Alpha's Regret After Putting Me In Jail novel Chapter 87

Chapter 87: Moon Lake’s Bitter Dance

Chapter 87: Moon Lake’s Bitter Dance

(Celeste’s POV)

The crimson light of the blood moon gleamed on the still waters of Moon Lake, but my focus

wasn’t on its eerie beauty. My wolf stirred uneasily, her senses sharp on the palpable tension

in the air. Something felt dangerously off, but I forced myself to maintain my composure.

It was hard enough to stand here, surrounded by wolves whose whispers dug at the scars

beneath my skin. Yet my enhanced senses honed in on Alexander. His white wolf’s aura

pulsed with conflicted emotion whenever I approached–like he couldn’t decide whether to

stay calm or let something else take over.

Not that it mattered anymore. I pushed that thought aside as Diana’s mocking voice cut

through the crowd, loud and sharp enough to turn every gaze toward me.

“Remember when she used to trail after my brother like a lost pup? Always finding little

excuses to hang around him,” Diana said loudly, her golden eyes glinting with malicious glee.

Another voice echoed her words. “She wouldn’t leave his side during pack ceremonies.

Clinging to him like some lovesick girl!”

“Pathetic,” another wolf murmured just loud enough for me to hear.

A ripple of laughter spread through the group of gathered wolves. Their cruel amusement stung more than it should have, but I held my ground. My silver–scarred wolf bristled beneath the surface, biting down her outrage alongside mine.

Scarlett watched quietly, standing slightly behind Lucas. I could feel the satisfaction seeping

from her aura through our fading pack bonds. She wouldn’t openly join in the mockery–oh, no, she played her role of innocence too well for that. But she was enjoying every second of my

humiliation.

Diana spoke again, her voice louder, sharper. “Who could blame her, really? She practically worshipped Alexander. Always staring at him, waiting for him to notice her. And now? He’s promised to Scarlett. How’s that for rejection?”

The wolves laughed harder this time, as though her words were some great punchline they’d all been waiting for.

I stayed silent at first, letting her petty attempts sink into the noise of the crowd. Letting her

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Chapter 87: Moon Lake’s Bitter…

dig. Letting her feel she had control of this moment. The ache swelling in my chest felt like old wounds cracking open, but I swallowed down my emotions.

“You’re right, Diana,” I said finally, breaking the laugh with my cold, composed voice. The change in tone silenced her instantly. I lifted my head, meeting her gaze evenly. “My past devotion was foolish, but I’ve learned my lesson. Some wolves aren’t worth following.”

The words carried a weight I knew Diana wouldn’t miss. My wolf stirred bitterly beneath the

surface at the thought of everything Alexander once meant to me. But no more. I wouldn’t be

the girl who trusted him. Not again.

Alexander didn’t say anything, but I could feel his eyes burning into me. His white wolf surged

forward faintly, his presence impossible to ignore. But I refused to look his way.

Instead, I focused solely on Diana, my ice–cold stare meeting hers.

“And speaking of lessons,” I added sharply, stepping forward ever so slightly. “Dare I remind

you, Diana, of the sacred combat trials?”

Her golden eyes widened, shock flashing across her face. She recovered quickly, but her wolf

faltered, and I saw it–the c***k in her confidence.

“You!” she stammered, taking a step back. “That’s off–limits! You can’t-”

“Can’t mention how your wolf failed so spectacularly it nearly disgraced your entire family?” I tilted my head mockingly, my lips curving into a faint smile. “Or how your father had to pay heavily to keep the truth hidden?”

The crowd’s atmosphere shifted. I wasn’t the only one who noticed her family’s silence regarding those trials. Some gathered wolves whispered amongst themselves, chuckling at Diana’s flushed face. Her golden wolf submitted involuntarily, her outrage crumbling into

visible embarrassment.

“That’s enough,” she hissed through gritted teeth, her hands clenched at her sides.

I nodded faintly, crossing my arms. “Glad you agree.”

The tension between us snapped as Diana reluctantly stepped aside, retreating slightly. But my victory was fleeting as I turned my attention to Scarlett.

