Alpha's Regret After She Kneels

The question is a dagger, its point aimed directly at the weakest part of our partnership. I feel the tension ripple through the crowd, the silence that follows heavy with anticipation.

Siena stiffens beside me, her shoulders straightening as if bracing for impact.

Before I can think, before I can weigh the consequences, I step forward.

"The Luna's strength complements where I lack," I say, my voice steady but louder than I intended.

The statement hangs in the air for a moment, surprising even me.

The judge raises an eyebrow, clearly expecting more. I take a breath, steadying myself, and continue.

"Our journey hasn't been conventional," I admit, my voice softening slightly. "But her contributions to our pack are invaluable. She has carried burdens I didn't see, fought battles I didn't acknowledge. And despite my failures, she has never stopped fighting for our people. For all of us."

The words feel raw, unpolished, but they're the most honest I've spoken in years. I don't look at her as I say them—I can't.

When I finally glance her way, her amber eyes are wide with shock. For a moment, she looks as though she doesn't know what to say.

The crowd murmurs, their whispers carrying a mix of surprise and approval. The judge nods once, satisfied with my answer, and moves on to the next question.

But I can't shake the feeling that something fundamental has shifted.

***

The unity dance, a tradition meant to symbolize the harmony between Alpha and Luna.

It's a test of synchronization, of trust, of connection.

As the music begins, I hold out my hand to Siena. She hesitates, just for a fraction of a second, before placing her hand in mine. Her touch is light, almost hesitant, and I can feel the tension in her fingers.

We step into position, her hand resting on my shoulder, mine settling on her waist. The contact sends a jolt through me, sharp and electric, and I can tell by the slight hitch in her breath that she feels it too.

We move together, our steps perfectly synchronized despite the years of distance between us. Muscle memory takes over, guiding us through the familiar patterns of the dance.

But then, something changes.

As my hand tightens slightly on her waist, the bond between us-the one that has been fraying for so long-suddenly flares to life. It's faint, like the flicker of a dying flame, but it's there.

And with it comes the memories.noveldrama

They hit me like a tidal wave, overwhelming and inescapable.

I see her as she was the first time we met her smile bright, her laughter soft and musical.

I see the joy in her eyes on our

mating day, the way she looked at

me like I was the center of her world. I

I see the moments of connection,

the times when she reached for me,

when she tried to bridge theme,

distance I created.

And then I see the pain.

Her tears, her quiet heartbreak. The nights she spent alone while I turned away. The weight she carried in silence, the strength it took for her to keep fighting even when I gave her every reason to give up.

The memories stagger me, and I falter, missing a step. Siena stumbles too, her

grip tightening on my shoulder as she gasps softly.

"What was that?" she whispers, her voice trembling.

I don't have an answer. I can't explain what just happened why the bond, so

close to breaking, suddenly surged with such intensity.

I glance at her, and I see the same shock and confusion mirrored in her eyes. She's shaken, just as much as I am.

The music continues, and we force ourselves back into rhythm, our movements more mechanical now. But the moment lingers, heavy and unspoken, hanging between us like a fragile thread.

When the dance ends, the applause is deafening, but I barely hear it. My mind is racing, my chest tight with emotions I can't name.

As we step apart, I catch sight of Lila in the crowd, her expression cold, her eyes narrowed in suspicion.

My wolf growls softly, its unease growing stronger.

For years, silenced that instinct, ignored the warning signs, dismissed the subtle manipulations. But now, as I watch Lila's gaze flick between Siena and me, a terrible suspicion begins to take root.

What if I've been wrong?

Not just about Siena, but about everything.

Lila.

The thought is like a crack in a dam, and I can feel the flood coming.