Page 136 of Alpha's Regret: My Luna Has A Son

“I assure you, my son will take your daughter as his mate,” Kalen reassures him, and my father growls.

“He fucking better, Kalen, or your little secret is out,” my father says, stalking off down the hall. I hear Kalen sigh and wait a few minutes before I hear his voice.

“Coast is clear, Everly. You don't need to hide,” Kalen says, and I pull open the door. He turns to me with a grim smile on his face.

“That’s what my father has over you? Why, you were so quick to accept me?” I ask him.

“That is not the only reason, Everly. I made mistakes, ones I refuse to allow my son to repeat. As much as I loved Valarie, I was too worried about my reputation. When I lost her, I realized what I had done. I punished not only her, but I also punished myself,” Kalen admits.

“So if Valen doesn't marry Ava, my father will tell him about Valarie?”

Kalen shakes his head. “The deal was Valen has to marry his daughter. He never stated which one.”

I cluck my tongue. I can’t believe this is happening right now. Nevertheless, I don’t understand why Kalen is talking to my father after years of rivalry.

“Why does he want my sister to marry Valen? It makes no sense.”

“Honestly, dear, I have no idea; I have tried to figure it out myself. When he confronted me about Valarie, I panicked and agreed. Valarie, I already lost. I couldn't bear the thought of losing my son too,” Kalen says. I nod; just the thought of Valarie brings tears to my eyes.

“Anything else to this deal you made?” I ask, wanting to know what I’m up against.

“Yes, Valen has to mark and mate her within the week of the Alpha meeting,” Kalen tells me, and I curse under my breath.

“Wait, when you say mate, do you mean to force the heat?” I ask him, and Kalen nods, looking away guiltily.

“He wants to make sure his daughter is with child. He was planning on injecting Ava with the hormones to ensure she got pregnant.”

“I do not plan on having another baby anytime soon, so no forced heat. I will let him mark me, though.”

“Thank you, Everly.”

I shake my head and hold my finger up, telling him to wait.

“I can't carry this secret, Kalen. I can't. You must know how heavy it is yourself. I look at him, and all I see is her,” I say. My lip quivers as I think of Valarie, who she was to me, who she could have been to Valen.

“I will let him mark me, but you will tell your son. I have a week to let him mark me, you have a week to tell him; I will not go into this with lies that can unravel us. You want me to be with your son? Then tell him—don't make me have to,” I tell him before walking off.

ChapterSixty-Six

Everly

Making my way to the restaurant, I hand the name cards to one of the waitresses, who quickly races around placing them out following the seating arrangements. Valen emerges from the kitchen with a garment bag slung over his shoulder and smiles when he sees me. He’s dressed in a black suit, looking handsome like always. Valarian is also dressed in a suit and is playing with Casey and some other children that have arrived early. Valen comes up behind me and nestles his face into my neck, which earns curious stares when his hand goes to my hip to tug me back against him.

“You’re not wearing that,” he growls, looking down at my uniform.

“And I am not wearingthat, if it’s a dress,” I tell him as he drapes the bag over my arm.

“Ah. Well, good thing it’s not. I know you don’t wear dresses because I have yet to see you in one. Although youwillhave to wear a dress eventually.”

“And why is that, Alpha Valen?” I ask.

“Because usually only the groom wears a suit to a wedding, so for one day, you will have to suck it up and wear a dress.”

“I like how you assume I will marry you. What if I want to keep my name?”

“We can hyphenate it,” he chuckles, kissing my jaw while I pull a face at the thought.

“Fine, Solace it is,” I laugh.

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