Alpha's Regret: Losing His True Mate-Chapter 212

Johnny glanced at Elodie. "Should we head back?"

They’d originally planned to leave early anyway. But then all that had happened, and now they were both just done.

Elodie nodded. "Let’s go."

Before leaving, they went over to say goodbye to Harry.

Harry looked genuinely surprised. "You’re leaving already?"

But he didn’t push. He could tell Elodie wasn’t the type who enjoyed these kinds of events. And honestly? He didn’t want to make her stay if she didn’t want to.

"Let me walk you out," he said.

They nodded, and Harry escorted them to the entrance, exchanging a few words before they left.

——————-

Three Days Later – The Cole Cocktail Party.

Harry arrived early that evening. Earlier than most guests. Earlier than he probably needed to.

But he was there. Without Sienna, Dante, Rex, and the others in attendance, the night went smoothly. There was no tension and there was no drama. Just business as usual.

There were plenty of guests that evening, partners, investors, colleagues all in the party. The room continued to buzz with conversation and clinking glasses.

Elodie and Johnny were both running around nonstop, greeting people, making introductions, handling a dozen things at once.

They didn’t have much time to pay attention to Harry.

By the time the party was halfway through, Johnny happened to glance across the room and noticed Harry deep in conversation with one of their senior developers.

Johnny blinked.

Wait.

He’d assumed Harry would leave early. After all, the Brown family’s cocktail party was also being held tonight. Johnny had fully expected Harry to show up at Cole’s event for appearances, then slip out halfway through to attend theirs.

But here he was still here.

Johnny couldn’t help the grin that spread across his face. He nudged Elodie and nodded toward Harry.

"Now this is what it means to value a partnership," Johnny said, clearly pleased. "See? This is how it’s done. Unlike Rex... ugh, I’m not even gonna waste my breath on that guy."

Elodie glanced over at Harry, a little surprised herself.

She hadn’t expected him to stay either.

_____________

Harry was being considerate and respectful. And honestly? It meant something.

So Elodie and Johnny decided not to be rude. They made their way over to him, weaving through the crowd until they reached his side.

"Mr. Becker," Johnny said warmly, raising his glass. "There are quite a few guests tonight. If we’ve been inattentive, please forgive us."

Harry smiled and raised his own glass. "We’re all friends. There’s no need for formality."

Johnny didn’t actually consider Harry a true friend. Not yet, anyway. But he appreciated the gesture. Appreciated that Harry could set aside personal history and focus on business.

That was rare.

Harry clinked glasses with both of them, took a sip, and nodded.

But even as he spoke to Johnny, his attention kept drifting to Elodie.

———————

Tonight’s event was being hosted by both Johnny and Elodie.

And even though Johnny had been doing his best to shield her from the worst of it, Elodie had still ended up drinking quite a bit throughout the evening.

Her cheeks were faintly flushed now. Her eyes had a soft, glassy sheen to them. The usual sharpness in her gaze had dulled just slightly, giving her a softer, almost... vulnerable look.

She wasn’t drunk. Not yet. But she was getting there.

Harry’s grip on the stem of his wine glass tightened. He forced himself to look away. Forced himself to focus on Johnny’s voice instead of the way Elodie’s hair had come slightly loose from its pin, framing her face in a way that made his chest feel tight.

Get it together.

He took another sip of his drink and nodded along to whatever Johnny was saying.

But he couldn’t stop himself from glancing back at her. Just once. Just to make sure she was okay.

As the evening was winding down, Elodie walked Harry to the door.

He stopped just before stepping outside.

The cold wind outside was sharp and biting. Harry glanced down and noticed the small section of pale skin exposed beneath the hem of her gown, on her ankle, her calf and frowned slightly.

"Let me take it from here," he said quietly.

Elodie nodded. "Alright. Take care."

Harry looked at her for a moment, like he wanted to say something. His mouth opened slightly, then closed again.

Whatever it was, he decided against it.

He just nodded once more and turned to leave.

——————-

After all the important guests had left, Elodie finally got into the car with Johnny and left the hotel.

But Harry hadn’t actually left yet.

He was still standing near his car, his hands in his pockets, watching the entrance.

He was worried. Worried that Elodie might run into trouble after drinking. Worried that something might happen on the drive home.

Only after he saw her safely get into the car and drive off did he finally turn to his driver.

"Let’s go."

——————

The Next Day.

Elodie woke up late, her head a little foggy from the night before. She showered, dressed, and came downstairs for breakfast.

Helen and Old Lady Miller were already at the table, deep in conversation about preparations for the New Year.

Tomorrow was New Year’s Eve, and the company had officially gone on holiday today.

Elodie sat down and poured herself some tea. "I’ll go with you both."

Old Lady Miller’s face lit up. "Good, good. We’ll go together."

