Alpha Hunter’s Regret

Chapter 3

Anika:

It feels like the air’s been sucked right out of my lungs as the video plays again. And again.

My entire body trembles as I look up, only to meet Hunter’s stone-cold stare.

“H-Hunter… t-this isn’t me, I s-”

“Still denying it? Really?” He lets out a dry laugh before stepping closer and then snatches the phone from my hands. “Then who is it? Got a secret twin I should know about?”

My chest tightens. He doesn’t believe me.

He really thinks that girl in the video is me. And I get it, she looks exactly like me. Same skin tone. Same height. Same hair. Everything!

But it’s not me. I’ve never even set foot in a club, let alone danced on a pole or given some sleazy lap dance in public.

“You know.. I actually should reject and divorce you since you’re not fit to be my Luna… but I won’t.” He says coldly.

My breath catches. “Divorce?”

After everything I’ve done for him?

Then it hits me.

“You d…don’t want to because of Alpha Matteo’s alliance, isn’t it?”

“Yes,” he bites out. “He’s visiting the pack tonight, and this alliance is crucial. Don’t screw this up, Anika. I mean it. Don’t!”

He doesn’t wait for a response. Just grabs Jasmine’s hand and storms out, slamming the door behind him.

The sound echoes in my chest. And as soon as he’s gone, my knees give out and I crumble to the floor.

I thought today would be one of the happiest days of my life. The day he’d wrap his arms around me, press a kiss to my forehead, and cradle my growing belly with pride.

But instead, I was slapped with an accusation… and the looming threat of a divorce. He’d be leaving me for Jasmine, his first love, right after the alliance deal is sealed.

Hot tears blur my vision and spill down my cheeks. I don’t move. I stay there for several hours, lying still, staring up at the ceiling, replaying every moment I’d bent over backwards just to make Hunter love me.

When I finally find the strength to get up, I drag myself to the car and drive out. I need air.

If Alpha Matteo really is visiting tonight, I can’t afford to let him see me broken like this.

I’ve never met him, but everyone knows who he is.

Alpha King of all the kingdoms.

Wealthy. Powerful. Feared. Respected.

And yet, even with all that, the whispers say he’s still unmated at twenty-eight. That he’s never chosen anyone because he’s waiting for his true mate chosen by the Moon Goddess.

I pull up to one of the bars in the pack and head inside, not caring who sees me or what they think.

A bartender spots me instantly and rushes over, a mix of nerves and surprise on his face. “Luna! Are you here to see someone? The manager, maybe? Or—”

“I’m not,” I cut in with a flat voice. “Three shots of whiskey, please.”

He freezes for a second, wide-eyed, but I narrow my gaze and repeat, sharper this time. “Now.”

He scurries off, and I slide into a nearby booth, not bothering to look around.

A few minutes later, he returns with the drinks and sets them in front of me, then quickly backs away like I’m about to snap.

I reach for the first shot and toss it back without hesitation, welcoming the harsh burn as it slides down my throat.

It stings like hell. But yes, hell is still better than thinking about every f****d-up thing happening in my life right now.

Just as I’m about to down the second shot, a figure appears in front of me.

I look up at him, really taking him in. He’s undeniably handsome. Tall, dark-haired, and well-dressed. It’s so obvious that he’s got money and power.

But no, I’ve never seen him before.

He tilts his head, studying me for a moment before asking, “Have we met? You look… familiar.”

“Are you from this pack?” I ask, trying to place him.

He shakes his head. “Uh, no. I’m not.”

“Then I don’t think we’ve met.” I shrug before tossing the second shot back like it’s nothing.

It’s probably for the best that he’s not from this pack. The last thing I need is someone from here seeing the Luna of the pack drowning herself in whiskey at a bar.

He stands there for a moment, as if considering his next move. Then, with a grin, he pulls out the chair across from me and sits down without waiting for permission.

"Mind if I join you?"

"Not at all," I reply dryly, eyeing him carefully.

He grins wider. "Good. I was starting to feel like the only guy in here who wasn’t drowning in their problems. Not sure if that's a blessing or a curse."

I can’t help but let out a short laugh. His confidence is disarming, and it pulls something out of me. Something I didn’t realize I was ready to share.

We speak for a few minutes like we’re long lost friends before he suddenly leans back in his seat and gives me a knowing look. "So, what's the story? You seem like you’ve got a lot on your plate."

