Alpha's Regret: Marked By The Lycan King

Third POV

Asher moved toward the door, but Hazel’s hand shot out and grabbed his wrist. Her grip was desperate, fingers digging into his skin.

“Asher, wait,” Hazel whispered, her voice thick with unshed tears.

Asher turned back to face her. Hazel’s green eyes were bright with years of suppressed resentment. Her carefully composed mask had finally cracked.

For three years, she had lived in the shadows. Three years of watching another woman take her place. All because of Asher’s father, Alpha Samuel’s outdated beliefs about second-chance mates.

Hazel remembered the humiliation vividly. Standing before Samuel as he declared her unworthy. His cold words still echoed in her mind: “No son of mine will take damaged goods as his Luna.”

The fact that her first mate had died fighting rogues meant nothing to the old Alpha. She was tainted. Used. Unfit to bear the next generation of leaders.

Her own father, Beta Marcus, had been powerless to defend her. Samuel’s word was law. Marcus could only watch as his daughter was banished to neutral territory, forced to hide like a criminal.

Those early years had been torture. Watching Asher announce Estelle as his chosen mate. Seeing the pack celebrate their union while she remained locked away.

The only thing that kept Hazel sane was Asher’s promise. He swore he would never truly mate with Estelle. Never mark her. Never let her bear his children. Estelle was just a placeholder, a convenient shield while they waited for Samuel to step down or die.

When Finn was born, Hazel thought that at least she had her son. But two years later, Asher gave him to Estelle. She could only sneak an occasional visit, but at least her son remembered she was his true mother.

Asher had kept his word. Estelle remained unmarked. Remained childless. Remained exactly what she was meant to be—temporary.

Now, Hazel’s patience was running thin. Samuel was dying. Asher would inherit the Alpha title soon. Yet still he hesitated to make their relationship public.

And today, watching Estelle discipline her son with such cold authority, Hazel’s fury had reached its breaking point.

“She thinks she can hurt our child,” Hazel said, tears finally spilling down her cheeks. “She actually hit him, Asher.”

Asher pulled her into his arms, feeling her body shake against his chest.

“I know,” he murmured into her hair. “I know. But we have to be careful. Just a little longer.”

Hazel wasn’t the only one who noticed Estelle’s recent change. Asher frowned with worry. It felt like Estelle was slowly slipping out of his control. He could not let that happen.

Kissing the top of Hazel’s head, Asher let go of her. Then, he chased after Estelle out of the house.

***

Estelle’s POV

I barely made it three steps outside the pack house before Asher caught up with me.

“Estelle, wait!” His hand wrapped around my wrist, forcing me to stop.

I turned to face him, keeping my expression neutral. “What?”

“Where are you going?” His green eyes searched my face desperately. “You can’t just storm off like that.”

“I’m going to look at the new holiday home,” I said simply. “You know, the one we spoke about yesterday.”

Relief flickered across his features. “Oh. Right.” 𝙛𝓻𝒆𝒆𝒘𝙚𝓫𝙣𝙤𝒗𝙚𝓵.𝙘𝙤𝙢

He ran his free hand through his light brown hair, clearly flustered. “I’ll come with you. We can look at them together.”

“That’s unnecessary.” I pulled my wrist from his grip. “You’re busy with pack duties. I can pick one out myself.”

His jaw tightened. “Estelle, I don’t think you should be alone right now. You’re clearly upset about—”

“I’m not upset.” The lie came easily. “I simply have errands to run.”

“But the contracts can be complicated—”

“I’m not stupid, Asher.”

He took a step back as if I’d slapped him. “I never said you were. I just want to help.”

I could see the disapproval building in his expression.

Time for another performance.

I forced my features to soften and stepped closer to him. “Actually, I was thinking it could be like a surprise.”

“A surprise?”

“For you.” I reached up and straightened his shirt collar. “I want to pick out something perfect. Something that’s just ours.”

The tension in his shoulders melted away. “Really?”

“Of course.” I managed what I hoped was a convincing smile. “Trust me?”

“Always.” He leaned down and kissed my forehead. “Take your time. Choose whatever makes you happy.”

I nodded and headed toward my car. As I drove away, I caught sight of him in my rearview mirror, watching until I disappeared around the corner.

***

Neutral territory was exactly what I’d expected. Rolling hills dotted with expensive villas, each one strategically positioned for maximum privacy and ocean views. The kind of place where wealthy pack members came to escape politics and territorial disputes.

The sales office was sleek and modern, all glass walls and marble floors. A cheerful young woman in a pristine suit greeted me immediately.

“Welcome! I’m Sarah. The receptionist mentioned you’re here to check out our latest line of holiday villas?”

“Yes. I’d like to see what’s available.”

She pulled up several models on her tablet, showing me photos of all sorts of houses and what they all had to offer. The prices were astronomical, but I had Asher’s generous transfer sitting in my account.

“I was thinking of this one,” I said, pointing to a beautiful contemporary home that was right at the end of the street. It had everything I needed.

“Excellent choice! Would you like to tour the actual venue?”

“There’s no need,” I said. “I’ll take it.”

Sarah’s eyes widened. “You don’t want to think about it? Or perhaps check out some of the other options?”

“No. I want to buy it today. I can pay for it in full right now.”

“Well, that certainly makes things simpler.” She pulled out a thick contract. “Let me get the paperwork started.”

I was halfway through signing when a shrill voice cut through the quiet office.

“Stop! Stop right now!”

A young woman with perfectly styled red hair burst through the front door. Her blue eyes were wild with fury as she spotted me at the desk.

She rushed over and smacked the pen right out of my hand. It clattered to the floor, leaving an ink stain across the contract.

“What the hell?” I stared at her in shock.

“I was here first!” she shrieked, pointing an accusatory finger at me. “That house is mine!”