The Beta’s Regret

ROSE's POV

I stood in front of Shevek's room door; the brown mahogany surface stared back at me.

I wasn't sure if he would like to see me, at the same time, I wanted to comfort him.

It took all the strength I had to finally knock on the door.

There was no response. But I knew Shevek was inside. That was the first place he went immediately Eden was laid on the bed to recover.

I knew he came here to reflect.

Today was about him sharing a part of his life with us. It couldn't have been a simple task.

And then, there was Eden's reaction to it. I was glad she was fine; my daughter is everything to me.

I knocked again. When I still didn't get a response, I tried the doorknob and found it unlocked, then I entered.

It was daylight outside, but his room was shrouded in darkness. The thick curtains that hang over the windows were not drawn open today.

I closed the door and allowed my eyes adjust to the room before I said a word.

"Shevek." I called.

I could see his silhouette by the window. It was almost too dark to not mistake him for the curtains, but I saw him.

"What are you doing here?" He asked. His voice was rough and cutting. "I wanted to be by myself."

"I know." Tired of squinting in the dark, I said "Open the curtains, please."

a while before Shevek moved and dragged a hand over the thick curtains. He drew it to the side, and light poured into the room through the floor to ceiling

the window. I saw the slump in his shoulders and his crossed hands. He looked lost in my presence, even though I knew he was aware of

on the windows and pushed. To my surprise, it gave way to a balcony that overlooked

then, what do I really know of Shevek aside from what he has

as he stepped onto

he called softly. He didn't look at me, but I could sense the sadness in his

shoulders. I

you want me here?" I also needed to

pause before he gave a stiff nod. "Stay... I didn't think you would want to see me again after knowing the truth of what I did to my beloved and how my actions threatened Eden's shot at happiness." His voice cracked. "Or are you here to blame me for everything that happened? If that is your intention, don't bother. I already know how much of

His beloved.

woman he loved still plagued me, but looking at him, I knew it was something he would never forgive himself for. He was still haunted by it. "I'm not here to blame you. I would never." I started. "I admit you could

to pretend to be kind, Rose. I know you are scared of me; neither

my hands from his shoulder and

against the railing and lifted my face to the sky, the clear afternoon air ran over my skin. I closed my eyes. For a few seconds, I stayed in the same position before I opened my eyes and faced him. "You are allowed to keep your secrets and tell me when you want to tell me. I knew you hid

you forgive me for not telling you everything before

I would have stopped him if

confess you shocked me, but I see now that it was your own way of trying to protect your daughter. But Lyraea has hurt you, in a way that has made it difficult to heal without scars." I said softly Lord Shevek looked at me, his gaze intense. "It was hard for me. She was my fated, and she betrayed my

out my hand

overwhelmed by my own emotions, I looked away. "My mate. Griffin. He was different from who I thought he was.

brow in surprise. "I assumed you haven't

I chucked.

he rejected

"I'm sorry."

vel?

it. "Or maybe it was slightly your fault. You got me pregnant after all, but then Griffin's actions are in no way justified,

Shevek growled. "What happened?"

had false hope that he would come to love me eventually but he didn't; instead, he married i best friend and used me as a mistress until