Alpha's Regret: Losing His True Mate-Chapter 136

With that tantalizing thought swirling in their minds, the Green family greeted Harry and Levi with even more enthusiasm, their voices more warm and eager, their hands extended in welcome.

However, Sienna couldn’t help but frown at their overly obsequious attitude. She and Harry were friends, like equals. The Green family, her own relatives, shouldn’t be fawning over them like this. It felt... cheap. Embarrassing, even.

But Sienna wasn’t about to call them out in front of everyone. After all, the Brown family had been a powerhouse for decades, their name carrying weight that stretched back generations. The Green family, on the other hand, had only clawed their way to prominence in the past ten years or so.

In terms of legacy, the Greens still didn’t hold a candle to the Browns. So while Harry and Levi clearly didn’t think much of the Green family’s desperate enthusiasm, they chose to overlook it, focusing instead on their relationship with Sienna.

After exchanging pleasantries and handing over their gifts to the Green family, Harry turned to Sienna, his tone casual. "Where’s Dante? Hasn’t he shown up yet?"

Sienna shook her head lightly. "There were some complications with a deal overseas. He’s been pulling all-nighters trying to sort it out these past few days." She paused, her expression sympathetic. "Unfortunately, it’s not completely resolved yet, so he’s running late. He’ll be here soon, though."

Harry and Levi nodded, understanding flickering across their faces, but neither pressed the issue further.

Sienna, familiar with both of them, personally guided them to their seats, her hand gesturing gracefully toward the front of the room where the best tables were reserved.

By now, it was getting late, and the banquet was ready to begin.

But the main guest of the evening, Dante, had not yet arrived, and Miles Green was visibly uncertain about whether they should proceed or wait for him.

He turned to Sienna and Janice, his voice low and hesitant. "What do you think? Should we wait?"

Sienna didn’t even hesitate. "We can start the meal."

The guests who had made the effort to come tonight deserved to be treated with respect, and it wouldn’t be polite to keep them waiting indefinitely. Sure, they’d probably have no issue with it, but still, it wasn’t appropriate.

"But..." Miles shifted uncomfortably. "Isn’t it a little inappropriate to start without Dante?"

Sienna’s smile was calm, and confident. "It’s fine. He won’t mind."

Her words were spoken as if she had every right to make decisions on Dante’s behalf. As if she knew him so well, so intimately, that she could predict exactly how he’d feel about it.

And that alone spoke volumes.

The other guests, watching this exchange closely, couldn’t help but take note. If Sienna was this certain that Dante wouldn’t mind them starting without him, it only deepened their understanding of just how important she was to him.

It made them even more eager to build strong ties with the Brown family.

---

On the other side of the venue, although many guests had already left, Grandma Miller still kept to the usual formalities.

After confirming that all the remaining guests had arrived, she took the stage to give a speech, her voice was so steady and gracious as she thanked everyone for attending. She also offered a brief apology for any disruptions earlier that may have affected the mood of the evening.

Her words were composed, dignified, and they were met with warm applause from the audience.

After finishing her speech, Grandma Miller glanced at the time and gestured for Jason to direct the hotel staff to begin serving the meal.

But then, Johnny, standing nearby, spoke up. "Uncle Jason, could we hold off for just a bit longer? Someone else is still on their way. They’ll be here soon, within ten minutes, I’d say."

Given Johnny’s close relationship with Elodie, Jason was well aware of the bond between them and agreed without hesitation.

"Is it the person you mentioned earlier?" Jason asked, his tone curious but welcoming. "We still have seats available at the main table. I wonder if they’d mind joining us there?"

Johnny’s smile widened just slightly, something knowing flickering in his eyes. "I think they’d be honored."

Elodie, standing off to the side, frowned slightly, her gaze flicking between Johnny and Jason. She had no idea who Johnny was bringing, but the way he was acting, like he had something up his sleeve, made her uneasy.

Or maybe... hopeful?

