The Alpha's Regret: Return Of The Betrayed Luna

Hearing Addison's words, Zion finally took a step back, biting his lip. He didn't want to seem selfish or unreasonable in front of her, yet sometimes a werewolf's instincts were stronger than logic.

"I… I'm sorry for losing my composure," he muttered, his voice low and hoarse.

Addison, who had been ready to slip away, froze at his words. Lately, it felt like all she ever heard from Zion was apologies, something she still struggled to reconcile with the arrogant, prideful image of him etched in her memory.

But this time was different. This time, he apologized immediately, of his own accord. Could she take this as a sign of his growth?

Seeing how things were turning, Maxwell subtly signaled Levi to follow his lead. He slipped an arm around Addison's waist and guided her back into her room. Levi caught the signal right away.

He tugged Zion along, who was still lowering his head like a pitiful puppy, and ushered him inside. Once they were all in, Levi quickly shut the door behind them.

He understood what Maxwell intended: better to continue this conversation in private rather than risk being seen quarreling in the hallway, where an omega servant, Elric, or anyone else might walk by.

As leaders of their own packs, being caught bickering in public would only tarnish their image and provide amusement for others. And more importantly, until they confirmed whether a mole existed within the pack, they couldn't afford to let personal matters spill out into the open.

Once inside, Maxwell gently guided Addison to sit on the single couch facing the balcony, while he himself settled onto the longer couch to the left. When Levi and Zion entered, they both took their places beside Maxwell. Addison, meanwhile, was still a little dazed, too caught up in noticing Zion's unexpected change in demeanor to remember her earlier urge to slip away.

After a moment, Addison gathered her thoughts and glanced at each of her fated mates in turn. Maxwell pulling them all into the room likely meant he wanted to discuss their arrangement and how things should move forward, now that they were undeniably bound together.

As much as Addison sometimes wished to avoid the situation, she knew she couldn't run from the truth; her only option was to face it.

It wasn't that she truly wanted to escape from them; rather, she felt embarrassed that her other two mates had caught her with one of them. It left her feeling as if she had been unfaithful, even though she hadn't.

At the same time, she worried it looked as though she favored one over the others, something that could strain their bond in the future. Everything about it felt complicated and messy, especially when all of them had grown up believing in and valuing monogamy.

Addison let out a heavy sigh, finally setting aside her embarrassment. Maybe it really was time to face them seriously instead of constantly pushing things aside or running away; it was starting to feel irresponsible.

"I want to apologize," she began, her voice soft but steady. "For always trying to run from this whole fated mate bond and for only thinking about my own feelings instead of yours."

Now that she was sitting here, forced to confront them and her emotions, she realized this might actually be the best arrangement. If they hadn't brought her here, she might have kept putting it off, never finding the right moment. And if that happened… when would she ever truly face them and share what was in her heart?

The moment Addison's apology left her lips, Maxwell, Zion, and Levi all turned their heads toward her in astonishment. Maxwell, in particular, hadn't expected her to apologize; he had actually pulled them all into the room with the intention of apologizing himself.

Since Zion had already humbled himself and admitted his mistake, Maxwell saw this as the perfect chance to follow through, to not only make amends but also set an arrangement that would work for all of them while keeping Addison's needs at the center.

Because no matter how overwhelming their own urges or instincts might be, Addison's feelings still mattered most. She was the one caught in the middle of this bond, absorbing the weight of it all like a sponge.

And never, not once, did Maxwell want her to feel as though any of it was her fault. In his heart, he believed none of them was to blame. This was the Moon Goddess's arrangement, and if She had tied their fates together, then there had to be a reason, a purpose waiting to reveal itself.

"Addie, please don't apologize. None of this is your fault," Maxwell said softly as he reached out and took her hands in his.

Levi moved closer as well, crouching down so he could hold one of her hands, his steady gaze locking onto hers. That look alone was enough to tell her what he felt; he had never once blamed her. Her reaction was only natural.

Many she-wolves would have rejoiced at having three fated mates, especially when two of them were Alphas like Maxwell and Zion. To others, it would feel like a blessing, being the favored one, protected and cherished by the strongest leaders.

But Addison's situation was different. She wasn't just any she-wolf; she was destined to lead the entire werewolf kingdom. Her every action would be magnified under the public eye.

With three fated mates, her power would be seen as even more formidable. Some would view it as a great advantage, two powerful packs tied to the Royal Family through their bond, securing alliances for decades to come.

But that same power would also draw fear. She herself would become a target… and even more so, her future children. Enemies who feared the strength of such a union would not hesitate to strike, whether they were rival werewolves or even other races, like the vampires.

More than that, Addison had been raised to believe in loving and giving her whole heart to only one person, her fated mate, just as her parents had loved each other.

She had never once imagined herself with more than one partner, nor did she ever entertain the thought of it, simply because she had the power to choose. Monogamy was what she knew, what she believed in.

But now, with three fated mates, she was forced to adjust both her beliefs and her mindset, and it wasn't something she could do easily. It wasn't only about accepting them; it was about learning to navigate their different personalities and needs.

That part wasn't the true problem.

The real problem was far heavier.

How could she tell them that she already had children? And that one of them was the father? That truth alone would complicate everything even more. Just as she had feared from the beginning, things were not simple.

And with Zion, though he was her fated mate, he had once broken her trust. Because of that, she still couldn't bring herself to let him know about the twins. Deep down, she knew it was his right to know, but if he found out… then the others would have to know as well.

'Stop overthinking…' Addison reminded herself, forcing her racing thoughts to slow as she took a steadying breath.