Alpha’s Regret: My Rejected Mate Is A Healer novel Chapter 42

Ella paced the length of her new room, unable to shake the unease she felt after Valen’s sudden departure. Though the morning had started peacefully, his hurried exit left her feeling restless. Deciding not to dwell on her nerves, Ella ventured out. She decided to explore the manor, she opened the heavy oak door and stepped into the corridor.

The hallway was grand, with marble floors that gleamed under warm, overhead lights. The air smelled faintly of lavender, and the walls were lined with oil paintings, some depicting serene landscapes and others showing proud, regal figures. A staircase wound down to the lower floors, its banisters crafted from dark mahogany.

Ella wandered aimlessly, drawn by the silence and the faint hum of life elsewhere in the manor. She found herself in front of two large double doors that were slightly ajar. Unable to resist her curiosity, she pushed them open and stepped into what she immediately recognized as the library.

The room was breathtaking. Shelves stretched from floor to ceiling, filled with books that looked ancient and worn. A soft golden glow streamed in from stained-glass windows, painting colorful patterns on the polished marble floor. At the center of the room was a massive desk cluttered with papers, a quill resting in an inkpot. Above the fireplace hung a large portrait of a woman with soft features and kind eyes.

Ella’s gaze lingered on the painting. Who is she? She had seen this image before, though she couldn’t remember where. Just as she reached for a book on the desk, she heard a soft chuckle behind her.

“I see you’re settling in nicely.”

Ella spun around to see Scottie standing in the doorway, her arms crossed and a playful smile on her lips.

“You scared me!” Ella exclaimed, clutching her chest.

“Sorry,” Scottie said, walking into the room. “I didn’t mean to sneak up on you. I just saw the door open and thought I’d check who was here.”

Ella gestured toward the portrait. “Who’s the woman in the painting?”

Scottie’s smile faded. “That’s Lydia. She was important to my brother…and to this clan.”

Ella frowned. “What happened to her?”

Scottie hesitated, then shook her head. “That’s a story for Valen to tell, not me. Let’s just say her loss changed him.”

Ella didn’t ask more questions about the painting but kept the information in mind. Before she could ask another question, Scottie’s expression changed, her head tilting slightly as if listening to something only she could hear.

“I have to go,” Scottie said abruptly. “But don’t stop exploring. This place has a lot of secrets.” She winked before hurrying out, leaving Ella alone with her thoughts.

Valen entered the council chamber, his jaw set in a grim line. The room was as imposing as ever, with its dark crystal chandeliers casting sharp shadows on the walls. The long obsidian table at the center gleamed under the dim light, surrounded by his advisors and lords from allied clans.

“What’s the situation?” Valen asked, his voice steady but firm.

One of the advisors stood, his face pale. “We’ve lost contact with the Southern Clan, my lord. For three days now, there’s been no response to our messengers.”

Valen frowned. The Southern Clan was known for its vigilance. Silence from them was not normal.

“Could it be a rebellion?” another lord suggested.

“No,” Valen said, shaking his head. “The Southern Clan is loyal to the council. They wouldn’t betray us.”

Dorian, standing at Valen’s side, stepped forward. “It’s not a rebellion. Our scouts found evidence of an attack. The Southern Clan’s borders were breached, but there were no signs of rogues or rival vampires. This isn’t their work.”

“Then who?” Valen asked sharply.

Dorian stepped closer, lowering his voice. “What are your orders, my lord?”

Valen’s eyes darkened. “Send scouts to confirm the extent of the damages on the Southern Clan. Strengthen our defenses immediately. And call a meeting of the council. If the hunters are organizing, we need to act before they target another clan.”

As he turned to leave, a scout burst into the chamber, his face pale and drenched in sweat.

“My lord,” the scout stammered, “we’ve found more evidence at the Southern border. The attack wasn’t just a raid. The entire clan…” He swallowed hard, struggling to continue.

“Speak,” Valen commanded.

The scout’s voice trembled. “The entire clan has been wiped out.”

The room erupted in gasps and murmurs, but Valen remained silent, his expression unreadable.

Valen’s eyes darkened. The hunters had been quiet for years, and now they were resurfacing, targeting his clan again. The hunters’ return wasn’t a coincidence. They always had a reason for their attacks, and he needed to figure out what it was before they gained the upper hand.

He couldn’t let history repeat itself.