The Alpha's Regret: Return Of The Betrayed Luna

Chapter 425: Chapter 425 No Man Is An Island

As that realization settled in her heart, the heaviness inside her slowly quieted. Her emotions loosened their grip, her mind softened, and without even noticing, she drifted back into sleep, lulled by the comforting weight of Levi resting against her.

They didn’t speak. They didn’t kiss. They didn’t let instincts take over like mates usually did whenever they found themselves alone.

Tonight wasn’t about passion.

It was about letting their hearts settle... letting their minds calm... and simply holding on to each other in silence.

Meanwhile, Zion and Maxwell were busy handling their Alpha duties, helping the Golden Hue Pack and the nearby territories. It was supposed to be Addison’s mission, but after everything she’d been through, physically and emotionally, they took over without hesitation.

They didn’t want her carrying the weight of it all alone. What they didn’t know, however, was that while they were working, Addison was actually with Levi.

If they found out tomorrow, both Alphas would surely turn into sour lemons. And if Levi and Addison had ended up making love tonight, the two would have turned into a whole jar of vinegar from jealousy.

The irony was that Zion and Maxwell had the most physical connection with Addison; they relied on triggering the mate bond through physical connection, hoping that the physical closeness would pull her toward them. Levi, on the other hand, had always been emotionally attuned to her.

That difference made them nervous. They knew that if Levi ever became more physically attuned to her, too, his emotional connection with Addison would make the bond deepen effortlessly. That was why they pushed so hard to stay close to her, afraid that the distance between them and her would only grow if they didn’t act.

What Levi didn’t realize was that while he was wrestling with his own internal struggles and envying their Alpha strength, those two Alphas were actually jealous of him, jealous of the seamless, natural bond he had with Addison from the start, from the years he spent as her Gamma, her friend, and her anchor.

Compared to that, what did they really have?

But because each of them had their own time and their own way of being with Addison, their quiet jealousy toward one another only fueled their desire to stay close to her. It sharpened their possessiveness, their obsession, and their need to prove themselves in her life.

And the truth was, Addison did appreciate their protection and the small, thoughtful things they did for her.

If she had really come to the West with only Lance as her guard, she would’ve forced herself to look strong on the outside while slowly breaking on the inside, carrying every burden alone, drowning under responsibilities, expectations, and the constant stream of trouble that always seemed to follow her.

If she had faced all of this alone, she would’ve been consumed sooner or later.

Maybe this was why the Moon Goddess gave her three fated mates, not to overwhelm her, but to share her burdens, to protect her, and to love her in ways she could never allow herself to.

No man is an island; even a Queen cannot stand alone forever. If she crumbled, what would become of her kingdom? Of her children? Of the countless lives depending on her, especially when so many enemies were waiting for her to fall?

After a long night filled with tension and unspoken emotions, the first light of dawn began to creep over the horizon. The burned houses in Golden Hue Pack had already been cleared, but the sight only made the entire territory feel even more bleak and desolate.

Alpha Hue’s heart grew heavy at the devastation, yet he didn’t stop moving.

By the time the sun rose fully, the remaining horse-drawn carriages and donkey carts were already lined up outside the packhouse, waiting silently. All that was left was for Zion and Maxwell to give the signal for everyone to depart.

Addison had already woken up while Levi was still sleeping like a child in her arms. Even in his sleep, his brows were tightly furrowed, the lingering tension making his expression look troubled. Unable to help herself, Addison gently smoothed the crease between his brows with her fingertips.

The soft touch made Levi stir. He blinked awake and looked up at her, only then realizing he had fallen asleep on top of her like an oversized, heavy boulder. Thankfully, he had instinctively kept his weight supported by his arms on either side of her, so he hadn’t smothered her in the night.

Addison herself couldn’t understand how he managed to sleep in such an uncomfortable position, but perhaps it was her pheromones, quiet and steady, that eased his chaotic thoughts. Maybe that familiar scent was what finally lulled him to sleep when his mind had nearly consumed him.

”Good morning,” Addison whispered with a soft smile, acting as though nothing heavy had happened the night before. She didn’t want to tear open the bandage covering Levi’s raw wound by reminding him of his breakdown, not because she was dismissing his feelings, but because she wanted him to start today without the weight of last night dragging him down.

Levi might not be a fighter like Zion or Maxwell, who were born with the bloodline of powerful Alphas, but he was far from worthless. His strength simply lay somewhere else.

He excelled at management, something Addison had noticed long ago. In the past, his steady support helped her hold the crumbling Midnight River Pack together.

He was that good. Good enough that Zion, despite having Beta-born candidates available, still chose to promote Levi instead. Not because Levi was familiar with Addison’s projects or the long-term plans she drafted for the pack, but because Zion genuinely believed Levi’s sharp mind and strategic skill were too valuable to waste.

Comparing himself to others would only crush his drive and chip away at his confidence. Besides, they had the entire day to stay by each other’s side while Zion and Maxwell were away.

Addison could watch over Levi’s state of mind and, hopefully, find a way to lift his spirits.

Levi looked at her bright morning smile and felt his heart thud painfully in his chest. Her light was so warm, so effortless, that instead of feeling comforted, a wave of unworthiness washed over him. The gloom he carried refused to loosen its grip.

But seeing Addison try so hard, smiling for him, pretending nothing happened just to spare him the awkwardness, he couldn’t let her efforts go to waste.

So he forced a smile in return. Even though it didn’t reach his eyes, but Addison noticed.

She always did.

Still, she didn’t push it. She simply tapped his shoulder gently, her touch warm and reassuring, letting him know that he could stand whenever he was ready... or lay his head on her chest again if he needed more time. Whatever he chose, she wouldn’t rush him.

”Addie...” Levi’s voice broke the silence; it was low and uncertain. Addison glanced down at him, but he wasn’t looking at her; his eyes were fixed somewhere far away, as if he was staring at a place only he could see.