The Alpha's Regret: Return Of The Betrayed Luna-Chapter 16 A Bet

The Midnight River Pack had only just begun to rebuild after three long years of chaos and loss. They were still standing on unsteady ground, struggling to regain the respect they’d once commanded.

What they needed now were strong, capable leaders who could project that strength to the world—who could remind the other packs and races that they weren’t to be trifled with.

And Addison? She couldn’t offer them that. No matter how Beta Greg looked at it, she wasn’t a symbol of power. She was a variable—an unpredictable risk at a time when they could least afford one.

As much as the pack needed a strong Alpha to lead them, they equally needed a powerful Luna—someone who could stand beside their Alpha, guide the pack with wisdom and strength, and one day bear a stronger Alpha bloodline that would become the hope and future of their people.

Thinking about this, Beta Greg couldn’t help but furrow his brows in frustration. A wave of repulsion washed over him at the thought of Addison.

He didn’t even need to speak for Zion to notice—thanks to the deep connection he shared with his pack as their Alpha, Zion could sense the emotional undercurrents running through them. And right now, he could clearly feel his Beta’s dissatisfaction pulsing through that bond.

If not for the former Alpha’s influence, Zion was certain that no one in the pack would have accepted Addison in the first place.

From the very beginning—when his father returned home on the brink of death, carrying an unconscious girl in his arms—Zion had been filled with resentment. That same girl, Addison, was later revealed to be his chosen mate, chosen by his father.

The idea alone stirred intense dissatisfaction within him. He couldn’t shake the feeling that Addison was cunning and manipulative, seizing the opportunity to secure a position of power as Luna of the Midnight River Pack, the second strongest in the werewolf world at the time.

But after his father’s death, everything crumbled. The pack was swiftly trampled by their enemies, pressured from all sides, and their status plummeted.

Alliances were severed without hesitation—no one feared retaliation anymore. All the weight of survival and leadership fell onto Zion’s shoulders the moment he came of age.

His father hadn’t even completed his Alpha training for Zion, leaving him to figure things out on his own. Zion had to lead his warriors into battle after battle, facing overwhelming odds against vampires who attacked with brutal tactics and sheer numbers.

The pressure was suffocating—and the bitterness he felt toward Addison only deepened.

Even Zion had momentarily forgotten his resentment toward Addison after spending some time with her. They hadn’t spoken about their past—no discussions about the three years they had been apart, no attempts to understand each other.

Instead, they just mated like it was mating season, consumed by instinct rather than intention.

Now that Zion looked back on it, a deep frown creased his face. It felt wrong. He felt like he had been under a spell—seduced, drawn in, manipulated. The idea that he might have been charmed rather than truly willing unsettled him.

He hated it. He hated the feeling of losing control over himself, like his body had betrayed his mind.

Frustrated and exasperated after discussing the pressing matter of the Royals with his Beta—specifically the preparations they needed to make while waiting for the royal convoy to escort the princess back to the capital—Zion stormed off to the training grounds.

His Beta trailed after him, a knowing smile tugging at his lips. He recognized that look in Zion’s eyes: turmoil, conflict, the desperate need to shake off the weight of everything clouding his mind.

Zion was angry—not just at the situation, but at himself. Angry for losing control, for allowing Addison to seep into his thoughts and shake the foundation of who he believed himself to be, the hatred he was clinging into. He needed to fight it. He needed clarity.

Sensing this, his Beta gladly followed. If Zion needed someone to punch, to vent out that chaos brewing inside, he’d be there. As they stepped onto the training grounds, where the warriors were just beginning their warmups, the two men faced each other in silence.

Their eyes met, tension thick in the air, each carrying their own thoughts and burdens, ready to let it all out the only way they knew how—through the clash of fists and fury.

Zion tilted his head to the side, stretching his neck until a satisfying crack echoed in the air. He rolled his shoulders, loosening the stiffness coiled there. Beside him, Beta Greg bounced lightly on his feet, testing the flexibility of his ankles and repeatedly shaking out his wrists.

The moment the surrounding warriors noticed their Alpha and second-in-command gearing up for a sparring match, they quickly gathered around, grinning with anticipation. A good fight between the top two was always worth watching.

Just as they squared off, Greg broke the silence with a grin.

"My Alpha," he said, voice laced with mischief, "how about we make things a little more interesting with a wager?"

Zion arched a brow, amused. "I’m listening."

"If I win," Greg declared, "you’ll follow my arrangement for the entire week—no complaints."

Zion let out a low chuckle, a rare smirk playing on his lips. "Bold of you, considering you always lose. What’ll you do when you lose again?"

"Alpha Zion, I always lose anyway. Can’t you at least give me the small satisfaction of a reward if I win?" Beta Greg said shamelessly, a playful glint in his eyes. "Just a little something to help mend my fragile ego and give me a sense of fulfillment."

He wasn’t wrong—every time they sparred, Zion could toss him to the ground like a feather if he wanted to. Greg could count on one hand the number of times he’d managed to win, and each of those was under... special circumstances.

Still, Zion often humored him. Not because he thought Greg stood a real chance, but because he didn’t want to crush his Beta’s pride or dampen the morale of his second-in-command. After all, how would it look if the pack thought their Beta was as weak as a chick?

"Alright, it’s a deal," Zion agreed without hesitation.

The moment the words left his mouth, Greg lunged forward with a burst of raw strength, leaving a deep imprint on the dirt ground. In a blink, he was in front of Zion, his fist slicing through the air toward Zion’s cheek.

But before it could land, Zion effortlessly caught his wrist with a single hand, his stance unshaken. With a sharp twist, he hurled Greg into the air.

Greg reacted mid-flight, curling his body, tucking his knees, and flipping over with practiced ease. He landed on his feet in a crouch, dust flying around him. Without missing a beat, he launched himself again—this time veering to Zion’s side and aiming to strike from behind.

Yet Zion still hadn’t moved an inch from his original spot. He stood firm, watching Greg intently, his sharp gaze reading every movement, every angle—calculating. He wasn’t just waiting. He was observing, learning, and planning his counter with cold precision.

Just as Zion was about to strike, a voice called out from the sidelines, pulling his attention.

"Zion!" free𝑤ebnovel.com