Her Regret: Alpha, Take Me Home

Chapter 7: Unwanted Surprise

Bella POV

“So, are we going?” I ask, feeling a little uncomfortable. Alex is staring at me with an expression I have never seen on his face before. “Yes, but I wanted to give you your gift first.” “You already gave me two beautiful gifts,” I say, motioning to the dress and shoes. This dress has thigh-high slits on either side, and I noticed how he looked at my legs just now.

“No, that was just something for you to wear. This is one of your gifts,” he says, handing me a little box. I open it and find a necklace inside. “Wow, it’s so pretty. What does this mean?” I ask, looking at the pendant. “I have no idea,” is all he answers. Ha? Then why would he give it to me? I was about to ask, but he spoke before I could.

“I spoke to the pack member that found you outside the orphanage. He said there was a chain with this pendant tucked into your blanket. The chain was broken, and the pendant was damaged. So I had it restored and had the chain replaced. They were going to give it to you on your 18th birthday anyway,” he says as I examine it.

“It looks like a family crest. Have you seen it before?” “Not that I know of. I can ask Chuck to do some research for you.” I look at it in fascination. Something inside me stirs when I look at this sigil. “I think I will do some research on my own. Thank you for this, I really appreciate it.” “You are welcome. May I?” he asks as he takes it from me and shows me that he wants to put it on for me.

I nodded and turned around so that he could place the necklace around my neck. When he ties the clasp, he lets his fingers trail over my neck ever so lightly. I shiver at the contact and look back at him. Why did he do that? And why did it feel so good? I bit down on my bottom lip to stifle the moan that threatened to escape. Then he moves his hand away, takes a step back from me and clears his throat.

“There, all done. Shall we go?” “We shall,” I answer and accepted the arm he offered me. He leads me out of my room. Alex leads me downstairs, but I have to admit, I am distracted by how sexy he looks in a tuxedo. Being this close to him is not a good idea.

His scent is all around me, and it’s making it hard for me to focus. I touched the pendant he gave me and tried to calm my racing heart. I feel like this pendant will help me find out where I came from. But I have to stick to my plan first.

He leads me away from the dining room and past the lounge. “Where are we going?” I ask, and he just looks down at me and smiles. “You’ll see,” is all he says and keeps walking. He leads me to the ballroom. At least I think that is where we are going. Or maybe not, because the lights are off.

Maybe we are heading outside. There is an entrance to the garden through here. When we enter the ballroom, someone switches on the lights. “Happy Birthday!” a chorus of voices shouts, and I gasp in surprise. I was not expecting this at all. “Surprise,” Alex says in my ear, making me shiver at the contact.

The entire staff, including his parents, all accosted me with hugs and well wishes. I didn't even know his parents were back. They went on vacation shortly after I moved in. They are good people and have always been welcoming. My old roommate Jessica is also there, with a few of our friends. The staff at the orphanage as well as Headmaster Higgins are also there. And I see a few pack members that I actually like too.

“Wow, thank you, Alex. I was not expecting this,” I said when I finally made my way back to him. “It’s a special day for you and I wanted you to enjoy it.” “I will, thank you again.” “Stop thanking me. You never have to thank me. It’s my job as your m…” he says and trails off. “As my what?” I asked confused.

“What I was saying is that it’s my job as your fiancé and Alpha to make sure that you enjoy your birthday. You don’t need to thank me all the time,” he says. “I am grateful anyway,” I say, just as his mother pulls me away to get something to eat. “You look like a princess, Bella. Is my son treating you well?” Alex’s mother, Evelyn, asks.

“Yes, Mrs Stone. Alex is a good man, it’s me who has been giving him a hard time,” I say and she smiles. “Well, we need to make them work for what they want,” she says and winks. That is not what I meant, but I will leave it for now, and just smile. “You can call me mom, or Evie if you like. Mrs Stone is so formal. We are already family dear.” she says as she fixes me a plate of food.

“That is very kind of you. Both you and Mr Stone have been very accommodating. I really appreciate that.” “It’s nothing dear. That is what family does,” she says, cupping my cheek. This woman is making me feel a little emotional. I have never had a family, and here she is, offering me just that. I can’t stop myself as I pull her into a hug and hold her tightly.

