Alpha's Regret: Marked By The Lycan King

Chapter 155: Chapter 155: Don’t Fall Too Deep

Estelle’s POV

I felt my cheeks warm at Zayne’s offer. The morning light streaming through his kitchen windows made everything feel much more intimate than it should have been.

“You don’t have to do that,” I said, tucking a strand of hair behind my ear.

Zayne stepped closer, his eyes never leaving mine. “I want to.”

The simple statement sent butterflies dancing in my stomach. I nodded, not trusting my voice to remain steady.

“Good.” He smiled, and it transformed his entire face. “Go wash up while I get started on breakfast. The bathroom is down the hall. There are fresh towels in the cabinet, and I’ll leave some clothes outside the door for you.”

“Thank you,” I said softly.

I watched him move toward the kitchen after leaving me with those instructions.

Zayne was an incredible man. From what I could tell, he was kind, responsible, and treated me with more respect than I’d ever received. The way he handled his duties showed he was a capable leader.

I placed my hand over my heart, feeling it beat faster just thinking about him.

I was falling for him. There was no denying it anymore.

But I needed to be careful. I couldn’t let myself fall too deep, especially after what happened with Asher. The betrayal still stung, reminding me how easily someone could pretend to care.

I didn’t want to think horrible thoughts about Zayne. He’d been nothing but wonderful to me. But Asher had been sweet at the beginning too until I found out that it had been nothing more than an act.

I had to put the Blackmoon Pack first. That was my responsibility now.

When the day came that Zayne found his true fated mate, he might toss me aside just like Asher did. Especially if she was a lycan, not just a werewolf like me. I would understand, but it would still hurt.

I couldn’t let myself forget that this might only be temporary.

***

Third POV

Asher gripped the steering wheel until his knuckles turned white. In the backseat, Finn coughed again, the sound sharp in the confined space of the car.

He’d just picked up his son from Hazel’s apartment. Letting Finn stay with his real mother had been risky, but Dorothy had been away visiting some old friends in the pack since she had finally returned to the Moonveil Pack at last. Now she was back, and she’d started asking questions about where Finn had been.

“Daddy, when can I go back to see Mommy?” Finn asked between coughs.

Asher’s jaw clenched. “We’re heading back to Moonveil now.”

“But I want to see my real mommy, not that evil woman.”

“In Moonveil, your mother is Estelle. No one else.” Asher’s voice was sharp with warning. “Don’t speak out of turn, Finn.”

Finn’s face crumpled, and he started crying. “I want my mom! She’s not my mom! That evil woman isn’t my mommy!”

Asher was on the verge of turning around to slap some sense into the boy when his phone rang. He glanced at the caller ID and cursed under his breath.

Speaking of mothers...

“What?” he snapped into the phone.

“You need to get home right now,” his mother’s voice was tight with panic. “Your grandmother is demanding to know where you are, and she won’t tell me why. She’s been asking for you all morning.”

Asher’s stomach dropped. “I’m on my way.”

He ended the call and pressed harder on the gas pedal.

When Asher rushed into the packhouse, he headed straight for Dorothy’s room. Ashley intercepted him in the hallway, grabbing his arm.

“Where the hell have you been?” she hissed. “Grandma has been making everyone miserable, demanding to speak with you. The whole packhouse is walking on eggshells.”

“I went to pick up Finn,” Asher said, gesturing to where his son stood behind him.

Ashley’s eyes narrowed as she noticed Finn for the first time. “Well, hurry up and get in there. She’s been waiting.”

Asher knocked on Dorothy’s door and entered. His grandmother was resting in bed, looking older than he remembered. Jessie stood beside the bed, her face pale. However, it didn’t seem like it was out of worry.

Both women turned to look at him when he walked in, and their expressions were identical masks of anger.

“Grandmother,” Asher said carefully. “I heard you wanted to see me.”

Dorothy’s sharp eyes studied him for a long moment. “Sit down, Asher.”

He remained standing. “Is everything alright?”

Dorothy looked at Jessie, who reached for a manila folder on the bedside table. She handed it to Asher with trembling fingers.

“Look for yourself.”