Too Late for Regret, Alpha! Chapter 07
Elara’s POV
Blackfang Peak was already surrounded by warriors when Ash and I arrived.
Adrian stood at the edge of the cliff. The wind tore at his clothes, but he didn’t move.
Selene was below the mountain, being held back by several warriors. She was heavily pregnant.
“Adrian!” she screamed. “Get down from there! You’re going to kill yourself!”
He didn’t answer. His eyes were fixed on the ravine below.
“I’ll be with my sweet Elara soon,” he muttered.
Ash’s jaw tightened. “If he falls from there, his wolf won’t survive.”
I swallowed.
Adrian knew that, but at that moment, he inhaled deeply and his eyes found mine.
He froze. “Elara?”
For a moment, nobody moved, then he took a step toward me.
“You’re alive.” His voice broke.
I said nothing.
He came closer. “I knew it. I knew you couldn’t be dead.”
Ash stepped in front of me. “Stay where you are.”
Adrian’s eyes shifted to him then his expression changed.
“Ash Thorn.”
“Blackwood.”
The two Alphas stared at each other.
Adrian’s gaze dropped to the mark on my neck and his face went white.
“You’re her mate?”
Ash’s arm tightened around my waist. “Yes.’
Adrian looked at me again. “You accepted him?”
I didn’t answer.
He laughed bitterly. “I thought you loved me.”
“I did.”
His eyes filled with pain. “Then why?”
“Because you made it clear I wasn’t the woman you wanted.”
He shook his head. “Come home with me.”
“No.”
“Elara, please.” His voice cracked. “I was wrong. I know I was wrong. I lost you and I couldn’t breathe. Every night I heard your voice. I thought I could live without you, but I couldn’t.”
I stared at him. “You have Selene.”
“I don’t care.”
“You have her pup.”
His face twisted. “I don’t want them.”
Behind him, Selene began crying.
“Adrian!” she screamed.
He didn’t even look back.
I shook my head. “You chose them. Let me be.”
“I choose you now.
“It doesn’t work that way.
I turned away.
Adrian grabbed my wrist. “Please.”
Ash immediately stepped forward. “Let her go.”
Adrian released me but his eyes never left mine. “You really won’t come back?”
I looked at him. “You told me to leave.”
His face crumpled. “I didn’t mean it. I wasn’t thinking.”
I turned toward the path then Selene reached me. Her eyes were swollen from crying.
“What did you do to him?”
I stopped.
She stared at me with hatred. “You faked your death just to make him suffer, didn’t you?”
“No. Everything isn’t about Adrian.”
She stared at me. “You took him from me.”
I almost laughed.
“No, Selene.” I glanced toward Adrian. “He gave you everything himself.”
I walked past her.
At the bottom of the mountain, Rowan was standing beside Mrs. Blackwood. The moment he saw me, his eyes
widened.
“Mom?”
I stopped.
He ran toward me.
“Mom!” He wrapped his arms around my waist. “I thought you were dead.”
My throat tightened. “I almost was.”
He looked up at me. “Are you coming home?”
I knelt in front of him. “Not to the old home.”
His eyes filled with tears. “Why?”
“Because your father and Selene have their own family now.”
“But you’re my mom.”
I touched his cheek. “I’ll always be your mother.”
Mrs. Blackwood stepped closer. “Elara, please. Come home with us.”
I shook my head. “I can’t.”
Rowan tightened his arms around me. “Please don’t leave again.”
My heart broke.
“I won’t disappear.” I kissed his forehead. “But I can’t go back to being the woman I was.”
Ash came to stand beside me. He held out his hand and I took it.
“Do you want us to bring him?” he asked.
I nodded, tears gathering in my eyes. Ash knelt and carried Rowan and we left with him.
When we reached the car, Ash opened the door for me.
“Are you okay?”
I shook my head as I stared at Rowan who was already dozing off in the back seat.
“No.”
He nodded. “You don’t have to be.”
I looked at him. “You’re not worried about everything that happened before you?”
Ash’s mouth curved. “I’m an Alpha. I’m not worried about another man’s history.”
He pulled me closer. “I care about what you choose now.”
My chest warmed. “And what if I choose you?”
His eyes darkened. “Then I’ll make sure you never regret it.”
He kissed me.
This time, I didn’t think about Adrian. I simply kissed my mate back.
