Alpha's Regret After She Kneels novel Chapter 43

Watching Raiden kiss Lils feels like a searing blow, despite the years of rejection that should have numbed me to this kind of pairs.

My wolf howls in anguish, clawing beneath my skin, restless and furious.

“I hate her,” she growls, low, threatening

“I know, but we have all made decisions. These are necessary concessions. It’s almost over”

She whines but says no more, and for that, I am grateful

I don’t let my pain show. I refuse to give them the satisfaction. Instead, I square my shoulders, schooling my expression into practiced indifference as I turn away.

You deserve better than this,” Rairity whispers fiercely beside me, her voice low but edged with barely restrained anger.

The words hang in the air, heavy with truth, but I push them aside. I’m not ready to accept that–not yet.

“I’m fine,” I murmur, though my throat is tight and my heart pounds painfully in my chest.

Rairity doesn’t believe me–I can see it in her eyes. But she lets it go for now, knowing that pressing me won’t change anything.

The night comes swiftyly, but sleep evades me.

My mind is a whirlwind of conflicting emotions, memories clashing with the harsh realities of the present.

Slipping out of my cabin, needing the cool night air to soothe the storm raging inside me, the familiar moonlight casts long shadows along the perimeter of the camp, the distant hum of the forest provides a quiet, steady rhythm to my racing thoughts.

My steps lead me to the ancient oak that marks the boundary of Windhowl’s territory. I’m surprised to find someone already there–Zion.

“Can’t sleep either?” he asks softly, his usual arrogance absent, replaced by something quieter, more genuine. His expression is calm, but I can sense the curiosity beneath it.

1 nod, folding my arms as I lean against the rough bark of the tree. “Too much on my mind.”

“Understandable, he murmurs, his gaze drifting toward the horizon. Tonight.. it was a lot.”

We fall into an easy silence, the night wrapping around us like a protective cloak. For once, Zion doesn’t fill the air with meaningless bravado. Instead, he waits–giving me space, something I’m not used to.

“What are you doing out here?” I ask finally, my voice softer than I intend.

He smiles, but it’s not his usual cocky smirk. It’s softer, more thoughtful. “Thinking. Wondering if Kaiden even realizes what he’s throwing away.”

His words hit a nerve, and I glance away, focusing on the distant treetops swaying gently in the breeze.

“Don’t, I whisper, but there’s no real heat in my voice.

Chapter 13

fo

“I

Tis not trying to overstep, Siena His tone is quiet, laut there’s an undercurrent of sincerity that I can’t ignore 1 just. I see how hard you fight for them. For him. And he

Stop 1 mmr, a sharp edge returning to my tone, though it’s more for my benefit than his

He falls silent, but I can feel his gaze on me, steady and unyielding

You’re remarkable, Siena,” he says softly after a long moment. “Raiden he’s a foot

The words between us, echo louder in the stillness of the night.

I don’t respond.

I can’t

Because a part of me knows he’s right–but acknowledging it feels like a betrayal of everything I’ve held onto for so long

The oak’s shadow stretches across the clearing, moonlight filtering through its leaves. It’s well past midnight, and the pack grounds have fallen silent except for the occasional howl in the distance.

“You should be sleeping.” I say as Zion approaches. I hadn’t expected company during my midnight vigil.

He shrugs, settling beside me against the ancient trunk. “So should you.”

my skin.

We sit in silence for a moment, the night air crisp against my skin.

“Your warriors move differently now,” Zion finally says. “More cohesive. More confident. The entire pack feels… transformed. What’s your secret?”

I consider my words carefully. Zion is Raiden’s bestfriend, after all. “No secret. Just trust and training

“Come on. Siena. His voice is light, coaxing. “There must be more to it than that.”

I shift uncomfortably as his gaze lingers a beat too long. The admiration in his eyes feels… inappropriate.

“The eastern ridge needs reinforcement,” I say, deliberately changing the subject. Then pause, aware I’ve revealed too much of my strategic thinking “Among other areas,” I add vaguely.

Zion leans forward, his interest piqued. “The terrain’s treacherous. We’d need at least twenty warriors stationed permanently

“Fifteen would suffice if we implement a rotation system,” I reply automatically before catching myself. Why am I sharing these details with him?

“Ambitious,” he remarks, eyes wandering down to where my hands rest on my knees. I cross my arms, creating distance.

“The Silverpelt Pass is still vulnerable, Zion continues, seemingly oblivious to my discomfort. “Rogue forces could funnel through there, given the chance.”

Tve considered several approaches,‘ I say, more guarded now. The night suddenly feels colder than it did moments ago.

“I imagine you would,” he replies, his tone appreciative in a way that makes my wolf bristle. “You’re quite thorough.”

I stare into the darkness between the trees. “We should be getting back. Dawn comes early.”

“Have you thought beyond defense?” Zion asks, ignoring my hint. “About what Windhowl could become in peacetime?”

The question catches me off guard. Few consider that I might think beyond survival.

Chapter 43

“I have,” I admit cautiously. “Trade routes through the northern territories. Alliances with the western parks”

I stop short of mentioning the schools. Some dreams are too personal to share in this arrange midnight conversation. “You sound like Raiden before he became Alpha, Zion murmure

That name.

That ache

I wonder if Raiden is awake now, if he’s with Iila. My wolf whines softly within

Sometimes I wonder, Zion says, shifting closer than necessary, if the strongest packs aren’t built on battlefields but in moments of vision like this”

You surprise me, Zion,” I say, standing abruptly. The oak hark scrapes against my back. “I expected resistance to my presence here.”

He rises too, a small smile playing at his lips. “I go where the best ideas are. Right now, they seem to be coming from y

you! His eyes hold something beyond professional respect, and I step back, creating distance.

“It’s late,” I say firmly. “And we both have duties tomorrow.”

“What about the marshlands?” he asks, as if I hadn’t spoken. “The council’s written them off, but I’d value your perspective” “Another time, perhaps,” I reply, already turning toward the path that leads back to the warriors quarters.

As I walk away, I feel his eyes on my back. This unexpected alliance feels unstable, his interest in my strategies tinged with something that makes me uneasy.