ALPHA'S REGRET: LUNA'S RISE

ace was sturdy, built from dark wood, its roof slanted beneath the weight of the tow

twice, firm

ithin. Celeste's muscles tensed. She wasn't sure what kind of person she

r creak

illed t

Celeste in one sharp, assessing glance. Power radiated from him-not the suff

haled. "

and something about it sent a

frame, arms crossed. "You've got some

ouble," Rowan

k to Celeste, pinning

erself to meet his eyes. She had spent too long

e weight of the night pressing down on her. "I'm no

before exhaling through his nose. "Y

he accuracy of it, bu

d. "She needs shelte

e glanced at Celeste one last time

in," h

nly a second before ste

amiliar blanket, the scent of burning wood mixing with something

or behind them with

he worn-out chairs near the stone fireplace. She followed, perch

crossed. Even in stillness, there was so

lden eyes locking onto her

no point in lying. "Alpha K

e flicked to Rowan, then bac

ainst something raw

e the full truth. She had escaped. Endured

his pack." He shook his head, then studied her again, this time with som

urled into her lap.

You don't know how obsessed Alphas can get

e was under his rule-had barely looked at her with anything other than di

ead settled

. "That's why we need a s

is gaze flicking between them. Then, w

e. "But understand this-I don't take in strays.

out hesitation. "I

e turned, heading toward a dark hallway. "Ther

d pointed, stepping into the small, dimly lit space. T

attress, exhaustion cr

was

r

ressing, yet not suffocating like it had been in the Silverclaw Pack. It was a silence of solitude, not oppress

ved. She had escaped. She had a place to rest. And yet, unease

iffen. "Come in," she said, her voic

xpression unreadable. "

hesitated, then met his gaze. "Do y

crossed arms. "He might not have cared for you before, but now that you're gone? He'll feel

ed. "Then I nee

hed, almost approv

t he meant, Rafael's voi

aying, you tr

ing silhouette framed in the dim hallway light

" he added befo

st escape. It was survival. And survival m