Alpha's Regret: Marked By The Lycan King

Chapter 153: Chapter 153: Don’t Go

Estelle’s POV

Zayne’s fridge was stocked with the freshest ingredients I’d ever seen. Everything looked like it had been delivered that morning. I found ripe tomatoes, cream, ground beef, potatoes, and an assortment of vegetables that made my mouth water.

I decided on cream of tomato soup and hamburg steak with mashed potatoes and vegetables. Simple comfort food that would fill us both up properly.

Thirty minutes later, I called out to Zayne. “Dinner’s ready!”

He appeared in the kitchen doorway almost immediately, his eyes lighting up when he saw the spread I’d prepared.

“This looks incredible,” he said, genuinely impressed.

I grinned, picking up my knife and fork. “I hope the great chef won’t mind my amateur cooking too much.”

Even though I was confident in my cooking skills, it had also been a while since I cooked anything proper.

When Asher became Alpha-to-be, they hired a nanny to handle most of the household duties. But before that, I spent countless hours in the kitchen. Sometimes, I would also help out with making dinner, especially when Finn was being difficult about his medicine.

I used to make his favorite foods, hoping it would encourage him to eat and take his medication without a fight. Those long nights when he was sick, I’d stay up cooking whatever might tempt his appetite.

Since I left Moonveil, I hardly cooked for myself anymore. There were cooks in Blackmoon’s kitchen, and when I stayed in my apartment in the neutral territory, I would either order takeout or make something simple.

A frown crossed my face. I didn’t want to think about Finn anymore. Those feelings had been real at the time, and I genuinely thought of him as my son. But he pushed me away constantly, and now I knew why. His mother and father were always around, and I was simply the villain who took his mother’s place.

I shook my head. No point dwelling on what could have been.

Zayne chuckled, a warm sound that made my chest flutter. His voice brought me back to the present. “It looks and smells wonderful. Thank you for making dinner.”

I smiled, pleased by his reaction. We sat down at his small dining table, and I watched as he took his first bite of the hamburg steak.

His eyes closed briefly in appreciation. “This is perfect.”

We ate together comfortably, making light conversation about the food and his apartment. When we finished, Zayne stood and started collecting the empty plates.

“I’ll do the dishes,” I said, reaching for my bowl.

He gently moved my hand away. “Absolutely not. You cooked, so I clean. That’s the rule.”

“But I’m perfectly capable of—”

“Until we’re married, you’re my guest,” he said firmly, stacking the plates with practiced efficiency. “Guests don’t do dishes.”

I felt heat creep up my neck at his casual mention of marriage, but I didn’t argue further.

“Fine,” I said, throwing my hands up in mock defeat. “What should I do while you’re busy?”

He nodded toward the living room. “Why don’t you pick out a movie? We can watch it together when I’m done.”

I nodded and settled onto his couch, grabbing the remote from the coffee table. The couch was incredibly comfortable, soft and warm. I scrolled through the movie options, but the champagne from earlier and the heavy meal were making me drowsy.

My eyelids grew heavier as I continued browsing through the selections. The sound of running water and clinking dishes from the kitchen was oddly soothing. I told myself I’d just rest my eyes for a minute while Zayne finished up.

***

Third POV

Twenty minutes later, Zayne emerged from the kitchen, drying his hands on a dish towel. He expected to find Estelle waiting with a movie selected, but instead found her fast asleep on his couch.

She was curled up on her side, the remote still clutched loosely in her hand. Her dark hair had fallen across her face, and her breathing was slow and even.

Zayne couldn’t help but smile at the sight. She looked peaceful for the first time since he’d known her. No tension in her shoulders, no worry lines around her eyes.

He approached quietly and carefully removed the remote from her relaxed fingers. After switching off the television, he placed it on the coffee table without making a sound.

Estelle didn’t stir as he slipped his arms beneath her, lifting her from the couch with practiced ease. She was lighter than he expected, and she instinctively curled closer to his warmth as he carried her toward his bedroom.

He laid her gently on his bed, making sure her head was properly supported by the pillow. She looked so small in his large bed, her dress wrinkled from sleep.

Zayne stepped back and grabbed the spare pillows from the other side of the bed. He’d sleep on the couch tonight. It was the right thing to do, even though every instinct told him to stay close to her.

He turned to leave, but suddenly felt her fingers wrap around his wrist. Her grip was surprisingly strong for someone who appeared to be sleeping.

Zayne froze, looking down at her peaceful face. Her eyes were still closed, but her hold on him was deliberate.

Then she spoke, her voice barely a whisper in the quiet room.

“Don’t... go...”

Zayne stiffened.