Alpha's Regret After the Divorce by Christina novel Chapter 180

We reached the boundary where three figures cloaked in black stood waiting silently. As I drew nearer, they lowered their hoods, revealing the faces of senior Triads council members—each one a former loyalist to Red Mask. The air was thick with tension, the forest around us eerily still.

Dr. Mills, evidently their leader, stepped forward with a measured grace. “Alpha Blackwood,” she greeted me formally, her voice steady. “We require confirmation regarding Red Mask’s status.”

I kept my distance, eyes flicking nervously through the dense trees, alert for any sign of an ambush. “She’s dead,” I said bluntly. “The ritual failed catastrophically. The energy backlash took her life.”

Though Dr. Mills’s expression remained unreadable, I caught a fleeting glimmer of relief in her eyes. “We will seek further verification on this matter,” she replied coolly. “Nevertheless, the council must reorganize in her absence. We need your cooperation.”

“I will not assume control of the Triads,” I said firmly, my voice devoid of emotion. “My involvement ends here.”

Her eyebrows lifted in surprise. “But you’re the only Alpha with enough influence to—”

I cut her off sharply. “The Triads’ goals no longer align with mine. My family… my priorities have shifted.”

Dr. Mills’s tone darkened, laced with a subtle threat. “Leaving won’t be so simple, Alpha Blackwood. You know too much.”

A low growl stirred within me, my wolf’s hackles rising at the veiled warning. “Is that a threat, Doctor?”

She took a cautious step backward, the other council members tensing visibly beside her.

“Listen carefully,” I said, my voice dropping into a dangerous rumble. “I allowed the Triads to exist because they served a purpose for me. That purpose is gone now. You have one week to reorganize or disband. After that, if your actions endanger my pack or certain individuals, I will personally eliminate every last member.”

Dr. Mills nodded stiffly, though I noticed no real fear in her eyes. I’d have to be vigilant for whatever moves they planned next.

Turning away, my phone buzzed urgently in my pocket. It was Marcus: “Andy’s team is approaching the mansion perimeter. What are your orders?”

Damn. I needed to get back immediately.

The drive back was fraught with tension. My mind raced through countless scenarios. Three years ago, I would have ordered my men to capture any intruders without hesitation. Now, all I could think about was avoiding a confrontation that could put Kira in danger.

As I neared the outer grounds, I spotted a wolf form prowling near the tree line—Andy, no doubt, searching for a way inside. Instead of commanding my security to engage, I parked the car and approached him alone, my hands raised openly to show I meant no harm.

“You can wait at the boundary,” I added. “I promise her safety.”

“If she doesn’t appear by sunrise,” Andy warned, “we’re coming in by force.”

“Understood. But remember, the defenses here aren’t only to keep intruders out. They protect what’s inside as well.”

As Andy turned to leave, he paused and looked back over his shoulder. “Did you ever truly love her? Or was it all a lie?”

His question hit me like a punch to the gut. “I loved her more than life itself,” I answered honestly. “That’s why I can accept her hatred now.”

Andy shook his head, disappearing into the shadows. “That’s not what love looks like.”

I watched him vanish among the trees, a strange mix of relief and dread twisting inside me. I had bought myself until sunrise to explain everything to Kira, to make her understand what had truly happened. But would any explanation ever be enough?