Alpha's Regret After She Kneels novel Chapter 25

My sex fere culder beneath me, harder somehow, as the head judge’s voice echoes through the air.

For more pack leadership and redefining strength–Wandhowl

The words ripple an

space like a crack of lightning

me sup to Siena, dimor instantively, and I catch the flicker of surprise on her face before the smooths it into worthing cale, macroposed

Dignified

Her expression dore’t say dock–it says learned this

And she did

The veteras Ranking her, the ones the other packs have mocked as “cripples” and “has–beens” all day, straighten their spines. Their eyes shine, not with arrogance but with something deeper.

It’s a look that says, Finally, someone sees us for who we are.

The applause begins slowly, tentatively. A smattering of claps here and there, hesitant and unsure. But then it grows, spreading across the arena like wildfire.

Even some of the more traditional Alphas, the ones who sneered and scoffed at Windhowl earlier, nod grudgingly as they dap. I can see it in their faces. They may not like who’s won, but they can’t deny it’s deserved

Beside me, Lila stiffens

Her perfectly manicured hand grips my arm so tightly that her claws dig into my skin. I don’t move.

I don’t react.

My gaze is fred on Siena, who steps forward to accept the high honors with a grace that’s entirely at odds with the Siena I thought I knew. There’s no smugness in her movements, no gloating in her expression.

Just quiet pride.

“How could a group of cripples possibly represent strength?” Lila hisses, her voice sharp and venomous. It carries farther than she probably intends, loud enough for the nearby packs to hear. A few wolves glance our way, their expressions disapproving

One older Alpha, his face lined with scars, shakes his head in disgust.

“Watch your tone, I murmur, my voice low. My wolf growls softly beneath my skin, restless, irritated. Lila flinches but doesn’t release my arm. She leans closer instead, her voice dropping to a furious whisper.

“This is ridiculous,” she spits. “They’re just trying to make a statement. It’s politics, Raiden. Nothing more.”

I don’t answer her, I can’t. My attention is locked on the head judge, who steps forward again, raising his hand to quiet the lingering applause. A holographic projection springs to life above him, shimmering in the air like a living document. It’s Siena’s proposal. Detailed. Comprehensive. Brilliant.

08:37 Sun, 20 Apr L

Chapter 25

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The judge’s voice carries across the arena. “Windhowl’s Luna has presented a model that not only supports disabled veterans but integrates them into pack life in ways that utilize their unique skills. This proposal ensures dignity, fosters prosperity, and minimizes resource drain. It is a system designed to uplift rather than isolate.”

The hologram shifts, displaying charts, diagrams, and step–by–step plans. I can’t stop staring.

Everything is accounted for–every possible challenge, every objection countered with logical, efficient solutions. This isn’t just a token gesture or some idealistic dream. It’s a blueprint for something real. Something that works.

More than her vendetta agist Lila, or her hatred for me.

So much more.

My chest tightens as the judge continues, his tone measured but full of respect. “This is leadership that redefines strength. Leadership that sees value where others see weakness. Leadership that prioritizes the pack as a whole, rather than the individual.”

The audience is silent again, but this time it’s not disbelief. It’s awe.

Even the most traditional Alphas nod slowly, their expressions grudging but respectful. They know what they’re looking at.

They know the brilliance of it is undeniable.

I sit frozen, my eyes fixed on the hologram. On her name.

Alpha Siena of Windhowl.

The plans are intricate, thorough, the kind of work that would take months–no, years–to perfect.

This isn’t the Siena I know.

The Siena I know is shallow, self–absorbed, manipulative. She doesn’t care about the pack.

She doesn’t care about anyone but herself.

Dismissing her efforts as another one of her power plays. I told myself she was pretending. That it was all for show. But now, staring at this projection, I feel something twist uncomfortably in my chest.

“She stole it,” Lila whispers in my ear, her voice frantic and desperate. “There’s no way she created this. She must have plagiarized it from somewhere.”

Her words snap me out of my thoughts. I glance at her, my expression carefully blank. “You don’t know that.”

She blinks, momentarily caught off guard. “What are you saying? That she actually did this? That she’s capable of something like this?”

I don’t answer. The accusation aligns with everything I’ve always believed about Siena. It fits the narrative I’ve built in my mind over the years–that she’s cunning, manipulative, willing to do whatever it takes to get ahead. And yet…

My gaze drifts back to her. She’s standing with her pack now, the award in her hands. They surround her like a fortress, their loyalty to her evident in every protective stance.

She doesn’t bask in the applause, doesn’t gloat or preen like I would have expected. Instead, she looks at her pack her expression softening as she meets each of their gazes. She’s not standing above them–she’s standing with them.

As one of them.

The splinter of doubt burrows deeper into my mind, sharp and insistent.

3.825 1998

Chapter 25

What if I’ve been wrong about her? What if the selfish, perwertungry Lane** ***p gumus fuse’s more to her than I’ve allowed myself to wr

“Raiden, Lila snaps, her voice putting me back to the present “fore not defionely falling for the aur you toy koow what she’s like she’s manipulating everyone put like hensy

My wolf growls again, louder this time. He’s been restless a day, bow now he’s preally clawing at my skin demanding to be heard. He doesn’t like Lila’s words. He doesn’t like the way the talks about Sent