Alpha’s Regret: My Rejected Mate Is A Healer novel Chapter 92

Derek approached Ella cautiously, his expression guarded but determined. He studied her face as she stood amidst the crowd that had begun to disperse. The tension between them was palpable, but Derek could no longer ignore the turmoil swirling in his chest.

“Ella, it seems you’re not welcomed here, and someone is trying so hard to prove that point,” Derek began, his voice low and controlled.

Ella looked at him, her lips curling into a bitter smile. “Derek, I appreciate your concern, but I can handle myself. This isn’t the first time I’m facing threats. I’ve faced betrayal, humiliation, rejection… so what more could I possibly be afraid of?”

Her words cut through him like a dagger. Guilt surged within Derek as he recognized her statement wasn’t just about the others-it was about him too. And it holds a clear meaning; She wasn’t just unsafe here; she wasn’t safe with him either. He sighed, his voice softening.

“Ella, I understand you’re still mad at me, but please… I need a chance to make things right with you,” he said, desperation lacing his tone.

Ella’s lips twitched into a bitter smile, her eyes hardening. “How many more chances do you need, Derek? How many more times will you disappoint me before you’re satisfied?”

Her question was a blow to his already heavy heart. Derek clenched his fists at his sides, guilt and regret swirling inside him. He had failed her in more ways than he could count, but he was done running from the consequences of his actions.

“I think we need to talk, Ella,” he said after a long pause, his tone firm but imploring trying to keep his emotions in check. “Talk?” Ella let out a sharp laugh, crossing her arms. “About what, Alpha Derek? You think you can just walk in here under the guise of rescuing me, and I’m supposed to follow you just like that? Why? Does it bother you that I’ve been given another mate by the moon goddess? Does Valen’s presence prick your ego?”

Derek stiffened, his jaw clenching as he tried to keep his anger in check. “Ella, I didn’t even know you had a new mate before I set off to come rescue you.”

“Rescue me?” Ella raised her eyebrows, disbelief and scorn dripping from her voice. Oh, what a savior you are, Derek. You arrived so soon. I might as well have been dead!”

“I had no choice, Ella. Something came up,” Derek said, trying to explain himself.

“Of course, something came up!” Ella interrupted, her voice dripping with sarcasm. “Ever loyal, ever dutiful Alpha Derek. Let me make it easy for you: As you can see, I don’t need your saving. You can go back to your precious pack.”

Derek took a deep breath, his fists clenching and unclenching as he fought to keep his composure. Ella could be infuriatingly stubborn, but he hadn’t come here to argue with her. He grabbed her wrist as she tried to walk away.

“Ella, please, just listen to me,” he hissed through gritted teeth, his grip firm but not forceful.

Ella glared at him, her fury evident. “Let go of me, Derek.”

“Not until you hear me out.” Derek said through gritted teeth.

Ella’s eyes blazed with fury, but Derek continued before she could interrupt. “I couldn’t come sooner because a lot was going on. After I rescued Moore, I found out Alpha Kevin was behind the plague.”

Ella froze, her anger momentarily replaced by surprise. “What?”

“Moore overheard Kevin talking to one of his pack’s doctors about the plague. That’s when we realized he was the architect of it all. Since then, we’ve been dealing with the fallout, trying to stop him.” Derek explained, his grip on her hand loosening slightly.

Her fists tightened at her sides. The name Kevin was like venom in her veins. “So? Has that bastard been stopped?”

Derek hesitated, his frustration evident. “We waged war against his pack. The plague has been stopped, and his pack is no more. But Kevin… he escaped.”

The tension in Ella’s body didn’t ease. Instead, it tightened like a spring about to snap. “He escaped?” she asked, her voice sharp. “To where?”

“We’re still tracking him. Alpha Kael is on his trail,” Derek replied.

“Alpha Kael?” Ella asked, her brow furrowed.

“Am I?” Ella taunted, her eyes daring him to argue.

Derek clenched his fists, his jaw locking as he fought to control his emotions. He hated how low she thought of him, how little she believed in his intentions.

“Go back to your pack, Alpha Derek,” Ella said coldly. “I still have unfinished business here.”

“What unfinished business, Ella?” Derek demanded, his anger finally spilling over. He grabbed her wrist again as she turned to leave, his grip firm but not painful. “Tell me!”

“That’s none of your business, Derek!” Ella snapped, trying to wrench her hand free. “Let go of me!”

“I’m not leaving without you, Ella,” Derek growled, his voice low and dangerous. “Even if I have to drag you back.”

Ella’s eyes flared with fury, her body trembling with rage. “You wouldn’t dare—”

“She said let her go, Alpha Derek!”

Derek and Ella turned toward the source of the voice. Valen stood a few feet away, his crimson eyes blazing with barely restrained fury.

The air grew thick with tension as Derek and Valen locked eyes, neither willing to back down.