Secure 109_Alpha's Regret: Too Late to Love Me

Summer’s POV

 Alpha Foster’s presence sent ice through my veins, but I refused to let him ruin this night–Felix’s night. I continued my speech with practicedposure, though fury burned like wildfire beneath my skin. How dare he show his face here, at an event honoring the son he had abandoned and destroyed?

 I refused to let him ruin this too–this one chance to give Felix’s short life meaning. I straightened my spine and continued my speech as if I hadn’t seen him at all.

 “Together, we can build a world where children like Felix are protected, where their differences are celebrated rather than condemned.”

 From theer of my eye, I could see Alexander tensing, his body coiled like a spring as he tracked Foster’s movement through the crowd. Beta Ethan moved silently to nk his Alpha, ready for whatever mighte.

 7 ask you to give generously tonight,” I concluded, my eyes briefly meeting Foster’s across the room. “Not for me, not for yourselves, but for the children who deserve better than what our world has offered them. Thank you.”

 Apuse erupted as I stepped down from the podium, Alexander immediately at my side, his arm protectively around my waist.

 “What is he doing here?” I whispered through clenched teeth, maintaining my smile for the benefit of watching eyes.

 “I don’t know,” Alexander growled softly, “but he won’t be staying long.”

 The orchestra began ying, signaling the start of the evening’s dancing portion. Alexander extended his hand to me, his eyes softening despite the tension radiating from his powerful frame.

 this dance, my love?”

 nd in his, grateful for his steady presence. “Always.”

 to the center of the ballroom, one hand resting possessively on my lower back as he guided me

 into a graceful waltz. For a moment, I allowed myself to get lost in his eyes, in thefort of his embrace.

 “Don’t let him steal this moment from you,” Alexander murmured against my ear as we began to move in

 perfect synchronicity. “This night is for Felix.” 

 “I know,” I whispered back, my gaze locked with his. “It’s just-” 

 I stopped short as I caught sight of something over Alexander’s shoulder that made my blood run cold. Foster was on the dance floor now, and his partner was none other than Natalia Thompson, her red dress

 clinging to her curves like a second skin as she pressed herself against him.

 “What the hell?” I muttered, momentarily stumbling.

 Alexander steadied me with practiced ease. “What is it?” 

 “alpha Foster and Natalia,” I said, disbelief coloring my tone. “They’re dancing together.”

 Alexander’s jaw tightened as he spun us smoothly, allowing himself a glimpse of the unlikely pair. ” Interesting choice of ally,” hemented, his voice deceptively casual.

 “Why would they be together? She was throwing herself at you just days ago.” 

 “Focus on me, sweetheart,” Alexander said, drawing my attention back to him with a gentle squeeze of my hand. “They’re not worth your energy tonight.”

 I looked

 up into his beautiful blue eyes, momentarily losing myself in their depths. “You’re right. Nothing matters tonight except honoring Felix.” 

 His thumb traced a gentle pattern on my lower back, sending pleasant shivers up my spine. “That, and perhaps showing your mate how utterly irresistible you look in this dress.”

 Despite everything, heat bloomed in my core at his words. “That’s hardly appropriate Alpha behavior,” I teased, though my voice was breathy.

 “I’ve never imed to be appropriate where you’re concerned,” he replied, his thumb tracing small, maddening circles against the exposed skin of my back. “Have I mentioned how absolutely stunning you look tonight?”

 “Only about a dozen times,” I smiled, allowing myself to be distracted by his intoxicating presence.

 “Not nearly enough then.” He dipped his head, his lips brushing against my ear as he whispered, “Every man in this room envies me right now. And every wolf in me wants to take you somewhere private to show you exactly how much I adore you.”

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Secure 109