Alpha’s Regret: My Rejected Mate Is A Healer novel Chapter 15

(Derek’s POV)

The hall was filled with wolves, pack members, and guests, but none of it mattered. None of it. My focus had been razor-sharp all night. From the moment I entered the party Alpha Moore had thrown in my honor, I knew this was going to be more than just a welcome. This was a test-a game of dominance.

I was here for one reason only: her. Ella.

From the corner of my eye, I spotted her as soon as she walked in, and it was as though the air had been knocked out of my lungs. My heart slammed against my chest, and for a second, I couldn’t breathe. The world around me blurred, the voices, the music, the clinking of glasses-all of it faded into the background.

She entered the hall like a vision, stealing the attention of every male wolf in the room. My chest tightened. I hated the way they looked at her, the way their gazes followed her every step. I had to fight back the possessive growl threatening to spill out.

She wore a stunning midnight blue dress that hugged every curve of her body, and it shimmered under the lights with each graceful step she took. The neckline was elegant, revealing just enough of her soft skin to make every male’s eyes linger, but not too much to give away more than she wanted. Her hair, a dark waterfall of waves, cascaded down her back, and her lips were painted the softest shade of pink-lips I could only dream of tasting again.

I swallowed hard, my throat dry, as I watched her move across the room. She was smiling, her expression warm and welcoming as she greeted guests, playing the role of the perfect Luna. But all I could think about was how much I wanted to pull her out of this crowd, claim her as mine, and let the world know that she belonged to me.

Moore turned to me, a smug smile on his face. “She’s stunning, isn’t she?” he said, raising his wine glass in Ella’s direction. He was taunting me, enjoying every second of this. He knew exactly what he was doing.

“Yeah,” I forced out, barely able to keep my voice calm. “She is.”

Then, as if fate itself was mocking me, I watched her walk up to Moore and place a gentle kiss on his cheek. My blood boiled. My wolf roared within me, furious, possessive, ready to tear Moore apart. I had to clench my fists to stop myself from storming over there and pulling her away from him.

That should be me.That kiss should have been mine. Her touch, her affection-everything about her should belong to me. My fists clenched at my sides. I had to look away for a second, or I might have lost it.

And the way Moore looked at her… He held her with pride, with a smug sense of possession that made me want to rip him apart.

“Thank you,” she whispered to him, her voice sweet and soft. It was a knife to my chest.

“Stunning as always,” Moore replied, his tone filled with a smug satisfaction that grated on every nerve I had. He smiled at her like she was his possession, and it drove me mad.

The possessiveness in his eyes, the way he held her close, like he wanted me to see it, like he wanted to remind me of what I had lost-it was infuriating. He was taunting me, mocking me for the choice I had made when I rejected her, as if to say, Look what your stupidity cost you. And he was right, damn it. He was right.

“Break his arm for touching our mate,” Leo growled, and I had to fight to keep him at bay. The last thing I wanted was to lose control.

“I’ll get you two some desserts,” Ella said, giving Moore a sweet smile before walking away.

He smirked, even in the face of my rage, not even flinching. “She’s mine now, Derek,” his eyes seemed to say. “You lost her.”

“You’ve gone too far, Alpha Derek,” Moore said mockingly, even as my grip tightened. “Do you think this is how you’ll win Ella over?”

But I wasn’t going to let that happen. I wouldn’t give him the satisfaction of seeing me lose control. I loosened my grip on his collar, pushing him away. He stumbled back, but his smug expression remained.

“Alpha Moore, I will make her mine,” I swore, my voice a low growl, the words coming out before I even had time to think. I meant them with every part of me.

Moore didn’t respond. He didn’t have to. The look in his eyes was enough. He knew, just like I did, that this wasn’t over. Not by a long shot.

I turned and walked away before I could do something I’d regret. My hands were shaking with the effort of holding myself back.

Ella was mine, and I would do whatever it took to make her mine again.