Chapter 7 The Regret
“Lucas, are you okay?” I asked, still reeling from the earlier confrontation. “Yes, I’m fine. Don’t worry about me,” he replied with a smile. “By the way, we still have an hour before dinner downstairs. Rest up first, then I’ll meet you there.” He was avoiding talking about what he was feeling. I smiled and nodded. “Okay, see you downstairs in an hour, I’ll just take a quick shower before that,” I said, heading toward the bathroom. “Want me to join you?” Lucas joked, teasing to lighten the tension. “You are a pervert,” I laughed, shoving him lightly. “Get out before I knock some sense into you!”
We both laughed as I pushed him out, then double-locked the door behind me to keep out unexpected visitors. I sat down on the bed afterwards, staring out the window at the packlands below. I’ll meet them soon… those pack members who bullied me. Don’t worry, Zoe. All our friends are here, and we’ll make sure to put them in their place tomorrow during training, Celeste murmured in my mind, a reassuring rumble of confidence.
Zeus’s POV
That day, two years ago, was when I first smelled her. When our eyes met, I realised Celeste was my mate. I wanted a mate who was strong, beautiful, someone I could be proud of. I couldn’t understand the Moon Goddess’s choice at the time. Back then, she was… weak, fat, awkward, always wearing oversized clothes. Everyone avoided her, even her own brother. After the rogue attack that killed her parents, who were trying to protect her, she became even more fragile. But I did the same as everyone else — I avoided her.
Knowing she was my mate, yet failing her, was a constant struggle. When she left the pack, I panicked. She was alone in the forest, abandoned, unprotected. Zack told her to leave, but I never expected she would. For the first time in years, I felt helpless. Since that day, I withdrew, only coming out when rogues attacked. I felt lost without her.
Zack’s POV
Ever since I rejected Zoe, Zeus has been distant, appearing only during rogue attacks. I’ve noticed the change in the pack — energy is lower, and warriors are weaker. That’s why I asked Jacob for help. He has some of the best warriors in the wolven world. I didn’t know Zoe had joined his pack and had become one of his enforcers.
Seeing her now, I realise how foolish I was to reject her. I should have given her a chance. And watching Zeus slowly return, I feel the weight of my guilt — two years lost, my mate gone. I’ve felt ashamed every day. I lost my mate for two years because of my stupid ego, I admitted.
Yeah, don’t forget, you didn’t want her, and I lost my mate because of you, he shot back. I’m sorry for my part, I said, but I’m glad we’re talking. I can’t change the past.
You can change it now, Zeus said tensely. I should have stepped in, marked her, and made sure she was safe. I should have stopped you from treating her like… like that.”
Let’s see about that, I muttered. HELL NO! he exclaimed, recalling earlier events. You saw what happened — you had to check your nose at the pack hospital!
Pfft… we heal fast, I muttered. I don’t like my mate talking to that guy, Zeus growled. Yeah, me neither, Zack replied, sharp in my mind. I can feel he’s protective. Zues said. Do they have a relationship? Did she find someone else?” I was lost in thought when there was a knock at the door.
“Come in.” James entered, confusion on his face. “Alpha, can I ask you something?” “Sure,” I nodded. “Are you… And my sister’s mate? From the way she acted earlier, I just…” I sighed. “First, I want to apologise. Sorry, I didn’t say anything before, and sorry for what I’m about to tell you. Yes, Zoe is my mate. But the day she left the pack, I rejected her.” James’s eyes went wide. “She… she’s your mate? And you rejected her? WHY?!”
“Because I was stupid,” I admitted.
“You’re stupid! She’s your mate! You let her leave because of your arrogance?” he yelled. I felt my temper rise. “Don’t act like you didn’t contribute. You let everyone bully her! We both hurt her, James. Stop pretending I’m the only one at fault.” I leaned back in my chair, groaning. “I want her back, but I don’t know what to do. She’s… so different now. Not just in looks, but in the way she carries herself. She doesn’t even respect me here. She doesn’t care that I’m the Alpha.”
James shook his head. “Can you blame her for everything we did?”
“Yeah… you’re right,” I admitted. Before we could continue, Jessica burst into the office, “Alpha! James! Z-Zoe!”
“What about Zoe?” we shouted, both alarmed. “She and Laura are fighting right now!” Without a second thought, we both ran toward the pack training grounds, hearts pounding — and then we stopped in our tracks.
