Alpha's Regret Too Late to Love Me novel Chapter 261

Sarah’s POV

“Auntie, why aren’t you here yet?” Thea’s worried voice through the phone jolted me back to reality.

Oh God. Thea! I’d completely forgotten about our bedtime story arrangement.

I tried to move and immediately winced-every muscle in my body screamed in protest. Alexander had claimed me so thoroughly that walking seemed an impossible feat right now.

“I’m so sorry, sweetheart,” I managed, my voice still hoarse from screaming Alexander’s name countless times. “I got… held up.”

“Are you okay? You sound funny,” Thea said, her concern evident even through the phone.

I glanced at Alexander’s sleeping form beside me, his powerful chest rising and falling steadily. “Your uncle had too much to drink, and I’m taking care of him. Once he’s settled, ‘Ill come read you a story.”

“I can come to you!” Thea offered enthusiastically.

“No!” I nearly shouted, then softened my tone. “I mean, no, sweetheart.

Stay in your room. I’ll be there soon, I promise.”

After hanging up, I carefully extracted myself from Alexander’s possessive grip, biting my lip to keep from crying out as my sore body protested every movement.

Looking down at myself, I realized I  was covered in Alexander’s marks

—bite marks, fingerprints, evidence of our passion impossible to hide.

I desperately needed a shower. Limping to his bathroom, I turned on the water and stepped under the hot spray, letting it soothe my aching muscles.

The mirror revealed the extent of Alexander’s claiming-my neck and breasts were decorated with his marks.

My wolf would have heated these instantly, but without her, I’d be wearing his brand for days.

With no clean clothes of my own, I reluctantly wrapped myself in a towel and hobbled to Alexander’s massive walk-in closet.

I needed something-anything-to wear to Thea’s room.

Sorting through his dress shirts, I stumbled upon something unexpected—a silky nightgown, tags still attached.

My stomach clenched painfully. Was this meant for Isabelle? The thought of him shopping for lingerie for another woman made heart , ache with jealousy.

pushed the thought away and grabbed one of his shirts instead, which hung to my mid-thighs.

After struggling into a pair of his boxers that I had to roll at the waist multiple times, I carefully made my way out of his suite.

Leaning against walls for support, I slowly inched my way toward Thea’s room. Just as I turned the corner, I spotted her small figure waiting outside her door, bouncing excitedly on her toes.

The moment she saw me, her entire face lit up with delight. She scampered to her door, throwing it open with a flourish before extending her hand with exaggerated formality.

“Auntie, please come in!” she announced with such solemnity I couldn’t help but smile.

If not for her Peppa Pig pajamas and the rosy innocence of her cheeks,she might have passed for a little gentleman with that gesture.

“Thank you,” I replied with a small smile, stepping into her room.

Though it was technically a child’s bedroom, it was easily over four hundred square feet.

The walls were painted a soft blue, and her bed was absolutely covered with stuffed animals of every variety-Peppa Pig, Super Wings, Teletubbies, Paw Patrol, and dozens more I couldn’t even name.

“Poor Thea has no mama to love her, no mama to stay with her. Finally Thea met Auntie, but even Auntie doesn’t like The enough to tuck her in at night.”

I couldn’t help it-l burst out laughing at her theatrical performance.

“Auntie, you’re laughing at me?” Tears pooled in her eyes, threatening to spill over. “Auntie really doesn’t like Thea at all!”

I waved my hands in surrender. “I’m just teasing you, sweetheart. came here planning to stay the night. I’ll be here with Thea and help her fall asleep, okay?”

Still sniffling, she looked up at me doubtfully. “R-really?”

“Of course, really.”

Hearing my sincere tone, Thea’s face transformed instantly from sorrow to joy. She launched herself at my legs, hugging them tightly.” Thea Loves Auntie! Thea loves Auntie the most!!”

“You little drama queen!” I teased, though my voice and eyes were full of affection.I bent down, ignoring the protesting muscles, and gathered her soft, warm body into my arms.

Within minutes, Thea had cleared her entire bed of stuffed animals.

Because of my arrival, all her beautiful toys had been collectively banished to a lonely corner, looking rather forlorn and abandoned.

Thea kicked off her slippers and climbed onto the bed, patting the large empty space beside her enthusiastically.

“Auntie, come here!! Thea made lots of room for you. The bed is so big, Auntie can even do somersaults if she wants!”

As I carefully slid into bed beside her, trying not to wince at my sore muscles, a question nagged at me.

I tried to sound casual as I asked, “Thea, does your uncle Alexander ever bring other she-wolves here? To read you bedtime stories?”