She wasn’t sure.

Cara leaned in close, her voice a low whisper. "Do you know who he’s talking about?"

Elodie shook her head slowly. "No idea."

But something in Johnny’s expression told her it was someone important.

Someone who might just change the entire tone of the night.

__________________

Elodie’s POV~

Just as the dishes were being brought out to the other tables, Johnny checked his phone. He quickly motioned for me to come aside. "The person’s here. Come with me to greet them downstairs."

I nodded, already turning toward the door, when a familiar voice cut through the air.

"There’s no need. I’m already upstairs."

I froze mid-step, my breath catching in my throat as I turned back slowly.

"...Teacher?"

It was Professor Nolan.

The room went silent.

I could feel the shock ripple through the space like a stone dropped into still water. People were staring, some with their mouths slightly open, others blinking rapidly like they weren’t sure if what they were seeing was real.

Because it was Professor Nolan. The tech magnate. The man whose face appeared in news broadcasts and industry panels across the entire Pack territory. Everyone knew who he was.

Not only was he brilliant, one of the most capable minds in the field but his background was rumored to be incredibly influential. The kind of influence that opened doors most people didn’t even know existed.

For someone like him to attend Grandma Miller’s birthday banquet? It was nothing short of extraordinary.

Grandma Miller and Uncle Jason looked just as stunned as everyone else, but they recovered quickly, rising from their seats to greet him.

Professor Nolan, who was typically reserved and distant in public settings, had always shown genuine respect toward elders he deemed worthy. He’d met Grandma Miller before, and now, he stepped forward smoothly, gesturing for her to sit back down.

"Please, don’t stand up," he said gently, his tone softer than I’d heard it in weeks. "I’ve been remiss in not visiting you for so long."

Grandma Miller smiled, her expression warm but slightly flustered. "Professor Nolan, it’s such an honor to have you here tonight. You’re making me feel embarrassed."

"Please don’t say that," he replied, his voice sincere. "It’s my oversight not to have come sooner."

He motioned toward Johnny, who immediately handed him a wrapped gift. Professor Nolan presented it to Grandma Miller personally, his movements were respectful.

"I didn’t have much time to prepare, so please excuse me if it’s not up to your expectations."

Grandma Miller waved him off, her smile widening. "Professor Nolan, you’re far too kind. Your presence here is the greatest gift I could receive."

After a few more exchanges of polite conversation, Professor Nolan’s gaze shifted toward me and Johnny, who were still standing awkwardly behind him like two students caught passing notes in class.

He didn’t say a word. He didn’t have to.

We both sat down immediately, understanding the silent command.

Grandma Miller turned her attention back to him, her expression fond. "In the past, Elodie was well taken care of by you. I’ve always been grateful for that."

Professor Nolan inclined his head slightly. "It was nothing, really. She’s done well recently, made some real progress in her research. I’m glad to see her not wasting her talents."

The words landed quietly, but I felt them settle deep in my chest.

Both Professor Nolan and Grandma Miller had long since accepted that I’d given up my academic path for Dante. They hadn’t pushed me to reconsider. They hadn’t lectured me or tried to change my mind.

They’d both believed that young people needed to experience setbacks, that following your own path, even if it led to mistakes, was the only way you could truly understand regret.

What mattered was whether you could recover from your disappointments. Whether you could pick yourself back up and keep moving forward.

Unlike some people who got so consumed by failure that they lost their way completely.

Fortunately, I hadn’t fallen into that trap.

Not yet, anyway.

Hearing Professor Nolan’s words, I watched Grandma Miller’s expression soften, the tension in her shoulders easing visibly.

"I’m so glad to hear that," she said, her voice thick with relief. "Thank you for looking out for her."

With that reassurance, the worry that had been weighing on her all night finally seemed to lift. She could relax now. She could breathe.

I sat there, hands folded in my lap, trying to keep my face neutral even though my thoughts were racing.