Alpha’s Regret: Ruined and Reclaimed

Getting Revenge

Mona’s POV:

He stayed at my ear for a moment after whispering, like he was waiting to see the flush creep across my cheeks. I tried so hard to control my expression, to not seem easily impressed. But honestly? It was nearly impossible.

The warmth of his breath against my ear. The low tone of his voice. The way his scent wrapped around me when he bent down to whisper. How could anyone not be impressed?

I clamped my mouth shut, fighting the smile threatening to break free, but my cheeks betrayed me completely.

The moment he noticed my reaction, he bit his lip like he was savoring his victory. I caught the grin from the corner of my eye before he finally pulled away. He straightened up and walked to the other side of the table, striding toward the chair beside Sebastian—the one across from Keisha.

My eyes followed him the whole way. And his were fixed on me.

There was something about Kade I couldn't wait to unravel. I couldn't tell if it was his charm or his sense of humor or something else entirely. All I knew was that he made me want to get lost.

Just as my eyes were still locked on him—

Keisha cleared her throat from across the table, breaking the spell.

"Ahem." Keisha fake-coughed, her gaze bouncing between me and Kade before she broke into a laugh. "Do we need to excuse you two, or.."

I had almost forgotten there were other people in the room. Everyone at the table burst into laughter the words left Keisha’s mouth.

Well, almost everyone.

Sebastian sat stone-still, his hand fisted around his cutlery so tight the veins in his hands bulged. His face was red, his eyes boring into me like he couldn't stand the sight of me.

Unluckily for him, I was only getting started.

Even if I fancied him more than I fancied Kade, I was going to make sure he regretted every word he'd said in that hallway. Using his son to get back at him felt like a fitting start.

The battle line had been drawn.

The moment my eyes met his burning gaze, I gave him a slow, wicked smile. I held it for a moment before turning to Kade. I winked at Kade, before lifting a piece of meat to my mouth, biting down slowly.

I didn't expect what came next.

*BAM!*

Sebastian slammed his cutlery onto the table so hard the entire thing shook. Plates clattered. Glasses wobbled. He shot up from his chair, his glare darting between me and his son.

Silence crashed over the room. Every face at the table was fixed on Sebastian, frozen in confusion.

Every face except mine.

"Uncle?" Keisha's brows furrowed, her voice thick with shock as Sebastian stood.

He swallowed hard, said nothing, and walked out of the dining room without a single word to anyone.

"What's up with him?" Keisha leaned forward, trying to catch Kade's eye from across the table.

Kade laughed, still eating, completely unbothered. "The person you should be asking just walked out. I'm as confused as you."

"He could at least try to be tolerable on the night of my farewell dinner." Hurt crept into Keisha's voice.

"Well, f**k him." Kade wiped his mouth with his handkerchief and stood, raising his wine glass high. "We're not letting him ruin this. Let's raise a toast?"

"Indeed." Keisha's fiancé rose beside her, taking her hand in his.

A small smile finally touched Keisha's lips.

"Let's raise a toast to a successful wedding, people!" Kade called out.

We all lifted our glasses, the clink of crystal filling the room as we drank.

After a few minutes of chatter and clinking glasses, the tension in the room melted away, replaced by jubilant celebration. It didn't take long before people started drifting out as dinner was coming to an end.

I had already cleared my plate and was busy playing with a child who had settled onto my lap when a shadow fell over us. It was so overpowering that I had to look up.

Kade.

"Alpha Kade!" The child jumped from my lap into Kade's arms, and he caught him easily.

They fell into an intense, laughing conversation, and I might as well have been invisible. And honestly, I didn't mind. I was already very much exhausted and ready for bed.

I stood without them even noticing and slipped into the hallway heading toward my chambers when—

"Mona!"

His voice stopped me. I turned to see him hurrying to catch up.

I slowly turned to see him walking toward me.

"Didn't even realize you left." He ran a hand through his hair once he reached me.

"Well..." I dragged the word out. "Seemed like you were quite busy."

"Forgive me. I got carried away." A nervous laugh escaped him—a far cry from his usual confident demeanor.

"Not a problem." I shrugged, offering a soft smile. "I was going to bed anyway. I’m really exhausted.”

"Oh. So..." He stepped closer, closing the space between us. "When do I get to see you again?"

"That's up to you, Alpha Kade." I ran my hand across his chest, smoothing fabric that wasn't wrinkled.

"Please." He smiled. "Call me Kade."

"Hm." I hummed, shrugging, my hand still resting on his chest.

"And what do you mean.., ‘that’s up to me’?”

My hand traveled from his chest to his beard, stroking softly as he spoke.

"You're going to have to figure that out yourself, Alpha Kade." I whispered. "Good night."

He stood there speechless, smiling like he was mesmerized. Without another word, my hand fell slowly from his beard, and I turned and walked away. As I made my way down the hallway, I felt like I was the one in control this time. He just stood there as he watched me go. Not even calling me back. Just speechless, like he was trying to find the words but they weren’t coming out.

I didn't stop until I was out of his sight, until I finally reached my chambers. I locked the door behind me, still smiling from what had just happened. But the thought of Sebastian telling me to pretend we had never crossed paths crept in, haunting the edges of my good mood.

I hated to admit it, but I was sad. And angry. I had gone to Sebastian to fix my own starvation. Now he was acting like I was the desperate one. He had now acted like he'd been the one that used me for his own desires. Yes, he was hot. But I was damn sure I wasn't desperate.

Just as the thoughts swirled in my head, I turned to open the curtains for some air—

And that was when my eyes caught it.

A dimly lit bathroom on the other side of the house, visible from this window.

And walking into it was him.

Sebastian.

Naked.