THE ALPHA'S DIVORCED BRIDE, HIS REGRET

Sophia stood in front of the mirror, smoothing down the silk dress she'd bought specifically for tonight. Three years. It had been three years since she'd married Alexander Blackstone, Alpha of the Silver Creek Pack, and she could count on one hand the number of times he'd looked at her with anything resembling warmth. The red dress hugged her curves perfectly, the amber pendant at her throat catching the light. She'd spent hours preparing his favorite meal, setting the dining room with candles and their wedding china. Maybe tonight would be different. Maybe tonight he'd finally see her as more than just a business arrangement. Her phone sat silent on the dresser. No response to her reminder about dinner. No acknowledgment of their anniversary. But Alexander was busy—she knew that. Running a pack of over three hundred wolves wasn't easy, especially with the recent territory disputes with the Northern Ridge Pack. "He'll come," she whispered to her reflection, ignoring the doubt in her amber eyes. By nine o'clock, the candles had burned down to stubs and the food had gone cold. Sophia sat alone at the elaborately set table, her phone still silent. The household staff had been dismissed early, giving them privacy that now felt like isolation. Her wolf, Aria, stirred restlessly within her. "He's not coming," Aria said softly. "He's probably still at the office," Sophia replied, though the excuse sounded hollow even to her. "When will you stop making excuses for him?" Aria challenged. "He doesn't love us. He never has." The words stung because they were true. Alexander had made it clear from their wedding day that this was an arrangement. Her father's shipping business provided crucial supply lines for the pack. Alexander got logistics support; her family got pack protection. Love was never part of the equation. But Sophia had hoped. God, how she had hoped. At ten o'clock, she stood up, leaving the cold dinner untouched. If Alexander wouldn't come to her, she'd go to him. The pack house was only a ten-minute drive from their home—a home he rarely slept in, preferring his suite at the pack house. The night air was cool against her skin as she drove through the familiar streets. Pack members were out enjoying the evening, some nodding respectfully as they recognized her car. She was their Luna, respected for her kindness and dedication to pack welfare programs. If only their Alpha showed her the same respect. The pack house stood imposing against the night sky, its windows glowing with warm light. The parking lot was nearly empty—most pack business concluded by evening unless there was an emergency. Sophia entered through the main entrance, her heels clicking against marble floors. The few pack members present lowered their eyes respectfully, though she caught something else in their expressions. Pity? Discomfort? "Luna Sophia," Marcus, the Beta, appeared from a side hallway. His hazel eyes widened slightly at her appearance. "I didn't expect to see you tonight." "I'm looking for Alexander. Is he in his office?" Marcus shifted uncomfortably, running a hand through his sandy brown hair. "He's... in a meeting." "At this hour?" "It's... private pack business." Something in his tone made Aria growl. Sophia had known Marcus for years; he was terrible at lying. "Where is he, Marcus?" "Luna, maybe you should—" A laugh echoed from upstairs. A feminine laugh that Sophia recognized with sickening clarity. Victoria. Her stepsister. Without waiting for Marcus to stop her, Sophia headed for the stairs. Her heart pounded with each step, Aria pacing anxiously in her mind. The executive floor was quiet except for soft voices coming from the Alpha's suite. The door was slightly ajar, light spilling into the hallway. Sophia could hear them clearly now. "You're insatiable," Alexander's deep voice rumbled, followed by Victoria's giggling. "You love it," Victoria purred. "Besides, it's not like you have anywhere else to be." "She's probably waiting with some pathetic anniversary dinner," Alexander said, and Sophia heard the smirk in his voice. "Three years of playing house. I should get a medal for endurance." Each word was a knife to Sophia's heart. But she pushed the door open anyway, needing to see with her own eyes. The scene was worse than she'd imagined. Alexander lounged shirtless against the headboard, his black hair tousled, those ice-blue eyes she'd once found mesmerizing now cold and dismissive. Victoria straddled his lap, wearing nothing but one of his shirts, her bleached blonde hair falling over her shoulders. They didn't even have the decency to look guilty. "Sophia," Alexander said flatly, making no move to push Victoria away. "You should have called first." "It's our anniversary," Sophia said, amazed at how steady her voice sounded when her world was crashing down. Victoria laughed, not even bothering to cover herself. "Oh, sweetie. Did you really think he cared about that?" She traced a finger down Alexander's chest possessively. "He's been mine for six months now. Ever since I came back from Milan." Six months. While Sophia had been trying to build a marriage, he'd been sleeping with her stepsister. "Nothing to say?" Victoria taunted. "No tears? No begging? I expected more drama from the rejected Luna." That word—rejected—echoed in Sophia's mind. But instead of crushing her, it crystallized something. Three years of cold dinners, empty beds, and unanswered calls. Three years of being treated like furniture in her own marriage. "You're right," Sophia said quietly. "I am rejected. Which is why I want a divorce." Now Alexander moved, gently pushing Victoria aside as he stood. "What?" "You heard me. I want a divorce, Alexander. You can have Victoria. You can have your freedom. I'm done." "You can't be serious," he said, pulling on pants with unhurried movements. "Think about what you're saying. The pack alliance—" "Will survive without me. My father's contracts are with the pack, not our marriage." Sophia pulled off her wedding ring, setting it on the dresser with a soft click. "I'll have my lawyer contact yours." "Sophia, wait—" Alexander started forward, but she was already leaving. "This is perfect!" Victoria called after her. "Now we don't have to wait to make it official. I'll make a much better Luna anyway." Sophia paused at the door, looking back one last time. Alexander stood there, shirtless and beautiful and completely indifferent to her pain. Victoria smirked triumphantly from the bed. "You two deserve each other," Sophia said, then walked away. She made it to her car before the tears came. Great, gasping sobs that shook her whole body. But underneath the pain, something else stirred. Relief. She was free. Her phone buzzed. Alexander: "Come back. We need to discuss this rationally." She deleted the message and drove away. Tomorrow she would start the divorce proceedings. Tonight, she needed to mourn the death of her illusions. But as she drove through the night, Aria spoke up, stronger than before: "We're going to be okay." And for the first time in three years, Sophia believed it.