Her emerald eyes shined under the blood moonlight, shimmering with perfectly crafted innocence. Her figure trembled slightly, as though she were already bracing for me to attack

without cause.

“Sister,” I said, voice icy yet calm. Her wolf flinched beneath my cold gaze, though I knew it

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Chapter 87: Moon Lake’s Bitter….

was another performance. “Care to explain why Marcus believes Alexander and I still have

unresolved ties?”

Scarlett’s trembling increased. Her lip quivered as her gaze darted toward Marcus. “I–I don’t. know what you’re accusing me of,” she stammered, tears collecting in her eyes.

Nina took a decisive step forward beside me. Even injured, her silver–gray wolf exuded unwavering defense. She didn’t speak, but her protective presence said enough.

I pressed on. “Don’t play coy,” I said sharply, my voice cutting through her trembling facade. “You’ve been whispering poisonous lies ever since the Alpha King released me. Are you so desperate to secure your future with Alexander that you’ll risk the wrath of Marcus himself?”

Scarlett’s wolf whimpered pathetically. “That’s not true!” she cried out, turning her gaze toward the crowd now as though to gather their sympathy. “I would never provoke Lord Marcus. Everyone here knows he’s… protective of his claimed mate!”

Her words were perfectly calculated to paint her as the innocent victim, while casting subtle

blame on me instead.

Before I could speak, Lucas stepped forward.

“Enough,” he said firmly, positioning himself protectively between Scarlett and me. His green eyes burned with anger, and his russet wolf bristled visibly. “This is pointless!”

He turned slightly toward Marcus, keeping his tone respectful but tense. “My Lord, perhaps we should focus on what’s truly important. The ceremony-”

Lucas’s tension was evident, his wolf caught between his need to protect Scarlett and his worry about Marcus’s unpredictable nature. I could almost pity him if his earlier actions hadn’t reminded me how far he was willing to go against me.

Marcus raised a single hand, silencing Lucas immediately.

“Let’s not be so hasty,” he said smoothly. His violet eyes remained locked on me, piercing through my carefully composed facade. His royal aura flooded the space, pressing against everyone gathered until even stronger wolves like Alexander faltered slightly under its weight.

Marcus took one measured step forward, a calm smile curving his lips.

“My mate claim,” he said slowly, his voice dangerously soft, “supersedes any previous connections Lady Celeste might have had.”

For a moment, his gaze flicked toward Alexander, letting the weight of his words sink in. Then he turned back to me, his eyes gleaming with possessive intent. “Isn’t that right, my dear

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Chapter 87: Moon Lake’s Bitter…

Celeste?”

Every word made my wolf curl inward defensively. His tone wasn’t just a reminder–it was a warning. One I couldn’t ignore, no matter how deeply I hated it.

I didn’t answer. Instead, I held his gaze in silence.

Before the tension could stretch further, a sharp voice called out.

“The Blood Moon ceremony participants have arrived!” Beta Thompson’s voice sliced through

the tense atmosphere, forcing everyone to momentarily shift their attention.

The younger wolves visibly perked up, their earlier restlessness bubbling into eagerness. The

sacred grounds of Moon Lake, usually reserved for historic full moon gatherings, drew

excitement from those anticipating their chance to participate.

But for this particular event, pack hierarchy dictated the order of things. With Marcus’s royal presence, only select wolves could join the ceremonial opening circle.

“The first ceremonial circle will include Lord Marcus, Lady Celeste, the Winter siblings, and the

Steele siblings,” Beta Thompson announced formally.

The announcement silenced the crowd entirely. All gazes turned toward us as Marcus

gestured for us to move toward the ancient moonstone altar at the center of the gathering.

I took my position reluctantly, my steps careful and deliberate to mask the weakness still lingering from my wounds.

As I approached the altar, the shimmering waters of Moon Lake reflected the crimson light

above. I forced my focus on them, letting their stillness settle my thoughts.

I didn’t look at Alexander, though I could feel his white wolf’s intense gaze boring into me. His

piercing blue stare burned like ice, but I refused to acknowledge it.