ALPHA'S ENDLESS REGRET: After The Barren Luna's Leave novel Chapter 7

The snowstorm intensified into a howling white-out.

Darkness had fallen, and I was still miles from Silver Crescent territory. The relentless snow transformed me into a walking ice sculpture, each labored step sending shards of pain through my injured ribs.

Passing a small trading outpost that served the neutral territories, the beta female owner waved me inside to escape the deadly cold. I accepted out of necessity, collapsing into the corner as violent tremors wracked my body.

"You're wearing Silver Crescent colors," she observed, eyeing my quality clothing beneath the melting snow. "Why would a ranked pack member be traveling alone in a blizzard?"

"Where's your Alpha? The pack should be searching these roads for you."

I stared at my bloodied knuckles with a hollow laugh. "I no longer belong to any pack."

Hours passed with the storm only growing stronger. Suddenly, piercing headlights cut through the whiteout, followed by a black SUV grinding to a halt outside the outpost.

The shopkeeper's ears perked up. "Looks like your pack found you after all."

I remained silent, muscles tensing as the passenger door swung open and Lilith elegantly descended despite her swollen belly, her designer boots barely touching the snow.

She spotted me and flashed her perfect white teeth, extending manicured fingers in a parody of concern.

"Sister Giselle," she cooed, "Tiberius has been absolutely frantic in this dreadful weather. He sent me personally to bring you home. Come with me before you freeze."

I ignored her outstretched hand and instead lifted a silver and obsidian hair pin from the shop display, sliding the shopkeeper a high-value territory card for her kindness.

Lilith lunged forward with surprising speed, her fingers closing around the pin. "What exquisite taste. I was just looking for something like this."

I maintained my grip, locking eyes with her coldly.

"Does stealing bring you particular pleasure?"

Her smile sharpened, eyes gleaming with predatory satisfaction.

Tiberius appeared in the doorway, snow clinging to his broad shoulders. Witnessing this staged tableau, his face transformed with murderous rage as he lunged forward, striking me across the face with enough force to split my lip.

"Your jealousy has become unforgivable," he snarled, revealing elongated canines.

He carefully gathered Lilith into his arms, barking orders for someone to contact the pack physician and alert the shifter midwife from the neighboring territory.

I stood frozen in shock, the metallic taste of blood filling my mouth, aware I had done absolutely nothing.

Lilith had expertly manipulated the situation, falsely claiming I'd assaulted her to trigger premature labor.

While Lilith dramatically howled from the pack's medical wing, Tiberius, consumed by blind protective fury, had his beta enforcers drag me to the sacred ceremonial grounds where pack bonds were formed and broken.

They forced me to kneel on frozen stone, demanding I participate in an ancient blood ritual to ensure safe delivery of his heir.

"If anything happens to Lilith or my pup," Tiberius growled, his eyes glowing amber in the darkness, "I will hunt you to the ends of this earth and tear you apart with my own fangs."