THE ALPHA'S DIVORCED BRIDE, HIS REGRET

Chapter5

Hour 1

Sophia had barely settled into her safe house—a cabin an hour outside the city that had belonged to her grandmother—when she heard the first howl. Lucas, keeping his distance but letting her know he was there. Protecting without intruding.

Her phone buzzed with a text from an unknown number. A photo appeared: her cabin from a distance, two rogues creeping through the trees. Then another photo: the same spot, the rogues gone, Lucas's wolf visible at the edge of the frame.

"He doesn't have to send proof," she muttered, but warmth spread through her chest.

**Hour 6**

She woke to find fresh groceries on her porch. Not just any groceries—her favorites. Things Alexander never bothered to learn about her in three years of marriage. Chamomile tea for morning sickness. Fresh strawberries because she'd mentioned craving them once. Ginger candies. Prenatal vitamins, the expensive kind.

A note was attached: "Not trying to intrude. Just wanted to make sure you're both eating well. - L"

Aria practically purred. "He's courting us properly."

"It's just groceries," Sophia protested, but she was smiling.

**Hour 12**

A knock at the door made her tense. But the scent was familiar—Marcus, Alexander's beta.

"I'm not here for Alexander," Marcus said quickly when she opened the door. "I'm here for me."

"What do you want, Marcus?"

"To apologize. And to give you this." He handed her a thick folder. "Everything Alexander never told you. Every lie, every scheme. Including the real reason Lucas was banished."

Sophia flipped through the documents, her anger growing with each page. Alexander hadn't just participated in framing Lucas—he'd orchestrated it.

"Why are you showing me this?"

"Because Lucas is the rightful Alpha. Always has been. And because you deserved better than what we all gave you." Marcus stepped back. "I've already pledged my loyalty to Lucas. When he challenges Alexander, I'll stand with him."

After Marcus left, Sophia found Lucas waiting by the tree line.

"You didn't send him," she said. It wasn't a question.

"No. Marcus made his own choice. Many are, now that they know I'm back."

"You're really going to challenge him?"

"Yes. But not for revenge." Lucas stepped closer, maintaining respectful distance. "For the future. For our child. For a pack where truth matters more than power."

"Our child," Sophia repeated softly.

"If you'll let me be part of their life."

"That's not your only goal," she said, seeing the heat in his eyes.

"No," he admitted. "I want you too. Have since that night. My wolf recognized something in you, even before we knew about the pregnancy."

**Hour 24**

Sophia couldn't sleep. The pregnancy hormones, the stress, everything was overwhelming. She stepped onto the porch to find Lucas in human form, sitting on the steps.

"Couldn't sleep either?" she asked.

"Wanted to be close in case you needed anything."

She sat beside him, surprised by how natural it felt. "Tell me about the years you were gone."

He told her about building his own pack of outcasts and banished wolves. About learning from other Alphas who valued honor over politics. About never forgetting the injustice but choosing to become better rather than bitter.

"I thought about revenge constantly at first," he admitted. "Then I realized living well would be better revenge. Building something Alexander could never have—genuine loyalty."

"And now?"

"Now I just want to build something good. Something our child can be proud of."

Our child. Every time he said it, her heart fluttered.

**Hour 36**

Victoria found the cabin.

Sophia sensed her before she saw her, Aria going on high alert. But Lucas was already moving, intercepting Victoria before she reached the porch.

"Turn around," he commanded, pure Alpha power in his voice.

"You can't command me," Victoria snarled. "I'm the Alpha's—"

"You're nothing," Lucas cut her off. "Alexander already denounced you. The whole pack knows what you are—a liar and a gold digger."

Victoria shifted to her wolf form, attacking. Lucas didn't even shift, catching her wolf by the throat in his human form—a display of power that made Sophia gasp. He held Victoria until she submitted, then tossed her aside.

"Come near Sophia again, and I won't be so gentle," he warned.

Victoria limped away, thoroughly defeated.

"You didn't have to—" Sophia started.

"Yes, I did. You and the baby are under my protection. That's not negotiable."

"I didn't agree to that."

"You don't have to. It's what's right."

