Alpha’s Regret: My Rejected Mate Is A Healer novel Chapter 17

“Ella…” Moore’s voice echoed through the hall, growing louder with each step.

Ella tensed, her instincts urging her to create distance between herself and Derek. She could feel the tension building, and the last thing she wanted was for Moore to find them like this. She shifted, trying to slip out of Derek’s grip, but Derek, sensing her intention, held her tighter, pulling her even closer to his chest.

Her eyes flared with frustration. “Alpha Derek, what are you doing?” she hissed, trying to keep her voice low and controlled. Derek smirked, his eyes glinting with a mix of amusement and something darker. “What do you think I’m doing?”

Ella struggled more forcefully, her movements frantic as Moore’s voice grew nearer. In the scuffle, the strap of her dress slipped down her shoulder, leaving her skin bare and her breast partially exposed. Any further, and the situation would be beyond embarrassing. But Ella, too focused on escaping Derek’s grip, didn’t immediately realize what had happened.

Derek, on the other hand, noticed instantly. His eyes darkened, filled with raw, unfiltered lust as he took in the sight of her exposed skin. His gaze was intense as if he was ready to devour her right then and there.

When Ella finally caught the shift in his expression, she followed his gaze and gasped in horror as she saw the state of her dress. “Oh my God!” she exclaimed, her face flushing with humiliation. She hurriedly reached to adjust the fallen strap, but Derek’s eyes still lingered on her, making no effort to look away. His brazen stare only infuriated her further.

Before she could fully compose herself, the curtains behind them parted, and Alpha Moore stepped into the room, his eyes immediately landing on the compromising scene before him. Ella froze, her wide eyes locking onto him like a deer caught in headlights. The sight of her disheveled appearance-her dress half-fallen, her lipstick smeared, and Derek’s possessive grip on her-left no room for doubt about what Moore believed he had just walked in on.

Moore’s gaze hardened as he quickly crossed the room, his jaw clenched in anger. Without hesitation, he grabbed Ella’s arm, pulling her out of Derek’s hold and adjusting her dress. His hands were gentle on her, but the fire in his eyes was directed entirely at Derek.

“Alpha Derek,” Moore began, his voice low and furious, “I will fight you if you try to force my wife against her will.”

Derek merely smiled, that same infuriatingly stubborn expression on his face. “Alpha Moore,” he replied calmly, “your wife will have a new mate if you relax your guard. Then we’ll see where her true will lies.”

His words hung in the air, heavy with the unspoken challenge. He brushed past Moore, their shoulders barely touching, but the tension between them was palpable. Derek paused at the door, turning to give Ella one last lingering look, his eyes still simmering with unvoiced desires before he exited the room.

Ella closed her eyes, her heart a storm of emotions she wasn’t ready to confront. She would have to face Derek again soon, and when she did, she needed to be sure of what she truly wanted. But for now, all she could do was breathe and hold onto the fragile thread of control she still had left.

She inhaled sharply, trying to steady her breathing. She had to be strong. She couldn’t let Derek sweep her off her feet again, not when so much was at stake. Not with this plague looming everywhere threatening to start a war.

She can’t lose focus. Not now-not Ever

Moore held her in silence, his touch gentle but firm, as if silently reassuring her that no matter what happened, he would be there. No words needed to be said between them. For now, it was enough to just stand together, the weight of their shared history and the looming threat of Derek’s presence hanging heavily in the air.