Alpha's Regret: The Seventh Time was Forever

Chapter 448: Chapter 449 - Regret

Flashback Within a Flashback Continues.

Chuck lowered his gaze, his jaw tightened hard as memories of the respect he’d spent years building flooded through him. Every pack member looked up to him because of his position. Warriors followed his orders without question. Even the elders valued what he had to say.

Without that title, who the hell would he even be?

”No.” The answer came out almost instinctively, like it had been ripped from the deepest part of him.

Noelle’s smile returned, bright and triumphant. ”Then we follow the plan.”

That one single sentence sealed both of their fates forever.

From that day on, Noelle carefully arranged every single detail with cold precision. She left absolutely nothing to chance.

She quietly started bribing everyone who would play any role in the births—the midwives, the healers, several omega attendants. Anyone who might become an obstacle got money, expensive gifts, or promises of a brighter future.

Those who hesitated quickly learned that turning down the Beta’s wife came with consequences they weren’t willing to face.

Her position gave her privileges that regular pack members could only dream about. No one questioned where she went or why she was being so generous. Everything unfolded exactly the way she wanted it to.

Weeks later, the perfect opportunity finally arrived.

Dark storm clouds swallowed the night sky while heavy rain hammered against the rooftops of the Centenary Pack. Thunder rolled powerfully across the mountains, and bright flashes of lightning lit up the forest surrounding their territory.

Inside the pack house, a sharp, intense pain suddenly tore through Noelle’s stomach. Her labor had begun.

Before anyone could even react, a familiar voice echoed through her mind. It was one of the midwives she had stationed near Madison.

’You were right. Madison has gone into labor too.’

Excitement flashed wildly across Noelle’s face even through the gripping pain in her body. ’Good,’ she sent back through the mind link. She forced herself to stay calm while another brutal contraction made her grip the bed hard. ’Do exactly what I told you.’

Her breathing grew heavier with each wave of pain, but she kept issuing orders. ’Keep Madison’s husband occupied. Make sure he stays far away from the delivery room.’

Another powerful contraction hit her, but she pushed through. ’I’ll handle Luna Kylie and Alpha Humphrey on my end.’

Everything had to go perfectly. There was zero room for mistakes.

Within minutes, Noelle was rushed to the pack hospital. Just as she had planned, Luna Kylie was already there waiting, her face full of anxiety.

The moment Noelle arrived, one of the bribed midwives hurried over to the Luna, sounding purposely panicked. ”Luna! There are complications.”

Kylie’s face lost all its color instantly. ”What happened?”

”We need more blood,” the midwife whispered urgently. ”We’ll need volunteers right away.”

Kylie instinctively moved closer to Noelle’s bed. ”I’ll contact everyone through the mind link.” She reached for Noelle’s hand. ”I’m not leaving her.”

Noelle forced a weak smile through the pain twisting inside her. ”Luna...” Her voice came out as barely a whisper. ”The blood is more important.” She squeezed Kylie’s fingers gently. ”I’ll be alright.”

She slowly turned her eyes toward Alpha Humphrey. ”The Alpha can gather the warriors.” Then her gaze returned to Kylie. ”And you can organize the she-wolves. They can start the blood tests much faster that way.”

Kylie closed her eyes for a moment before letting out a tired sigh. ”You’re right.” She looked embarrassed. ”I’m so worried I stopped thinking clearly.” A warm, caring smile crossed her face as she gently brushed Noelle’s hair away from her forehead. ”Stay strong, okay?”

Noelle gave a weak nod. ”I will.”

The second Kylie and Alpha Humphrey disappeared through the hospital doors, the entire atmosphere inside the delivery room changed dramatically.

The expressions on the bribed staff turned dead serious. No more pretending. No more hesitation.

The traditional birthing process continued, and before long, Noelle’s own baby was delivered. The newborn barely had time to let out her first cry before one of the midwives carefully wrapped her in a blanket and hurried away through the back entrance exactly as planned.

Noelle watched her own daughter disappear from her arms. For the first time since she had come up with this whole twisted plan, her heart squeezed with a sharp, painful ache she hadn’t expected.

She had wanted power more than anything but seeing her own flesh and blood taken away hurt far more than she had ever imagined it would.

Only minutes later, another infant was quietly carried into the room. The tiny baby had thick dark hair, and even before anyone said a word, Noelle noticed those striking bright blue eyes staring back at her.

The gifted child.

Madison’s daughter.

The exchange was complete.

One of the midwives immediately reached out through the mind link. ’Luna, the Moon Goddess has blessed us. Noelle has safely delivered her baby.’

Kylie instantly excused herself from the group of women she’d been talking to. ”Humphrey,” she said, her voice overflowing with pure joy. ”She already gave birth!”

The Alpha smiled and followed closely beside her as they hurried back to the delivery room.

The moment Kylie stepped inside, every trace of worry melted away from her face. Her eyes landed immediately on the sleeping newborn, filling with deep emotion. ”Oh, Goddess...” She carefully lifted the tiny baby into her arms, rocking her gently. ”She’s absolutely beautiful.”

She looked toward Noelle with a smile full of genuine warmth. ”We’ll name her Seraphine.” Her smile grew even brighter. ”Sera for short.”

Noelle swallowed the massive lump forming in her throat before forcing herself to smile back. ”As you wish, Luna.”

She carefully showed the crescent moon mark on the baby’s stomach.

Kylie barely glanced at it. ”It doesn’t matter.” She lovingly brushed a finger across the baby’s soft cheek. ”She’s so beautiful.” Her smile widened with pure affection. ”Even without the mark, I don’t believe Ravyn could ever find a better wife in the future.”

She looked down at the sleeping infant like she was the most precious thing in the world. ”As soon as she’s old enough, I’ll personally train her to become the future Luna.”

Every single word drove another painful knife straight into Noelle’s heart. She lowered her eyes quickly before anyone could see the deep regret threatening to show all over her face.

For one brief, agonizing moment, she wished she had never gone through with the switch.

Maybe Kylie would have loved Noelle’s own daughter just as deeply. Maybe her little girl would have grown up surrounded by warmth and love inside the packhouse instead of facing the hard life of an omega.

Instead, her own flesh and blood would grow up in a small, humble omega home, while Madison’s daughter got raised like royalty. She would receive the finest education, the best clothes, and every opportunity Noelle had once dreamed of giving her own child.

The bitter realization churned violently in her stomach until she felt sick.

The victory she had imagined so clearly suddenly tasted like complete defeat.

Days later, Noelle was finally discharged from the hospital. She returned to the pack house carrying the child everyone now believed was hers.

The moment she and Chuck were finally alone in their bedroom, the door slammed shut hard behind them.

Before she could even say a single word, a sharp slap cracked loudly across the room.