The Alpha's Regret: Return Of The Betrayed Luna

Chapter 185: Chapter 185 A Challenge

But Addison had more pressing issues to deal with. She ignored the silent standoff, knowing she couldn’t afford to get distracted now.

Maxwell, though visibly displeased by how things were playing out, managed to rein in his temper. His wolf clawed at the edges of his control, eager to challenge his two rivals, but he forced it down with effort. Zion, equally tense, struggled with Shura, who was growling and pacing in his head, clearly provoked by his own Beta. Being one-upped by Levi didn’t sit well with either of them.

When Addison stepped onto the grassland, she was immediately greeted by a rush of wind and the rich, earthy scent of wild grass. The open space felt liberating, vast, and untamed. Here, she could run freely, unhindered by trees or tangled roots, able to stretch her limbs and her power without restraint.

She walked forward, eyes scanning the terrain until the Tigren camp came into view. It wasn’t just a camp, it was practically a village. Dozens upon dozens of tents sprawled across the land, but despite being made of fabric and animal hides, they exuded anything but poverty. There was an unmistakable sense of grandeur and regality to the entire setup.

What struck her most was the sheer intimidation coming from each tent; each was held up by massive monster bones, towering and weathered with age. It was a silent testament to the tribe’s strength, a record of countless slain beasts. At the center stood the largest tent, crowned with the skulls of fearsome monsters, arranged like trophies to announce the Chieftain’s dominance without a single word.

If the Tigren camp was meant to intimidate, Addison felt no fear. She walked steadily forward until she and her group stood just before the entrance to the camp. A few Tigren warriors, tall and imposing, blocked their path, eyeing them with suspicion. Among the delegation, Addison stood out, not only as the only woman but also as the smallest in stature.

Despite her shapely figure, accentuated even more after giving birth, her breasts fuller, her hips and backside rounder, she still looked petite next to the towering Tigren women. In comparison, she seemed almost delicate.

Once she stated her purpose, the warriors gave a nod and led them into the heart of the camp. Inside, Addison was struck by how clean and organized everything was, a stark contrast to the wildness of the land around it. But what surprised her most were the women. They were stunning, undeniably seductive, with voluptuous figures that seemed sculpted to allure. Their breasts were full like ripe melons, waists narrow, hips wide and round.

Their clothing, if it could be called that, was minimal, light strips of fabric tied around their waists and looping up around their necks, revealing more than they concealed. Their sun-kissed skin glowed with a healthy sheen, smooth and flawless, enhancing their exotic beauty. Addison couldn’t help but feel a flicker of self-consciousness, though she quickly pushed it aside. She was here to negotiate, not to compare bodies.

Maybe she was starting to feel a bit territorial. As she walked with her mates, the surrounding Tigren warriors glared and snarled at them. Then came the women, strikingly beautiful and openly alluring, as they passed along the path toward the central tent. Addison couldn’t help but sneak glances at each of her mates.

Sensing her unease, Levi, who remained close beside her, gently pulled her closer. He gave her waist a small pinch and offered her a reassuring smile before turning his gaze forward, deliberately avoiding looking around. It was as if to silently say, ’I don’t care about them. I only see you.’

Oddly enough, it worked. The tightness in her chest eased, though she still stole glances at Zion and Maxwell. Both of them kept their eyes fixed ahead, their expressions grim. They didn’t seem to appreciate being paraded around, stared at like some exotic exhibit.

Though slightly smaller in build compared to the Tigren warriors, their presence was overwhelming, an aura that pushed others back without a word. Even the Tigrens didn’t dare to look down on them. Zion and Maxwell flanked Addison like sentinels, each standing a step behind her at either side, while Levi remained glued to her side.

Behind them, Lance walked with Elric and the Royal Advisor. Clearly, he was annoyed, once again denied a chance to stand closer to her by those three. But seeing the Tigren warriors, he’d be lying if he claimed he wasn’t at least a little intimidated. That feeling, however, vanished almost as quickly as it came.

Zion and Maxwell didn’t bother to rein in their Alpha aura, intentionally. It was their way of ensuring the Tigren wouldn’t look down on them or try to make things difficult for Addison once they sat at the negotiation table.

As if in response, the moment they neared the central tent, a wave of bloodlust hit them, sharp, suffocating, and unmistakably intentional. They didn’t need to guess; it was the Chieftain, greeting them with a show of dominance.

Zion wasn’t fazed. After three years of war with the vampires, he was no stranger to murderous auras. But that didn’t stop him from worrying about Addison. He glanced down to study her face, concerned that the oppressive aura might shake her.

But she simply kept walking, eyes forward, her expression calm. She wasn’t unaffected; he could sense it, but she chose to ignore the pressure rather than yield to it.

The ones who struggled most were the trio behind them: Elric, the Royal Advisor, and even Lance. They were visibly affected, the Chieftain’s aura pressing down on them like a weight they hadn’t expected.

"Welcome, visitors."

The Chieftain’s booming voice greeted them just as Addison and her entourage reached the entrance of the central tent. Only a thin cloth separated them, but through it, she could already make out the silhouette of a massive figure seated ahead.

Still, she didn’t step inside. Not without permission.

Moments later, a Tigren warrior pulled the cloth aside and silently gestured for her to enter. The warriors remained outside, standing guard as she and her companions crossed the threshold.

The moment Addison stepped into view, the Tigren Chieftain’s confident, smug expression faltered and then cracked completely. His bloodlust vanished so abruptly that even Maxwell and Zion immediately sensed something was wrong.

Their gazes snapped forward, alert. But instead of a hostile threat, they saw something far more alarming: the massive Chieftain staring at their mate with wide, starstruck eyes, an expression filled with awe, desire, and something disturbingly close to affection. It was the look of a male who had just found something he wanted to claim.

Every instinct in them roared to life. This wasn’t admiration. It was a challenge.

Unlike werewolves, the Tigrens didn’t have the concept of ’Fated Mates’. Their people revered a different god—the God of War—who blessed them with raw strength and power upon awakening, not soul-deep bonds. noveldrama

While werewolves were gifted with a mate destined to walk with them through life and death, a bond that could either strengthen or destroy them—Tigrens had complete freedom in choosing their partners. And because of that freedom, they could take multiple lovers without suffering the decay of a damaged mate bond, unlike wolves who strayed.