Alpha's Regret: Marked By The Lycan King

Chapter 147: Chapter 147: Never-Ending Cycle

Third POV

The moment the door opened, Asher heard Hazel’s sweet voice calling his name. Her eyes welled up with tears, and she crashed into his arms, hugging him tightly.

He felt his heart squeeze as he looked down to see Hazel burying her face against his chest. Her familiar scent filled his nostrils, and he had a strong urge to wrap his arms around her. With Hazel in his arms, Asher felt that the whole world was right again.

“I thought you were going to avoid me forever,” Hazel whispered against his shirt.

Asher had to steel his heart to push her away gently. “I’m here only to bring Finn home. I know you took him.”

Hazel looked hurt. She gazed up at him with teary eyes. “Haven’t you missed me at all this entire time? Are you really just here to get Finn?”

Asher pursed his lips. He had missed Hazel, yes. Seeing her just made him miss her even more. Even if he was angry and resentful about some things, no matter what, Hazel was his fated mate. His mind was unwilling, but his body was honest.

Before he could deny it, their lips crashed together in a passionate kiss. They stumbled into the apartment, the door slamming shut behind them.

Hazel immediately went to undo his belt buckle, but Asher stopped her. “What about Finn?”

She gestured to the closed bedroom door. “He won’t know as long as we keep quiet.”

They moved into the master bedroom and made love with desperate intensity.

Afterward, they lay tangled in the sheets when a knock sounded on the bedroom door. Asher was already reaching for Hazel again when she winced and pulled away.

“I’m a bit sore,” she said quietly. “You were rougher than usual.”

“Daddy?” Finn’s voice came through the door. “Is that daddy? I heard daddy’s voice!”

They both froze. Asher and Hazel hurriedly got dressed, Hazel wrapping a bathrobe around her body.

They opened the door to find Finn standing in the hallway, his eyes bright with excitement.

“Daddy!” Finn launched himself at Asher’s legs.

Asher scooped him up, his heart clenching at how happy his son looked. “Hey there, buddy. So this is where you snuck off to! Do you know how worried everyone was?”

Finn pouted. “I’m sorry...” He slowly turned to his mother for support. “I just wanted to see Mommy.”

“Finn, go back to your room,” Hazel said gently. “I need to talk to daddy about something.”

“Will you stay and play with me?” Finn asked Asher hopefully.

“I promise,” Asher said, ruffling his son’s hair.

Once Finn disappeared back into the bedroom, Hazel turned to face Asher. “What was that all about back there?”

Asher noticed for the first time that he had bitten Hazel’s lip so hard it was bleeding. Multiple bruises and love bites covered her neck and shoulders.

“I’m sorry,” he said quietly. “I didn’t mean to be so rough.”

Hazel touched her swollen lip. “You’ve never been like that before.”

“I’m here to fetch Finn home,” Asher said, getting straight to the point. He ran a hand through his hair, frustrated. “My grandmother Dorothy is back in Moonveil.”

Hazel’s face went pale. She knew about Dorothy. She knew that the old woman doted heavily on Finn but also knew that Dorothy hated her. Dorothy wanted Estelle to be Asher’s mate instead. She also didn’t know that Finn was actually Hazel’s son, and not a random child that Estelle and Asher had adopted.

“She doesn’t know about me and Estelle fighting,” Asher continued. “I need to bring Finn back before she suspects anything.”

Tears filled Hazel’s eyes. “How long will this continue? I just want to be with my mate and son. Finn wants to be with his full family, not stuck in the infirmary all by himself all the time.”

Asher kissed her forehead softly. “I’m sorry. I’ll fix everything as soon as I can, I promise.”

But even as he said the words, he wasn’t sure how.

***

A few days later, Asher adjusted his suit and tie as he stepped into one of the most prestigious hotels in neutral territory. The lycans and top werewolf packs were hosting a convention here tonight.

The Luna of Stormhowl Pack, a beautiful woman slightly older than him, had secured this slot for Asher to join. Otherwise, a small pack like Moonveil would never have the chance to make it in.

She approached him with a warm smile, looping her arm around his elbow and pressing her chest against his arm. Her red dress was cut low, showing off her curves.

“Asher, darling,” she purred. “You look absolutely handsome tonight.”

“Thank you for the invitation, Luna Eloise,” Asher replied with a polite smile.

He maintained his pleasant expression, knowing that Stormhowl was currently the pack that was holding Moonveil up. Without their financial backing and political connections, Moonveil would still be struggling in obscurity. Tonight was but one of the many formal events that Stormhowl had pulled strings to bring Asher to.

Eloise guided him through the grand ballroom, pointing out various pack leaders and lycan officials. The room was filled with the most powerful supernatural beings on the continent.

“That’s Alpha Malachi from Ironwood Pack,” she whispered in his ear, her breath warm against his skin. “And over there is Beta Logan from Tidal Valley.”

Asher nodded, trying to memorize faces and names. This was exactly the kind of networking opportunity he needed to elevate Moonveil’s status.

However, as they moved through the crowd, he was immediately distracted by a familiar figure walking past in the distance.

His breath caught in his throat.

“Estelle?”