I pause, just for a moment. Then, the words spill out. All of it.

When I’m finally done, he doesn’t say anything right away. Just watches me for a beat, before he then leans in with the one question that makes my stomach twist into tight and anxious knots.

“So… why doesn’t he want a divorce? Or why haven’t you left him?”

I exhale slowly before shaking my head. “Well.. He Says a divorce would mess up some alliance he’s got with a powerful Alpha. And me?” I swallow hard. “I don’t have parents. If I leave him… I have nowhere to go.”

Technically, it sounds like a lie, but it isn’t.

My parents disowned me after I ran away against their wishes, so as far as I’m concerned, they’re gone. I don’t have anyone to run back to.

My eyes drift to him, watching as he taps his fingers on the table for several seconds until he suddenly leans in like a lightbulb just went off in his head.

“What if you get a fake boyfriend then?”

My brows shoot up. “A fake boyfriend?”

“Yeah. Since your husband wants an open marriage, give him exactly what he asked for. Introduce him to your ‘boyfriend’ and watch him spiral.” He nods before the corner of his mouth lifts in the beginning of a grin. “He’ll get jealous, realize what he’s about to lose, and maybe, just maybe, call the whole open-relationship thing off.”

I blink at him, stunned. It’s not a terrible idea. Actually, it might be genius.

But still... “I don’t exactly have a lineup of guys dying to play pretend with me,” I say, almost laughing.

“Well... I could.”

I swear my eyes almost pop out of my head.

“You?” I blink at him, eyebrows raised.

He grins right before brushing imaginary dust off his suit. “Why not? Am I not handsome enough to make him jealous?”

That pulls a laugh out of me. He’s confident, I’ll give him that.

And maybe… maybe it’s not such a bad idea. If I introduced him as my boyfriend, maybe Hunter would get jealous.. But then again, wouldn’t it just make things worse? He already suspects I’ve been sleeping around…And if I add this…plus the pregnancy? He might use it to fully convince himself the baby isn’t his.

“Hey,” his voice cuts into my thoughts, soft and concerned. “You okay?”

I look up at him and shake my head a little in an unsure manner. “I…”

I start to speak, but then my phone pings.

My eyes drop to the screen. It’s a message from Hunter.

“Where are you, Anika? Alpha Matteo is almost here!”

My stomach drops.

Shit. s**t.

Shooting to my feet, I snatch my bag off the table almost immediately. “Thank you for the suggestion, Mr… uh…” I pause, realizing he never actually told me his name—but I’m too flustered to care. “But I’m not interested. I’ve got to go. Maybe I’ll see you around sometime. Bye!”

Before he can respond, I rush out of the bar.

“Miss!” I hear him call after me, but I don’t stop. I make a beeline for my car, jump in, and fire up the engine. My heart is pounding so hard it feels like it’s trying to break through my ribs.

I speed all the way home, my thoughts racing faster than the tires on the road.

The moment I step inside, I bolt upstairs and freshen up with a quick rinse, change of clothes and then pull myself together. A few minutes later, I head back down...

Only to find Jasmine waiting at the bottom of the stairs with her arms folded.

“Where have you been?”

“Not your business,” I mutter, brushing past her.

“Oh, I bet. Probably out continuing your little whoring adventures, huh?”

That does it.

I freeze. Then spin on my heel, jaw clenched so tight I feel it in my ears. I take a slow, dangerous step toward her, ready to twist that nasty little neck of hers if she says one more word.

“Alpha Matteo’s here!”

The words ring out, and I whip around instinctively. My heart stumbles in my chest when my eyes land on him.

Not on Hunter.

But on the man standing just beside him.

The same handsome stranger from the bar. The one who offered to be my fake boyfriend not even an hour ago.

Alpha Matteo?

He flashes me a knowing smile from where he stands, looking far too composed. Then they both step forward until they reach where I’m standing.

“Baby,” Hunter says, placing a hand on my back, “meet the Alpha King—Alpha Matteo.” He then turns toward the man with a proud smile. “Alpha Matteo, this is my wife and the Luna of our pack, An—”

But he doesn’t even get to finish.

Alpha Matteo strides right up to me before extending his hand. “Nice to meet you, Luna Anika.”

I swallow. Hard.