The Alpha's Regret: Return Of The Betrayed Luna

Chapter 409: Chapter 409 Feeling Guilty

Currently, both Maxwell and Levi were resting. Levi, in particular, needed time for the Wolfsbane to leave his system before his wolf could begin the healing process. Even then, because of the silver, he would be left with scars. Maxwell was also recovering and was currently in a deep sleep after a night of fighting and after donating blood to Levi.

Hearing all of this made Addison’s heart tighten painfully. She felt it in her chest, especially for Levi. Guilt washed over her; while he had been fighting for his life, she had been at the riverside with Zion, surrendering to carnal desire. The contrast between their experiences twisted her heart with shame and regret.

”I want to see them...” Addison whispered. Her face had gone pale, guilt etched into every line of her expression. Zion understood all too well why she felt that way, but to him, more than guilt, it was simply fate. Fate had pulled her away at the right moment, kept her from falling into even greater danger.

”Addison, none of this is because of you...” Zion murmured, his voice low and earnest. ”Our mate bond is... unusual. We felt each other’s pain even before the marks were exchanged, but what happened to Levi was an ambush, an accident. It wasn’t your fault. If anything, I’m the one who should feel guilty. I kept you to myself all night, and if I hadn’t—”

Before he could finish, Addison’s small hand pressed gently over his lips, silencing him. Heat crept up her neck at the memory of everything they did last night, everything she let him do.

The thought of indulging in pleasure with Zion while Levi fought for his life and Maxwell struggled to save him only twisted her guilt even tighter. She didn’t want to hear Zion blame himself, not when she was already drowning in her own remorse.

”Zion...” Addison’s soft whimper halted whatever he was about to say. He had meant to comfort her, but instead his words only made her flush in embarrassment, her face turning so red it looked like she feared someone might overhear them. Maybe she worried others would think she was heartless or judge her for what happened.

But Zion knew her better than that now. After spending these past days with her, he understood that Addison didn’t care about what others thought. What weighed on her wasn’t judgment from outside; it was the judgment she placed on herself.

She couldn’t accept that last night, she hadn’t once stopped to think of anything else. She hadn’t insisted on turning back.

And yet, she also knew that returning would’ve only made things more complicated... so now she was caught in a storm of mixed emotions that left her silent. Zion didn’t say another word either. He simply sat there, letting her gather her thoughts, unwilling to disturb her while she pieced herself back together.

After a moment, Zion rose to his feet and gathered Addison’s small frame into his arms before striding out the door. He seemed to forget that he still looked pale and sickly, but despite donating so much blood, his Alpha constitution held firm.

Shura was already working to heal him from the inside, so his strength hadn’t faltered. He looked unwell, yes, but his body remained steady.

Seeing his pallor only made Addison feel worse for him. He hadn’t rested properly either... but she said nothing, choosing instead to let him carry her down the corridor in silence.

They soon reached another room. Through the large glass window, Addison saw Levi lying inside, connected to an oxygen tank, his chest rising and falling so faintly it looked as though it might stop at any moment. Next door, Maxwell slept, though not in danger, just exhausted after the long night.

Zion stopped in front of the window, and Addison slowly lifted her hand, pressing her palm against the glass as guilt and sorrow twisted in her chest. Watching Levi struggle for each breath made her heart ache painfully.

’I’m sorry, Levi...’ Addison whispered in her heart as she stared at him through the glass. His face was completely drained of color, his breathing shallow, and she could barely sense his wolf at all. The sight twisted something deep inside her; her stomach clenched as if someone was wrenching it from the inside out.

’I need to make it up to him.’

The thought came to her with a sharp sting of resolve. She would take care of him, however long it took, until he was strong again. Watching him now, so pale and vulnerable, pulled old memories to the surface... memories of all the times Levi had stayed by her side when everyone else turned their backs on her. He had been her only companion, her quiet support, her shield when she had no one else.

He had always been there for her, silently, faithfully, and she realized with shame that she had grown used to his presence. So used to it that she had begun to take him for granted. And that realization hurt.

She hated how the Midnight River Pack had taken her for granted. Yet without meaning to, she’d started doing the same thing to Levi. She had poured all her emotions, resentment, hurt, and confusion into her tangled love and hate bond with Zion, so that she hadn’t noticed how little attention she had given to Levi in comparison.

That shame tightened her chest even more as she continued to watch him fight for breath.

But then her thoughts drifted to Levi, and Addison’s chest twisted all over again. ’I’m sorry, Levi...’ She bit her lower lip as emotion pooled in her eyes.

She remembered the way Levi had approached her after learning they were fated mates, so careful, so gentle, as if he were afraid a single wrong move might scare her away.

He understood how much she had suffered in the Midnight River Pack, and his heart had quietly gone out to her. Now, thinking back, she realized she had only ever considered her own feelings. She hadn’t stopped to think about how he felt... and that guilt made it even harder for her to breathe, let alone calm down.

But she couldn’t go inside his room. Levi’s wolf was currently too weak, so weak that he was no different from a human right now. With his life hanging by a fragile thread, even the smallest bacterial infection could push him over the edge. The ICU had to remain completely sterile while he recovered.

So Addison could only stand there on the other side of the glass, watching him from afar, waiting... praying... until his condition finally improved.

Seeing her mood sink, Zion didn’t say a word. He understood too well, because he felt like shit himself.

Levi might be his love rival, but that didn’t change the fact that during all the years Levi served beside him as his Beta, Zion couldn’t find a single thing to hate about him. Levi was competent, loyal, and exceptional at his work.

As long as Levi handled something, Zion never had to worry. And more than that, though he rarely admitted it out loud—Levi had become his friend.