Jealousy Alpha's Regret novel Chapter 234

Chapter 234

Sebastien’s POV

I’ll take the couch, I said, grabbing a pillow from the bed. ‘You can have the bed,”

I watched Iris’s face carefully, noticing the slight relief that flickered across her features. She probably thought I’d try something else, given how I’d manipulated her into staying,

“I could just use one of the guest rooms,” she suggested, crossing her arms defensively.

“After what happened at the Stone estate, I’ve activated enhanced security protocols,” I replied, maintaining eye contact. “Right now, this wing of the house is the only one with full protective measures in place. With hunters targeting werewolves, I’d rather you stay where it’s safest.”

It wasn’t entirely a lie. Security had been increased, though I could have easily arranged for another room to be secured. But I wanted her close, where I could watch over her.

“Thanks,” she muttered, perching awkwardly on the edge of the bed like she might bolt at any second.

I busied myself with arranging the couch, all while keeping her in my peripheral vision. Something was off about her lately. The way she moved, how quickly she tired, those moments when she seemed to zone out completely. I couldn’t put my finger on it, but my wolf sensed the change, and it was driving me crazy not knowing what it was.

Iris suddenly froze, her eyes locked on something across the room. I followed her gaze to the small framed photo on my bedside table. Damn. I’d forgotten about that.

It was us, taken about three months after our wedding. We were standing at the edge of the forest on Grey family territory, her golden hair catching the sunset, making it look like she was glowing. One of the rare days when she’d smiled genuinely at me, before everything went to hell. Before I pushed her away repeatedly.

I’d never let anyone throw that photo away, even after we split. It was one of the few traces of her I’d kept, couldn’t bring myself to part

with it. Pathetic, maybe, but there it was.

I pretended not to notice her reaction, turning away to adjust my makeshift bed. “Bathroom’s all yours if you need it,‘ I said casually, like

I hadn’t just caught her staring at evidence that I couldn’t let her go.

“Right,” she whispered, tearing her eyes away from the photo. She grabbed her small overnight bag and disappeared into the bathroom.

When she returned, she switched off the main light without a word. The darkness was almost a relief. Now she couldn’t see my face,

couldn’t read whatever emotions I was failing to hide.

I lay on the couch, listening as she settled into my bed. The rustle of sheets, the slight creak of the mattress as she found a comfortable position. Then silence, except for her breathing, which gradually slowed and deepened.

16:56 Thu, May 7

Chapter 234

I couldn’t sleep. My mind kept replaying every moment since she’d walked back into my house tonight. The way she’d tensed when I touched her. How she’d looked at that photo with something like pain in her eyes.

had we gotten here? Two years ago, I’d married her thinking it was just business. A merger of wolf bloodlines, nothing more. I her a chance, never really let her in. Always kept my walls up, telling myself it didn’t matter, that feelings would complicate

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now here I was, lying in the dark, listening to her breathe, feeling like I was missing something essential. The worst part was nowing this was my fault. I’d never really accepted her, never made her feel welcome or wanted. No wonder she looked at me with such wariness now.

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