Alphas regret: Magnificent Return of the Rejected Luna

Chapter 16

A large silver wolf leaped through the air and grabbed me by the scruff of my shirt, yanking me to safety. I coughed and sputtered, my lungs burring from the water I'd swallowed. The wolf carried me deeper into the forest, laying me gently on the grass. I kept coughing, the water lodged in my throat making me feel like I was choking.

The wolf shifted, revealing Branwen. His face was etched with concern as he crouched down beside me. "Rowena, are you okay?" His voice was soft, yet his worry was palpable.

I nodded weakly, trying to catch my breath. "Branwen... how are you here?" I rasped out between coughs.

helped me sit up, his hand steady on my back. "I've been following you," he admitted, his eyes scanning me for any sign of injury. "I couldn't let you get hurt again, not after everything that's happened with Silas."

His words struck a chord deep within me. I was touched by his concern, especially after the argument we'd had yesterday. I felt a pang of guilt as I remembered how I had fought with him.

I reached for his hand. "I'm sorry about yesterday," I said quietly. "I didn't mean to fight with you. The tie I bought today... it was for you, but Silas took it."

Branwen's lips curled into a sneer, though the hurt in his eyes was unmistakable. "After the way you tied that tie for him, it didn't look like you were reluctant."

His words stung, and I felt a sharp pang of guilt. "I'll get you a new one," I promised.

Before Branwen could respond, Silas came crashing through the underbrush, clearly panicked. He ran toward me, calling out my name. "Lorelei! Are you hurt? I was so worried."

I didn't respond right away. I wasn't sure how I felt, a mixture of shock, anger, and confusion swirling inside me.

Branwen, however, had no such hesitation. He stepped in front of me, pushing Silas back with a firm hand. "Why didn't you save her earlier?" Branwen demanded angrily. "You just watched her in danger!" Silas flinched at the accusation. He ran a hand through his hair, looking guilty. "I thought she'd be able to transform and get herself out of it," he said,

his voice heavy with regret.

I stared at him in disbelief. So my suspicions were correct. Silas hadn't given up on his theory that I was hiding something. He had risked my life just to confirm his suspicion.

"Why didn't you transform?" Silas asked, his voice tinged with confusion and a hint of frustration. I felt a lump form in my throat as I struggled to find

an answer.

I stammered, searching for an excuse, but Branwen came to my rescue.

"She was attacked by a rogue wolf when she was a child," Branwen explained, his voice cold. "Since then, she's had a psychological block. She's resisted transforming ever since."

Silas looked genuinely remorseful when he heard that. His suspicion seemed to melt away, replaced by guilt. "I didn't know," he said softly I'm sorry, Lorelei. I didn't mean to push you like that."

Branwen, however, wasn't willing to let it go so easily. "You need to leave," he said firmly, his eyes blazing with anger. "Your presence is only putting Lorelei in more danger."

Silas looked between us, his face torn. He clearly didn't want to leave, but Branwen wasn't giving him much of a choice.

"Lorelei," Silas said, his voice almost pleading. "I know I've done wrong, but I'll make it up to you. I'm willing to sign a contract with you on behalf of the Evans Group for the new quarterly healthcare program." That caught my attention. I had heard of the contract, of course. It was a big deal, one that had always been managed by Lena.

The fact that Silas was offering it to me without consulting her was a major shift. It would be a betrayal on his part, a move that would no doubt cause

chaos within their ranks.

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Alpha's Regret: Magnificent Return of the Rejected Luna

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Chapter 16

I raised an eyebrow, surprised by how far he was willing to go to gain my forgiveness. "You're offering me the contract?" I asked, trying to keep the surprise out of my voice. Silas nodded eagerly. "I just want to make things right."

For a moment, I was tempted. The thought of Lena and Silas imploding because of this deal made my heart race with excitement.

Lena had always been a thorn in my side, and the idea of her losing out to me was tantalizing. But I wasn't sure if accepting the contract would be worth the mess it would create.

Still, I needed to make a point. Sílas couldn't just test me like this and expect me to forgive him so easily.

I took a deep breath and stepped forward. Branwen was about to push Silas away again, but I couldn't let that happen.

t yet. "Wait," I called out, my voice steady. Both men turned toward me, confusion on Branwen's face, and a flicker of something else on Silas's. "Silas, did you just say you wanted to work with me? Did you mean it?"

If Silas really chose to do this, it would mean that Lena would soon collapse because her cooperation was taken away by me.