Then her smile faltered just a little. She hesitated before asking, "Elodie... is Liora celebrating the New Year at the Wilson estate this year?"

Elodie’s expression softened at the mention of her daughter.

"She probably is."

On the day she’d met with Mr. Taylor, Dante had briefly mentioned Liora, subtly hinting that Elodie should make time for her. But after that day, neither Dante nor Liora had reached out.

No calls. No messages. Nothing.

So it seemed likely that Liora would spend the New Year with the Wilson family.

Old Lady Miller’s heart ached. She missed Liora terribly, but she also felt deeply for Elodie.

Still, Elodie remained calm. She smiled gently and reached over to pat her grandmother’s hand.

"Grandma, I’m fine. As long as Liora is happy."

Old Lady Miller didn’t believe her. She could see the sadness Elodie was trying to hide. But she didn’t push.

She just sighed quietly and let the subject drop.

——————-

After breakfast, Elodie and Helen went out to buy New Year’s goods.

The shopping streets were alive with color and several noises. Bright red lanterns hung from every storefront. Familiar New Year songs played on loop, filling the air with a festive energy that was hard to ignore.

Helen had already done most of the shopping, so today they were just checking for anything they’d missed.

The streets were packed with families. Children ran around in brightly colored cotton outfits, clutching little tiger lanterns that bobbed and glowed as they skipped along.

Elodie stopped walking.

Her eyes landed on a little girl hopping excitedly beside her mother, her lantern swinging wildly in her hand.

Elodie’s chest tightened.

Before Liora had left to study abroad with Dante, Elodie used to buy her two or three traditional cotton outfits every year for the New Year.

Liora had loved them.

She’d also adored the little tiger lanterns.

In the days after New Year’s Eve, those lanterns had been her favorite toys. She’d light the candles inside and play with them for hours, completely mesmerized.

But that had been two years ago.

In the two years since Liora had left, one year had been spent abroad with Dante. And the following year, when Liora came back, everything had already changed.

But by then, Liora didn’t care for those things anymore.

She thought they were tacky. Childish. She refused to wear them.

Elodie didn’t force her. If Liora didn’t like them, she wouldn’t push.

So she tried picking out other clothes instead, modern ones, stylish ones, things she thought Liora might prefer.

But Liora didn’t like those either.

At first, Elodie thought maybe she just couldn’t keep up with her daughter’s tastes. That maybe Liora had outgrown her sense of style.

But eventually, she realized the truth.

Liora simply didn’t want to wear anything she picked out.

It wasn’t about the clothes.

It was about her.

Elodie slowly pulled her gaze away from the little girl and her lantern, swallowing down the ache in her chest. She caught up to Old Lady Miller and Helen, who were a few steps ahead.

————————

Knowing that Elodie and Helen were out shopping for New Year’s goods, Hugo and Xavier had secretly messaged her earlier that morning.

“Buy lots of fireworks so we can set them off in the garden on New Year’s Eve!"

Elodie had smiled when she saw the message and replied simply:

"Alright."

She thought about the past few years.

Since marrying Dante, he was rarely in the capital during the holidays. He was always flying somewhere, business trips, Pack meetings, conferences across the territories.

Even so, every year after their marriage, Elodie had still returned to the Wilson family’s old residence for New Year’s. Even when Dante wasn’t there.

Because that’s what was expected of her.

But now, thinking about it... it had been seven years since she’d last spent New Year’s with her own family.

Seven years.

Elodie tucked her phone back into her pocket, a faint smile tugging at her lips. She was just about to head toward the fireworks stall when her phone rang.

It was Johnny.

"Hey," he said cheerfully. "I just bought a ton of fireworks. Like, way too many. I’m sending some your way."

Elodie blinked, caught off guard. "Johnny, you really don’t have to—"

"Too late. Already done. They’ll be at your place this afternoon."

She couldn’t help but smile. "Thank you."

From the sound of it, Johnny had bought a lot. So she didn’t need to buy any herself.

———————

After finishing the rest of the shopping and heading back home, Elodie’s phone rang again.

This time, it was Harry.

She hesitated for just a second before answering.

"Mr. Becker?"

"I ordered a small batch of fireworks a while ago," Harry said, his tone was casual but it was warm. "Daisy asked me to send some to you. Could you send me your address so I can have someone deliver them?"

Elodie paused.

Her first instinct was to refuse.

"Mr. Becker, it’s really not necessary—"

"Then can you call Daisy later and tell her that yourself?"

Elodie went quiet.

She could already picture Daisy’s disappointed little face. Her wide eyes. The way she’d pout and ask why Aunt Elodie didn’t want her fireworks.

Elodie let out a soft breath.

"...Please thank Daisy for me."

There was a brief pause on the other end.

Then Harry’s voice came back, quieter this time.

"I will."