Nina replied quickly, urgency sharp in her voice. “Scarlett visited her this

morning, and shortly after, her wolf began failing rapidly.”

Scarlett’s name sent a surge of suspicion rolling through me.

“Help me up,” I ordered. When Nina hesitated, I added more force. “Now.”

Her hesitation vanished as she moved to support me. Together, we pushed through my pain

and moved toward the door, my mind racing with possibilities.

“What exactly happened during Scarlett’s visit?” I asked, my tone sharper.

Nina gritted her teeth. “No one else was allowed in the room. Servants only heard raised

voices. She left shortly after… smug.”

The pieces began falling into place as my wolf snarled internally. Scarlett had always been calculating, but if she had truly done something to worsen Eleanor’s health…

When we finally reached Eleanor’s room, Alpha James and Luna Victoria were already inside. Scarlett hovered in the background, wearing an expression of carefully calculated concern.

Her emerald eyes widened as she spotted me. Her wolf recoiled in feigned submission, but I didn’t miss the flicker of annoyance beneath her carefully managed facade.

The pack healer emerged then, their face etched with concern. I grabbed their arm before they could pass.