**Hour 42**

Alexander arrived as expected, but with unexpected company—their father, Richard Blackstone, the previous Alpha.

"Sophia," Richard said warmly, surprising her. He'd barely acknowledged her during her marriage to Alexander.

"Mr. Blackstone."

"Richard, please. I owe you an apology. Several, actually."

Lucas emerged from the cabin's shadow. "Father."

The tension was immediate. Father and son hadn't seen each other in five years.

"Lucas. You look well."

"No thanks to you."

Richard sighed, looking older than his years. "I know. I failed you. Failed the pack. Let Alexander convince me you were guilty because it was easier than admitting my perfect son was a monster."

"I'm standing right here," Alexander protested.

"Yes, and it's time you heard this," Richard turned on him. "I know what you did. Marcus told me everything. You framed your brother. You married Sophia under false pretenses. You've corrupted everything the pack stands for."

"The pack is stronger than ever—"

"The pack is built on lies," Richard interrupted. "Which is why I'm here." He looked at Lucas. "Challenge him. Take your rightful place. You have my support."

Alexander's face went white. "Father, you can't—"

"I can and I am. And if you have any honor left, you'll step down without a fight."

"Never," Alexander snarled.

"Then you'll lose," Richard said simply. He turned to Sophia. "The child you carry is blessed. I can sense it. Strong. A true Alpha heir."

"How do you—"

"Blackstone pregnancies are special. The stronger the child, the more it affects the mother." He smiled. "You're glowing with power, my dear. That child will be extraordinary."

After they left, Lucas found Sophia in the kitchen, making tea with shaking hands.

"That was unexpected," she said.

"My father's support? Yes. But it doesn't change anything. I was always going to challenge Alexander."

"When?"

"That depends on you."

"Me?"

Lucas moved closer, careful not to crowd her. "I want you there. As my mate. My Luna."

"Lucas—"

"Not just because of the baby. That night at the hotel, before I knew about any of this, I felt it. The connection. My wolf knew you were special."

"We barely know each other."

"Then let's change that. Give me a real chance. Not forty-eight hours. A lifetime."

**Hour 47**

Sophia stood on the porch, watching the sunrise. Lucas stood beside her, patient, waiting for her decision.

"If I say yes, I have conditions," she said.

"Name them."

"We take it slow. Date properly, despite the pregnancy."

"Agreed."

"I'm involved in all pack decisions. I won't be a decorative Luna."

"I wouldn't want you to be."

"And if we don't work out, you don't fight me for custody."

"We'll work out," he said confidently. "But agreed."

She turned to face him. "Then yes."

His smile was radiant. "Yes to being my Luna?"

"Yes to trying. Yes to seeing where this goes. Yes to you having a chance to prove this is real."

Lucas cupped her face gently. "May I kiss you? Properly this time, not in a hotel bar, not in desperation, but because I want to?"

She nodded, and he kissed her softly, reverently. It was nothing like their desperate passion that night, but somehow it was more. Promise instead of escape. Hope instead of forgetting.

When they broke apart, Aria was practically dancing in her mind.

"The challenge," Lucas said. "Tomorrow night. Will you stand with me?"

"Yes."

**Hour 48**

As the deadline passed, Sophia made her choice clear. She returned to pack territory with Lucas, her hand in his, head held high.

The pack gathered, whispers following them. Some looked hopeful, others uncertain.

Alexander waited at the pack house, Victoria nowhere to be seen.

"You chose him," Alexander said, his voice hollow.

"I chose myself," Sophia corrected. "Lucas is just part of that choice."

"I'll fight for you."

"Then you'll lose," she said simply. "Because you're fighting for possession. Lucas is fighting for partnership."

Nathan appeared from the shadows, smiling his mysterious smile. "Well, this should be interesting. May the best brother win."

"There's no contest," Lucas said firmly. "Tomorrow night, I take back what's mine. The pack, the title, and the right to court my mate properly."

"Our mate," Aria corrected in Sophia's mind, making her smile.

Tomorrow would bring the challenge. Tonight, she stood between two Alphas, pregnant with the heir that would change everything, finally understanding her own worth.

The real battle was just beginning.