The Beta’s Regret

(Lord Shevek's Pov)

I had spent most of my day in the study, going through documents that needed to be signed. At one point, I took a short break and nursed a glass of blood in silence until it was warm.

My mind was unsettled. For the first time since Lyraea, I was finally with just one woman. It felt strange to me, yet oddly satisfying.

I smiled. I hoped that the longing I felt for Rose would never fade. There was just something about her that made me warm.

When I first found out she was my second chance mate, I didn't think it was possible. I suddenly regreted the years I spent alone without her.

Even more, I felt guilty for the pain she went through at the hands of her so-called mate when she would have been loved in my arms if only I had done the right thing by her.

With a deep breath, I abandoned the glass cup and stood up. I had a sudden urge to hold her. I knew she had gone out into the garden at the side of the mansion, something she seemed so fascinated about. A fascination I couldn't understand. However, I hoped she would be done with the garden so I could spend some time with my beloved.

I smiled.

While I walked down the hallway, it felt too quiet. I caught an intoxicating scent, and I sniffed. She was around.

My steps quickened, and I pushed the door to my room open.

As soon as I entered, the smile on my lips died. I looked on in confusion at Rose, who angrily threw her clothes into an opened bag on the bed.

Tears streamed down her face as she broke out into a sob. My heart squeezed painfully as I looked at her.

She hadn't noticed my presence in the room. Her movements were hurried and shaky. She looked desperate. "What are you doing?" I finally asked.

She stopped midday, a stack of clothes in her hands as she looked at me, the hatred in her eyes bold.

I began to panic. What has gone wrong?

Her eyes were bloodshot.

"What do you think? I'm leaving." She bit off harshly and returned back to what she was doing almost as if she never said a word to me.

Leaving?

word hung silently in the room. My gaze flicked back and forth between her and the suitcase opened on the bed. The same suitcase she just moved

so fast my eyes widened in surprise. Then she

really asking me

walk in to see you packing up. Don't you think I need an explanation? I told you I want to make

"No. This cannot work. Nothing can ever work.

what you mean!" I

She snapped. "Do you think I don't know all about you? You and the women in this

confused.

said

She screamed and threw the clothes

caught some of them in my

guard. "What are you talking

and

told me everything. How you slept with her and probably. I thought it was only Vanessa and the other girls. But now it's more than that How am I any different from all of them?

words cut me deep. I tried

what to say. But before I could make a

nothing but a

your life sleeping with every woman that so much as gives you a look. And you want

.n

special? That you are different. That's a joke."

The room went silent.

me again, hurting more

QUMS

I'm a whore?" I narrowed my gaze on

eyes and

I

clenched my fists at my side as I tried hard to control my emotions. So many thoughts ran through my

you are saying." I

bed as she zipped it up. She paused, took a moment to