“What’s the matter? Why do you look so sad?” she asks me as she looks at me. “It's nothing. I am not sad, just grateful for your kindness.” “You are very easy to like Bella. Now come on, let’s eat.” she answers and wipes the tear away that escaped my eye, and hands me a plate of food.

“Happy Birthday my love!” I hear a voice yell I was not expecting here. I take the plate of food from Evelyn, and turn to see Drake walking into the ballroom like he owns the place. I look over at Alex, and he is already looking at me. I am speechless and frozen in my spot. What the hell is he doing here? Something inside me tells me that this is not going to go well.

I was not surprised to see Emma and her two minions coming in right after Drake did. “My invite probably got lost in the mail, but here I am to spend the evening with my mate. Surprise!” Drake says very loudly, so everyone can hear him. Clearly, he thinks he is running a show. I see one of Emma’s minions head to the DJ booth and push him out of the way. But my focus is on this i***t that is trying to ruin my birthday party.

“What are you doing here, Drake? You are not welcome here, or anywhere near me,” I say as he stops in front of me, and tries to touch me. I moved back and put the plate down on the table. “What is going on, honey?” Evelyn asked me, clearly confused by what is going on. They have been gone for so long, I don’t think they know about me and Drake. “Bella is my mate, and I came to celebrate her birthday with her. It is my right, is it not?” Drake says before I can answer Evelyn.

“Are you sure she is your mate?” Alex asks as he walks over and stands next to me. He puts his arm around me and I just stand there, unable to say anything. Drake’s scent is filling my nostrils and confusing me, while Alex’s scent is trying to override Drake’s. What the hell is going on with me? I feel so confused and slightly light-headed.

“Of course I am sure. She even admitted it herself.” Drake says with a cocky smirk, I really want to slap off his face. “Is that so? But she hasn't shifted yet, so how could she know for sure that you are her mate?” Alex asks him. “She just does. I have proof of our love. I don’t need your permission or blessing.” Drake answers and looks at me.

Everyone’s eyes are on us, and I am starting to feel really uncomfortable with all the attention and whispers. This is so embarrassing, and I am afraid of what Alex’s parents will think of me now. “And you scented that she is your mate?” Alex asks Drake, breaking me out of my thoughts. “Yes, I said this,” Drake says, rolling his eyes.

“Well then we have a conundrum. Because I scented she was my fated mate the day the elders brought her to me and arranged our engagement. And that was before you claimed to have scented her as your mate. That is why I agreed to marry Bella. Because she is my fated mate. So tell me Omega, how can she also be your mate?” Alex asks and then looks down at me.

I think I am in shock. I can’t even articulate words right now. Is he telling the truth, or is he just doing this to help me out of an uncomfortable situation? Yet something deep inside me is telling me that he is telling the truth. Alex is my mate. But I will only know for sure when I shift and my wolf confirms it. All of a sudden, I am hit with Drake’s scent again, and I feel like I am going crazy.

“Focus on me,” Alex whispers in my ear and I just look at him and nod. “Lies! She doesn't belong with you, she belongs with me. I am her true mate.” Drake yells, like he is in a show, addressing the audience. I finally snapped out of my frozen moment and put my arm around Alex. “You are not my mate, Alex is. Move on Drake, it's over.” I say loud and clear.

I look up at Alex, and he smiles at me. That gives me the courage to put my other hand on his chest. “Alex is my true mate and I have known for a while,” I say. Alex takes my hand and kisses it, making me look into his eyes and smile. I can play the part. I am grateful that he is helping me out of this.

“As you can see, you are not welcome here, Omega. Quit while you are ahead.” “You claim she is your mate, yet she sneaks off to see me. Where do you think she is most nights, Alpha? With me, in my bed.” Drake says, and I hear a few gasps in the room at his words. This lying asshole.

“Stop lying, Drake. I have never slept with you or at your place,” I say mortified. “Then allow me to show you just why she is mine, and always has been.” Drake says and nods to Emma’s friend at the DJ booth. Then all the screens in the room light up with images of me and Drake. What the hell is he doing?